ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusB2 Tourist Visa for Russian Husband

I know I'm off-topping here, but you seem to live in Ukraine, and you have "Russia" in your profile. Is your husband a Russian citizen?


Yes. His family is originally from Ukraine, but moved to Siberia before the fall of the Soviet Union.
Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2007-07-23 00:57:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusB2 Tourist Visa for Russian Husband
Just wanted to add an update to this....

Went to the Kyiv Consulate to apply for I-130 and asked the question about the chances of receiving a tourist visa for my husband since we are not moving to the US at this time and are concerned about meeting the requirements for the greencard.

The consular officers there told us that we had a strong case to receive a tourist visa and that in their years of working in different embassies in the FSU, they had seen several people lose their greencards at POE and be deported after returning once a year to keep their greencard current (for example, the second and third year in a row that people tried to do this). They said if we filed and we received a greencard it would be better to return every 6 mos to avoid problems.

They strongly recommended that we wait on filing the I-130 and that we try for a tourist visa first since I have lived in Ukraine for several years and we own a house here in both our names and we have work here.

We will probably not apply for the tourist visa until the beginning of next year. But I will let you guys know if we get it when we do apply. Hopefully, this is all true.... but the worst case scenario is that we just file the I-130 if we don't get the tourist visa.
Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2007-07-22 13:48:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusB2 Tourist Visa for Russian Husband
Has anyone out there had any experience applying and/or receiving a multi-entry B2 tourist visa for their Russian spouse before starting the immigration process? We are not ready to relocate to the States (we live in Ukraine), but I would like for him to be able to travel with me to America to meet my family and for vacations once a year.

Is it possible? We own a house in both our names in Ukraine, but other than that, he has no ties to Russia or Ukraine except for a mother. His sister is marrying an American and in the K1 process.

Also, I am a missionary here. I am not sure if that will make a difference or not.

Edited by Kharkov_Natalie, 18 February 2007 - 01:36 AM.

Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2007-02-18 01:36:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAge difference survey
I'm 36 and my Seryozha is 26 :devil: Lucky Me :dance:
Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2007-06-17 11:27:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMoving to Russia

I miss my country a great deal. I think if something happened to my marriage, I would just pack up my bags and go back in a heartbeat.

The funniest thing is, I didn't miss it that much before, while I was settling down, learning and exploring the U.S. - it was fun. It still is, but over time that I've spent here, I have become increasingly nostalgic, and I haven't learned to cope with the fact that I'm being treated as a foreigner. I've been learning English all my life since I was a little kid, and I've been l imagining how cool it would be to spend some time in an English-speaking country and blend in with the locals.

Well, never happened. The reality hit me harder than I could have possibly imagined. I understand that I will always be a foreigner here - no matter how many years I spend in this country. It's hard. What's even harder is that one of my teachers at school, who lived in China and Zambia for a long time, told me that once you spend a few years in another country, you won't feel completely at home in your native country any more, and you won't feel at home abroad either. Wow, great news :blink: I suppose, it's true. And that means I have no home any more. Bingo.

Another thing is my job. I hate it. Sure, I can find another one, but I can't get a decent job without networking, which I suck at. Back home I wouldn't get a problem getting a great job with great money and benefits, and in a multi-national company like Wrigley or KPMG, not some crappy accounting firm with two and a half accountants here :angry:

It's been very frustrating. If not for my husband, who has been my life-line for years now, I wouldn't be here. I don't know - I may get used to it, but what scares me is that I was very happy here before, and I'm not any more. Well, they say it takes a few years to become homesick, I guess it's true. I hope it will pass.

I had a bad day today, and, as always, there's nothing to do at work, so I chose to rant here.

:crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying:


I totally understand what you are going through, but I am experiencing it the other way around. I moved to Ukraine 4 years ago and loved it here. I loved the culture, the people and was happier here than in the States. When I returned home last year for 9 months, I found that I had two homes and I didn't feel 100% happy in either one of them.

In Ukraine I get tired of being the American who is thought of as super rich and always gets treated differently. I get tired of the attitudes that some have against Americans - that some still think I am a spy :wacko:

In America I find that I have changed very much and can't relate to all of the things that I used to be able to relate to. The concerns that people have there and the materialism (it is in Ukraine too, of course, just in a different way...)

But, since I married a local - well, he is Russian, but where I live in Ukraine most people have Russian roots and see Russia and Eastern Ukraine as mostly the same... anyway, I have been doing things I would never have done as a single American girl here and even the simplest things are so difficult and require pay-offs. So, I get frustrated with the level of corruption here and how everyone seems to be on the take.... from the government offices that we have to deal with to the little old "sweet" babushka who lied to us and stole $30 from us last month. I understand now why a lot of people are so on edge all the time and why they are so mistrustful of strangers.

I understand the OPs desire to move to Russia and spend time there. I felt the same way 4 years ago. But now if I didn't have a job that I love (I work with kids who are going through some tough stuff at home), I would go home. Life is just so much harder here and it is heartbreaking to watch how so many lives are destroyed through lack of opportunities, alcoholism, etc.

