Russian Visa Invitation Support Companies

[Brian & Elena 0]

Hey guys...

While I sit here in Russia waiting for my Russian temporay resident card (while we wait for my wife's US interview and visa) I am watching the days get closer and closer to when my Russian visa expires. My contacts keep swearing they will get it done within time (9 days left) but my wife and I need to setup a backup plan if they don't come through in time. I have used a site before for a 1 yr business visa which was no problem except it took like 3-4 weeks to get the invitation. What visa invitation support companies have you guys used, and do you know any of them that can get the invitation QUICK?

Thanks,

Brian & Elena

[Satellite 1]

While I sit here in Russia waiting for my Russian temporay resident card (while we wait for my wife's US interview and visa) I am watching the days get closer and closer to when my Russian visa expires. My contacts keep swearing they will get it done within time (9 days left) but my wife and I need to setup a backup plan if they don't come through in time. I have used a site before for a 1 yr business visa which was no problem except it took like 3-4 weeks to get the invitation.

I actually applied for one of these just for fun three years ago. As it turned out I also left before it arrived. It took about 6 months to make and the OVIR folks implied that I had to re-enter Russia to activate it.

Here is some good reading on the subject, although I am doubtful because this information seems out of date.

"Temporary & Permanent Residents:

Note: December 2003 - Russian Nationality Rules Ease (Talk Lounge Russia Forums on waytorussia.net).

To become a permanent resident, a foreign citizen should become a temporary resident first. One can become a temporary resident, only if invited by a private person to Russian Federation (private invitation).

The private invitation can be made in the local immigration office (OVIR), at the place where the person, who is inviting you permanently lives. The person who invites you, should fill in a special application form in OVIR and submit it along with a copy of your (the invited person's) passport, and a paid bank transfer. (Note, there are huge queues in OVIRs). It will take about 1 month or longer for OVIR to process this information, and after it is done, a "private invitation" will be issued. This invitation should be posted (not faxed - originals are required by the embassies!) to the person who's invited. Then the person who is invited should submit this invitation, along with the invitation, passport, photos, and other documents required to the Russian embassy, and his private visa will be issued.

The private visa can be valid for a period not longer than 3 months (the exact period is specified in the invitation), and is single-entry only.

After you arrived to Russia with such "private" visa, you should register at the place of residence of the person who invited you. For that there needs to be a proof that this person has the rights for this apartment (obtained in a local housing office), and a notarized letter, where the person states he/she doesn't mind you living in his apartment for a specific period of time (the form is standard - every notary knows it).

After you're registered, if you still want to become a temporary resident, you need to get a pile of documents. The requirements change all the time, so it's better to get an up-to-date list from OVIR. Generally, a foreign citizen will need his passport, private visa, information confirming the place of work / study, information that confirms the place of residence (should be issued by prefecture), information confirming a certain income, medical insurance. The Russian person, who is inviting the foreigner, should confirm the rights for the apartment, bring in all the same documents, confirming place of work / study, income, medical insurance etc. It's better to use a specialized agency's services to file all the documents before submitting them to OVIR. These agencies will not gather the documents for you, however, they know how to submit the documents that OVIR officials like it.

If everything is ok, you'll get the answer in about 1 to 3 months time.

However, the temporary residence is quite limited: a foreign citizen will have certain rights, and be able to enter Russian Federation, but in order to leave Russia, he/she will have to get a special "exit" visa from OVIR every time (it takes 2 to 4 weeks to get it)! So, imagine, you need to leave Russia fast, you can't do it, because you have to apply (queues), and then wait, and only then get a single-exit visa.

In other words, this process is not worth going through at the moment, unless you really need a temporary Russian residence. The rules are not easier for spouses as well...

The only good thing is that the rules may change soon, and become easier. We will monitor the situation, and as soon as there's a significant change, we'll update information in this section."

http://waytorussia.net/RussianVisa/Status.html

[DKM 0]

Where in Russia are you?

[Brian & Elena 0]

Where in Russia are you?

Stavropol Krai

[slim 1,525]

Several of the companies that offer support to get tourist visas offer overnight service.

I'm unsure how they would support you inside Russia. Could be worth calling their offices though, most have one in Moscow or St. Petersburg.