Visa - business or tourist & transit to cross Russia, Kazakhstan and into Mongolia ?
 

Hi all,
Myself and my partner (both British passport holders) are looking to overland from Russia - Kazakhstan - Mongolia this year.
We wondered if anyone could advise on the best way to deal with visas etc. as of course we need to reenter into Russia to go between Kazakhstan and Mongolia. The 30 day double entry tourist visa seems a little short on time to be sure we'll make it through from Estonia - Russia - Kazakhstan - Russia - and enter into Mongolia!
Is it at all feasible (legal!) for tourists to obtain the longer 90 day business visa, or is a transit visa better for the 2nd crossing through Russia?

Please help us if you can!

Thank you!

You should go for a business visa.

Search the forum as there are plenty of threads regarding this issue.

Hi Eurasia Overland,
As we're unemployed during application, we can't ask for a business visa (advice from RealRussia). They offer the option of a cultural visa, although it's not strictly designed for driving your own vehicle. Have you ever heard of this type?

thanks!

With a good visa agency that should not be a problem.

I am a freelancer and not employed like anyone else and had no problems getting business visa with the right agency.
and I got business visa in 2013 and 2015

Other than tourist visas, none of the visas are really meant for driving your own vehicle, but it doesn't seem to be an issue. At least one person on this forum has used cultural visas.

I am self employed and obtained easily a business visa. They don't check that I am really self employed. I am now in the process of getting another Business visa. I still don't need to provide any docs regarding my Ltd company.


But in that case the requirement is that you can sustain yourself: with 100 pounds a day, per day of visa, or 3000 pounds. You need to provide 3 latest months of bank statement to show this.


Why don't you just say you are self employed?


Otherwise, you can look into "Humanitarian visa". Some of my retired friends, few years ago, got one that way. It was multi entry.


In conclusion there are still lots of choices for you. Talk to an agency.


There are quite few around. I have used RealRussia few times, (and my retired friends had their Humanitarian visa with them). I also dealt with VisitRussia.org.uk for some internal flights. Both companies are competent although VisitRussia is more expensive regarding visas.


Cheers,

thanks klausmong1 - for some reason RealRussia didn't agree the business visa was possible regardless of your experience :( and instead they suggested the Humanitarian visa/ aka Cultural visa - I think that's what we'll go for, as a tourist visa doesn't last long enough and we're concerned it's a big risk trying to get another visa whilst in Kazakhstan...

Hi motoreiter - thanks, this is reassuring!! I'm going to search out those people if I can and ask their experiences
Take care!

Good evening Maria41 - a good point, but it seems to be RealRussia blocking this choice as they've said it's not possible if you're not unemployed in some way...
If you don't mind, we'd really appreciate hearing from your friends who used a Humanitarian visa - we are planning on using RealRussia for this...
Let me know if they're open to us getting in touch,
Thank you!!!

[QUOTE=WACaesar;529844]Hi motoreiter - thanks, this is reassuring!! I'm going to search out those people if I can and ask their experiences
Take care![/QUOTE
IIRC it was Tirpse, I'm sure he would be glad to share his experience.

I PM-ed you their contact details. :)