ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IMBRA Special TopicsCriminal convictions and the IMBRA

Hi,
I am new to this forum and indeed I am new to forums in general so please be patient with me as I learn how to use it- thanks! My partner is from the US and I am from Scotland. We plan to get engaged and marry and settle inthe US. I am aware that he has several serious criminal convictions and is currently on parole. Looking over the I-129F form, my partner will have to disclose these crimes to USCIS. What I am confused about is that we did not meet through a marriage broker and yet this is an act the IMBRA which asks for disclosure through a broker- I don't undersand why it applies to everyone then. I basically want to know what, based on people's own experiences may be the possible outcomes of his filing for the petition- I can't see that he would be able to ask for any kind of waiver as he has donen the crimes and has certanly paid the price over the years. Any tips and advice on what we should do when filing the petition or indeed if we should file the petition at all- I would appreciae it
hugs
Rini

Hello Everyone,

I am in the same boat. I have an extensive criminal record. The offenses are over 20 years old and range from petty to pretty darn serious. None of the offenses are listed in the IMBRA Disclosure guidelines. I am returning to Russia in a few weeks and when I return home will be filing a K-1. I want to know how to defuse any potential problems with our petition. Any suggestions? My fiancee knows all.

Thanks for any help. I look forward to gaining useful knowledge from the member of this site.
likes2rideNot TellingRussia2007-02-04 14:35:00
IMBRA Special TopicsDo I tell the truth or not?
Hello All!
I cannot say enough about being completely honest when filing your petition. The definition of a service or site that falls under the auspices of IMBRA is pretty clear (at least to me). I mean ####### everyone is meeting people on the web; our cases are not that unique, only in the regard that we have met people from other countries. It is really no big deal to put in writing a truthful description about how you met your mate.

In my case, what I did find to be obtrusive about IMBRA is the element of disclosure and the potential for long delay in petition approval. As I have previously posted, my police record is a mess. Although none of the offenses are those specified in IMBRA, they are, nonetheless, criminal convictions.

I put much effort to be totally honest with my fiancee, myself, and the US Govt. In our petition we basically laid-it-all-out for them in black and white. The theme of the extra documentation we submitted was "Full Disclosure." First of all we both wrote brief descriptions about how we met (on a website). Then I wrote a letter to my fiancee telling her all about my younger days and the trouble I had been in. She responded with a letter acknowledging this and she submitted a supplemental Letter of Intent to Marry. I also gathered 5 letters of reference from friends and colleagues. And wrote in my own words to the Govt about my lawless behavior and how I cleaned-up my act in the last 20 years. Her letters were translated from English to Russian and notarized, the required documentation was translated from Russian to English.

In addition to the supplemental documentation regarding my criminal activity, we also submitted much more than was required (i.e. her daughters custody papers, birth certificate, citizenship papers). There was nothing more that they could have possibly wanted, except for dispositions of my criminal cases. It must have worked because our petition was approved by VSC in 28 days. I truly believe we defused the whole situation by being totally honest and submitting overwhelming documentation.

The point I am trying to make is that they will find out anyway. It is better to put the cards on the table. Yeah, we were worried, but what is the worse that could have happened. I met my fiancee in person. My fiancee is totally free of any criminal record. We are both free to marry. She has sole custody of her child. I will meet the income guidelines. She has a passport for travel to the US. What is there to worry about? Why not be honest? Most of you probably have all of the above WITHOUT the criminal history, so just be honest. If you have nothing to hide you should not be intimidated by IMBRA.

I hope this helps someone. Best of luck!!
likes2rideNot TellingRussia2007-04-11 20:44:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusSmooth as Silk
The flight was Aeroflot Moscow to JFK. The problem was the 2 bags that weighed over 70lbs. We had those and 2 others that weighed over 50lbs. And 2 carry-ons that were quite heavy + 2 backpacks with the breakable items. (We left the cat in Russia.) I do not know the method to the madness they use to charge for overweight luggage. I have had/have not had to pay from JFK to Moscow for bags that were excessive and have had to pay for flights w/i Russia. This time I we went to the Far East (Belogorsk) where my Fiancees parents live and on the return to Moscow had to pay 2100 rubles (Domodedovo Airlines). They also gave me some problems with my Migration Form, but after a short discussion with my Fiancee they let us go (no $$). I had registered in Moscow and the passport control people at Blogaveshensk airport tried to say I should have registered again in Belogorsk. The registration procedure also has a lot of disparity in its application.

