The Russians and their visa difficulties, 100 years ago
How to leave Constantinople
In order to leave Constantinople, besides the traveler’s passport issued by the Russian Consulate in Constantinople, one needs a visa of the country where one wants to travel, as well as the visas of the countries of transit. Before soliciting foreign visas one needs to get the latest exit visa at the Russian Consulate. Up until recently, such visas were easily issued by the Consulate as soon as the applicant indicated the desired country of travel. But presently, because the foreign consulates only issue their visas after the approval of their respective governments, the Russian Consulate has declared that it would be issuing exit visas only after the approval of the foreign visa. (Seems like a vicious circle?! - KK) ...Presently, only Brazil and Argentina issue visas without the approval of their governments. In any case, one needs to secure a guarantee from a resident of the foreign country, to ensure that the entrant will not require financial aid and become a burden to the society...
Published in the almanac Russkoe voskresenie [Russian Revival], January 1921.
In order to leave Constantinople, besides the traveler’s passport issued by the Russian Consulate in Constantinople, one needs a visa of the country where one wants to travel, as well as the visas of the countries of transit. Before soliciting foreign visas one needs to get the latest exit visa at the Russian Consulate. Up until recently, such visas were easily issued by the Consulate as soon as the applicant indicated the desired country of travel. But presently, because the foreign consulates only issue their visas after the approval of their respective governments, the Russian Consulate has declared that it would be issuing exit visas only after the approval of the foreign visa. (Seems like a vicious circle?! - KK) ...Presently, only Brazil and Argentina issue visas without the approval of their governments. In any case, one needs to secure a guarantee from a resident of the foreign country, to ensure that the entrant will not require financial aid and become a burden to the society...
Published in the almanac Russkoe voskresenie [Russian Revival], January 1921.