ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Easy US embassy in Moscow
I call BS on some of this. My SO got a tourist visa, and was given the option to extend it to two years, but he chose not to since we both assumed he'd have a spousal visa to the US by then and thus no need for a tourist visa. The interview for him was real easy; he took loads of evidence... and they only asked for a letter from his employer and his passport. That was it.

However, I would like to know what happened to the supposed easy-breezy DCF interviews in Moscow? Because mine was very... I came home and started bawling.


Other than that, it's all been good. Emails get answered quickly, and when I call the USCIS they respond with great info. I think this blog is a lot of... paranoia. Hell even their "about" page has nothing on it. Don't see why you call them "famous".
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2012-05-10 10:38:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Inadmissible

Honestly, your case is so complex it'll be expensive as heck. I'd consider staying in Mexico a bit longer, getting your family there, and maybe in a few years consider coming back.


AmyWritesFemaleRussia2013-10-04 14:51:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Waiting 18 Months

They were LIVING in the US, with a tourist visa. You were all participating in something illegal and must now face the consequences. They are just like the illegals you complain about in the OP.


AmyWritesFemaleRussia2013-09-20 19:47:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Fiance with previously overstayed visa

 

There are ways to word things to other people on forums, especially when it's dealing with loved ones.

People come here for a human response, not a robotic one you'd expect from a USCIS agent that is likely to make the OP feel like her fiance is a criminal.

 

Lay down the hard facts - fine. But do it like you would to a human being in real life. Ya know, with a bit of warmth. That's not sugar-coating.

 

OP will never see her fiance like a criminal. The issue is she should know what lies ahead so she can prepare for it, telling her things "will work themselves out" or whatever is just a waste of time. Honesty gives her the power to prepare.


AmyWritesFemaleRussia2014-04-22 19:32:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING NAPLES, ITALY

My husband has never had any immigration issues and yes my father was the joint sponsor, but when I filed the papers for financial support nearly a year ago I was asked to send a copy of my father's passport as well as my own, so they already had it.

And not my husband is not an Italian Citizen but rather a legal resident of the country. He has no criminal record anywhere and we have been very compliant and prompt with any requests made thus far.

Any advice or information to get some answers or expedite this process are greatly appreciated.


THere's your answer. Is he from the Middle East, Africa, or Asia?
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2012-11-13 20:40:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING NAPLES, ITALY
Your family? Does your family petition for people often? Maybr that's why.

Unfortunately there is nothing you can do but wait.
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2012-11-10 17:32:00
United KingdomPets from Heathrow to Houston
Had the same issue, BA also said the "pet travel agent", but also read somewhere the US isn't taking animals from certain countries, so we ended up giving our pets to family members here isntead :(
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2012-07-16 05:42:00
United KingdomRidiculous objectification of our SOs thread
This thread is hilarious. :lol:

But well, the men who only talk about their women as little more than whores?

Remember back in high school, when you'd make out with a guy and he'd tell his buddies he had hours of sex with you and that you let your friends join and all that??

I think it's the same thing. But then again I never believe men in regards to sex. Women divide what happens/who they do, men multiply what happens/who they do.
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-19 13:19:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusUkraine feminists protest ‘Win a Wife’ competition
As a sexy feminist, I take offense at some of the posts in this thread :lol:

What's so wrong with women choosing to be part of these contests or be involved in sex trade or having a good career or anything? If it's her choice, let her do it. Feminism should be about allowing women to do whatever the hell they please with their lives, not about putting some societal pressure or anything worse on them in order to ensure they do the "right" thing. So if these "feminists" (or paid actresses according to some people here, I'm not familiar with the organization), want to protest and make a fool out of their own cause, let them.

IMO, most feminists want women to fit into a specific mold as much as patriarchal societies do. In one, if you're not a career oriented woman who refuses to be sexy, you're submissive, and in the other, if you have any interest in having your own life outside of husband + kids, you're a crazed feminazi.

