Visa VS Visa

With Loris just back from a wine-infused trip to Provence and Dino still somewhere in South East Asia, there are not too many news. So we shall take the chance to spend a word or two on visas, as a memento to any 2009 Mongol Rally wannabe ;-)

Azerbaijan: not as easy as expected, we had to send the passports to the embassy three times until they got it sorted. Visa is for 10 days, and can be requested up to 3 months in advance – no exact entry date.

Turkmenistan: the trickiest of the lot, the elusive visa we do not have - yet. Main problem is that an ordinary entry has a limited duration – 5 days – and it starts from the date stated on it, not your actual entry. At first glance the solution is to apply for a transit visa, which will be pre-approved and picked up at the border. It has again duration of 5 days, but from actual entry. It will also require proof of visa to/from neighboring countries (in our case Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan).

The Mongol Rally organizers offered a visa service, which managed to screw up a few applications– poor Loris is still without his, hopefully will get it by Tuesday.

Another alternative is to apply for a transit visa via a local travel agency, which promises to deliver at the border. It has to be purchased with a tour package, including accommodation, for 400 USD per head.

Uzbekistan: easy, fast, simple. Can be applied months in advance, even more than 3, has validity of 15 days but from an exact entry date.

Kazakhstan: Fairly easy and fast too. Can be done 3 months in advance validity of 21 days – must provide an exact date of entry.

Russia: easy, but as many know quite expensive, with the insurance and all. Exact entry date, validity 31 day.

Mongolia: the easiest of the lot. The honorary consul in Italy has been issuing them very fast, even on the same day. In my case I did apply and got it in Malaysia. Validity 3 months, duration of stay 30 days, no exact entry date.