ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNAO2 what is next?

Either language is OK. I filled out all of Alla's and the boys forms in English. They signed them. Except to sign forms, neither Alla nor either of the boys has ever touched a form to date. I am a STRONG believer that this is NOT a team effort project. ONE person should do everything, the other should "shut up and sign" Dividing responsibilities almost always multiplies the chance that something is forgotten.

If you pay part of the fee at ProCredit Bank, it is in CASH, UAH and they will give you a receipt. You need the KEV number. The amount used to be $131, I do not know where the $140 comes from. I haven't quite figured out why you would pay part of the fee at the bank, and the rest at the consulate.

So, it is ok if I fill out online form 156 (bar coded) in English and submit for my fiancee? Please note, she barely understands English. Could that raise additional questions when she goes to the interview? Who filled out that form and why?
JVFMaleUkraine2010-07-04 23:30:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNAO2 what is next?

There is no reliable way to track it. Besides it does not matter when it arrives at the consulate, only when they enter it into the system MANUALLY after they receive all the documents. This takes 2-3 weeks. You will get a letter from the NVC when they finish with it saying they are sending it to Kiev and give you a KEV number. Wait two weeks from when you get that letter and call the call center and ask if they have your case. If yes, make an interview appointment. If NO, then wait another week. The call center is updated on Fridays after they close ONLY. If they do not have your case on Monday morning, they WILL NOT have it until the next Monday. Any more calls that week are a waste of time and money.

Your I-134 will not be outdated

I strongly suggest you go to the interview and bring the documents yourself. Strongly suggest.

"Wait two weeks from when you get that letter and call the call center and ask if they have your case."
Do I have to purchase a PIN code to call the call center to see if they have have my case? Will I be able to speak to someone or it's an automated service?
JVFMaleUkraine2010-07-02 21:06:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNAO2 what is next?

Excellent information. Wow Gary, you rock.
What about Form DS-230? Also, I see bar code on DS 156 with some numbers under it (see file attached) . Is it the same number on every form?

I got it. This is online form, so the bar code assigned when you submit.
I see this form in English and Ukrainian language. Can it be filled out in Ukrainian or I can fill out for my fiancee in English and submit it?

Also, in the "INSTRUCTIONS FOR K VISA APPLICANTS" it says;
The total fee for EACH K VISA APPLICANT (including children) is $350. The fee for K visa can be paid in full at the Consular Section, in U.S. Dollars. In case a part of the fee is paid at ProCredit Bank ($131 or $140), the corresponding difference must be paid in dollars at the Consular Section.

$140 payable to whom or the bank knows?
JVFMaleUkraine2010-07-02 13:33:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNAO2 what is next?

Download the interview instructions from the Kiev website. Download the forms and get everything prepared for the interview so when the peition gets there you will be ready to schedule. You DO NOT need anything from the Kiev consulate, you DO NOT send them anything. You bring everything to the interview with you, this means you DO NOT have to wait. Just get everything ready now

In fact we had all this ready before I sent the petition, (except police certificate and I-134) there is never a need to wait.

Police certificate...translated
her birth certificate...translated
her former marraige and divorce certificate...translated (if any)
DS 156 (2)
DS 156K (1) DO NOT sign until she is at the interview
I-134 and supporting documents
Evidence of relationship

For each document you need an original, a copy and an original translation.

If you sent any of that with the petition, you did not need to and now is the time to do it again.

Excellent information. Wow Gary, you rock.
What about Form DS-230? Also, I see bar code on DS 156 with some numbers under it (see file attached) . Is it the same number on every form?

Attached Files

  • Attached File  156.JPG   14.52KB   2 downloads

JVFMaleUkraine2010-07-02 09:12:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNAO2 what is next?

No, you'll be fine.

Thank you.
JVFMaleUkraine2010-07-01 12:44:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNAO2 what is next?

You have to wait a few weeks until they schedule her interview. In the mean time, you should be getting your financial support documentation (I-134, bank statements, etc.) together and sent to her. She should be getting her police check, medical exam and any other supporting documents gathered that will be necessary for her interview.

Thank you. Is there a way to track when our documents reach consulate?
My friend is going to Ukraine in a week, so I was planning to sent all financial documents and I-134 with him. If I get the letter from employer, last 3 pay stabs and bank statements now they are not going to be outdated by the time she has interview?
JVFMaleUkraine2010-07-01 11:59:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNAO2 what is next?
We received our NOA2 yesterday via text. What is the next?
JVFMaleUkraine2010-07-01 08:22:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPlease correct me if I am wrong!!!!
Alternative route:
Take a taxi from Kherson to Odessa (~3-3.5 hours ride). Or, if you want to save some money take a bus or minibus (marshrutka). That should not cost you more then 100 grivnas. Then you can take a plane from Odessa to Kiev (about 45-50 min). I think there are 3 planes flying daily from Odessa to Kiev.
JVFMaleUkraine2010-07-06 14:41:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusSeeking couples for friendship

Someone who wants a little peace and quiet? :)

Good one. :thumbs:
JVFMaleUkraine2010-07-05 20:27:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusSeeking couples for friendship

Maybe. Don't count days yet. It was 58 days for our approval and another 4 months before Alla arrived. It took TWICE as long after the NOA2 than waiting for it.

