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Thomasineurope
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Joined: 29 Apr 2006
Posts: 61
Location: SPB, Russian Federation
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 Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 9:50 am Post subject: Personal experience using the waytorussia visa application? |
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I am in need of applying for a multi-entry, one-year business visa within the coming weeks. Can anyone advise me of their experience using either the "waytorussia" visa application process or another provider? Your insight would be appreciated.
Cheers! |
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surfguy
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Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6996
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| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:11 am Post subject: |
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| Ok Well I applied for a 1 year Business Visa and Used WTR for the Visa Support....ok the company that WTR had issue the support/invitation were very helpful and expedient with the issuance of the invitation. I reccomend WTR fully. I can't tell you how helpful they were and I made numerous changes that they were fully flexible with and I spoke over the phone with the compnay too...and really I received very good service. Ok Also your application will go to the SF Consulate and from the time I received the original support and sending it to the consulate...it took 11 days. Ok If you are planning on getting a visa For a January trip...you need to order your support like now! Visa issuance is slower now...but good luck! |
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greg222
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Joined: 15 Feb 2005
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| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:18 am Post subject: |
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Thomas, you're aware of the new rules, right? See here:
http://blogs.waytorussia.net//item/107
As I understand, you want to live in Russia and not just travel there regularly. In spite of the terrible pay, your best bet at the moment is to go with Language Link or BKC since they can send you an invitation that will allow you to stay in Russia continuously. |
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Thomasineurope
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Joined: 29 Apr 2006
Posts: 61
Location: SPB, Russian Federation
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| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:22 am Post subject: Not January, but.... |
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| surfguy wrote: | | Ok Well I applied for a 1 year Business Visa and Used WTR for the Visa Support....ok the company that WTR had issue the support/invitation were very helpful and expedient with the issuance of the invitation. I reccomend WTR fully. I can't tell you how helpful they were and I made numerous changes that they were fully flexible with and I spoke over the phone with the compnay too...and really I received very good service. Ok Also your application will go to the SF Consulate and from the time I received the original support and sending it to the consulate...it took 11 days. Ok If you are planning on getting a visa For a January trip...you need to order your support like now! Visa issuance is slower now...but good luck! |
Actually, I need it for mid-December!!!!
I understood before that you could not apply prior to 45 days from your departure date which left me holding out. Then negotiations on my home's sale, currently in process, had further delayed me until now.
However, I just realized after reading the link provided by Greg222 that there are restrictions in place on the one-year multi-entry business visa I was planning to obtain. As in, it is no longer available??? I am freaking out as I only just found out this information here some ten minutes ago.
I have been planning and preparing for this move for the past year and a half!!!! What the hell am I going to do???
I am sending out my resume for employment this week and will definately assure that both Language Link and BKC receive a copy. However, with only 5 weeks left prior to my estimated departure, I am fairly certain that there will not be enough time to find an employer and have them provide me with an invitation. What happens if I can't get employed by either of these companies until after arriving in Saint Petersburg? Can they extend my intial 3 month visa into a 1 year visa upon hiring me? Or would I still be forced to return to the States to get the new or extended visa through?
AND THAT'S IF ONE OF THESE TWO COMPANIES WILL EVEN HIRE ME!!!! What if I can only get employment from another, less official, school?
This is sooooo not good!!!! I'm screwed.
Last edited by Thomasineurope on Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:40 am; edited 1 time in total |
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greg222
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| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:31 am Post subject: |
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There are still options. It's just not worth paying big dollars for the one year visa when it's not much use to you. For example, you could get a three month visa, go over there and try to find an employer who will set you up with a proper visa. But I think the best thing to do would be to contact some English language schools now and see what they advise. You can find some advertisements on expat.ru.
