| Author |
Message |
swp4lfe
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 94
Location: Philadelphia PA
|
 Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 12:28 am Post subject: I need some Help Information |
 |
|
| Hello i am very interesting in traveling to Russia after U.S. Christmas. My girlfriend lives in Moscow and i live in Philadelphia, Pa. I have my passport and she went to the OVIR office in Moscow to apply for a homestay invitation. They said it will take up to 1-2 months. I was wondering why does it take so long to get a Invitation? And if there is a quicker way to get this. Also i still have to get my Visa, the closest place to recieve one is in New York. I have a full time job and i do not have the time to go to New York so i will get one on the internet at (www.passportsandvisas.com). I was wondering if there is anything else i will need to go to Russia? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
UsualSuspect
WayToRussified
Joined: 08 May 2003
Posts: 324
Location: The Land of Oz
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 12:45 am Post subject: Time keeps on slipping... |
|
|
Hi,
The FSB have a turnaround of 30 days......and they tend to do their thing in exactly 30 days....then throw in the OVIR processing....6 weeks is what I'd rate as a bare minimum.
If you need one fast, do a business visa.......
Regards
UsualSuspect |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
swp4lfe
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 94
Location: Philadelphia PA
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 2:40 am Post subject: hello |
|
|
| Hopefully it will be exactly 30 days because i plan to leave Dec 29th but i still need 2 weeks before to get my Visa. What is the average price for a visa? I saw online on one site between 165-180 and that will be fore 2 week process. How many pictures do i need for a Visa? Will it matter if i get a tourist visa or a homestay visa? wats the difference? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ashton
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 08 Apr 2004
Posts: 80
Location: US
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 5:24 am Post subject: |
|
|
You are probably better off getting a tourist visa or business visa. It does take quite a while to get the private visa and you need to have the original copy, not a fax. You can get a tourist or business visa on the net for under $50 and it cuts down the time and hassle incredibly. The only difference is the visa application as far as I know. I had a similiar instance a few years back and the Russian Consulate told me to just get a tourist visa as it was easier.
You don't have to go to the Embassy to get the visa. You can just send everything by mail. It is usually cheaper than going through an agency.
Good luck. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ashton
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 08 Apr 2004
Posts: 80
Location: US
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 5:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
P.S.
Here is the info on the Russian Embassy. You can find the pricing and other details on this site.
http://www.ruscon.org/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
swp4lfe
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 94
Location: Philadelphia PA
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 6:38 am Post subject: hmm |
|
|
| Its already been 4 weeks since my girlfriend has applied for my Invitation. If i try to get a Tourist Visa i will need hotel arrangements and such. I am staying with her and her family. So hopefully she will get it in the next 2 weeks and mail it to me first class. After i have my Invitation, what should i do next? Do i have to have Airplane tickets to apply for a visa? because i want to wait to see if i get accepted before i purchase them. What do i need to get a Visa? I have my passport and i have Visa application form. What else do i need and do i have to go to NY to get this? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
UsualSuspect
WayToRussified
Joined: 08 May 2003
Posts: 324
Location: The Land of Oz
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 12:47 pm Post subject: What now... |
|
|
A few things..
. Have your girl ring 'em up and hurry the process, repeat a lot if necessary
. US males have a few more hoops to jump through..visa tit for tat...investigate
. All your Visa related questions should be directed to the embassy.
. I know I didn't need proof of air tickets. So long as the ORIGINAL of the Priglashenie (that is what the izvescheniya document is called) is supplied with application form and how many photos they require it is typically all you need.
. See if the embassy will accept drop off/pick up by UPS....and see if UPS will do it as well.
Price? Depends upon your turnaround needs. Ring the embassy of visit their US website....http://www.russianembassy.org and go to the "homestay" section. Follow directions...
Enjoy
Usualsuspect |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
swp4lfe
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 94
Location: Philadelphia PA
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2004 9:45 pm Post subject: getting stressed out from this invitation |
|
|
| I talked to my girlfriend and she said she cant call the OVIR to tell them to hurry the process. She said its at the Russian-American Embassy. What if i get a tourist visa? How would i get a "A standard tourist confirmation " if i dont wanna book a hotel and i just wanna stay with my friend in moscow in her house. Could i still get a Tourist Visa without booking a hotel? How would that work out? I just hope this damn Invitation will come soon and stop stressing me out. Its been a month already i need it quickly so i can just get a homestay visa. I will call the Embassy of Russian Federation in Washington D.C. for more information and see if they can hurry up the process. But thanks for your help info. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
wavetossed
WayToRussified
Joined: 27 Jun 2004
Posts: 339
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2004 1:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
Seriously now, GET A BUSINESS VISA!!!
