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Author Topic: Visa to Russia...NEW PROCESS?????  (Read 4237 times)

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Offline kmin

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Visa to Russia...NEW PROCESS?????
« on: July 10, 2012, 04:00:05 PM »
According to the Russian Government....

Important Information for Visa Applicants

1. Effective April 10, 2012, under the agreement between the Embassy of the Russian Federation to the United States of America and the «Invisa Logistics Services LLC» company for the purpose of the improvement of visa services,
US citizens, foreign nationals and non-nationals ought to apply for the Russian tourist, business, humanitarian, work, student, homestay (private) or transit visas to the above-mentioned company’s Visa Center located at:

1680 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. (intersection Wisconsin Ave. and Reservoir Rd.),
tel. (202) 495-3663, fax (202) 495-3666, business hours 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m., technical brake 1p.m. - 3 p.m.

For more information visit www.ils-usa.com.


Has anyone gone through this new process yet?

I traveled to Russia in January, but the company which handled the visa is apparently out of business now that Russia is requiring the exclusive use of ILS for all visas... I think??? I called the tour company I used last time and the line is no longer in service and no replies to emails over the last couple of weeks.

I read the website at ILS ......

Consideration of the visa application (form) begins upon the submission by the applicant or his legal representative the complete set of documents.

We do not accept any documents by mail !!!!

The original invitation to enter the Russian Federation issued in accordance with Russian law.
Invitation to enter the Russian Federation is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Federal Migration Service or its territorial bodies.


I have also emailed ILS on Monday morning and have not received a reply yet.  I will try to call tomorrow and see if someone there can help me out.

I am wondering about the "showing up in person or having a legal representative" means.  The last time it was all arranged by the touristic company that is no longer in business.  For me to show up in person would be a 18-24 hour drive in a car or a plane ticket across the country.

I also don't know how to go about the process of obtaining a touristic invitation now that things have changed.

Anyone done this new process or know of someone who has? 

 

Online Faux Pas

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Re: Visa to Russia...NEW PROCESS?????
« Reply #1 on: July 10, 2012, 04:08:08 PM »
I'm not exactly sure what that means but, having to use an approved company to present your application to the consulate is nothing new. Try www.travisa.com . Unless you can present it yourself in person.

My guess and it is only a guess is, they may have placed a "favorable" company for various visa companies to present your application. In any event Travisa will get it done for you

Offline Anotherkiwi

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Re: Visa to Russia...NEW PROCESS?????
« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2012, 05:40:37 PM »
Are people in the USA not allowed to request visas directly from the Russian Embassy?  Here it's simply a case of filling out the appropriate paperwork, including supplying an invitation from an approved hosting organisation in Russia, send it to the Embassy in Wellington with your passport and the fee, and sit back and wait for your passport to come back with the visa attached (if approved, of course).
 
I don't see why Americans should have to pay an extra $60 or whatever to a middle-man to achieve the same result, especially when you've all recently agreed that you don't need a lawyer for your K-1 paperwork (which is surely many times more complicated than a visa application).

Offline kmin

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Re: Visa to Russia...NEW PROCESS?????
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2012, 06:08:50 PM »
Are people in the USA not allowed to request visas directly from the Russian Embassy?  Here it's simply a case of filling out the appropriate paperwork, including supplying an invitation from an approved hosting organisation in Russia, send it to the Embassy in Wellington with your passport and the fee, and sit back and wait for your passport to come back with the visa attached (if approved, of course).
 
I don't see why Americans should have to pay an extra $60 or whatever to a middle-man to achieve the same result, especially when you've all recently agreed that you don't need a lawyer for your K-1 paperwork (which is surely many times more complicated than a visa application).

Well....  You see America is big and if I live near one of the three Russian Consulates, I would not have to travel across the US to fill out the forms and such. 

When I went to Russia in January, all I needed to do was call the Russian Federation approved agent in my home state and he would take care of the whole process and two weeks later was my visa.

Now I don't know what the process is.  I hope it is as simple as just contacting another agent or tour company and have them take care of it.


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Re: Visa to Russia...NEW PROCESS?????
« Reply #4 on: July 11, 2012, 05:01:19 AM »
Are people in the USA not allowed to request visas directly from the Russian Embassy?  Here it's simply a case of filling out the appropriate paperwork, including supplying an invitation from an approved hosting organisation in Russia, send it to the Embassy in Wellington with your passport and the fee, and sit back and wait for your passport to come back with the visa attached (if approved, of course).
 
I don't see why Americans should have to pay an extra $60 or whatever to a middle-man to achieve the same result, especially when you've all recently agreed that you don't need a lawyer for your K-1 paperwork (which is surely many times more complicated than a visa application).

