Job Discussion Forums

[bradwelljackson]

Hello all,

I've been reading many of your posts here, especially shag's and teacher x's, and have found out quite a bit. One of the things you guys have talked about is visa agencies. Looking at the website for the embassy of Russia in the U.S., it seems that it is recommended for us U.S. citizens to go through a visa agency in order to get a work visa. Or maybe it's required. Hard to tell exactly.
What have you guys found? Any experience on this issue? Must a U.S. citizen use a visa agency?

Thanks in advance,

Brad

[spbefl]

Hi Brad,

In my experiences, the school issues the invitation and then you fill out the application for a working visa and send it to the Russian Embassy. The application looks daunting, but it's fairly easy once you get started. If you have questions you can call the embassy. I've never used a visa agency for any of my visas.

Best Wishes!

[bradwelljackson]

Thank you, spb

[Chancellor]

I found it was more convenient and less expensive for me to go through Travisa (http://www.travisa.com/) than to have to travel to New York City, pay to stay in a hotel, etc. However, I still had to get the appropriate paperwork from the employer (invitation letter, etc.) and provide that, the visa application and whatever else was required (along with my passport) to Travisa.

[RussianWinter]

One circumstance in which I would highly recommend a visa service is if you are Canadian and live in the West (or for that matter, the North or Maritimes). There are no consulates west of Toronto, or at least none that do visas. My visa was a rush job through Travisa and even then, it was less than half the price of airfare alone to Ottawa. I assume Americans have a greater geographic range to choose from, but for us Canucks, it can be a real necessity. (I know an American started this thread, but hey, others may be reading.)

[LAR1SSA]