Sponsor letter visa requirement?
Mar 25, 2009, 10:21 am
#31
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: DCA/IAD
Posts: 834
I recently went to the DC consulate and only waited 10 minutes to drop off my application. Hours are M-F 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Turnaround for regular processing was 6 business days.
Mar 25, 2009, 3:25 pm
#32
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: AA PLT, USAir Gold
Posts: 559
My boyfriend went to the NYC consulate this week. He mistakenly thought that he could do it on his lunch break. When he arrived at 12:00 or so, they told him that he had to come back at 2pm. There were about 10 people in line. He went back at 2pm to find at least 20 people already in line before they re-opened. He got out of there at about 3:30. They are taking the full 10 days to process the visas - not including the day it was dropped off. The guy made a big deal because the picture was not glued onto the application. Also, one page ripped very slightly when he pulled off the paperclip - that was also an issue.
Mar 25, 2009, 4:17 pm
#33
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: All over
Programs: AA-LTP, HH-DIA, Marriott-LT+AMB, Hyatt-Globalist, Hertz-PC, UA-GS
Posts: 6,829
I mailed it from Westwood, UPS overnight after I added pages to my passport at the passport agency there. It went pretty smooth after I got them the right app. PM me w questions or post them here, so everyone can possibly learn.
Mar 25, 2009, 4:18 pm
#34
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: All over
Programs: AA-LTP, HH-DIA, Marriott-LT+AMB, Hyatt-Globalist, Hertz-PC, UA-GS
Posts: 6,829
Hmmm. Do you think the SF consultate will handle "business" from other states? I'm currently located about 100 miles from DC, so I called them about their procedures. Olga was very friendly on the phone (I'm comparing this to dealing with Chinese visas 
), but basically said I've got to show up myself (or use a service) to get my visa. I also have to come back to pick it up --or give someone my "ticket" to do so. You also need a cashier's check or money order -- no cash or credit cards.
), but basically said I've got to show up myself (or use a service) to get my visa. I also have to come back to pick it up --or give someone my "ticket" to do so. You also need a cashier's check or money order -- no cash or credit cards.
Mar 26, 2009, 7:51 am
#35
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PMI
Programs: BA,LH,CX,EK SPG,IC mainly and a few others
Posts: 1,862
I used visa express (www.visaexpress.net) when I was living in Houston. Used to drop off the passport with them and they used to send it back with visa by fedex to my office. I am sure they can do it by post/fedex. Used to take care of everything, including organising invitations.
Jul 28, 2011, 11:20 am
#37
Join Date: May 2003
Location: ATL/MOO (Many Others Often)
Programs: DL GM (2MM), Lifetime Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,456
There are ways though. PM me if interested...
Jul 28, 2011, 9:02 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,506
Many of the visa services will sell you an invitation for $20 or so. That lets you specify whatever dates you wish for your trip. I've always padded it out to a full month and then stayed wherever I wished (making sure to register/notify as per the then-current regulation). Hotels w
n't have any problem with this.
n't have any problem with this.
Aug 12, 2011, 7:09 am
#39
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: New York/Moscow
Programs: Aeroflot Gold, DL Silver, Marriott Gold, Global Entry, NEXUS
Posts: 243
You need sponsorship each night of the trip (and many visa agencies will supply an invitation which covers the entire duration of the trip and then some, rather than the period of a hotel reservation).
Aug 12, 2011, 7:11 am
#40
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: New York/Moscow
Programs: Aeroflot Gold, DL Silver, Marriott Gold, Global Entry, NEXUS
Posts: 243
Many of the visa services will sell you an invitation for $20 or so. That lets you specify whatever dates you wish for your trip. I've always padded it out to a full month and then stayed wherever I wished (making sure to register/notify as per the then-current regulation). Hotels wn't have any problem with this.
n't have any problem with this.Just to clarify, hotels won't have any problems with the traveler using an invitation issued by another service; they do not, as a rule, pad the dates beyond those on a reservation.