俄國這個有些神祕的國度，在去年友人前往旅遊時，就放到我的旅遊清單，理由是從英國飛俄國的廉航機票頗為划算，但我不算太早訂，價錢比去年隨便查單程£60-80貴一點點。五月中訂倫敦飛聖彼得堡，莫斯科回倫敦約不到£180，非直飛所以不算最好的價格，但台灣飛莫斯科也多要轉機。歐陸機票（或全球機票）我多用Skyscanner查詢，如果台灣出發的話則會加上背包客棧機票比價。
以上是前提，現在回到如何在英國倫敦辦理俄國簽證。
是的，雖然台灣護照有很多國度免簽證，但不包括俄國。
無論持有哪一個國家的護照，辦理俄國簽證需要一張邀請函、一張兩寸大頭照、超過半年效期的護照，以上備齊後即可上俄國在英簽證中心網站填寫申請表，列印出來後，帶著護照跟照片在營業時間前往簽證中心辦理。
Russia, a mysterious country for me, has been put in my travel list since my friend took a trip there last year. The reason why I did not travel with them is the price of flight ticket from London is more reasonable than from Taipei. Take my experience as an example. It took me less than £180 for return tickets (London-St Petersburg, Moscow-London). Although they are not direct flight, this deal is still cheaper than flight from Taiwan. For European flight, Skyscanner is good enough for searching budge flight. If you are looking for flight from Taiwan, I would recommend Backpackers to compare flight prices.
Ok, the above is the premise, the following is how to apply Russia visa step by step:
Yes, even though there are more than a hundred countries that offer free tourist visa for Taiwanese, Russia is exclusive. No matter what passport you have, you need a invitation, a photo of you, a passport with more than 6 months validity and a application form to apply Russia visa.
1. 邀請函
邀請函要如何得到呢？有兩種方式，一種是請已預定好的飯店或住宿地點房東寄邀請函，另一種是在網站上申請，繳交一定費用取得。
前者我沒有試過，理由是當時趕著辦簽證，七八月在不同的國度跑跳，要把護照放在簽證中心至少五個工作天實在有些緊迫。同行的朋友寄email給飯店，得有些耐心等待回覆。
後者是急著拿簽證的旅人福音，我是在Visa to Russia申請邀請函。
網站左側有綠鍵Go to the step 1，按下去照著指示填寫，我選單次進入俄國的簽證，費用42歐元，雖不算便宜，但付款完隔兩天就收到邀請函的PDF檔，著實有效率多了。
1. A invitation
So how to get a invitation without any acquaintance in Russia? There are two ways, from hotel or from specific website. You could ask for it from the hotel or accommodation where you have booked. I did not try this way since it is time consuming to ask for via email and wait for reply. If you have no time to waste, it is always a way to purchase it. Since I did not have time to waste, I purchase the invitation through Visa to Russia. The price for single entry is EUR42. Once I finished payment, it took me two days to receive PAF file of the invitation. Quite efficient, isn't it?
2. 兩寸大頭照
就是一張兩寸大頭照，通常要求三個月內，通常跟護照上的照片不同即可。
（建議在台灣就可拍幾組不同的大頭照備用，這裡的快照機拍出來的效果⋯⋯，當然也是可以在家裡的白牆進行拍攝，至少可以修修圖美化一下很難拍的好看的大頭照。）
2. A photo
A photo of you is needed to stick on the application form while it has been checked by a staff of Russia Visa Centre. This photo usually has to be the recent and different from the one on your passport.
3. 護照
就是護照，簽證中心辦理當天收走後，一般需五個工作天£36，急件隔一工作日取件£45。
3. Your passport
Your passport is needed to be taken away by Russia Visa Centre for at least 5 working days for £36. Similarly, if you are urgent, you could pay £45 for the next working day.
4. 線上申請表
首先，務必完整填清楚申請表，否則我現場有些空格沒填或不清楚，得用他們的電腦和印表機，使用電腦三十分鐘和列印皆須另外計費，連線還不是很穩定⋯⋯
線上申請表進入後，選擇簽證種類和國家別，同意條款和條約。接著選擇要申請簽證的國家並設定個人密碼以便修改表格。設定完後才真正進入填寫個人資料的部分。
個人資料要注意的是永久地址（permanent address）和職業（occupation）。永久地址須填英國的居住地，當時我看到永久地址，心想可能要填台灣的，結果在現場就被要求填英國的地址。職業除了寫學生外，還須列明學校、學校地址和電話等。雖然這些都可以用自己的手機上網查，但手機重新修改表格不易，且最後還需列印出來。
4. An online application form
First and the most important of all, the online application form MUST be completed and clear, or you have to PAY for using computers and printer with poor connection at the office.
The online application is accessible here. Choose the visa type and your nationality, confirm terms and conditions. Then choose the country you are going to apply your visa, and set up your password for modify your application form. It then enters the filling in your information part.
In this part, I made a few mistakes that I have to modify them at the office. Firstly, the permanent address has to be the address in the UK. Secondly, the occupation is not only filling in student, but also stating the full name of your school and its address and phone number.
準備好以上這些文件，即可前往簽證中心辦簽證了。
倫敦申請俄國簽證中心
營業時間：星期一至星期五 08:30-15:00
領取護照時間：星期一至星期五 17:00-17:30
地址：15-27 Gee Street, Barbican, London, EC1V 3RD
Once you have prepared all these documents, you could go to the centre without appointment.
Russia Visa Application Centre
Office Hours: 08:30-15:00
Passport Collection: 17:00-17:30
Address: 15-27 Gee Street, Barbican, London, EC1V 3RD
走在Gee Street遠遠可見藍色Russia Visa的指標，以為是門口的地方門上卻貼著「繼續往前」的告示：
Russia Visa Application Centre is on Gee Street. There is a small blue sign on the street.
真正的門口有警衛，告知要辦簽證，抽取號碼牌即可等待叫號。
若表格填寫確實清楚，資料準備齊全，繳完簽證費，護照被收走後，即完成辦理，等五個工作天即可。
若是像我沒填完整，會被要求到電腦區，開啟網頁，輸入之前設定的密碼，把不完整的資料補足再列印。這時不需再抽取號碼牌，直接到剛剛櫃檯檢查人員那裡補上新列印的表格即可。
There is a security guard at the door. Just tell him you are going to apply for the visa, and he would draw a number for you. The staff would check all documents to see if they are correct and completely filling in. Once they find there is a blank or incomplete part. You are sent to the computer area to re-fill your form and print it out. At this time, you do not need to draw a number again. Just go to the staff who served you and show her or him the new form. After it is confirmed and completed the payment, you would be told to come back after 5 working days to collect your passport.
取件時不用抽號碼牌，直接去櫃檯說明要取件，告知姓氏即可領取囉！
護照是裝在密封的信封袋裡面，簽證也是直接印在護照上的。
When you collect your passport, it is no need to draw a number. Just go to one of staffs and tell her or him you would like to collect your passport and your surname. They would find a closed envelope. Your visa is printed on your passport in the envelope.
現在，準備好機票、簽證和住宿，聖彼得堡跟莫斯科，我要來囉！
Now prepare my flight tickets, visa and accommodation, St Petersburg and Moscow, here I come!
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