Cheapest Way to Get Russian Visa

[gregoryagu 31]

Ok Ladies and Gentleman, first I want to say that we have now been happily married, legally for over one year!

 

Bliss!!

 

I want to thank each and every one of you for the technical advice and moral support on this long and uncertain journey.  

 

She now has her work authorization and advance parole and, as far as I know, it's a done deal.

 

The only thing that took me by surprise was the interview that we did here in the Tampa Office.  It was much more thorough and detailed than I expected.  The caseworker was a lawyer and her attitude at the start was a gruff "prove it to me" attitude but she warmed up during the interview and in the end congratulated us and wished us a beautiful life together. 

 

She did ask us to send additional evidence for her review which I did promptly.  The evidence I had brought was really just a copy of what I had already submitted.  She said that she was looking for more which I did not have in hand.  For example, photos.  I had sent in 2-3 thinking that was enough.  But as she said, a couple of photos are easily photoshopped.  So I send in 50 genuine photos (not just printouts from a computer) from CVS as well as a few other things.

 

But like I said, it was a happy ending.

 

So, now we prepare for a trip back to the homeland to meet with her family.  The Visa I had before expired, so I now need to renew it.  The place I had it done is now charging $488 for 3 year visa.  http://unionvisa.us/russian-visa/russian-visa-service-concierge/

 

Is this typical?  Is there any way to get one directly from the Russian Embassy or ???  

[barashka 97]

15 minutes ago, gregoryagu said:

Ok Ladies and Gentleman, first I want to say that we have now been happily married, legally for over one year!

 

Bliss!!

 

I want to thank each and every one of you for the technical advice and moral support on this long and uncertain journey.  

 

She now has her work authorization and advance parole and, as far as I know, it's a done deal.

 

The only thing that took me by surprise was the interview that we did here in the Tampa Office.  It was much more thorough and detailed than I expected.  The caseworker was a lawyer and her attitude at the start was a gruff "prove it to me" attitude but she warmed up during the interview and in the end congratulated us and wished us a beautiful life together. 

 

She did ask us to send additional evidence for her review which I did promptly.  The evidence I had brought was really just a copy of what I had already submitted.  She said that she was looking for more which I did not have in hand.  For example, photos.  I had sent in 2-3 thinking that was enough.  But as she said, a couple of photos are easily photoshopped.  So I send in 50 genuine photos (not just printouts from a computer) from CVS as well as a few other things.

 

But like I said, it was a happy ending.

 

So, now we prepare for a trip back to the homeland to meet with her family.  The Visa I had before expired, so I now need to renew it.  The place I had it done is now charging $488 for 3 year visa.  http://unionvisa.us/russian-visa/russian-visa-service-concierge/

 

Is this typical?  Is there any way to get one directly from the Russian Embassy or ???  

So, the only additional evidence you sent were more photos? Did you just mail it to them in an envelope?

 

Also, that price sounds about right. I went to a local travel agency type of place and they charged me somewhere between $300-$400 for a 3 year, multiple entry visa.

Edited June 5, 2018 by barashka

[KazuriSana 324]

Apply for the visa yourself!! Why do you need an agent?

 

https://washington.mid.ru/en/consular-services/citizens-usa/visa-to-russia/

[gregoryagu 31]

Thanks for your response Blessed.  Will check that out.

 

To be specific about the additional information required: 

1. Photos.  Yes, they were just mailed to the office as requested.
2. Recent bank account statements.  The once I had submitted with the original application were many months old and she wanted to see a recent one.
3. I added her to Car insurance (even though she doesn't drive). Sent copy of that.
4. Also added her to Water Bill and sent copy of that.
5. I didn't realize but the she was eligible for a SS card at the time.  She told me that she could based on the Work Auth card, so we did that, and then submitted a copy of the card.

And that was it.