Need a Russian visa for Uefa Champions League Final?

May 1, 2008 - PRLog -- The idea that those with tickets will be exempt from having to obtain a visa is now on the table. The head of Russia’s Uefa Champions League committee, Alexey Sorokin, has eased these nerves by saying, “We have reason to believe that supporters who arrive on organised charter flights and who have a valid ticket, passport and immigration card will not need a visa.”

This comes as a warning to those without a ticket or visa not to even attempt to enter Russia as they will be turned away.

Additional staff from Russia will also be brought into the consulate in order to deal with the influx of visa applications. The Russian consulate guarantee that despite the small time frame all applications will be dealt with.

The actual clubs have put together packages in order to make it easier for supporters. MU Travel (Manchester United Travel) offers a day package for £939 and a two-night stay costing £1299.

Manchester United and Chelsea football club, the contenders in the final, receive over 20000 tickets each for the match in Moscow. The rest of the tickets will be given to winners of a worldwide lottery.

Despite the proposition of leniency for visas to Russia, just getting to the match in the first place will be heavy on the wallet. As much as £3000 could be spent by someone wanting to come to the all-England game on May 21, this includes the flight that could set you back as much as £1500, accommodation, which is in short supply at the moment and the ticket costing between £67 and £167. If a visa is required this could be as much as £100.  

Moscow, with a population of 10 million, is about 1,559 miles from London. If you want to take the train instead of flying you can take a 48 hour train from London via Paris, Amsterdam, Cologne, Berlin and Warsaw, this will cost a far more reasonable £150. A car trip will take you about 32 hours. These are cost effective routes but are time consuming.

Those desperate to secure their trip to Moscow could, however have to wait a while as Thursday and Friday are Russian public holidays.

“On normal occasions a visa to Russia is essential,” says Robert Stroud of www.globalvisas.com. “In Russia, visa applications must undergo a two-step process; firstly, Visa Support documentation must be obtained, after which the Russian visas themselves may be applied for. Russian visa support is essentially an invitation to visit the country,” adds Stroud.

In order to apply for a visa or have entry if the proposed amendments come into place tourists will require a copy of the match ticket, a complete application form, a photograph, valid passport and copy of air ticket.

Website: www.globalvisas.com