Moscow consulate DHL visa shipping

[james&olya 1,121]

Does anybody here know if there are options when you pay for your DHL 'waybill' for the visa delivery after interview? I was looking at their russian site on the internet and DHL offers different levels of priority for rapid delivery, for a price I am sure. It would certainly be easier if it is just a matter of spending a bit more to get delivery guaranteed within 24-48 hours after the consulate has the visa ready. I have heard that you can pick up the visa at the moscow office 2-3 days after the interview if you have it held there but you may wait up to 2 weeks otherwise. If these higher levels of service exist are they an option that can be chosen in advance? It would be worth it to me to pay an extra 50 or even 100 dollars to get the visa without having to spend several hours stopping to go into central moscow that day when we are heading back here. But I don't like the uncertainty of just hoping it is delivered in time. We want to leave 11 days after our interview date.

[slim 1,525]

It's been a while, but my wife received hers all the way in Vladivostok in only 7 days. I've heard from most folks who've picked it up in Moscow it's 2-3 days for pick-up or the same 2-3 days for delivery in the oblasti immediately surrounding the city. Add another day or two the farther east you go.

If I were you and would be there during the interview and immediately after, I'd talk to the branch manager, slip him a $100 and my mobile number with instructions to call the moment it gets to the office. When in Rome...