Hang in there, Jewel, I think it is normal for us to get nostalgic about home... but as my friend reminded me last night, it is easy to romanticize and remember things better than they are.
Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2007-07-23 01:30:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMoving to Russia
Hey guys and gals, I've been looking all over the internet and cant find the answers I am looking for. Maybe you guys can help. Heres our sitation. After we get the K-1 and enter the US we will marry within in a week and file the AOS paperwork. We are considering after 2 or 3 years moving to Vladimir. Heres my questions.

1. Can I (a foreigner) own property in Russia? (Flat or build a house)
2. Can I have a bank account in Russia? Is it difficult to wire money from a USA account to a Russian bank account?
3. Do I have to go to a Russian driving school to get a driver's license?
4. How will this affect the AOS and my girl's green card, citizenship process here in the USA?

In addition, if and when we move to Russia my income will be from trading stock/options/bonds in my online account.
5. Will I have to pay capital gains taxes in Russia along with my taxes in the US? I hope not!!

6. Will we need to marry in Russia also to get my temporary residences visa, then permenant residence?. (If anyone can shed some light on this whole subject and process it would be greatly apreciated.)

I live in Eastern Ukraine and I can tell you about my experience here... I think the answers will be the same for Russia....

You can own property.


You can have a bank account and wire money into it. My bank charges $5 per wire plus 1%. I have wired enough money into my bank here to buy property, but I have not tried to take money out of the country. I have read where there may be problems with trying to wire large amounts of money out. In Ukraine they are talking about passing a law to heavily tax any profit foreigners make on real estate here... may be the same for Russia, not sure.

My friends drive here with their US driver's license and an "international driver's license." It isn't a driver's license, but a translation of your driver's license into other languages.

If you are moving in 2 or 3 years, you should be done with AOS. If you move to Russia before your wife is an American citizen, then she will need to return to the States once a year to keep her greencard. I would suggest waiting until she is an American (3 years) and then moving. If not, I am not sure when she would be eligible to become a citizen and you risk her losing her greencard.

I live off of money from the States and only pay American taxes. You aren't earning the money in Russia, so the government has no way to tax you.

Not sure about Russian temp resident or permanent resident, but I know that I have seen how to become a Ukrainian permanent resident on the US Embassy website for Kyiv. You could try looking at the US Embassy website for Russia and see if it is listed there.

I am not sure, but I think America doesn't allow you to have Dual Citizenship with Russia.... if I were you, I would hate to do anything to endanger my American citizenship.

Last piece of advice for you.... think really carefully about moving to this part of the world. I don't know how much time you have spent in Russia, but I can tell you that there is cheating, lying and stealing at every level of society. I am probably cheated at least 3 or 4 times a week. I wouldn't suggest trying to open a business here or anything unless you want to deal with paying off a lot of people and even risk losing your life! I am a missionary here, but other than that I would not live here!
As a woman who looks very Ukrainian, I am able to blend in and fly under the radar, but I have one American friend (man) who was beaten and left for dead for nothing other than walking down the street. He spent two weeks in a hospital in America recovering and has lost hearing in one ear and his sense of smell!



These are all the questions I have for the moment. I have searched the internet and found only outdated and conflicting info. All help is greatly appreciated. thanks!!!

Edited by Kharkov_Natalie, 12 July 2007 - 02:52 AM.

Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2007-07-12 02:47:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCultural Differences
I think I am the first American woman to add to this discussion... I live here in Ukraine so some of these cultural differences I have already picked up on and they don't bother me.... I'll post those that I like and those that I don't :)

Positive Cultural Differences:
Tapochki -- makes it a lot easier to keep everything clean!
Vegetables -- my husband eats vegetables more than meat. Most of the American men I know don't eat a lot of vegetables
(I know that there are many that probably do.... I just don't know them!) The reason I like this is because I eat
healthier too.
Hot Tea --- Being from Louisiana and Texas, I never drank hot tea. It really does make you feel better if you have a cold.
However, I was really glad to see Nestea Ice Tea in the stores recently!!!
Chivalry -- I am not saying that American men are not chivalrous. But in my experience, Russian men are much more. I never
have to carry bags, luggage or anything slightly heavy with my husband around. Russian men extend their hand to
me on public transportation (if they know me and sometimes if they don't and they see I have heavy bags.)
Fruit -- If I give most Russians a choice between a snickers bar or fruit, they will choose fruit. I feel that this is a positive
as they are very health conscious (as is understandable given the medical situation here) and eat much better than
we do. My husband eats 3 or 4 different kinds of fruit a day.
Food -- Food here is organic and much better for you. I return to the States and without eating much differently can pack
on 15 pounds in 2 months. There might be some truth to the hormones, chemicals, etc that they say are in our
food.
Washing hands -- My husband makes sure that the first thing I do upon entering the house (after removing my shoes) is to
wash my hands. I wash my hands here way more than I ever did in the States.
Juice -- My husband drinks juice constantly. He is amazed that I never drank it.... of course, now I do.... he is always
making me drink it.