The consulate side of things does seem much faster now than it was in 2008.

But yeah...NEVER swap a Ukrainian wife for a Brit. :lol:




I wouldn't do it for a Brit, 3 Canadians (Quebecoise), and the whole Swedish bikini team!

"
I wouldn't do it for a Brit, 3 Canadians (Quebecoise), and the whole Swedish bikini team!"
I hope Alla is reading this :)))

" It was 58 days for our approval and another 4 months before Alla arrived. It took TWICE as long after the NOA2 than waiting for it.
The consulate side of things does seem much faster now than it was in 2008."
I saw it on the Igor's page that it takes about a month from the time consulate receives your stuff and the interview date.
Why so longs?
JVFMaleUkraine2010-06-29 09:09:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusSeeking couples for friendship

Would you consider wipe swapping?

Who in the right mind would swap Ukrainian for British wife :lol: :lol: :lol:?
JVFMaleUkraine2010-06-27 21:00:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusSeeking couples for friendship
Gary is right, once your wife arrives to US she will meet plenty of Russian speaking folks, especially in New Jersey. Just make sure you enroll her to ESL program. This program exists in almost every College and University in Tri-State area. I was in similar situation when I came to US from former Soviet Union. As soon I went to school, I met quiet a few interesting Russian people there. I still friends with some.
If you really want to impress your fiancee and make her feel like at home, take her to Brighton Beach in Brooklyn for a day or so ;)

P.S.When you decide to come I don't mind be your personal tour guide. Just let me ahead of time.
JVFMaleUkraine2010-06-27 20:56:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus1 full day to go :)
Anyone heard from cranehand? His fiancee had an interview on August 12th. I hope her visa was approved.
JVFMaleUkraine2010-08-16 22:51:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusUkrainian Couples... What did you bring?
My fiancee wants to bring lots of cookbooks. Here goes my diet :)
JVFMaleUkraine2010-07-11 14:45:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFinally Interview date
Yes. Let me know if you ever need contact for that agency. They have nice apartments in Kiev and not that expensive.
JVFMaleUkraine2010-08-28 19:24:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFinally Interview date
This is how much it should cost. It's about 10 min from medical center and all "useful things" are walking distance. I used this agency in the past while traveling to Kiev. I guess the reason they are not charging me much, because I speak the language (Russian) and never tell them where I am from. It seems like Old Soviet Union cities tend to oooooooovercharge foreigners.
I just rented another flat when I will come to Kiev for the interview. It's $50 per night and about 10 min walk from American Embassy.
Not sure about now, but back in the days during Soviet Union Era, hotels had a different rate for foreigners and locals.
Foreigners would end up paying 5x the cost then locals.
JVFMaleUkraine2010-08-27 17:34:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFinally Interview date
never mind. I found really good agency that rent apartments around that area. Can't go wrong with $45 per day ;)
JVFMaleUkraine2010-08-25 00:29:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFinally Interview date
My fiancee will be going for her medical 3 weeks prior our interview? Does anyone know any good hotels around that area?
Thanks.
JVFMaleUkraine2010-08-24 00:56:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFinally Interview date

You can always just pick it up on your way back to Kiev for the flight; minor detour but do-able.

Yes, that's the plan B :)
JVFMaleUkraine2010-08-20 14:12:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFinally Interview date

My fiance will schedule interview next week. Maybe we will be there for around the same dates. We plan to be in Kiev for some days then head down to Odessa for some more time with family. This time my father is also going with me to meet Yevgen's family. After, my fiance will be heading to Puerto Rico but in December as his contract in France is until the end of the year.

My best wishes!! :dance:

I decided to go to Odessa on October 1st. That give us 4 days business days after the interview to receive visa.
JVFMaleUkraine2010-08-20 09:30:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFinally Interview date

Yes. Hey, whatever works for you, really. Just be prepared for a plan B. Always have a plan B in this process. After a very smooth process with Alla and Pasha, it seems that Sergey's process was just a nightmare once he got here and it seems that everyone is incapable of doing their job nad I am getting sick of training government clerks on how to issue SSN's, drivers licenses, etc. Now Alla had a problem where her university office "lost" a full 10 credits of her education and tried to tell HER she must be mistaken. Kind of like telling a woman "our records show you do not have two children" I think she remembers this! :rofl: After going through several levels of surpervisors..."Ooops, our mistake" No kidding. Plus last week they sent her a notice that because she had not paid for her classes she was not enrolled for her fall classes, despite the receipt showing it was paid in cash and her class schedule and registration which we have. "Oooops...our mistake"

They LOST your petition en route to NVC....you KNOW what can happen. :lol: Just be prepared for the idiots!

