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7 Dec 2012
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Bristol UK
Posts: 454
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Good news. I got the original LOI through the door today and am putting through the visa application online now.
1 more stumbling block is the need for insurance. We have yet to order any for our 12 months away as I was going to max out its length by leaving it till the last week. However It seems that it is 'strongly recommended' to take some out and to send a copy along with your visa.
Should I do this 1st? or have people applied and been granted WITHOUT taking any insurance?
Cheers, nearly there 
G
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7 Dec 2012
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Bristol UK
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and what is with the 'have you visited any countries in the last 10 years'!?
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20 Dec 2012
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Registered Users
HUBB regular
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 33
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insurance
We were in Russia last year, and went without insurance, brought in on the border.
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21 Dec 2012
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Warrington UK
Posts: 703
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Griffdowg
Yes, think so.
All cold weather gear sorted for Nordkapp next month
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Wow, brave man, sure going to be cold up there.
Are you aiming for the top, or the “Very Top” ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Griffdowg
All cold weather gear sorted for Nordkapp next month
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I am sure the cold weather gear is going to be properly tested.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Griffdowg
Picking up our Central Asia Visas in Ankara.
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Excellent, any hassles there, or is it like a “Bought visa”?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Griffdowg
Truck and trailer nearly done.
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Are you using the Sankey as your base, with the roof-tent on top?
Hope the shipping from Siberia to Aus works out.
Are you staying in Aus, or planning a return?
Vette
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21 Dec 2012
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Bristol UK
Posts: 454
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uk_vette
Wow, brave man, sure going to be cold up there.
Are you aiming for the top, or the “Very Top” ?
Excellent, any hassles there, or is it like a “Bought visa”?
Are you using the Sankey as your base, with the roof-tent on top?
Hope the shipping from Siberia to Aus works out.
Are you staying in Aus, or planning a return?
Vette
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Very top mate  Its about 71 degrees north IIRC so well inside the Arctic Circle
Think the Visas are straight forward. David at Stantours mentioned a LOI for UZB but I have not seen it on the Caravanistan website.
Sankey chassis yes, custom body and its been lengthened to match the wheelbase of the 90. Running same wheels/tyres to. We sprayed it this weekend gone and its looking good. Just need to finish the kitchen area and seals for the doors then give the hubs/bearings a service.
Shipping is quickly becoming my next main concern! We will see. Not planning to return to the UK but you never know. see what happens. If we like it we like it, if we dont we will be back in 12 months. 
my life is currently in limbo, but im loving it   
G
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18 Jan 2013
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Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK but currently on the road RTW
Posts: 206
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Stantours/Online vs Real Russia (or other)
Hi Griff,
I'm sure you're busy sorting last minute stuff but if you do happen to read this then I have a question for you (or anybody else who's made this decision).
I'm about to go through the same process myself so...
What made you go down the Stantours LOI/Self-Application Online route rather than hand the whole process over to Real Russia?
It looks as though the prices would be virtually identical.
I ask because I've recently been in contact with Stantours regarding other visa's and David offered his services for a Russian LOI.
Cheers and Safe Travels
Adam
PS...I'll keep an eye out for you on the road this summer
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18 Jan 2013
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 374
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JediMaster
What made you go down the Stantours LOI/Self-Application Online route rather than hand the whole process over to Real Russia?
It looks as though the prices would be virtually identical.
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I have used David in past also over the others. For me it was because even before I even spent a cent with him, he provided excellent information on my many questions, gratis. From my point view I saw benefit in keeping him in business for both myself and others.
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18 Jan 2013
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Warrington UK
Posts: 703
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Hi all,
We both live in China.
So the preferred is either an "Auto-tourism" visa, or a business visa.
Both multi-entry.
This is a reply I got from Real Russia. on 14th January 2013.
My question:
Hi Real Russia,
We plan to drive our Land Cruiser through Latvia to enter Russia.
We plan to be in Russia for about 15 days, then enter Mongolia.
We will then plan to enter China.
Then we will return, entering Russia a second time.
The time between the first entry, and the second entry will be less than 3 months.
We therefore need "Auto tourism" visa's? double entry.
Is that correct?
Their answer~~~~~~~
Hi Vette,
Please note that 'auto tourism' visas can be valid for 30 days only, both single and double entry.
