Visa questions
 

Hi,

I am looking at easing with full time work and get more into Freelancing.

As such I am now looking at getting my own Visas for Russia, India and China using a specialist company that can handle Visa applications so I don't need to run around from one embassy to the other.
As flight crew ( EU passport ), what would be the type of Visas I should obtain for each one of the above places ?
Business ? Crew Visas ?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts ?

Will you be able to get the relevant invitation letters from local companies (usually handling agents) in those countries as a freelancer?

To answer your question though (from the perspective of UK passport):

Chinese visas - for us this is a contentious issue as it appears to be difficult to get multi-entry visas these days as the CAA recently stopped issuing the required invitation letter. Our information is that various other civil government agencies can issue the required additional letter for multi-entry however we are getting nowhere with our current handling agent who need to request this locally. This is an ongoing issue for us and we are hoping to find a better solution. For now, we have 6 month crew visas which only offer 2 entries - and you will use up an entry even if you are dropping pax off and departing without entering China .... so quite irritating.

Indian visas - for some reason we do this as a business visa and the intial visa is for 6 months (multiple entry) and when you renew it will be for 12 months (multiple entry)

Russian - this is a 12 month crew visa. It takes a LOOOOOONG time to get the invitation letter and the 12 months starts running from the date on the invitation letter I think. The Chinese and Indian ones can be handled fully by your agent but for the Russian one, you will need to go and be fingerprinted every time you apply for a visa - well for UK passport you do, they may well be more relaxed for other visas.

Russian Visas: Russian Visa Online, Tourist, Business, Multiple-Entry, Travel Russia Visa Support Invitation Services.
Ask for the manager, Ekaterina. She is knowledgeable about crew visas for Russia.
Invitation letter done in 15 minutes, speaking about an EU (but non-UK) passport.

All other visas: www.crewsolution.com. Ask for Michael. Expensive, but priceless if it is the only solution that can get you that freelance gig.

For Visas to North Korea, PM me!

Talk to Vas at Altitude 50, specialises in aircrew visas and has done for 15 years - well known throughout the industry in the UK.

[email protected]

+44 (0)7545 150000

He's a mate, I don't earn commission :)

;).
But you should ask for a pint ;).

Thanks to all of you above.

The idea is to be as "equipped" as possible to cover a greater number of jobs. Obviously what can't be done, can't be done but with all sorts of Visas, Licenses, I would be more marketable.
I will be with my current employer a couple more months which I will try to put to good use in terms of "administrative " issues.

Thanks again.

US is the obvious one missing from that list - bit of a pain to get.

Second Vas at Alititude 50. Going at it alone after umpteen years at Gama and has been very helpful for getting Chinese visas recently.

Got in touch with Vas.
With regards to the US Visa, it is noted. I didn't mention it because I have a crew Visa with my present employer. Just checking if it is only valid whilst working for that company only ( Vas is checking ).

no it doesn't matter who you are working for

US C1/D visa are valid for any employer, whether they are mentioned on the visa, or not.

Good news about the C1 then. 👍🏻

Also B1/B2 is fine with a different employer (neither of my B1/B2 were annotated while my C1/D was but was fine with a different employer)

Awright then. That one is out if date...