Having decided to employ a specialist for the visa applications I need, I spent two solid hours yesterday, entering details in web based forms. I had all the information to hand, and was doing nothing but enter data. Plus half an hours specialist advice on points of the data entry process; payment of a very large sum of money for the visas; and nearly an hour processing them with a member of staff of the tourist agency.
Ah well, the outcome should be that over the course of this month, I should receive about 5/8 of the visas I need. Another task to be ticked off.