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time for private invitation paperwork?

 
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davtan
Just Starting


Joined: 18 May 2005
Posts: 5

PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 12:22 pm    Post subject: time for private invitation paperwork? Reply with quote

A friend of mine just lodged my details with OVIR for a personal/private invitation. Does anyone here know how long it will take for the application to be processed? I'm flying to Russia in early July, and will use a visa support service, if it's going to take too long.


Cheers!
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Rick
Moderator


Joined: 04 May 2005
Posts: 854
Location: Касабланка

PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 12:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

OVIR will take about a month to process your invitation. After this the original invitation will have to be sent to you. How long that will take depends on the service your friend will use for this.

You have to count on 2 months (at least) between the moment your friend goes to OVIR with your details to request the invitation and the moment you can apply for your visa.

It will be safer to calculate a 3 months minimum, to be able to cover up for things that might go wrong. Slow and unreliable post/courier services are a pest.

In your case it is still well possible to get your private visa in time, provided you are able to apply and recieve the visa quickly after recieving the invitation. You will need strong nerves and a backup plan though.
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davtan
Just Starting


Joined: 18 May 2005
Posts: 5

PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 4:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for letting me know. I'm a little worried about not getting the visa in time, as we're due to be flying out on the 2nd July. I'm sure I can get the papers couriered over from Russia, it's just how long it takes with OVIR...

Will get a backup plan drawn up just in case though.
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swp4lfe
Lounge Lizard


Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 94
Location: Philadelphia PA

PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 7:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

yah my girlfriend did this for me in the winter it took about 5 weeks for OVIR to process it and she mailed it to me with express mail which took 4 days and then i mailed out all the required info to get the visa and paid about 300$ for next business day process and it came to me in another 4 days ( because it was over russian holidays thats why it took 4 days to com to me) So when did ur friend go there? And count 5 weeks after and they should go back to OVIR to pick it up. Goodluck i know how stress it can be to wait for it, ive been thru it. Thats why next time when my girlfriend has to apply for Invitation we are going to do it way in advance to avoid the stress. GOODLUCK!
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davtan
Just Starting


Joined: 18 May 2005
Posts: 5

PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 11:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My friend applied last week. If he still hasn't gotten anything back a fortnight or so before we're due to leave, I'll just pay for some visa support to get the invitation, and then get it processed.

I've travelled to many countries in the world, and this must be the most crazy process I've ever had to go through to get a visa... Shocked Laughing
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