But congratulations, you will get through it and it is all worth it.

Thank you Gary. I know exactly what you mean. Been there... ;)
JVFMaleUkraine2010-08-19 22:42:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFinally Interview date

OK, my bad. I guess I read that wrong.

np. So 3 days should be enough to pick up her passport from Kiev's Fedex office?
JVFMaleUkraine2010-08-19 22:12:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFinally Interview date

I'm with Gary that you might be calling your timing very close. Since your interview is on a Monday and you leave on Thursday you might be very close on the timing. It might be worth it to plan some extra time in Kiev. If they get the visa out within a week that is considered fast. It is not unusual for the process to take over a week, so consider your options carefully.

By the way, congratulations. Looks like you will have a great holiday season in America. :dance: :dance: :dance:

How about this scenario. Interview on September 27th, which is Monday. If we don't get to pick up her passport on Thursday September 30th from local fedex office in Kiev, we travel to Odessa to pack up. Then I call Fedex on Monday and if they have our passport I purchase ticket for her, we travel back to Kiev on October 4th, which is Monday and fly to New York on Tuesday October 5th.
Does that sound reasonable?
JVFMaleUkraine2010-08-19 21:26:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFinally Interview date

My interview date is on the 27th in Kiev as well good luck.

Cool, maybe we will meet ;) Are you coming for the interview?
Thank you. Good luck to you too.

:dance: Great Great news, I am really happy for you two :) Have great time in Kiev and Odessa. My best wishes for the interview day.

Thanks. What about you? You should be scheduling your interview any day.
JVFMaleUkraine2010-08-19 21:17:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFinally Interview date

Good news. Except...

September 30 is a Thursday...October 3rd is a Sunday. It extremely unlikely you will have the visa in hand by Sunday after a Thursday interview. Our son had his visa ready at Fedex on the Monday after a Thursday interview and we considered that FAST, very FAST.

As you have already seen, in this process there can be any number of unexpected delays. If your plans involve the purchase of plane tickets, you need to be prepared to pay a rescheduling fee and be prepared to delay your return to the US if you are really "planning" to return October 3.

Actually our interview is scheduled on September 27th, which is Monday. We are planning to pick up her passport from FedEx office in Kiev on September 30th. Very same day we are taking a train to Odessa to pack and on October 3rd fly Odessa - Kiev, Kiev - New York. I think that's reasonable.
Also, I am not buying her a ticket until we have her passport with visa on hands.
JVFMaleUkraine2010-08-19 16:47:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFinally Interview date
After USCIS found our approved petition 2 weeks ago, things have been moving fast for us (??? ??? ??? ???? ?? ???????? :)
NVC received and sent our petition to consulate within a day. Today, to my surprise (it's been only 3 days since consulate received it) we got our interview scheduled for September 27.
I already booked my flight to Kiev on September 25 and to Odessa on September 30. Pack her stuff and head out to US on October 3rd. We are planning to pick up her passport at local FED EX office in Kiev. Hopefully they will have it by October 30th.
JVFMaleUkraine2010-08-19 15:30:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAnyone hear from Cranehand

Glad to hear that. Looks like you will be having a pretty good autumn yourself soon.

Good luck!

Ohhh yeaahh, you can't even imagine. I am taking 2 weeks vacation to catch things up :)
I haven't seen Sveta since April. Interview in less then a month, but it feels like forever.
JVFMaleUkraine2010-08-30 12:53:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAnyone hear from Cranehand
Yes, I spoke to him and his fiancee over the phone a few weeks ago. Interview went well. They are in Texas now. He is having time of his lifetime ;)
JVFMaleUkraine2010-08-30 11:40:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusWe got our interview date!!
I don't think Delta flies non stop to Kiev after September.
Why not Aerosvit Air? I can give you my Ukrainian travel agent's # in NY. She always gets me tickets below market price.
JVFMaleUkraine2010-09-01 14:28:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusWe got our interview date!!
Congrads.
JVFMaleUkraine2010-09-01 11:54:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCall Center/Kiev Question

Unless someone TELLS the people at the medical center. :rofl:

Please don't. Svetalan is going for medical on Monday :)

I wonder how many holiday days per year do they have?
There are 8 National Holidays in US and about 30 in Ukraine. Not a bad job...
JVFMaleUkraine2010-09-03 14:47:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCall Center/Kiev Question

If the consulate tells you in an EMAIL they do not have the case, then you have a problem. If it is the call center (which I surmised from your post) it is just the "lag time".