Otherwise, there is always Language Link and BKC. They're not so bad. And there's nothing stopping you freelancing on the side to supplement your income. |
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surfguy
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Joined: 13 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:34 am Post subject: |
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| Well you might make it by mid december...once you get the support...I'd take the doc's to the Consulate in SF and not do it by mail...it's going to cost you for the expedited processing. I have received 4 visas from there and never had a problem. And I have used WTR on 3 occasions. Just remember the new rules also say you have to apply here...only certain exceptions are made. |
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Thomasineurope
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Joined: 29 Apr 2006
Posts: 61
Location: SPB, Russian Federation
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| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:50 am Post subject: |
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| greg222 wrote: | | Otherwise, there is always Language Link and BKC. They're not so bad. And there's nothing stopping you freelancing on the side to supplement your income. |
Actually, I applied with Langage Link earlier in the year, however, did not yet hold my TESL certification and was therefore not accepted. That was in fact the reason that I went through getting certified in September. I can now re-apply, however, without a college degree or specific experience in teaching... I may remain an undesirable.
You say that Language Link and BKC aren't "so bad". Are they somewhat bad? I really don't know which schools are best and which are worst, or for what reasons. If pay is the only issue, I will be going to Russia with $25k in savings due to the sale of my house. However, I was hoping to find a teaching gig that would allow me to keep that money in the bank for whenever I decide to return to the states... one-year... five years??? That being said, it is available to support me in this endeavor if required. I mean, I am trying to create a life changing event here... I don't expect it to come at a minimal cost. |
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Thomasineurope
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Joined: 29 Apr 2006
Posts: 61
Location: SPB, Russian Federation
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| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:52 am Post subject: |
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| surfguy wrote: | | Well you might make it by mid december...once you get the support...I'd take the doc's to the Consulate in SF and not do it by mail...it's going to cost you for the expedited processing. I have received 4 visas from there and never had a problem. And I have used WTR on 3 occasions. Just remember the new rules also say you have to apply here...only certain exceptions are made. |
Yeah, SF is only 1.5 - 2 hrs away depending upon traffic and I have no issue in making the trip. In fact, if I ride my Ducati motorcycle, I can possibly make it even less...  |
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greg222
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| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:00 am Post subject: |
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| Yes, pay is the issue. But they give you an apartment and take good care of you, so in some ways it's a good arrangement. Anyway, I don't know how all this is going to pan out. I would assume that some of the other schools will have to start getting visas for their teachers. Otherwise, they would have to shut down... |
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surfguy
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| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:01 am Post subject: |
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| Well being that you are in Citrus heights...your best bet would be to leave super early in the morning...other wise traffic the whole way there. The only reason why I say go there is to get it expedited...but you can always call them to get answers. It took me a while to get through...but eventually someone did answer. Yes well you had better get a job over there...25K is not that much money...you'd be better off going to Turkmenistan!!! LOL Ok well you've got a lot of countries under your belt so I am sure you know the deal...I'm trying to get out of dodge myself too. I guess after the mortgage deals...and real estate collapse I'd be wanting to bail too. Oh wait I do want to go. Well good luck then...hey also you could do as Gregg said...get a 3 month visa...find the work...bolt back to NYC...re apply for a new visa and then jump back over. |
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Thomasineurope
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Joined: 29 Apr 2006
Posts: 61
Location: SPB, Russian Federation
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| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:11 am Post subject: |
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| greg222 wrote: | | Yes, pay is the issue. But they give you an apartment and take good care of you, so in some ways it's a good arrangement. Anyway, I don't know how all this is going to pan out. I would assume that some of the other schools will have to start getting visas for their teachers. Otherwise, they would have to shut down... |
Yeah, pay seemed around $600/mo, plus $300 towards an apartment. I believe, based on my previous visits, that this would be enough for me to live on. Or at least, for the most part... the savings will be my backup for the excess. I expect to pay $500-$600 for an apartment more central to the city and shop at the local markets for food. We'll see I guess! |
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Thomasineurope
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Joined: 29 Apr 2006
Posts: 61
Location: SPB, Russian Federation
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| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:19 am Post subject: |
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| surfguy wrote: | | Well being that you are in Citrus heights...your best bet would be to leave super early in the morning...other wise traffic the whole way there. The only reason why I say go there is to get it expedited...but you can always call them to get answers. It took me a while to get through...but eventually someone did answer. Yes well you had better get a job over there...25K is not that much money...you'd be better off going to Turkmenistan!!! LOL Ok well you've got a lot of countries under your belt so I am sure you know the deal...I'm trying to get out of dodge myself too. I guess after the mortgage deals...and real estate collapse I'd be wanting to bail too. Oh wait I do want to go. Well good luck then...hey also you could do as Gregg said...get a 3 month visa...find the work...bolt back to NYC...re apply for a new visa and then jump back over. |
Yeah, actually, I grew up in Citrus Heights, but now live Downtown. That cuts another 15 - 20 minutes from the commute! I will certainly do as you suggest and spend the next few days calling them like crazy in hopes of getting my question answered. Thankfully I am retired as far as America is concerned and have the spare time.
