Any tips on Visa for MIL

[Turboguy]

We are getting ready to try and get a tourist visa for my MIL so she can come for a visit this spring.  Does anyone have any tips or suggestions.   

I think we can do the application for her electronically, print it out and scan it.   Write an invitation letter, scan it and send both to her on email.   Is there any reason that won't work?

She should be able to take proofs, bank account, apartment and husband.  She can get a letter from work but we don't know what the letter should talk about to satisfy the consulate?   For income is a employer confirmation of her earnings adequate or should it be confirmed by the tax department?   Does anyone have any suggestions how to prove to the consulate that she has a mother, a son and grandchildren as well as a husband to help establish her ties to Russia?  ie, are photos enough or are there documents she should have?   Can anyone tell us how long the process usually takes and how far ahead she should fill out the electronic form?

[ECR844]

"TG,"

Here are some links to threads which will get you the info and further links you need.

http://ruadventures.com/index.php?topic=1903.0
http://ruadventures.com/index.php?topic=104.0
http://ruadventures.com/index.php?topic=1899.0
http://ruadventures.com/index.php?topic=227.0


Last time I checked the average wait time was between 14 days and a month and a half. You can get the most recent 'wait times' for an interview from the embassies website. ALso I know 'gregfromGA' has done this as well as 'latetakeoff', pewrhaps you may try a PM to either of them.
HTH,
ECR844

[brianlau]

We were rejected once, then approved the second time.  I'm guessing that we ran into some sort of summer quota, but in any case,  what the in-laws were told was that our invitation letter looked "too" inviting, that we seemed to be implying they should move permanently instead of just visit.

Another thing is that  the invitation letter is for the Consulate, not for them.  So you can and should write things into it about your finances that might seem strange or in bad taste in a real letter to your in-laws.  Mention your income and job and your ability to pay for their return flight, etc.

Brian