And as for those who think having an FSU wife is easy (not saying anyone here has said that, but just the stereotypes)... clearly they haven't seen an FSU woman angry :o

Edited by AmyWrites, 04 March 2011 - 01:21 PM.

AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-04 13:19:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusBooks
Oh, and risking my inner-nerd pouring out in the internet.

Anything by Carl Sagan.

*hides*
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-07 21:46:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusBooks

I read it in 9th grade and was meh about it. I think the point of the racialicious article is that it's a book that focuses on white people swooping in to save black people, therefore portraying black people as more or less helpless.


I just liked it because Atticus represents how lawyers "should be", and that the American legal system isn't meant to be unfair.

I didn't find it racist... if it would've been about Tom Robinson winning the case it would've been vastly unrealistic, even more so than a lawyer having defended him in the first place.

I didn't like it when I first read it (grade 9 I think it was?), but I read it again last month and found it nearly perfect. And if all else fails, the writing itself is quite good.

Yeah, I also recommend, like another poster said, the Outsiders.

I'd say "The Scarlett Letter", but you might die of boredom.
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-07 21:44:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusBooks
If I were you, if your English isn't excellent, I'd get a high school/first year college anthology of American short stories instead. That way you can see a wide range of authors in a shorter amount of time and get a broader perspective and not just on a specific time frame/social class/etc.

I like this one. Has some essays, poems, short stories and a few plays too.

But if you really want novels, I'd say To Kill a Mockingbird is absolutely essential to understanding American history and maybe small-town culture.

Edited by AmyWrites, 07 March 2011 - 11:42 AM.

AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-07 11:40:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHappy Women's Day!
My god if you all are gonna fight this much do it in a chocolate pudding filled pool; it'll be sexier that way. :lol:

Thanks and happy women's day to all of you (or your wives).
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-08 23:55:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusJust a warning
Aw how sweet of you all to remember. (L)

My man better give me some flowers that day...
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-04 13:23:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusWell... she did it.
Congrats! That's wonderful news.
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-02-28 11:37:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusBest, Worst, Most unexpected thing about FSU

Now you tell me! Where were you a couple of years ago? :lol: Never mind, too late now! I have met and fallen in love with a terrific woman (L) . If people want to consider her a MOB that is their issue!

I have never said that there were NO american women that I could be happy with, I just never had the good luck to connect with the right one. But now that I have gotten interested in a certain FSU lady I wouldn't have it any other way. Sharing the same values and interests/goals in life but from very different backgrounds only enriches our relationship!


Yeah, I had a lot of problems finding someone in the US too. But like you said having different backgrounds while sharing the same goals and values makes everything all the more interesting.
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-09 00:01:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusBest, Worst, Most unexpected thing about FSU

Where I live in the US it is just a little warmer than where most Russians live. I had great difficulty on US internet dating sites due to where I live. Never mind it is one of the most beautiful places you will ever see. The cold and the distance from major population centers made it near impossible for me to connect with the right woman here unless I was willing to move. So where do you think a successful American family-oriented male might find an attractive, intelligent woman willing to consider moving to a place like this?


Aw, I'd move to a place like that for a good man. A lady who cares so much about that isn't worth it. Get a nice coat and it's bearable.
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-08 14:15:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusBest, Worst, Most unexpected thing about FSU
I didn't expect the men to be as romantic (you know, after those fourteen layers of coldness peel off). Seriously, I'll never date a man from my home again.

And I didn't see the high fashion ultra-sexiness in the women I expected. Naturally beautiful... they don't need to overdress, anyway.

The food was pretty good. I expected to hate all of it.

Oh, I drank the tap water and didn't get Montezuma's revenge. That was wonderful.

But the worst... the cold. Having lived most of my life inconstantly 80-100 degree weather places, I didn't think it would be humanely possible to be so cold.
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-07 12:04:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPutin proposes scrapping visas between Russia, US
Meh, all countries support or ignore dictators and repressive governments as long as it's practical for them.
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-19 23:38:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPutin proposes scrapping visas between Russia, US

There are a number of other qualifying criteria which a country (Russia, in this case) would have to meet before it qualified for VWP. Here is the one I believe Russia would have the most trouble meeting at this time.