The 1000 ruble payment was actually made after a discussion between my Fiancee and the woman at the check-in counter. After weighing all of our baggage, they had a few words and the $$ was slipped into a ticket folder and left on the counter. By the time we reached this point in our travel I was happy to see Moscow in the rearview mirror. We had quite the trip between her and the daughters trip from the east to Moscow and my trip from the US and our travels w/i Russia, and the pending trip and arrival in the US. It was a total of 50k miles and 14 time zones.

I have also traveled on US Airways to Western Europe several times and the limit was 70lbs but in the past few years that has been changed to 50lbs or 23kg. I think I paid $50 for excessive weight once on a flight from PHL to AMS. But was ultimately refunded this $$ after a call to the US Airways customer service people.

I really do appreciate the opportunistic spirit that the check-in/baggage people possess. It makes the trips amusing and challenging. I have also begun to find some humor with the passport control people. I was a little worried this time because my Fiancees friend had to pay the passport control agents to leave Kazakstan with her son. They knew she was imigrating to the US and really made it a miserable experience for her to leave.

Oh, you want to fly First Class? Look at the First Class section when you board and if it is not full, cut a deal with the flight attendant and your wine glass will never be empty ;-))
likes2rideNot TellingRussia2007-07-07 07:45:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusSmooth as Silk
Well, it's a done deal. She's here and we all survived. A few scrapes with the local authorities but ####### it's Russia. In a nutshell, the interview went well. Only a few minutes and a few questions(I posted a short review) . They did take the completed I-134 but paid little or no attention to the supporting documentation. The DHL arrangements for delivery of the Visa were made at the office about a block from the Embassy. The office is located on the ground floor in a small upscale shopping Mall that had some old Bentleys and Jags parked on the side near some resturant named the White Elephant, Pink Elephant or some s*&$. We arranged to pick the Visa package at the DHL office in Moscow center. They have later hours and it is easy to get to. The Visa was issued 2 days after the interview. The DHL fee was 973 rubles.

My fiancee was asked a few questions by the Russian passport control people as we left Russia and they paid very close attention to the K-2 Visa and Daughters documentation. We had about 300lbs of luggage and a carefully placed 1000 ruble note got the baggage on the flight to JFK without any hassle.

The entry into the states was a piece of cake. I went through the visitors line with my fiancee and the agent was overly helpful. All-in-all a very good experience. An experience none of us will ever forget. I am especially moved by some of the people I met and the places in Russia that I experienced. In 3 trips to Russia, I literally met all of my fiancees family and friends from Moscow to Vladivostok. Totally cool!

The one thing I would tell anyone who embarks on this endeavor would be to tell the truth about EVERYTHING to EVERYONE and that TOO MUCH documentation is NOT ENOUGH. And I would be remiss if I did not add that this site provided some very useful info.

Best of luck!! Have fun!!
likes2rideNot TellingRussia2007-07-06 00:36:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusTravel to and from Russia
Thanks for the replies. She has contacted the Embassy in DC and has not had much luck. The first woman she spoke with was not too helpful and gave her another number to call. The NY Consulate may be an option. I have had pretty good results with obtaining travel visas there. I will have her contact them and inquire about the expidited services. We just want to cover as many bases as we can before she leaves because the travel in and out of Russia can be a little dicey depending on who is interpeting the documentation.
likes2rideNot TellingRussia2009-10-06 14:45:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusTravel to and from Russia

Hi Everyone,

I have read some of the posts concerning this topic but wanted to get some first-hand info.