Negative Cultural Differences:
Windows -- Leaving a window open and letting the wind in can be fatal!!! (Thank God my husband isn't as drastic on this point
as some Russians are)
Cleanliness --I do know some Russians who keep things much cleaner than I do, but for the most part their standard
of cleanliness when it comes to dishes (dish detergent is optional!) and houses is much lower than mine.
Hygeniene -- Again, some take baths everyday, use deodorant,etc. However, many believe that shampoo and soap are
chemicals that are bad for your skin and hair. My husband and I are always fighting on how often he should
bathe and wash his hair. Amazingly enough, his hair only looks dirty after about 4 days... mine the second day
of not washing it is a grease pit! He says it is because I wash it too much... maybe they know what we do not!
I tell him he should use soap and shampoo daily and he questions me on why not hourly?? Never-ending
battle.
Food -- My husband and his family will leave food out on the stove for days and eat it without a problem. If they do put it
in the refrigerator, the leave it on a plate with another plate on top of it. I have tried to teach them to use my
tupperware, but they complain that it is plastic and therefore bad! What really bugs me is when I throw old food
away and they get it out of the trash and hide it under the beds from me... then I find it a few days later when it
starts to smell - sigh! Fortunately, the family is heading back to Siberia soon! (They were here for the wedding!)
Superstitions - There are too many to name... but my most recent favorite is that you shouldn't get married in May (I did)!
Some of the older women I know (including my mother-in-law) are convinced that my marriage is doomed!

The most amazing thing for me is that I realize that most of the differences between my husband and I (so far) are male/female differences. Of course, we are both Christians, so we are both very like-minded in our morals and values. But, I don't feel huge cultural differences in us. Of course, much remains... like having children and bringing him to the States for a visit....

Edited by Kharkov_Natalie, 16 June 2007 - 01:32 AM.

Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2007-06-16 01:30:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNew Biometric Passport for Russia starting in Jan 08
Does anyone have any information about what will be required for the new Russian biometric passports starting in Jan 2008? Is it just fingerprinting or more?

My husband went to Belgorod yesterday (we live in Ukraine) to inquire about it at the OVIR, but they weren't sure what is going to be required.
Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2007-12-19 06:22:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMisspelling on Russian passport
Actually, I just read that he does truly become a PR when he crosses the border. He gets a permanent resident stamp in his passport that functions like a greencard until he gets his official greencard in the mail. He can travel and work immediately.

So, now we just have to hope that we don't have anything crazy like FBI name check. But, when I asked the embassy when that check is done (before approval or before final interview) they had no idea what I was talking about and said that they have never had that happen to anyone that has filed at the Kyiv Consulate. So, hopefully, we won't be the first.
Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2008-01-12 06:27:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMisspelling on Russian passport
QUOTE (slim @ Jan 11 2008, 05:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Kharkov_Natalie @ Jan 11 2008, 05:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
2. We will not file AOS in the States because we are married. He is not entering on a fiancee visa, but an immigrant visa


Are you sure about that, because what is he going to use to enter the U.S., his passport that he doesn't have yet or the green card that he doesn't have yet either?

He will get his passport (hopefully soon!) and the visa that he will use to enter the U.S. will be fixed to the inside of that passport, not his green card.

QUOTE (Kharkov_Natalie @ Jan 11 2008, 05:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
and will become a Permanent Resident upon crossing the border.


This is another one of those "technicalities" similar to the K-1 "it's a non-immigrant visa for an intending immigrant" type deals. He doesn't arrive at the airport and they hand him a green card. There is still some sort of Adjustment of Status from using a K-3 visa to becoming an LPR and thusly being issued a green card.

To be quite honest, I'm not 100% sure how they'll do your particular case. You guys have a unique case in that you're there with him and will be returning to the States together. If they were to issue his green card at the embassy then he would obviously have to present an international passport at the time of issuance and therefore there would be no spelling issue because the person typing up his green card would be staring right at his passport. Then, he could enter the U.S. using his green card and not a K-3 visa. (I believe this is somewhat similar to what the DV Lottery winners do.)

QUOTE (Kharkov_Natalie @ Jan 11 2008, 05:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The reason that I wanted to know the outcome of having the spelling on I-130 in English not match the international passport, is because we don't want to have to wait to file the I-130 after we get his passport. We would like to have both processes running simulataneously because the international passport can take up to 4 months


Regardless of how they spell the name, there's still going to be an interview or biometrics or something prior to green card issuance where he'll have to interact with the U.S. authorities and by that time, he'll already have his international passport.


Please post how this goes for you guys. You have an interesting case, unique to this forum so far. I'd like to know how it goes for you and what the requirements are.... and how they're doing it today! Good luck. Hope to see the "we got it" post soon.


Slim -
We are doing DCF. We must have his passport before the final interview which is generally about a month after we file (DCF is sweet). So, even though we are approved in one month, we have to wait to get his passport before we can schedule the interview.

My question is this... we file the paperwork with one spelling... in the meantime, get the international passport and the spelling is different. Then, we schedule the interview.

I do realize that they will put the immigrant visa in his international passport. That is why we must wait to get the passport.