Section 217 ( c )( 2 )( A ) of the Immigration and Nationality Act

... a country may not be designated as a program country unless the following requirements are met:

(A) LOW NONIMMIGRANT VISA REFUSAL RATE.--Either--


(i) the average number of refusals of nonimmigrant visitor visas for nationals of that country during--


(I) the two previous full fiscal years was less than 2.0 percent of the total number of nonimmigrant visitor visas for nationals of that country which were granted or refused during those years; and

(II) either of such two previous full fiscal years was less than 2.5 percent of the total number of nonimmigrant visitor visas for nationals of that country which were granted or refused during that year; or



(ii) such refusal rate for nationals of that country during the previous full fiscal year was less than 3.0 percent.



Maybe I was hallucinating but I can remember reading the refusal rate for nonimmigrant visas in Russia was like 9%. Is that enough to consider it a high fraud country?
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-10 15:55:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPutin proposes scrapping visas between Russia, US
That'd be awesome but I very much doubt Russia is going be in the VWP.
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-10 11:05:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussian TV in USA & Russian Keyboards
Sorry if this was already said, but just change your language settings for the keyboard and buy some Cyrllic keyboard stickers on ebay. Russian-English keyboard FTW.
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-17 21:03:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAOS Approved
Isn't the AOS approval the green card itself?

Congrats!
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-30 10:44:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFrom Nyet to Da: Understanding the New Russia

I met a lot of PR's when I was in the army, seemed like nice enough people.


Nice doesn't fix a bad quality of life.

Nice sig ;-)
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-31 16:31:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFrom Nyet to Da: Understanding the New Russia

Puerto Ricans are now required to pay taxes. That's why we're seeing more of them here.

Direct quote from my co-worker, "If they're going to make me pay taxes, I'm going to come here and make more money."


Exactly. In PR, a job that requires a Bachelor's degree will pay $20,000 (example), but in the US, that same job will require no degree and pay $45,000. But more importantly, the quality of life in Puerto Rico is absolute ######; crime is extremely rampant and the authorities pretend it never happened, the education system all the way till high school sucks (so does the uni system, except the public university system, but that's being slowly murdered by the current government), there's no jobs at all and the few jobs out there pay ####### in proportion to the skills and such required, there's now a classical Latin American style oligarchy (which I honestly see now way out of, according to what my family/friends/the news there says), there's no public transport outside of the San Juan area, real estate prices are absurd, etc. The only good things are that opening a business is very easy (keeping it alive is an entirely different matter though) and the weather's fabulous.

I'd say more but I'm afraid I'd offend folks. If anyone's real interested in the subject send me a message. Long story short, I despised living there (as a teenager mom forced me to) and left as soon as I got the chance.
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-31 16:21:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFrom Nyet to Da: Understanding the New Russia

Larry the Cable Guy has a new show on the History Channel called, "Only in America." That's a pretty cool show about "real life" in America.


Puerto Ricans aren't Americans?


Citizenship-wise they are, but culturally it's very different. And the island-living Puerto Ricans are even more different than those who lived/were born in the US but have Puerto Rican parents.
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-31 12:14:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFrom Nyet to Da: Understanding the New Russia

If you're talking about me, I'm actually... well, sort of a majority here. I'm Russian, my fiance is American. "Sort of" a majority though cause Russian beneficiaries are not likely to post here :)



Still nice to see a another female here :yes:
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-30 10:43:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFrom Nyet to Da: Understanding the New Russia
Thanks for this. I've been with my Russian boyfriend for a long time now and we still have culture-clash moments (although I'm half-American half-Puerto Rican so maybe it's worse for me!). And my boyfriend falls in the "new Russian" category, so when we first dated, I didn't expect our differences to be so large. Now that we're talking about marriage we're noticing other differences (all good, though, things that aren't typical in my culture that I wanted in a husband) in how we view families and such. So I'll definitely read this and I can see many conversations stemming from it.