It use to be that simple in America as well. A couple of years ago the consulate changed the rules to where all applications had to be presented in person, they would no longer accept mailed applications. Shortly after that change the rules changed to where they could only be presented by a list of approved visa companies. I haven't been since last year so I haven't kept up with anymore changes. It does nothing but inject "approved" middlemen into the visa process

Offline Misha

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Re: Visa to Russia...NEW PROCESS?????
« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2012, 05:17:58 AM »
In Canada, if you can't go to the Consulate, you have to pay an agency, but we can mail (courier) our passport, photos and forms to them. Even if you live in a city with a consulate, you are often better to use an agency, as the consulate will find "typos" and otherwise make the process as painful as possible...

Offline BC

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Re: Visa to Russia...NEW PROCESS?????
« Reply #6 on: July 11, 2012, 05:31:42 AM »
Even if you live in a city with a consulate, you are often better to use an agency, as the consulate will find "typos" and otherwise make the process as painful as possible...

I really think consulates like repeat business...  long lines justify their existence.  My guesstimate is about 30 or 40% of that line are folks trying to fix the 'typos' or having to chase down obscure documents, forms and payment receipts..  Add in a few party favors from the visa agencies.

Offline Misha

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Re: Visa to Russia...NEW PROCESS?????
« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2012, 05:51:29 AM »
I really think consulates like repeat business...  long lines justify their existence.  My guesstimate is about 30 or 40% of that line are folks trying to fix the 'typos' or having to chase down obscure documents, forms and payment receipts..  Add in a few party favors from the visa agencies.


.... and they don't like their own citizens any better. My wife had to fly down to Toronto simply to pick up her new passport as they do not send out passports by mail or courrier  :cluebat:  We had to shell out over $600 dollars for that "privilege" (sigh)!

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Re: Visa to Russia...NEW PROCESS?????
« Reply #8 on: July 11, 2012, 06:16:43 AM »
I really think consulates like repeat business...  long lines justify their existence.  My guesstimate is about 30 or 40% of that line are folks trying to fix the 'typos' or having to chase down obscure documents, forms and payment receipts.. Add in a few party favors from the visa agencies.

That was why thoughts as well. Or, just outright kickbacks.

4-5 years ago in the US we could send them directly to a consulate, any consulate in the US. I was always very meticulous with the application that everything was completed without any errors, sent it to the "assigned" consulate from the webpage. Once, Houston sent it back with instruction to sent it to Washington which I did, Washington sent it back with instruction to sent it to Houston. Houston returned it with a visa. The moral to the story here, when dealing with the Russian consulate is just play along  :)

Offline Anotherkiwi

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Re: Visa to Russia...NEW PROCESS?????
« Reply #9 on: July 11, 2012, 06:22:06 AM »
That was why thoughts as well. Or, just outright kickbacks.

4-5 years ago in the US we could send them directly to a consulate, any consulate in the US. I was always very meticulous with the application that everything was completed without any errors, sent it to the "assigned" consulate from the webpage. Once, Houston sent it back with instruction to sent it to Washington which I did, Washington sent it back with instruction to sent it to Houston. Houston returned it with a visa. The moral to the story here, when dealing with the Russian consulate is just play along  :)

Maybe Houston staff were just pissed off that they didn't rank as an Embassy!  >:D

Offline kmin

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Re: Visa to Russia...NEW PROCESS?????
« Reply #10 on: July 11, 2012, 07:36:56 PM »
Called their office and talked to a helpful representative who told me that all visas for Russia are now being processed through them and no longer through the embassy or consulate.

7 day process is $180  takes 7 to 20 business days (normally 7)
3-5 day process is $280  takes 3-5 business days

This is if you drop it off in person and have an invitation already.  Using a tour company is the common way to have them processed and it works as it does in the past just that they process the visas instead of the consulates or embassies.  The tour company can drop off the documents saving the trip.

Offline Anotherkiwi

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Re: Visa to Russia...NEW PROCESS?????
« Reply #11 on: July 12, 2012, 11:59:17 AM »
Called their office and talked to a helpful representative who told me that all visas for Russia are now being processed through them and no longer through the embassy or consulate.

7 day process is $180  takes 7 to 20 business days (normally 7)
3-5 day process is $280  takes 3-5 business days

This is if you drop it off in person and have an invitation already.  Using a tour company is the common way to have them processed and it works as it does in the past just that they process the visas instead of the consulates or embassies.  The tour company can drop off the documents saving the trip.

Are those prices in addition to or inclusive of the visa fee?  Here it costs $110 ($US 88) for a single-entry or $170 ($US 136) for a double-entry visa (tourist and business are the same price) with 10 day turnaround, or double the price if you need it within three days.

Offline kmin

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Re: Visa to Russia...NEW PROCESS?????
« Reply #12 on: July 14, 2012, 04:56:55 AM »

Are those prices in addition to or inclusive of the visa fee?  Here it costs $110 ($US 88) for a single-entry or $170 ($US 136) for a double-entry visa (tourist and business are the same price) with 10 day turnaround, or double the price if you need it within three days.

Those are the prices if you already have an invitation (tour company will provide for a fee) and are going to deliver the documents to them (once again the tour company will drop them off for you for a fee).  I would guess the tour fees would range from $50 to $110 or may be included in an inclusive travel itinerary.

 

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