We are not doing a K3. We are doing DCF which is a CR1. He gets his immigrant visa and when he crosses the border he becomes a permanent resident and his greencard is mailed within 3 weeks. That is how I understand it. There are no processes in the States except to remove conditions in 2 years.

That is why DCF rocks! It will cost us $800 and take 2 months if we get the passport soon.

Natalie
Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2008-01-12 06:13:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMisspelling on Russian passport
QUOTE (slim @ Jan 3 2008, 12:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You can go ahead and do it, and if the names don't match, no big deal, it's just a misspelling. However, how are you going to put his passport number down?

Anyway, regardless of what you have on those documents, when you apply for his AOS in the States, you can list whatever you want (as in, the correctly spelled name) to be his "new" name on his green card. That will take care of any spelling problems on either side.


Thanks for your reply, Slim but...

1. They don't ask for Passport Number on the I-130. In fact, you don't have to have an international passport at the time of filing. But I was told by the Embassy last time that we went that we should wait and get his passport before we apply so the spelling will be correct.
2. We will not file AOS in the States because we are married. He is not entering on a fiancee visa, but an immigrant visa and will become a Permanent Resident upon crossing the border.

The reason that I wanted to know the outcome of having the spelling on I-130 in English not match the international passport, is because we don't want to have to wait to file the I-130 after we get his passport. We would like to have both processes running simulataneously because the international passport can take up to 4 months to get as they have to send a request back to his home town in Siberia to get his records and that is where things get bogged down.

So, I just wanted to know if anyone had that experience and what the fall out was on the American side.

We are going to take our chances and I think my husband found a place on the internet that says that if your name is misspelled in English on your Russian passport, you can get a special stamp that has a place to write in the way you would like for it to be spelled.

Who knows? One thing that I have learned from this whole process is that the rules seem to be different all over the internet and from OVIR to OVIR and no one really seems to know the right answers. It will be a relief when we just have to deal with the American side... it is at least well documented and the same for all!
Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2008-01-11 04:54:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMisspelling on Russian passport
We would like to go ahead and file the I-130 in Kyiv and get the process in the works before we get my husband's passport if possible. I know that we don't have to show the passport until the interview, however, we also know that the transliterated name on the Russian passport is supposed to match the name we put on the I-130 docs.

Does anyone know what happens if they don't match? We are going to try to make sure that the people doing the passport spell his name as we request it, but it is Russia and it's a crapshoot if it comes out right. How hard is it on the American side to get it straightened out if we can't get it right on the Russian side?

Thanks in advance,
Natalie
Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2007-12-24 10:04:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVisa Arrived Today!!!
QUOTE (eekee @ Feb 26 2008, 12:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Wow! This is what we are planning to do, so I am glad to find out it is so much easier. How long did you need to wait to file the petition after getting married?

Congratulations!



I don't think you have to wait at all. Before they changed the requirements for DCF to 6 months residency, people were flying over, getting married and filing all in the same trip. I remember one guy stayed in Ukraine for 1 month and got everything done and flew home with his bride. So, I think you can file right away after you are married (as long as you have lived in the country at least 6 months already).

And the process to get married here is easy and pretty fast. I was told that ZAGS (wedding registation place) had a 3 month wait, but we were able to register and pick out the next available date which was 2 weeks later. So, if you come, you may just want to check that out and you can apply at ZAGS earlier to make sure you don't have to wait on that.

If your fiancee is in Russia, you may have a harder time doing this... I know that they have changed some of the visa laws where you can only be in the country 3 months and then you have to leave for 3 months. But I am not sure if that is for all types of visas or just tourist visas.

Something that you may want to consider is living in Ukraine and having your fiancee come live in Ukraine with you. She will file according to where she is living and Ukraine may be much easier for you to get longer term visas, etc. From what I have read, the Kyiv Embassy seems much easier to go through as well.

Anyway, good luck to you!
Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2008-02-26 03:23:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVisa Arrived Today!!!
Just want to do a little rejoicing that my husband received his Immigrant Visa today only after interviewing 3 days ago. The whole process took us a little over a month going through the Kyiv Embassy.

(My husband is Russian, but lives in Ukraine with me so we filed according to residency).

The whole process cost us around $800 and there is no need to do AOS. He is considered a PR when he crosses the border and the stamp in his passport is the same as a greencard which he should receive in the mail within 3 weeks. No waiting months to adjust and not be able to work, etc.

My recommendation for anyone who can swing it would be to move to your SO's country for 6 months and then get married and file the I-130 at the local embassy. That would be faster than going through the Service Centers in America and prepare you much more for understanding your spouse in the future! But I do realize that not everyone can pick up and move for 6 months!

Yeah! Hard part is over, right?

Edited by Kharkov_Natalie, 25 February 2008 - 05:31 PM.

Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2008-02-25 17:28:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAnother Passport Name Question
QUOTE (seanconneryii @ Feb 29 2008, 01:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I had my wife change both her Russian passports to her married name and I thought all was well. Now I wonder as we sweat out the CR-1 process. We're at least at he NVC stage.

