That thing is INSANE! I am surprised they don't ask for a blood sample. I am just floored at how long it took me to fill it out. For those of you who finished before July 2011 they changed the application system, to where it has to be filled out online, don't know what it was like before, but WOW! The thing I am worried about is it asked for my current employer, well I am a stay at home mom, I don't have one, but it would not let me move to the next page without a position and an address of my current employer. So I just put stay-at-home mom and my home address. Any other SAHM's have this same problem? Did I do it right? Also, the question on how many countries have I been in during the past 10 years! I had to call my mom to help me out, to see if certain trips happened in the past 10 years. Randy is going to be miserable on his, he took a 5 week backpacking trip across Europe and Israel back in 2004, so he will have fun filling in all those countries!
I have almost everything squared away except for the Visa and our crisp new bills. Our bank was like WHAT?!? They will try, but no guarantees. Yeah! Flights are booked, and I didn't sleep a wink last night, I think drugs are going to be in my immediate future.
A Year of Change
2 years ago
I just finished ours too..they are fun! I just filled in N/A on all the address and info blanks, and put homemaker as position. :) The hint that was given to me for the countries was just to put the stamps on your passport. Hope that helps! :) exciting times!
ReplyDeleteOh the memories! Yes, even before this summer it took FOREVER to fill out the app--and I did it online. The lady at ProVisa told me the app was actually shorter if I did it online. Ha! On the new bills, we had to go to the bank division that worked with commercial business to get enough of the new stuff that was needed for the 2nd trip. Sounds like you've gotten the hectic part over! Good luck on the packing! :) Shelly
ReplyDeleteThanks Melissa, I went back and changed it. I like your way better! And I just got a call from the bank, they have it figured out, so on Tuesday I should have our cash! Now to figure out what to pack.
ReplyDeleteI don't like filling out "paperwork" online, why would there be no choice for stay at home mom...seems like a popular gig.
ReplyDeleteFor the "countries you have been to question" I just looked through my passports and wrote down what countries were stamped.
Denise,
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you guys and can't believe you had to wait all that time with Agency 1....so glad you made the decision to make the move!!!!! Can't wait to follow your journey to your new precious little girl! We were so worried about the "perfect" money to bring on both our trips and we had no issues so I would say don't stress about it!!!! You guys must be over the moon with joy!!!! Such exciting times!!!
This is so exciting! Things have changed since we went four years ago. Our travel agent--used by our agency--made our flight arrangements to Moscow and in country and also got our Visa's set for us for both trips. Our in country people took care of our hotel arrangements in Moscow and in Krasnoyarsk. ALL we had to do was pay. . .It was nice having others take care of these things because I was such a stress ball!!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to hearing about your baby and your adventures in Russia. Someday I'd love to go back. But for now we're moving along in life and raising a beautiful boy.
God Bless and Godspeed!!!
Ahh, yes, the visa app. We were one of the first families to fill it out when it was changed (filled out the app on July 3 if I remember right) and I was complaining about it on Facebook. Everyone thought I had made a mountain out of a molehill, but no! It is completely ridiculous how long that thing takes. But...eyes on the prize! You will be there before you know it!
ReplyDeleteAhhh, the visa application. We had to fill them out 5 times!!!!!! Four trips and two that were an absolute waste of money since our travel dates changed last minute. We got the longer business visa for our last two trips. Look into that. It gives you a bigger window if dates need to change. Glad you have it all taken care of now. They get easier each time you fill them out. If you can, quick write down what you wrote for everything and next time it will be a super easy.
ReplyDeleteOMG totally know what you mean! When I went in July I used the first method.. super easy! When I went to travel in September! YIKES so complicated!
ReplyDeleteOh yes the visa application!! I couldn't believe how long it took! But it's all worth it! We just returned from our first trip. Hope you have fantastic visits!
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