Getting Russian visa

[Altair17 9]

Hi everyone!

I am now planning a trip to Russia with my beautiful wife Anna, and it seems that Russia changed lots of policies on applying for a visa (previously I used some agency in Dallas, fill all paper, get pics, send check with passport, and 2 weeks later passport comes back with a valid visa).

My questions are for everyone, but preferably for someone who recently went through this process.

1. Looks like its possible to get 3 year multi-entry visa, so I am not sure if it would be better to get old-fashioned tourist visa or get private visa (since if I'd be going I will be traveling with my wife only).

2. I am unclear on where/how to apply now. looks like I need to go to WWW.ILS-USA.COM, start the application, pay the fees, get the appointment for that subcontractor, show up for the interview in NY and get visa in person. Any way to cut that in-person appointment process to go through the mail as I used to?

3. Finally, I cannot find any answer on the invitation process. Previously I would just pay extra 20-30$ to those guys in Dallas and they'd issue a hotel invite and that was it. Now if I apply for tourist visa - I would need to get something similar (where, how, cost?) or if I apply for a private visa - all I'd need would be one time only invitation that can be signed by mother-in-law?

Maybe there is a cheat-guide on getting a visa?

Nick

[Hollyday 122]

Hi everyone!

I am now planning a trip to Russia with my beautiful wife Anna, and it seems that Russia changed lots of policies on applying for a visa (previously I used some agency in Dallas, fill all paper, get pics, send check with passport, and 2 weeks later passport comes back with a valid visa).

My questions are for everyone, but preferably for someone who recently went through this process.

1. Looks like its possible to get 3 year multi-entry visa, so I am not sure if it would be better to get old-fashioned tourist visa or get private visa (since if I'd be going I will be traveling with my wife only).

2. I am unclear on where/how to apply now. looks like I need to go to WWW.ILS-USA.COM, start the application, pay the fees, get the appointment for that subcontractor, show up for the interview in NY and get visa in person. Any way to cut that in-person appointment process to go through the mail as I used to?

3. Finally, I cannot find any answer on the invitation process. Previously I would just pay extra 20-30$ to those guys in Dallas and they'd issue a hotel invite and that was it. Now if I apply for tourist visa - I would need to get something similar (where, how, cost?) or if I apply for a private visa - all I'd need would be one time only invitation that can be signed by mother-in-law?

Maybe there is a cheat-guide on getting a visa?

Nick

My husband got this new long tourist visa last year. He was always getting tourist visas to spare me the trouble of making the invitation. Never had any problem coming it.

When i read this site (ils-usa) there's a line that says 'FOR SAN-FRANCISCO Private (HomeStay) Type 2 and Work Visas are not accepted by mail!' - while this is not explicitly stating it but it kind of makes it appear that for other locations applications are accepted by mail, and even for this one for other types of visas. They have a call center, so maybe you can just call them and ask?

And about the invitations for tourist visas, there are companies that assist with that. Example

[BatmanUSA 105]

I used a contractor (visa service company) to get my 3 year tourist via...

they gave me the instructions, I sent them my passport, pics, ect... and about 3 weeks later, they returned my passport with the visa in it...

[Snipe 21]

same as batman. I got my 3 year tourist visa and had no issues. just paid money gave photos, and my us passport. took a month but that was because of may holidays. should take about 2 weeks. imo best way to do it unless you live near a consulate and really want to try to save money.

btw it was my first time getting a russian visa.