The name issue is that the way the Russians translate my last turns it into a different name in effect. I'll give a fake example. English name "Robert Duvall." Russian spelling in passport--"Robert Davol"

Can my wife fix this problem on her passport so the last name in English is right, or do we just live with it and maybe fix it later in the USA?


The embassy stressed to us that the English name on the Russian passport needed to match exactly with the English name that you put on all the American paperwork. So, we waited to get my husband's international passport to file the I-30 so we would put his name in English the way it was translated.

We had also looked into how to get his Russian passport changed in the event that they butchered his name in English. My husband found that there is a way to get a special stamp put in the passport with an alternative English spelling. But, fortunately we never had to use it cause they spelled his name as we requested (we got the passport through the Russian embassy in Kyiv and they asked us how we wanted it to be spelled.)

But, my sister-in-law had her name spelled wrong on her Russian passport (Oxana instead of Oksana) and the embassy insisted that they write Oxana everywhere to match her passport. So, now she is in the States trying to get every instance of her name spelled Oksana and not Oxana.

So, in summary, my understanding is the names must match the Russian passport translation.
Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2008-02-29 03:57:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusvisa for single russian man
Is he a university student? If so, then he can apply for a Work and Travel program to come and visit the States that way. He would live in the US for the whole summer. He just needs for you to find him an employer who is willing to fill out a form for him saying that he will work 20 or so hours a week.

That is the only way that I see young guys easily obtaining visas to go visit the States here in Ukraine. Any of my guy friends that have applied outside of Work and Travel have been denied visas.
Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2008-01-11 05:05:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCalling all American women married to Russian men
I just want to thank everyone who replied. I took something from each of your posts and I think the overall message was that with patience things will get better with time and to live the American way and in time they will get used to that as well.

I also discovered that the issues are similar whether the husband or the wife is the USC.

If any of you would like to talk personally, feel free to PM me.

Good luck to all of you who are about to embark on this journey. It can be a rollercoaster ride, but that's what makes it exciting!

Edited by Kharkov_Natalie, 09 January 2009 - 12:50 AM.

Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2009-01-09 00:48:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCalling all American women married to Russian men
QUOTE (anka @ Jan 4 2009, 04:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi Natalie! I would loooove to be friends with you! I think we are a rarity (American woman marrying RUssian man), not just on VJ but everywhere!
I am not married...yet... but Vasya (my fiance who's also from Russia) will be coming to me in February if his medical/interview goes well. smile.gif )) When I lived in Russia (and everytime I've gone back to visit), Vasya has always been my protector and rock and helping me with practically everything - like what you said about Vadim. But when he came to stay with me last year, our roles pretty much switched (me exlaining and helping him with everything, etc....plus driving to whistling.gif ). So I understand what you guys are going through. And I will be going through this all again in a matter of months for a whole lot longer than when he was on his tourist visa! Gof help me! And help him too! Eiy-eiy-yiy!

If you don't mind me asking, what part of Louisiana are you in and where are you thinking of moving? Is there University or community college or anything nearby where Vadim could perhaps take an English class or a Business or IT class/course? By taking an ESL class could help him meet other immigrants whom he could relate to and possibly develop a friendship. The business/IT classes may help him network a bit more in the job market and also keep him up-to-date in the subjects. etc. and increase his overall understanding of working in the US. Also, most importantly, taking a class or two may help him feel like he is less of a "waste of space" and bit more productive and like he has some sort of a structure in his life while looking for a job, rhus making him a bit happier. good.gif

Sorry - this post is horrible... I've been awake all night (insomnia) so my brain is fizzled out. I am so happy you posted this topic... If you'd like, PM me and we can trade emails...? I have a TON of questions for you, but don't think I should post them all across a public forum unsure.gif

Good luck and I will write you back again after I catch some Zzzzzs.

star_smile.gif Anna star_smile.gif


Hi Anna and welcome as well. Feel free to PM me as well with any questions you may have. My husband is Sergey and is working now (as Melissa has said... we are both replying at the same time!). I was fortunate in that he was an English translator so his English is excellent. However, he is still struggling with the cajuns around here and their humor.

I never realized how sarcastic and "put down" our humor is. My husband takes everything literally and this has been quite hard for him. He can never tell when his boss is joking or being serious with him. Just yesterday, his boss jokingly told him not to "rip him off." Seems his last 3 employees stole huge amounts of gas from the company (small fuel company). Sergey was on the phone with me asking what "rip off" means!! Of course, I told him to go straight to the boss and clarify that comment and get everything straight and the boss said he was just joking cause he felt like Sergey was the first honest employee he's had in awhile - which is true!
Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2009-01-04 09:24:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCalling all American women married to Russian men
QUOTE (amberdima @ Jan 4 2009, 04:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
this is probably the best thread i have ever read...since i am about to embark on all of your experiences. i am a female USC marrying a belarusian male. not quite russia...but might as well be. what seems odd is that, during the short time we've actually spent out in public, my fiance has been very reserved. this is contrary to many of your experiences; however, he similarly loves to pay for everything, hold my hand, keep me on the inside of the sidewalk so cars won't hit me...etc. these attributes are what i fell in love with. i haven't met his mother yet, but she passed down the family ring to me. she calls him daily to make sure he has talked to me. i just hope that once he's here he doesn't become so negative and blunt as many of you have experienced with your husbands.