My wife is planning to travel to Russia (Belogorsk) to spend some time with her parents in December. She has her Russian Passport which is still in her maiden name and her Green Card which is in her married name. She plans to travel with a certified copy of our marriage license. We understand that there is a stamp that can be added by the Russian Embassy to her passport to reflect the name change. At this point we do not want to send her passport to the embassy in Washington, DC for any changes.
The plane tickets were purchased in her maiden name to match her Russian passport.

How long does it take to get the stamp added to her Passport?

Do you know if she will have any problems or do you know anyone who has traveled under the same circumstances?

Thanks for your feedback.
rich & tanya

likes2rideNot TellingRussia2009-10-05 20:32:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPolice Certificate

Hello All,
Does the Police Certificate that is necessary at the Embassy Interview (Moscow) need to be translated into English? Here is the verbage from the US Embassy website in Moscow:

Police certificates in all names as well as all dates of birth ever used. Police certificate must contain references to each place (subject to the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation) in which the applicant lives or has lived for more than six months since attaining the age of 16. This includes localities where applicants have lived during university studies. If the applicant was on military service, he/she should bring the certificate from the local draft board. If an applicant has lived abroad for more than one year, a police certificate must also be submitted from the country in which he/she lived. Police certificate validity is one year since the date of issuance.

It says nothing about being translated into English. Can someone please tell me about their experience at the Embassy in Moscow and the Embassy's handling of the Police Certificate.

Thanks much!


Hmmm... I just perused the Embassy website page again and may have answered my own question. It does say copies of all documents and translations are required. Here is a list of guidelines:

Instructions and List of Documents for Fiance(e) Visa Interview
Please read through these instructions before the interview and follow them carefully because they are the most complete available. All documents should be supplied ON THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW.
Children immigrating with you must also be present at the interview.
Please note that no one may accompany applicants into the Embassy's visa waiting room. This includes American citizens, attorneys, sponsors, friends, and family members.
Each applicant should bring all the required documents.
Copies and translations of each document into English are required. Translations must be notarized only when the original is in a language OTHER than Russian. (e.g. a translation from Ukrainian into English must be notarized, translation from Russian into English does not need to be notarized).
Payment. Please pay the application fee ($100 dollars for each applicant) ON THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW only after an Embassy employee instructs you to do so. We accept dollars and rubles. Credit cards are not acceptable.
It is necessary to submit the original DHL airway bill for express delivery of your visa after the interview.
Tickets. We strongly advise not to buy tickets or make any final travel arrangements before you receive a visa.

We will get it translated. Any other advice?
likes2rideNot TellingRussia2007-03-30 19:51:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPolice Certificate
Hello All,
Does the Police Certificate that is necessary at the Embassy Interview (Moscow) need to be translated into English? Here is the verbage from the US Embassy website in Moscow:

Police certificates in all names as well as all dates of birth ever used. Police certificate must contain references to each place (subject to the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation) in which the applicant lives or has lived for more than six months since attaining the age of 16. This includes localities where applicants have lived during university studies. If the applicant was on military service, he/she should bring the certificate from the local draft board. If an applicant has lived abroad for more than one year, a police certificate must also be submitted from the country in which he/she lived. Police certificate validity is one year since the date of issuance.

It says nothing about being translated into English. Can someone please tell me about their experience at the Embassy in Moscow and the Embassy's handling of the Police Certificate.

Thanks much!
likes2rideNot TellingRussia2007-03-30 19:38:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionBeneficiary Debt
Hello All!

Here is another one for the masses: What effect, if any, does beneficiary debt have on the K-1 process (i.e. a few thousand dollars)??

Thanks.
likes2rideNot TellingRussia2007-04-04 20:51:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionNVC case number

Hi,

I managed to drag out of my fiancee that we have a case number from the NVC for my case that's been forwarded to london. It starts with 'lnd', for London. Is there anywhere online that this lets me access to get further case information? I can't find anything about this listed..


