Way to Russia Talk Lounge

katya_k · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 7:38 pm Post subject: OVIR invitations

Hello!
First of all i would like to thank the waytorussia team for their great and useful work - it is helpful not only for foreigners but even for russians who also happen to be lost into all the complex rules and confusing formalities!!
I am a resident of Moscow planning to receive my Indian husband some time in May or June. I applied for an invitation at OVIR on April 1. As time goes on, i am feeling more and more anxious as to the time this whole process is going to take! OVIR officials told me very vaguely that normally it takes a month, but it doesnt really depend on them, as all the papers are processed at FSB and they might take all the time they want.. I dont know if making an invitation for an Indian national might be more problematic than that for a european person, cos maybe Indians are considered to be more dangerous in terms of potential illegal immigration... would it take longer in this case, just cos a person is of Indian origin? And how long does it normally take to process an invitation at OVIR? Would like to know about all the experiences, from whoever has gone thru the same!!
Thanks in advance for your (hope) future replies Smile

UsualSuspect · Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2004 5:36 am Post subject: A clue?

Katya,
You haven't stated exactly what type of Invitation that you've applied for. I can say with hand on heart that for a Private Visa (Classified outside Russia as a "visiting friends or relatives" ) Invitation the turnaround time is in the 6 - 8 week range. The FSB generally turn these around in 30 days, so the rest of the time is OVIR's own processing. The fastest my girl ever got one was 5 1/2 weeks.

This assumes that all your documents you must supply are in order.

Regards
UsualSuspect

katya_k · Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2004 9:49 am Post subject: Thanks!

Thanks for your reply - well, i'll be hoping i'll be as lucky as your friend and get it done in at least 5 weeks! Mine is also an invitation for a private visa.

UsualSuspect · Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2004 1:43 pm Post subject: You may want to sweeten the pot?

Katya,
My girl also made it worth their while to hurry up. Not a bribe or anything, I just bring over something unique (like a mousemat or cup or something) to give the main guy. She also rings them up to check the status of where her invitation is. You never know, they may just want to get her "off their case" as it were........ Laughing

Regards
UsualSuspect