Welcome, Amber. It seems that there are a few more of us out there than I originally thought!

You can never judge how a person is going to react to a new culture and how they are going to handle culture shock. I naively thought my husband wouldn't have any culture shock since he is very Americanized and speaks English very well. But, they have years and years of one type of "worldview" if you will and when they come here, everything is challenged. The same thing happened to me when I went to Ukraine for 4 years, except I was there with an American organization and wasn't try to move there long term and assimilate into the culture 100%. If that had been the case, I am sure that I would have went through much worse culture shock.

My husband didn't turn negative just by coming here. He had a very bad childhood and life and so tends to see things very negatively. I had no idea what he had been through until we had been married for awhile. He didn't want to scare me off and knew that as an American, it would be very hard for me to understand and relate. I wish he would have shared more, as it felt like quite a load placed on me after we were married.

So, the only advice I would give someone in our shoes is to just get to know their family as well as possible and know their history. I'm not saying that it would stop us from getting married, just better prepared for what we are going to come up against.

Unfortunately, I met my husband in Ukraine and his family was in Siberia and so the first time I met them was at our wedding in Ukraine. It was definitely the wrong foot to start off on with his family as the weeks surrounding the wedding, I didn't have time to really spend with them as my family was also there and my mom was freaking out cause let's just say that she is a little bit of a diva and was not prepared for Ukraine. There were a lot of misunderstandings between the families and things that were just cultural differences that has caused hard feelings that have yet to be resolved and may never be. So, if it is at all possible, take the chance to get to know his family at a time when things are not so stressed.

They say you marry the family as well and I am now a firm believer of that!
Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2009-01-04 09:13:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCalling all American women married to Russian men
Well, when it comes to the Russian "Superiority" complex, my husband goes back and forth. It's mainly just when he's frustrated with life here. He can be very contradictory with his praise and criticism of both countries and I think that just shows the struggle he feels on the inside to connect to both countries.

And I have seen him make some huge strides forward since he has arrived. He now appreciates his job, even though it wasn't the salary he thought he could make, he is trying harder with my family (most of the time), he has stopped complaining about life in Louisiana (this is not our final destination, but is necessary at this point because of my family), and he is trying to say things with a softer tone to them. He had a tendency to step on people's toes at times in Ukraine, so he knows he can be a bit harsh.

My family tolerates him and overlooks a lot since he is Russian, but overall, they do not like him and that is hard on me.

Do any of you have any children of your own? What I don't know is if my husband's attitude towards our son is Russian or just specific to him. He thinks raising our son is my job and his job is working outside the home. He has very little to do with our son and doesn't even talk to him personally. He thinks that he is like a doll now (4 months developmentally as he was born premature) and he doesn't play with dolls. I am trying to talk to him about how important a father's love is to his children even at this early age, but he thinks that he has time to love him when he becomes "a real person."

Sometimes, I feel like my husband has all these wierd ideas and I don't know if they are cultural or just his own brand of strangeness smile.gif

I think he is starting to come around with our son now that he is more interactive and and seeing how my family is reacting to his brand of fathering, but I am worried about how he is going to be as a dad in the future.

Any thoughts?

One more issue that I am not sure if it's cultural... he is suspicious to the point of almost being paranoid. I lived in Ukraine for 4 years and although I know that people get used to expecting the worst from others, it seems my husband takes things to an extreme.

Examples:
My dad decorates the front yard for Christmas with this elaborate Christmas light display. The other day, a family drove by slowly with the windows rolled down and you could see little faces peering out. He started asking all kinds of questions about who they were, etc. and seemed worried they were up to no good.

He didn't want anyone to know our new address in America at first (even his family) because he was afraid that someone might try to do something bad to us out of jealousy. (To his credit, he does have some nasty distant relatives).

Of course, we could tell no one we were leaving Ukraine until the last couple of weeks and then he didn't want anyone to know exactly when we were leaving..... and everyone asked constantly as I was a missionary in the church...

He about drove me crazy in the NICU when my son was born. He nitpicked every little thing and was convinced one of the nurses was going to try to harm our baby. He was rude to them constantly instead of appreciative because he was convinced that the birth mark on our son's face was done to him intentionally.

I could go on and on. I think that part wears on me the most. Constantly trying to convince him that what he thinks is going on is not. He thinks I am naive and have a rose-colored glasses view of the world and I think he is reading too much into everything!!!
Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2009-01-03 02:05:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCalling all American women married to Russian men
Well, cooking Russian food isn't the issue since I lived there for 4 years and learned a few recipes.... I wish it were that easy!!!!

It is just different when you consider gender roles and it's the woman's country and she knows the ropes better, can get the better jobs, a woman having to teach her husband to drive (which I am convinced is completely unnatural smile.gif....

