2009 Autumn in Yakutsk. When Snow Comes Early.

2009-10-09T10:29:00.001-07:00

Download the Kolyma Highway travel map

2008-12-08T00:42:00.000-08:00

It happened. The travel map for the Kolyma Highway is available online now. Designed for adventurers who are not afraid of driving the Kolyma Highway, well known as the Road of Bones.

It is presented in PDF on 7 pages (the A4 format.)

Available maps for:

(1) Republic of Sakha (with Kolyma Highway),
(2) Yakutsk,
(3) Nizhnyj Bestyakh - Churapcha,
(4) Churapcha - Khandyga - Razvilka,
(5) Kyubyume - the Pole of Cold, Tomtor - the border of the Magadan Oblast,
(6) Kyubyume - Ust-Nera - the border of the Magadan Oblast.

It contains information on distances, marks for petrol/gas stations, tyre repair stations, car repair garages, pharmacy, hotels, cafes, airports, river ports, etc.

Click here to visit the map location.

One day in Yakutsk, Nov. 27, 2008

2008-11-27T19:45:00.001-08:00

Just decided to take pictures of what I see daily on the way to my job place and back home. On that day we had something between -34C (-29.2F) and - 36C (-32.8F). 'Not so cold,' we say. We can go for a walk. When it is much more below -40C, than we try not to spend much time outdoor.

Taking off in Yakutsk, Oct. 2008

2008-11-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

AskYakutia.com, another useful resource

2008-06-24T20:25:00.000-07:00

AskYakutia.com is my other long-term project. Ask me your questions about the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Siberia / Russia, and get answers.

Getting the Russian visa

2008-02-23T22:44:00.000-08:00

To avoid any problem with Russia's Federal Migration Service in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), you need to obtain appropriate visas.

There are several types of Russian visas:

TOURIST VISA
Valid for 30 days only. To apply for this visa, you must get the voucher and confirmation from a Russian travel operator that has reference number and is registered in Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Two papers give grounds for obtaining visas. Important: before paying for the voucher and confirmation, you must be sure that the Russian travel company you addressed to is registered in Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. That kind of information is available in any Russian consulate.

BUSINESS VISA (Single, Double, Multiple)
Single and double visas might be valid for 180 days. Multiple one valid till one year. However, within the period of six months you are allowed to stay in Russia no more than 90 days. That visa means you're visiting Russia for to establish business cooperation. You are allowed to participate in negotiations, meetings, conferences, seminars. To get visa, you must submit the invitation issued by Russia's Federal Migration Service or Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on demand of the inviting Russian organization.

COMMERCIAL VISA (Single, Double, Multiple)
Validity as same as the business visa. However, the purpose of your visit is different. You are supposed to be involved in the realization of joint commercial projects. The invitation must be also issued by Russia's Federal Migration Service or Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on demand of the inviting Russian organization.

STUDY VISA
Valid max. for 90 days, after it may be prolonged for the period of study at Russia's Federal Migration Service. Caution: don't forget to extend a visa, better to do that prior to the date of visa expiration. The invitation must be issued by Russia's Federal Migration Service on demand of the inviting institution. While applying for a study visa, you need to show the HIV-test certificate.

LABOUR VISA
Valid max. for 90 days, after it may be prolonged for the period of contracted work at Russia's Federal Migration Service. Caution: don't forget to extend a visa, better to do that prior to the date of visa expiration. The invitation must be issued by Russia's Federal Migration Service on demand of the inviting employer. You have to submit the HIV-test certificate for obtaining visa.

MASS MEDIA VISA
First, you need to receive accreditation. Send the request at Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs with assignment description, arrival exact dates, passport data, etc. If your request approved, the invitation will be directly sent to the Russian Consulate for you to apply for the visa.

PRIVATE VISA
Valid max. for 90 days. Must have the invitation issued by Russia's Federal Migration Service.

Important!
Your visit purpose must comply with officially stated purpose. Otherwise, you're doomed to have problems with the migration service.

In case if...

.. you have domestic flight delay or other circumstances for reasons beyond your control, your inviting organization may solicit for your visa prolongation, but for three days only.

.. you want to stay in Russia more than 3 months, you have to get residence permission from Russia's Federal Migration Service. That's a long story, indeed.

Papers to submit for visas:

1) Passport. Valid for the whole period of your visit plus 3 months.
2) Invitation. Tourists must submit a voucher and a confirmation instead.
3) Application. Completed and signed personally.
4) 1 photo. 3 sm x 4 sm.
5) Medical Insurance. Valid for the whole visit period. Check your company with the list of authorized insurance companies at the Russian Consulates.
6) HIV test certificate. That's for study / labour visas.

Tariffs
Depends on applicant's citizenship. Check with the Russian Consulates.

Warning!
Never trust the websites saying, 'Apply for the Russian visas online, make online payment, and then pick up ready visas at Russian Consulates.' That's fraud for sure. All application and papers are submitted personally or with your official representatives to the Russian Consulate.

RELATED LINKS:
Federal Migration Service
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

P.S. All required visa information might be found the official websites of Russian Consulates.