Russian business visa, work details

[kevgeo17]

Hi there, to whoever reads this. I've just registered and this is my first post. I know there are lots of posts about Russian visas on this forum and info on the site but I have a specific question. I have already asked this question on another forum and haven't gotten an answer yet, so I said I'd try here.

I'm planning on driving to Russia this summer. I'm currently in the process of applying for the business visa.
I need the business visa so I can stay longer than usual and enter Russia multiple times, as I also plan on visiting Mongolia and Kazakhstan. From my research online, I gather that I don't actually have to have business in Russia to get the visa.
The thing is, when I contacted a company that specialises in Russian visas, for the purpose of getting the invitation letter, they asked me for work details. Specifically, what the company does, it's name, address, phone number and my position in the company.
I know someone who had a small business assessing damage to cars for insurance companies. Even though the company is not operational anymore, it is still registered. Could I submit that company's details and say I'm an employee? The owner's okay with it but I don't want them to be bothered with any enquiries from the embassy here in Ireland.
If I do submit the details of this company, will the embassy contact them?

I also have second question. I've been told now that if I haven't gotten a Russian tourist visa before, I can't apply for a business one. Anyone know anything about this?

[Milad]

Each Russian embassy likes to make up their own rules about visas, no idea how the embassy in Dublin(?) deals with business visa applications, but usually, they don't really care about your job.

I also have second question. I've been told now that if I haven't gotten a Russian tourist visa before, I can't apply for a business one. Anyone know anything about this?

You can't get certain business visas if you haven't had any other Russian visa before. This applies to the three- and five-year multi-entry business visas, which you will likely only get if you had a one-year business visa before. Sometimes but not always, they don't like to give out one-years multi-entry business visas, if you haven't had any other visa (both tourist or e.g. six-month business visa) before. If you're applying for a business visa with a duration of less than one year, this will not affect you.

[kevgeo17]

Thanks for your reply Milad.