My husband doesn't know anything about doing finances and so I still take care of all of that. Of course, I am finding out that it is not uncommon in Russia for men to just hand over their salaries to their wives anyway, but it makes me feel strange. I guess it is harder for him to be the "man." Over there, he was my protector, he knew much more than I did about life there and so this role reversal is hard on us.

They have different ideas about fatherhood than the typical Americans do.

Then there are probably things that we all have to deal with... my husband developed this superiority complex about Russia as soon as we crossed the border. He is having problems with people because he has not learned the art of tact when talking to people. He still says what he thinks very bluntly. He expected to get a job at the top and not have to work his way up....

Complains about our country a lot even though I know he wouldn't give it up and go back for all the money in the world, etc. It just feels a bit ungrateful to me since I know exactly where he came from and how much better his life is now.

I am a bit of an old fashioned woman, so I would like to let him take more of the lead, but he has some wrong ideas about life here and is a bit stubborn in letting what he thinks he knows go... It requires a lot of tact and skill as a woman to teach a man without him feeling like he is being treated like a child. And I don't feel like I have mastered that...

Then there is dealing with the mother-in-law who thinks that her son could have done a lot better with a Russian woman. But that is probably a common issue for all wives... MILs thinking there was someone better for their son.
Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2008-12-31 00:22:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCalling all American women married to Russian men
While it is interesting reading this forum, it is mostly from an American male perspective. I was wondering if any of the women out there would be interested in sharing experiences and making friends with other women married to Russian men.

My husband and I have been married for over 1.5 years and we have a 3 month old little boy. We are now really hitting some of the cultural differences and having to work through some tough issues. It would be great to have someone who may be going through some of the same things to talk to. Even greater, someone who has successfully overcome some of these challenges.

Anyone out there interested in being friends and sharing experiences?






Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2008-12-30 15:33:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRemoval of Conditions interview
We just got finished removing conditions and we did DCF and therefore, my husband received his greencard right after he crossed the border and we never had to do AOS. We didn't get any RFEs or any interviews. Just a biometric appointment that took about 30 mins and 2 months later the card in the mail.

If you send in the right information that shows that you have comingled your finances and there are no other red flags, you shouldn't have to go for an interview.
Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2010-06-04 08:49:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMIL visa application
From what I have read, as a USC a parent, child or spouse is eligible for an immediate visa number.
Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2010-08-13 19:05:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMIL visa application
Thanks, that's what I thought as well. My sister-in-law is just not wanting to accept that it will be another 2 years before she sees her mother.
Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2010-08-13 14:18:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMIL visa application

Wrong, you have to be a US Citizen by either birth or Naturalization to sponsor someone to immigrate. A greencard holder is just a permenent resident.



Actually, you both are incorrect. A permanent resident can sponsor a spouse or child, etc.. A USC can sponsor a parent or sibling, etc.

Back to the original question please :)
Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2010-08-13 12:55:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMIL visa application
Hi everyone! I have a couple of questions about bringing my husband's mother for a visit.

My mother-in-law is divorced and lives alone in Yakutsk, Russia. She works as a teacher and owns an apartment there. She has a son who lives in Ukraine and her daughter is married to an American and lives in Florida and her son is my husband and we live in Louisiana. My sister-in-law desperately wants her mother to visit as she hasn't seen her in over 3 years and she hasn't seen her two grandchildren.

My sister-in-law and her husband created an invitation letter and helped her mother put together a packet of evidence. I gave advice based on what I had read here as to what she needed to show - proof of job, apartment, etc., but wasn't really involved in the process. She went for her interview on Aug 3 and was denied. She was told that because of her economic situation and the current recession, she would probably want to stay in America and not return. They also told her that it wouldn't do any good to reapply unless her economic situation changed.

We, of course, have no desire to do that as my husband is eligible to apply for citizenship next April and will be able to bring her here legally if she so desires. One of the purposes of her trip now was for her to decide if she wants to immigrate as she is afraid she won't like it here (yeah, whatever!)

After my MIL was denied, she went to Ukraine to visit her son. Now, my sister-in-law and her husband are calling me asking if she can re-apply in Kiev and what are the chances that she would get a visa so soon after re-applying.

It sounds like a long-shot to me, even if she is able to apply in Kiev in that she is a Russian citizen.

What do you all think? Can she legally apply in Kiev, even if she doesn't live there? Is there any chance they would give her a visa given she was denied so recently?

Edited by Kharkov_Natalie, 13 August 2010 - 12:01 PM.

Kharkov_NatalieFemaleRussia2010-08-13 11:59:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVisiting fiancée

I'm from Cajun country (lol). My town is called Houma. It's about 36 miles southwest of New Orleans.


Well, well now))) I'm right up the road from you in Des Allemands)))
dreyes78MaleBelarus2012-08-10 20:41:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVisiting fiancée

Are You planing to get married when you go visit Belarus in September? What dates your going to belarus this September?