Also, the Embassy website may post interview dates based on your NVC number. The Embassy in Moscow has a link to the interview schedule. You can look at this schedule and find your interview date before you are officially notified. Maybe the Embassy in London has the same info on their site.
likes2rideNot TellingRussia2007-04-22 19:59:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionNVC case number

Hi,

I managed to drag out of my fiancee that we have a case number from the NVC for my case that's been forwarded to london. It starts with 'lds', I assume the l is for london! Is there anywhere online that this lets me access to get further case information? I can't find anything about this listed..


On the notice from NVC, there will be the USCIS number and the NVC number. I assume it is the LDS# that you have because mine begins with MOS (Moscow). Anyway, on NVC's website there is a phone number you can call for automated info. I had no luck with that and called and spoke to a representative who told me when they received our petition and when it was forwarded to Moscow. The automated phone info told me that there was no record of our Petition. Hope this helps.
likes2rideNot TellingRussia2007-04-22 19:41:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 Affidavit of Support

Of course I can only tell you and I have filled out every single box on each form, even if that means entering "None" or "N/A."


Do you have the new I-134? The only one that I have seen has an expiration date of 4-30-07.
likes2rideNot TellingRussia2007-04-22 13:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsTHE PLAN FALLS TOGETHER!!

:thumbs: Congrats :thumbs:

THANKS all for the Congrats! Petition was touched again yesterday, 4/10, maybe to go to NVC??
likes2rideNot TellingRussia2007-04-11 19:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsTHE PLAN FALLS TOGETHER!!
Got the NOA2 E-mail today! Even with my rather jaded past, VSC delivered the goods in a timely manner. (Our I-129F and related documentation was 160 pages.) On to Moscow!

Our best wishes to all!!
likes2rideNot TellingRussia2007-04-09 18:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsIt's outta here!

Congratulations you two..... and may you have the best of luck in Moskow... :thumbs:


Thank you. Congratulations on your Visa! Friday the 13th...Cool! Always a good day...I was born on Friday the 13th (Rabbits feet, four-leaf clovers, black cats, and horseshoes never changed a thing)
likes2rideNot TellingRussia2007-04-20 22:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsIt's outta here!
Hello all!
Our I-129F is on its way to Moscow. All of the worrying we did was in vein. The whole process has been pretty painless considering the issues I had with my past. I did have to phone NVC to get the downlow on the date of receipt and date the petition was forwarded to Moscow. The automated phone info was useless. I only had to wait two minutes on the phone to speak to someone and they promtly gave me the dates I asked for after a few security questions.
Best of luck to you all!
likes2rideNot TellingRussia2007-04-20 20:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 Forms
On the forms there are boxes that all of the information does not fit, for example: my fiancees middle name does not fit in the appropriate box. What do I do? Am I overlooking something simple? I am using latest version of Adobe and the new I-129F form from this site. Thanks.
likes2rideNot TellingRussia2007-02-11 22:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHiring a lawyer or doing it on your own....
If your case is straightforward (no prior K-1's, visa overstays, or criminal charges as described in the I-129), then go for it yourselves. The guides on this site and a little organization on your part will get you through it. There is also a wealth of information on this site available from those of us who have done it. My wife and I still talk and get smiles from the experience we have shared by doing it ourselves. We just sent our documentation today for her AOS. A little late, but hey, she's here now! Have fun and good luck!!
likes2rideNot TellingRussia2008-02-22 23:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurespatronymic name
Hello Everyone, I am getting ready to return to Russia in a few weeks, and when I return I will be filing the documentation for a K-1. I have 2 questions:

1) Should I include her Patronymic Name as her middle name on the forms?

2) I have an extensive criminal record. None of the crimes I committed are listed in the IMBRA Disclosure guidelines, nonetheless, I do have a record. Does anyone have any suggestions how I can defuse any problems with our petition because of these past convictions? The offenses are over 20 years old. They range from not-to-serious to pretty serious.

Thanks for any help and I look forward to gaining useful knowledge from this site.
likes2rideNot TellingRussia2007-02-04 14:28:00