We got the information that now people can enter Russian with any type of a visa, so it is better for you to get a cultural or a business Russian visa, double entry, valid for 90 days. But please note that you will need to enter and leave Russia twice within a 90-day period.
You should apply for your Russian visas either in a country of citizenship or past 90-day residency. So you can apply for them in China or you can send your passport to us and we will help you with a Russian visa. Please note that we could not help your wife with a Russian visa unless she is 90-day resident in the UK.
Hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Anastasia Pashovkina
Visa Support Administrator
So for us, it seems we can quite easily get both our Russian visas in Beijing together.
It appears that Real Russia are confirming that there is no need to use the "auto-tourism" visa, or "cultural visa", and that any visa is now OK.
vette
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19 Jan 2013
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uk_vette
It appears that Real Russia are confirming that there is no need to use the "auto-tourism" visa, or "cultural visa", and that any visa is now OK.
vette
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Note .. there was NEVER a need for an auto tourism visa.
A plain tourist visa or plain business visa is ALWAYS what I use. Every year without fail since 1998. Never had an issue.
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19 Jan 2013
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Warrington UK
Posts: 703
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Quote:
Originally Posted by colebatch
Note .. there was NEVER a need for an auto tourism visa.
A plain tourist visa or plain business visa is ALWAYS what I use. Every year without fail since 1998. Never had an issue.
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Hi CB,
That's the exact information reply I got from the visa people.
Tourist or business visa.
Job done.
vette
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18 Jan 2013
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Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK but currently on the road RTW
Posts: 206
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Stantours it is...
Good answers guys, thanks...
Quote:
Originally Posted by craig.iedema
I have used David in past also over the others. For me it was because even before I even spent a cent with him, he provided excellent information on my many questions, gratis. From my point view I saw benefit in keeping him in business for both myself and others.
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I've been in contact with David for the first time this week and had exactly the experience described by Craig (above). For that, and your comments, I'll give him my Russian visa business.
Cheers
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18 Jan 2013
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Bristol UK
Posts: 454
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JediMaster
Hi Griff,
I'm sure you're busy sorting last minute stuff but if you do happen to read this then I have a question for you (or anybody else who's made this decision).
I'm about to go through the same process myself so...
What made you go down the Stantours LOI/Self-Application Online route rather than hand the whole process over to Real Russia?
It looks as though the prices would be virtually identical.
I ask because I've recently been in contact with Stantours regarding other visa's and David offered his services for a Russian LOI.
Cheers and Safe Travels
Adam
PS...I'll keep an eye out for you on the road this summer
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I don't know Adam. Same as Craig, David has been an excellent resource and helped/reassured us along the way. I heard good things in the past about him so went with it. I don't see how Real Russia can process your visa application any differently as all of the questions are personal. For example, your last 2 employers, previous addresses, 10 year travel history etc. What do you gain from using an agency anyway? Get the LOI from David then print out the visa forms, its pretty easy.
I also like to be in control of things so if it got denied I would know why. If an agency is doing it for you, you dont know what they are writing!
what do real russia charge for LOI and visa?
EDIT: I just looks. Seems we saved about £65 each overall so its not a bad saving considering the extra work required is very little and you have some scope for movement. As I said above, you would still need to provide them with bank statements, visa application etc. I guess they just fill some things in and do your LOI processing so it does remove a step I guess.
G
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8 Dec 2012
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 374
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Griffdowg
Should I do this 1st? or have people applied and been granted WITHOUT taking any insurance?
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When we applied I gave them the details of the policy we had, no Cert of Currency or anything like that.
So I guess in theory you could just make it up!
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8 Dec 2012
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Bristol UK
Posts: 454
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Quote:
Originally Posted by craig.iedema
When we applied I gave them the details of the policy we had, no Cert of Currency or anything like that.
So I guess in theory you could just make it up!
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Thanks Craig,
I did a bit more reading and it looks like its not required by UK nationals as we have a reciprocal agreement to use each others health care services.
I put in the notes that we would be taking out comprehensive medical insurance prior to leaving the UK at the end of January as I wanted the insurance to last the 12 months duration of our trip.
Fingers crossed that this will be ok.
Going to post it off today. Both visas and checking etc took us 3 hours last night.
cheers
G
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Stantours/Online vs Real Russia (or other)
Stantours it is...
Hybrid Mode