First off, thanks to everyone for the replies. You've eased my mind)) But no, I will not be getting married there. We are filing for K-1 Fiancee visa. I'm leaving on 02 Sep and will be there for about a week then we'll head over to Ukraine for about a week and a half. BTW, where in Louisiana are you?
dreyes78MaleBelarus2012-08-10 08:45:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVisiting fiancée
Can't seem to find a solid answer to my question. I met my fiancée here in the USA while she was visiting on a J-1 summer work\travel program in summer 2010. She is from Belarus. I have visited her twice in Belarus and once in Ukraine as I have many friends in Ukraine)) On my visa applications for the two visits to Belarus I stated my purpose of visit as "VISIT SEVERAL OF MY FRIENDS WHOM I MET IN THE UNITED STATES ON SUMMER WORK & TRAVEL PROGRAM". Which is true because there were two other Belarusians staying with her when she was here. But now that I'm about to send off the packet for the K-1(I-129F) and my visa application for my next visit in September, is it ok to state that I'm visiting my girlfriend or fiancée? Will they question my previous visits now that I'm stating girlfriend or fiancée? Or maybe they'll see it as "oh, he's coming to take away one of ours".

And because I haven't filed the petition yet(assembling the packet as I type), maybe I can just use the "visiting friends" statement I used before, THEN send off the I-129F. Or am I safe putting visiting girlfriend/fiancée? Because I do plan on one more visit to Belarus early next year and I don't want to run into any problems because by then we'll be well into the K-1 process and I do want to be able to continue visits to Belarus in the future after we're married.
dreyes78MaleBelarus2012-08-08 01:13:00
VietnamNOA2--Do things really get moving after this?
I'm not sure if your question is relevant to this category in the forum. Maybe that's why you're not getting responses!

Post your question here http://www.visajourn...ess-procedures/

I'm sure katheryn or one of the admins will move it soon.

Edited by Okalian, 08 February 2011 - 08:03 PM.

OkalianMaleEgypt2011-02-08 20:01:00
IMBRA Special TopicsK-3 / IMBRA... ideas about RFE letter?
Thanks TracyLuis for your quick answer :thumbs:

good luck
aijanFemaleMorocco2006-07-04 15:08:00
IMBRA Special TopicsK-3 / IMBRA... ideas about RFE letter?
hello everybody,

We received the RFE "email notice" yesterday.

The issue that we have is that my husband is outside USA, he spending his vacation here with me in Morocco, and he'll be back till the 20th of july!!

For those who received the RFE (with K-3 case), it'll be very helpful if you give us an idea about what kind of additional evidence, information or materials the USCIS is asking about?? We are CURIOUS :huh:

thanks for all
aijanFemaleMorocco2006-07-04 14:45:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)need some informations
she gave me the same paper, and she told me that it'll take "2 months" !!
It's been 3 weeks 3 days since my interview and still no news :crying:
Good luck
Najia
aijanFemaleMorocco2006-11-12 13:00:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Nearly 8 months since 221(g)
Hello Everybody,

it's been 7months-15 days since I was issued 221(g) for my K3 interview.
And 2 months since my CR-1 interview - CO told me they can't issue the visa coz waiting for DOS answer (of K3)!!!

is it common for "a wife" to wait all this long (7months-15 days), and who knows how more, till to hear from the consulate??

My husband and I are really worried !! We contact DOS once a week and we get always the same answer "case still pending".

is there something we can do???

N.
aijanFemaleMorocco2007-06-02 04:03:00
USCIS Service CentersSelecting a service center

Why risk it...
If it really were a viable option I think quite a few more people on these forums would have done it.
So many people come on here asking "HOW FAST CAN I GET MY PETITION DONE?!" And the answer is always "as fast as the rest of us". If there were a shortcut, or a loophole, everyone on these forums would know about it.


Good one! Everybody has to just sit back and "try" to endure the ride!
aliciaandfranFemaleNicaragua2006-10-24 23:42:00
USCIS Service CentersI-129F - October filers
We got ours. Jan 11 in the mail...I think Jan 4th was the actual date. NOA1 was October 16...Best wishes to everyone waiting!
aliciaandfranFemaleNicaragua2007-01-21 15:25:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Final Approval!!
Meredith, I have been hoping this day would come for you soon. I am so happy for you and Brahim. May you have a safe journey and a blessed new start in the US together! Good things come to those who wait! :D
mspainFemaleSpain2010-05-10 21:54:00
IMBRA Special TopicsInformation on Dating (Marriage Broker) Sites
Does anyone know what information the USCIS is requesting about the "Marriage Broker" ( Dating Websites) on the RFE's if we say that we met on one of these sites?

Do they want the name, physical address, P.O. Box, owners name etc. ?
one2zeeNot TellingChina2006-06-25 20:53:00
IMBRA Special TopicsDefinition of "Marriage Broker"

I am also wondering .....what if we met BEFORE the IMBRA Law was passed. Does it still apply to me?


I met my fiance in person in the USA and it applies to me .. it just depends on when the paperwork was received.. if it was received before March 6 then supposedly it doesn't. But anything since then yes. If you met her 10 years ago and just filed the paperwork recently it still affects you.. it affects everyone.



Thanks, so......from what I understand I would just answer 'yes' to the question and.......if I have no criminal history then everything should be fine?
one2zeeNot TellingChina2006-06-24 18:03:00