I just have to find a reasonable solution to all of this! This experience is my dream... one that I thought was going as planned. I wouldn't mind at all if I could hop across the border to the Baltics or Central Asia in order to re-apply for a 3 month visa, though obviously they have closed that door as well. It kills me to think I might have to fly back and forth between Russia and the states every three months, at my own expense, to make this work! And what about the schools? Can the smaller ones really afford to have their teachers leaving every 3 months to re-apply for a new visa? It just doesn't add up! Then again, perhaps that is some of the thought behind it... close off long-term illegal employment to foreigners.
How can Mother Russia treat me like this right after I dedicated my half-sleeve tattoo to them??? I guess it's just like they say about tattooing your girlfriends/wifes name... destined for failure. |
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surfguy
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| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Well St Pete is expensive! You probably will pay more like $1000.00 a month. Lot of changes there I am sure. Will be interesting and probably worth it. But do you have something to return to here in the US just incase? |
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overseas_expat
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jo jo 7
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Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Posts: 3199
Location: Louisville,Kentucky
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| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Thomasineurope wrote: | | surfguy wrote: | | Well being that you are in Citrus heights...your best bet would be to leave super early in the morning...other wise traffic the whole way there. The only reason why I say go there is to get it expedited...but you can always call them to get answers. It took me a while to get through...but eventually someone did answer. Yes well you had better get a job over there...25K is not that much money...you'd be better off going to Turkmenistan!!! LOL Ok well you've got a lot of countries under your belt so I am sure you know the deal...I'm trying to get out of dodge myself too. I guess after the mortgage deals...and real estate collapse I'd be wanting to bail too. Oh wait I do want to go. Well good luck then...hey also you could do as Gregg said...get a 3 month visa...find the work...bolt back to NYC...re apply for a new visa and then jump back over. |
Yeah, actually, I grew up in Citrus Heights, but now live Downtown. That cuts another 15 - 20 minutes from the commute! I will certainly do as you suggest and spend the next few days calling them like crazy in hopes of getting my question answered. Thankfully I am retired as far as America is concerned and have the spare time.
I just have to find a reasonable solution to all of this! This experience is my dream... one that I thought was going as planned. I wouldn't mind at all if I could hop across the border to the Baltics or Central Asia in order to re-apply for a 3 month visa, though obviously they have closed that door as well. It kills me to think I might have to fly back and forth between Russia and the states every three months, at my own expense, to make this work! And what about the schools? Can the smaller ones really afford to have their teachers leaving every 3 months to re-apply for a new visa? It just doesn't add up! Then again, perhaps that is some of the thought behind it... close off long-term illegal employment to foreigners.
How can Mother Russia treat me like this right after I dedicated my half-sleeve tattoo to them??? I guess it's just like they say about tattooing your girlfriends/wifes name... destined for failure. |
As it can be considered "Bad Karma", I think tattooing only applies to getting your wife or girlfriends name tattooed on your arm, in other words some "she's the one" positive assurances tattooed on an arm can change just for spite of fate. |
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or BKC, definately read through these many discussions on Dave's ESL cafe. You will find it extremely enlightening.