Ukraine did not have a consulate until 2005 when we rewarded them for the Orange Revolution and tossing out the government we didn't like (at the time) by giving them a consulate and lots of CASH and some military hardware no one can seem to find. We got rewarded by ending the need for US citizens to get visas...yada, yada. At any rate, people from Ukraine used to use the consulate in Warsaw, Poland (as Belarus still does) and when they made the new consulate they left the call center there. It is staffed by two Ukrainians, Vitaliy and Viktoria and operates on "Kiev time". But in reality they are only clerks that make appointments, the consulate tells them which appointments are open for which visas and they give you the "next available" when you call, OR you can ask for another after that date, IF they are booking out that far. This depends on their workload.




Oh yeah...forgot. They celebrate US AND Ukrainian holidays. :rofl:

Medical center is opened on Monday. :)
JVFMaleUkraine2010-09-03 13:55:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCall Center/Kiev Question
You can always email them at KyivIV@state.gov. The are pretty good on replying. I think they should have your case in their system by next week. Monday is a holiday. Try calling them on Tuesday.
JVFMaleUkraine2010-09-03 10:24:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMedical exam question

I would contact a local CS NOW and scout around a bit. Shop for pricing, appointment lead times, etc. Of the 4 near here, their availability ranged from "walk in anytime" to 3-4 weeks wait for an appointment, so check it out now. You can get the vaccination anywhere, bring the record of the vaccination to the CS, OR have the CS give her the vaccination...whichever is cheaper and better for you.

Her DS-3025 is useless for AOS purposes. It is not complete and will be replaced with the I-693 that the CS completes. Bring the DS-3025 with you to the CS and he will review that, mark off the vaccines she has and add the ones she has received after arring here. The CS here will complete the I-693 and you will send that with your I-485.

You can make these appointments for ANY time after she arrives, you do not have to wait to be married or anything like that.

Please do not confuse or misunderstand what happened to this other couple. She HAD all her vaccines. The RFE told them to go to a CS and do exactly what you will be doing...get a "missing vaccine" and get the CS to sign the I-693. But when the guy figured out this little error was going to cost him $400 he responded with "She has all her vaccines, read the DS-3025" Didn't work. He was ordered to do "A" and he did "B" and she was denied...flat, that is it. You DO what you are told or you get denied. Period. Or so seems to be the message.

In your case, she does not have all the vaccines, so just do what you are going to have to do anyway and avoid the RFE. Saves time that way, PLUS allows you to shop around first and get it done for the lowest cost.

Thank you Gary. Very useful information.
JVFMaleUkraine2010-09-07 11:05:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMedical exam question
So here is what I need to do as soon she arrives here.
1. get her rubella shot at the local doctor.
2. Find a CS in my area.
The question is. If DS 3025 form does not have "vaccinations complete" checked, obviously it will not, since she is missing one shot, what do we do?
The local doctor will probably give us another document that stating that she now has her rubella shot, but DS-3025 still be incomplete.
How do we make sure all is in order before we submit for AOS?
JVFMaleUkraine2010-09-07 08:42:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMedical exam question
So if one shot is missing that's not a big deal when you do AOS?
JVFMaleUkraine2010-09-06 21:55:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMedical exam question

For the medical records...don't worry. They didn't ask for Sergey's KEV number either. She has the documents to bring and that is all. Provided it has her NAME on it, you are fine. I am not sure what you mean by "application" though. You mean medical exam report?

Did she get the DS-3025 signed off on and did they check the "vaccinations complete" box on the form? This is not an interview issue, this will be an AOS issue. Do not panick, but it makes things easier later if they have done this form properly

Hi Gary, yes I meant medical exam report. It's just strange, why would they ask to bring KEV number if they don't write it anywhere. Do you think we could just write it on the top of the sealed envelope?
Rubella was the only shot she was missing, but the doctor said she will do it in US. Not sure why they didn't give her the shot right there.
I wish I would be there with her to make sure DS-3025 has been done properly. She could not find the "vaccinations complete" check box on the copy. Sveta told me they were given copies of DS-325 to everyone. No one had to ask for it. Let's hope everything was done properly and there will be no AOS issues.
JVFMaleUkraine2010-09-06 15:16:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMedical exam question
typo in the subject "Medical...." :)
JVFMaleUkraine2010-09-06 10:10:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMedical exam question
My fiancee just passed her medical. While in the medical center she realized KEV # is missing on her application. When she went back to register office, they told me not to worry about. By they way, they never asked for KEV number during the process. Is this really normal? Will American consulate give her hard time if KEV number is missing? She mentioned that she saw KEV numbers on other applicant's applications.
JVFMaleUkraine2010-09-06 10:08:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusTwo weeks and all is well
Congratulations.
JVFMaleUkraine2010-09-06 22:04:00