In fact, get a one year multi-entry business visa.
She's your girlfriend, right? That means you will be back in Russia again, either to visit her or to take her back for a holiday to visit friends and family. It is worth it to just get the visa problem out of the way now so you can freely travel to and fro whenever you want without making advance arrangements.
The one year business visa costs the most to get, but you can get it FASTER than any other kind just by paying a few bucks more. This is what I did because I too have a girlfriend in Russia. I will be heading out to spend New Years with her and her family in the south Urals which will be my second trip.
With a business visa, you don't need to make any advance hotel arrangements. If you are staying with her family the whole time, then just go to a cheap hotel, book a room for a day or two, ask them to stamp your migration card (the slip of paper that you get when you enter the country) and you are all set. At that point the only possible problem you can encounter is if a passport control officer makes a fuss about the dates on the migration card when you exit. This is highly unlikely on a business visa, but if it happens, it is far better to have one stamp on the migration card than no stamps at all.
I'm surprised that your visa support company hasn't already told you this. If I were you I would go here http://www.waytorussia.net/Services/VisaSupport/Business.html and get it all sorted out right away with the help of this site. If you don't own your own company already just call yourself a business consultant from Swap For Life Ventures or something similar. Then keep your eyes open for business opportunities while you are in Russia. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
swp4lfe
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 94
Location: Philadelphia PA
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2004 8:57 am Post subject: ahhhhhhhhh |
|
|
| Umm i dont have a business. But i do work for a company but its not a suite and tie job. I am only 19 i dont see why they have to check thro the FBI and Russian feds to check if i am a terrorist. I just wanna see my girlfriend because its been 3 months and i wanna spend the holidays with her. I am still waiting for my Invitation to come, its been one month to this day i hope it comes no longer than next week (6 weeks). I also am trying to start a backup plan if it does not come in time. Does anyone know a cheap hotel or hostle in Moscow where i can use for a Tourist Visa? Do i need a hotel to get one? Please help me people i am doing everything i can to get there. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
wavetossed
WayToRussified
Joined: 27 Jun 2004
Posts: 339
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2004 3:09 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hmm 19 year old male...
Can you think of any terrorists that are NOT 19 year old males? No fair mentioning all the 18 year old and 20 year old males. You just happen to fit the classic profile of a terrorist so stop complaining and let the FBI and FSB do their jobs.
As far as what you need, well you need really cheap accomodation in Russia's most expensive city and you need a local Moscow travel firm to give you a tourist invitation. No doubt about it, you need local Moscow advice and help. If you really want to do it through this site, go straight to the visa section and fill out the request form for a tourist visa. Explain your girlfriend situation in the comment box. That way your request will go directly to Moscow to people with experience in solving your problem.
We're just amateurs here in the talk lounge... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
swp4lfe
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 94
Location: Philadelphia PA
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2004 1:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
Im not a terrorist silly goose  BUT she did get my Invitation today so therefore i do not need a tourist visa  All i need now is to wait for her to mail it to me thro express mail and get my homestay visa. How many pictures do i need for this Visa?? I read in some websites and one says i need 1 picture signed on the back and stappled to the Visa form. I also read in another website i need 3 pictures? Why would i need 3!?!? oh well someone please post back. And also where would i mail my Visa application, passport, picture(s), and money??? anyone know address??? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
wavetossed
WayToRussified
Joined: 27 Jun 2004
Posts: 339
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2004 1:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
Russian embassy, Washington D.C.
Unless there is a Russian consulate in Philly...
By the way, have you ever heard of Google? The Yellow Pages? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dr-Fauste
Site Admin
Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 654
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2004 1:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
THere is even link on this site for Embassies.
wavetossed, I agree with comments. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DennisF
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 05 Nov 2004
Posts: 97
Location: Texas
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2004 1:35 am Post subject: Give him a break, Wavetossed |
|
|
| This guy is 19 yo, he's in love with a girl from a foreign country, and he's really nervous. Give him a break! Seriously, wavetossed has had some excellent suggestions AND speaks with the voice of experience. He's also trying to help you, so listen up. The business visa was agood idea. The next time you want to travel to Moscow, it would be smart to get it. And it wouldn't hurt to start planning a little further in advance to spare yourself the agony and anxiety these posts represent. Good luck on your trip and best wishes with your Russian girlfriend! DennisF |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
