invitations to RAN institutes

[Robert Whittaker]

James Bailey <jobailey at facstaff.wisc.edu> asked whether
>  the system for sending
>invitations from an institute of RAN has changed and that now the Academy
>itself sends the invitation to the nearest Russian consulate.
In April I received an invitation from IMLI, sent to me by fax: applied to
RF Consulate in NYC, had the same response reported by Charlotte Douglas on
Seelangs in April, i.e. application refused, invitation must come through
MID.  IMLI kindly routed a new request via MID, cost them $20.  Meanwhile, I
took Charlotte Douglas' advice and tried the same faxed invitation through a
visa firm, Visa Advisors, in Washington DC: they ran my faxed fax by the RF
Embassy in DC, who said it was fine.  I sent the same (refused in NY)
application to DC, and in a week had my visa.  Visa Advisors suggested that
the Consulate in NYC may have been overreacting to a general change in
policy (1.1.97) that requires all NON-GOVERNMENTAL organizations from the
Moscow Region to channel invitations through MID. Visa Advisors, 1801
Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington DC 20009, Suite 300, tel. 202-797-7976, fax.
202-667-6708.
        Regards, Robert W.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>
^     Robert Whittaker  FAX: 1-914-328-9601                ^
^                     VOICE: 1-914-946-5833                ^
^                    E-MAIL: rusinc at idt.net                ^
^                            rwhittaker at igc.apc.org        ^
^                    S-MAIL: 121 Alexander Ave.            ^
^                            Hartsdale, NY 10530           ^
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>