Russian Visas
We have traveled extensively and needed visas for some of our trips, most of which we have gotten on our own. However, the Russian visa is more complicated than most. (I think Tauck should have something about it on their site more than just a link to Pinnacle TDS, because it is more complicated.)
1. Your passport needs anywhere between two and six blank pages, not including the amendments pages at the end. Pinnacle TDS says six blanks,; Zierer Visa Services says two. If you do not have blank pages, you will either need to get a new passport if yours is going to expire or add blank ;lages to your existing passport - which takes time. You can go to the US Passport Control site on line. You may need to expedite extra pages if you are close to going on your Russian trip.
Pinnacle charges $217 a person to add extra pages; but if you do it yourself, it only costs an expedited fee of $60 a person!
2. Even if you use Pinnacle or Zierer for the Russian visa, you will still need to fill out your visa application on line - use the Pinnacle link - and part of what you will need is the list of every country you have traveled to and the dates for the last ten years. Yes, last ten years!! Your passport, of course, is a great help in reconstructing.
3. You need a "letter of invitation." Tauck sends theirs directly to Pinnacle. If you are not using pinnacle, then you will need to call Tauck and get them to send one to you or your travel agent. You will need that for the visa. You will also need two passport photos.
Just thought some of you might like to know.
My husband Mickey and I are on the June 6th trip.
1. Your passport needs anywhere between two and six blank pages, not including the amendments pages at the end. Pinnacle TDS says six blanks,; Zierer Visa Services says two. If you do not have blank pages, you will either need to get a new passport if yours is going to expire or add blank ;lages to your existing passport - which takes time. You can go to the US Passport Control site on line. You may need to expedite extra pages if you are close to going on your Russian trip.
Pinnacle charges $217 a person to add extra pages; but if you do it yourself, it only costs an expedited fee of $60 a person!
2. Even if you use Pinnacle or Zierer for the Russian visa, you will still need to fill out your visa application on line - use the Pinnacle link - and part of what you will need is the list of every country you have traveled to and the dates for the last ten years. Yes, last ten years!! Your passport, of course, is a great help in reconstructing.
3. You need a "letter of invitation." Tauck sends theirs directly to Pinnacle. If you are not using pinnacle, then you will need to call Tauck and get them to send one to you or your travel agent. You will need that for the visa. You will also need two passport photos.
Just thought some of you might like to know.
My husband Mickey and I are on the June 6th trip.
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Comments
Is anyone going on this trip on May 30th? We are joining in Helsinki on June 4th, due to the nature of our business, it is hard to take off more time.
Hi Judy. My wife Debbie and I are going on the June Baltics tour. We're from NY and celebrating our 30th anniv with Tauck and you!
m
donna3556@aol.com