Btw, it's nice to see another female who has a Russian boyfriend here. We're a minority :lol:
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-28 16:26:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussian eligible for Visa Waiver Program?

Who cares?



Not everyone is you. People "care" about different things. I want my partner to meet my parents before we get married (and no, neither of them can fly for a plethora of reasons, and Skype isn't meeting), I want him to see the places I was raised in. Maybe it didn't matter to you or your wife but my partner and myself can't imagine marrying someone without meeting a single person in their family or seeing where that person is from (provided they're not from a warzone and they have living and non-jailed family members, of course). I don't want to marry him in the US because I'm not returning to the US for god knows how long and we've got a pretty good life here. Yet the planets have to align in perfect harmony for him to visit my family with me... when (from what I know) Russia isn't considered a high fraud country and we have literally *no* intention of moving to the US any time soon (and how the heck am I supposed to prove that we have no intention of moving to the US? "Strong ties"? We all know that "strong ties" are subjective and often not enough.... I'd rather be cross examined and take lie detector tests).

Yeah, I know, there is fraud and a lot of people who want to move to the US even if it's illegally, and that's why everyone is treated as a potential immigrant, blah blah blah, but that doesn't mean the system is perfect. Not that it ever will be.
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-04-04 16:08:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussian eligible for Visa Waiver Program?

No, not really :)
Moscow Consulate recommends not to purchase the tickets before you have your visa in hand. First of all, the visa can be denied; also there might be some kind of delay. In 2009 my visa got delayed for about 3 weeks and the explanation was that their "visa printer broke down" (they only have one?), but I didn't have my ticket at that point, so I didn't care. Last year the same thing happened to my friend and she had to change the flight date twice before she finally got her passport with visa - and that was just a waste of money, I think it cost her about $200-300 extra.


:wow: Thanks for the clarification. That certainly makes it all easier!
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-04-04 13:11:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussian eligible for Visa Waiver Program?
I meant Russians getting a visa to the US.

Taking Russian salaries into account it's not such a brilliant idea to buy airfare to likely get denied a visa at the interview (according to my understanding you need to have your airfare tickets purchased before the interview?). But I have a bias; I've been in this cold place for a long time and I'd like to visit my folks with my Russian partner so he can meet them (and I can lie down like a dead fish on the beach for a week) but he'll probably get a visa denied because he's young-ish and whatnot.

I don't think I've ever heard of any US citizen getting denied a visa to any country.
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-04-04 11:29:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussian eligible for Visa Waiver Program?

I really don't see the hassle. You pay $200, send off your passport and two weeks later you have the visa.

I'm not crying because my MIL can't come visit at the drop of a hat. Not calling my congressman either!


Every time people ask me why I only date people from abroad, I always say "So their family doesn't come visit me every damn week".

Yeah, it may be evil, but it sure is an advantage!
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-04-03 15:01:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussian eligible for Visa Waiver Program?
There seems to be an interest in it but well, not gonna happen. Wish it would.... paying for airfare + 200 to MAYBE get a visa sucks.
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-04-03 01:49:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRUB Drivers

As a professional driver with millions of miles experience.
Both instructing and driving around the world.. I can only say. Amercains are the worse drivers in the world.. Mostly because of the Automatic transmission .. They do everything but drive.. Cell phone, lip stick , dinner and more
So if you plan on teaching make sure its a Manuel trans..
Then patience patience patience .. Talk softy yelling only makes them nervous


Clearly you've never been to Caracas. A one-legged blind crackhead with severe and uncontrollable Parkinson's disease would drive better.
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-04-13 11:21:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRUB Drivers
There's no way in hell I drive in Moscow so he's always the one who does it.

I don't think I've ever seen such insane driving/traffic.
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-04-11 23:05:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRoC approved
Congrats!
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-03-30 10:41:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGoing to Kiev in 7 days, any tips?
I'd say you don't need Russian to teach english but I'd find it very difficult to live in Russian with only knowledge of basic Russian...

