Traveling has become more difficult – perhaps everyone will agree with this. And both abroad and within the country. The lack of affordable flights, difficulties with visas and the generally high cost of tickets have forced travelers to make adjustments to their plans. But we are used to finding advantages in any situation. And the current one is no exception.
Traveling has become more difficult, but the opportunity to travel the world has not been taken away from anyone. So if you want to add new stamps to your passport, be patient and remember a few life hacks from experienced travelers who have figured out how to get around the usual rules for getting visas to other countries in the last five years.
This material has collected countries that are easy to get to for Russian tourists. We tell you how to get visas and how long it will take.
Japan
For a long time, a trip to Japan was considered one of the most difficult. It is unclear what this is connected with, either because of the Japanese language, or because of a completely different culture in general. But in recent years the situation has changed a lot, and now more and more Russian tourists come to Tokyo every season. In general, getting a Japanese visa is easy – and it is free if you contact the consulate directly. And they give it without any problems. The main thing is to submit all the documents correctly. You need to fill out the forms on the embassy website in two copies in English or Japanese. A 35 × 45 mm photo is pasted on each. You also need to provide information about your financial situation – for a single-entry visa, it is enough to indicate the balance of the account without movement of funds (they write on the Vinsky forum that the balance should be at least 500 thousand rubles). Please note that if you do not have a foreign card, you will also need to provide information about the hotel and flight reservations that have already been paid. If you have a map, you can easily write your travel plan without confirming your reservation.
Chinese
Another popular destination for Russian tourists this year is China. The good news is that some of its cities do not require a visa. However, there are a number of nuances that you should know about. For example, if you come with a tourist group from an authorized travel agency for up to 15 days, no documents are required. Especially convenient for those who come to the resort of Hainan with a tour group. True, in this case, it will be impossible to go beyond its borders. You can come to Shanghai without a visa on a cruise ship, in which case you will be allowed to stay there for two weeks. The list of visa-free cities also includes Macau and Hong Kong, but the trip should not last more than 144 hours. It is also suitable for those for whom China is a transit country. Then all Russian tourists who have a ticket to a third country (and this is not Russia) can go to the city. In all other cases, you need to apply for a visa. This can be done immediately at the consulate and costs 2,500 rubles.
France
If you still dream of traveling to Europe, despite the lack of direct flights, try getting a visa to France. This is one of the few countries that does not refuse Russian tourists. For a tourist trip, you will need a Schengen visa type C, then you can travel with it to all countries of the Schengen agreement. The only problem is that visas are usually issued exactly according to the dates of travel. To apply, you must first fill out the application form on the government website, and then personally submit the documents to the VFS Global visa offices. But it is not easy to do: it can take several months to find a free date and time. Many people create bots on Telegram that book all the upcoming dates and then sell these places. If you still manage to get a place, the answer will come in the next three to four weeks. However, we still recommend that you take care of the visa issue 3-5 months before the planned trip. Pay attention to all the necessary documents for this. And especially about the status of your bank account. At the time of submitting the statement, there must be at least € 2,500 in your account, but the amount depends on the duration of your stay in France. By the way, the cost of a visa in 2024 ranges from 90 to 1,400 euros. The exact price depends on the method of registration and type of document.
Spain
Another popular European destination among Russian tourists is Spain. Fortunately, there are no problems with registration at the embassy. But still, do not rejoice in advance. Applications are submitted to BLS International centers at the earliest six months and at the latest 15 days before the trip. The review period is from 15 to 45 days. The visa fee is 90 euros for adults and 45 euros for children under 12. If you have a Schengen visa in other passports before, be sure to bring it with you when applying. This may affect the embassy’s decision.
South Korea
Few people know, but Russian tourists who arrive for up to 90 days do not need a visa to South Korea. However, a K-ETA document is required – an electronic entry agreement into the country. Only adults between the ages of 18 and 64 should apply for it. The application must be submitted at least 72 hours before boarding. However, experienced tourists warn that sometimes applications take longer to process, so it is better not to leave it until the last minute to get permission. To obtain an electronic permit, you will need to pay a service fee of 10,000 KRW (about 750 rubles). Only cards of foreign banks are accepted for payment. For those who do not have a foreign bank card, the only option is to contact a visa agency.
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Source: People Talk
Errol Villanueva is an author and lifestyle journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a passion for exploring the latest trends in fashion, food, travel, and wellness, Errol’s articles are a must-read for anyone interested in living a stylish and fulfilling life.
