VISA MATTERS

Scores of complaints from frustrated tourists:

Russian visas are expensive, hard to get and in general a real headache.

Having enjoyed British, American and Schengen consular services I can tell it’s not for the faint-hearted either.

Of course there is always a roundabout way, too – making things definitely more expensive and probably more complicated. With just one internet click you will find a dozen companies who will promise to fight the red-tape for you, but that’s at your own discretion. You would not want me to enter your country on a fake invitation and visa? Small wonder border guards here would not be very happy to see you do the same.

This list of Russian Embassies abroad is long and dull. But it is legal.

I suggest you try it to begin with. If they don’t help you here we’ll look for other ways.