ONA, I grew up in a home where three languages were spoken. It hasn't made anything more difficult except that my Spanish reading comprehensino is not as good as my English reading comprehension, etc. But it's made learning other languages a whole lot easier. You're doing a great thing as a parent to teach your kids two or more languages.

And like ONA said you dno't have to take intensive Russian at in-Russia Russian courses, I just personally chose to because that's where I wanted to go for grad school and I'd already go way beyond the levels offered at my uni.

Edited by AmyWrites, 06 April 2011 - 09:57 AM.

AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-04-06 09:56:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGoing to Kiev in 7 days, any tips?

Once upon a time I thought of taking those classes at MGU. A bit pricey and impractical for me so I never got around to it. But, I'm curious to hear about it if you wouldn't mind posting more.


I actually loved it. I wouldn't recommend it for beginners, I don't think it's worth the cost if you know NOTHING at all... pick up some language books and such and then it's a good investment. I went with a good grasp on Russian (intermediate level) and I wanted lessons in the country to "fill the gaps" (I was entirely self taught for about 8 years). Basically I could read very well but my conversational Russian was not so good since I learned from reading and not a lot of listening. They were excellent in those respects; slowed down when I didn't understand something (but not to a point that it was unnaturally slow).

I've taken other language lessons (German, French, etc) at the local university but they weren't as good because they weren't intensive (at least at my uni language lessons were 10 academic hours a week and the MGU course was 20) and they weren't challenging. The material was up-to-date and they helped me in the areas I specifically asked for (written composition and economics/politics/finance since those are my areas). And of course living in Russia, you're forced to use the language daily. Staying with a host family would've been even better in terms of language and culture acquisition but I like my privacy (and sanity) and chose to stay at the dorm (in comparison to my uni I found them cheap and pretty good except for the kitchens which were.... eh, usable).

So in short, it's really not worth the cost it if your knowledge of Russian is elementary or you have no interest in speaking Russian long-term for professional or academic purposes. I did it because I wanted to go to MGU for grad school and wanted to see how "good" I was before making a decision about it.

And also... the cost varies greatly depending on who you organize it through, in thousands of dollars. I went directly through the uni and it was a whole lot cheaper and more flexible with my schedule.

Edited by AmyWrites, 04 April 2011 - 04:22 PM.

AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-04-04 16:21:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGoing to Kiev in 7 days, any tips?

I highly recommend it as well.

As for cost, you can buy the "sampler" which is basically the first 10 lessons, from Barnes & Noble or B. Dalton or whatever for around $30. I got the complete set off E-Bay (with Spanish 1-3 as well) for $70. Can't beat that! Keep an eye on CraigsList too. I see them on there every now and then.


They're actually on discount now at their website for I think $9.95.

I used a combination of Pimsleur, Teach Yourself Russian (real good for conversations but ####### in terms of grammar) and this Russian grammar book that's on sale in Amazon for like 7 bucks. Of course I took a few Russian courses at MGU and studied abroad in Moscow as well (is it obvious I wanted to become fluent?).

But with the books/CD's I reached an intermediate level. No way I was paying $400 for Rosetta Stone.

OP, glad you're having a great time and that your girl is lovely (as expected).
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-04-04 12:17:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHow much money do I need...

Well actually Gary, if a man isn't a heavy drinker, doesn't do stupid things, etc., then even in the FSU he will have no problem living a lifespan as long as his wife's. It's that there are men who die *so* young--drugs, fights, alcoholism, hepatitis, whatever--that it brings the whole average down. If you only count the guys who make it sixty and up, there's not that much difference. So if you manage to find a good FSU man who is actually marriage-worthy, you don't have to worry about him dying at 45 or 50 anymore than you would an American guy. If you marry a guy who drinks a bottle of vodka a day or goes to mass fights, then, well, duh.


Agreed. My FSU man is actually the man I've dated who best takes care of himself; very little alcohol (maybe a beer or two on Fridays), very fit, very good diet, no drugs, no diseases, etc. I expect him to die after me. :lol:
AmyWritesFemaleRussia2011-04-16 15:17:00