Back-to-back Russian visas
 

Hi All

I have a one year multi-entry Russian visa in my passport right now, which will be valid until the middle of August.

I want to be in Russia this year August through to October, and plan to get another 1 year multi-entry visa.

Will I be able to apply for this visa here (i.e. not in Russia) before the current one expires, and have it so that the next visa will start when this one ends?

Also, would it be possible to be in Russia during the switchover period between the two visas?

Thanks

EO

I have some experience, but it probably won't make it any clearer for you...

I had a 1 year business visa, still valid. Then I got a job and had to leave the country to process the work visa. Interestingly, they did not cancel my still-valid business visa when they gave me the work visa. So when I re-entered Russia I had to make it very clear which visa I wanted to enter with. This caused some confusion. Then I needed to extend my work visa. When I recieved my new work visa, the other two still-valid visas had been cancelled. However, I did not have to leave the country for the visa switch to happen this time.

My advice would be to just forget the old visa and apply for a totally new one starting at the beginning of August, it sounds like you will only lose two weeks or so.

Thanks very much for that. It's indeed a slightly different scenario, but it suggests that at least I can apply for a new visa whilst I have an existing one.

Cheers

EO

You can apply for new visa with existing visa in your passport, there is no problem with this.

Just in case you will have any doubts or have more question here is the official web site of Russia visa center in Netherlands - VHS Netherlands

There is phone, you can verify all details.