Russia Visa and APEC

[infoworks]

I am planning a trip to Russia in a couple of months. I have been in touch with APEC about acceptance by Russia. Basically it seems if you have an existing card (I do) they are accepting requests (mine went in mid-last year) but not acting. They do act on new applications/renewals.

Regardless, as I understand it, we still need to go through the Russia visa process, which I am doing. So far some good experiences - Hilton Moscow sent form and appropriate forms after I replied, all in less than a day.

Always open to advice on these things and tips for Russia!

 

[kpc]

Thise 2 threads may help:
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-guide/things-see-do-russia-moscow-54609.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....s/russian-tourist-visa-invitations-59871.html

I stayed at the Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya for 6 nights last Sept...nice executive lounge and 5-10 minute walk to the train stations / subway. Komsomolskaya Metro Station, the main entrance of which is located between Leningradsky (gateway to St Petersburg) and Yaroslavsky Railway Stations, less than five minutes' walk from the Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya, is an interchange between the red line and the brown circle line. The other subway station I used is Krasnye Vorota, IIRC about a 10 min walk away.

 

[infoworks]

Thise 2 threads may help:
I stayed at the Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya for 6 nights last Sept...nice executive lounge and 5-10 minute walk to the train stations / subway. Komsomolskaya Metro Station, the main entrance of which is located between Leningradsky (gateway to St Petersburg) and Yaroslavsky Railway Stations, less than five minutes' walk from the Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya, is an interchange between the red line and the brown circle line. The other subway station I used is Krasnye Vorota, IIRC about a 10 min walk away.

Thanks KPC...really helpful.

 

[dajop]

I have been in touch with APEC about acceptance by Russia. Basically it seems if you have an existing card (I do) they are accepting requests (mine went in mid-last year) but not acting. They do act on new applications/renewals.

Yes, I just completed my renewal and have "RUS" printed on my new (interim) card that arrived this week.

Everything I've read indicates if you have their endorsement on your card, you are granted visa free access. Does anyone have any experience with this? Particularly, if travelling for Russia for tourism rather than business purposes. The only reason I ask this - as once I was hassled by immigration official for using the APEC/Diplomat lane in Vancouver, as I was not in Canada for business (visiting enroute to US where I was there for business). This tourism/business thing has not been a problem elsewhere including countries, such as VN, CN & ID where Australians normally require a visa. But wondered if it would be an issue in Russia.

 

[infoworks]

This tourism/business thing has not been a problem elsewhere including countries, such as VN, CN & ID where Australians normally require a visa. But wondered if it would be an issue in Russia.

dajop, I've had an APEC card since day one almost and have never been challenged for being a tourist, using the priority lane, or needing a visa (e.g. Indonesia, China). It's taken a few years for airline staff, etc. to understand that the APEC card is all right, as they are in trouble if a pax arrives without a visa in most places it's required.

In YVR last year I (asked and they said yes) jumped a long line of lane crews to get to the head of immigration so I could get my connecting flight to Kelowna. The agent asked the crew if they had let me (yes) so she just processed me and off I went. In the US I've had "conversations about the card, visa, no-visa, ESTA and how they go together many times, but no real hassles.