Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q1: I am not sure, what to fill in for “Planned arrival day” and “Planned departure day”, since I will decide these later. Should I apply for a maximal interval that will have my actual trip as a sub-interval?
  • A1: Yes, make the period as wide as possible. You do not have to travel on those dates but need to have your visa covering the dates when you are in Russia.
  • Q2: Do I have to send any supplementary documents for the visa invitation?
  • A2: Yes, you have to do that in two cases. First, if you are a Citizen of a country outside of European Union, then you have to send a copy of your passport (the double page with your photo). Second, if you are travelling with an accompanying person, then you have to send a copy of the proof of relationship, i.e., the marriage certificate, the birthday certificate, etc. Please send the copies to cav13 at imi dot ras dot ru.
  • Q3: My passport is not available right now, e.g., I am currently applying for another visa or traveling. Can I apply for a visa invitation?
  • A3: Yes, if your passport data will not change and the passport is not expiring in 6 months after the planned trip, then you can apply for an invitation right now. You will probably need a scanned copy of two passport pages (see Q2), but otherwise your passport is not required. It will be required only to make a visa in the Consulate.
  • Q4: I have not decided on which places in Russia I am going to visit after/before the conference. Should I mention all the towns around St. Petersburg I am going to visit?
  • A4: You have to mention the cities, where you will stay overnight at least. This is needed for a registration, which is usually done through a hotel.
  • Q5: I have not decided on which places in Russia I am going to visit after/before the conference. Could you give me some travel tips?
  • A5: We are collecting the relevant information here. As St. Petersburg is a popular tourist destination, there are also many tourist guides available about the city and its surroundings in book stores. Please do not ask touristic questions to the representatives of Steklov Institute, as they are busy with visa invitations for other participants.
  • Q6: Which type of visa should I apply for?
  • A6: While applying for a visa using a letter of invitation sent by Russian Academy of Science, as the “Purpose of visit” you have to select “SCIENTIFIC-TECHNICAL RELATIONS“. Then, for the type of visa you should chose “COMMON HUMANITARIAN“.
  • Q7: I have received my official invitation. However, the sample translation contains “МАЙКЛ ДЖОН / MICHAEL JOHN” as my first names and “СМИТ / SMITH” as a surname. My names differ from these. Can I ignore this?
  • A7: Yes, the translation is just an example for you to know the contents of the letter. You do not have to submit the translation to your Consulate.
  • Q8: I would like to check-in earlier than July 12 or stay after July 20 in Sokos hotels. Do the conference rates apply?
  • A8: By the agreement with the Sokos hotels the special rates are also valid outside of the conference dates (July 12 — July 20) upon room availability. You can request for the special rates applied to a longer period at the end of the booking form.
  • Q9: Can my travel companions book Sokos hotels using the special conference rate?
  • A9: Yes, they can use the same booking form.
  • Q10: I have received an invitation letter, but it is all in Russian.
  • A10: The letter should also contain a sample translation. You can also check the translations on this page.
  • Q11: I work in a Russian organization. Can I transfer money to a Russian organization for the registration? I will also need an invitation letter and a trip form.
  • A11: Check the tips for participants from Russia.