ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
National Visa Center (Dept of State)E-Mail Response Time
I have emailed them twice, and Natasha has emailed them once. My first email got a response in about 10 calendar days, as did Natasha's request. My second email hasn't been responded to yet (but it has been less than 10 calendar days so far).

And, I agree with what I assume you're thinking! One of my pet peeves (ok, it's more of a life partner instead of a pet) are companies that advertise a strong web/email presence, and then obviously handle web and email requests for support only when they have nothing better to do.
KGSodieMaleRussia2007-12-19 14:13:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)UPSET WITH NVC!
It's tough when you get an RFE for something you know you already provided, but you're doing the right thing in taking care of it as expeditiously as possible.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-02-08 16:40:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)How can it take so long?
It's frustrating as we all know, and there usually aren't any 'good' or 'logical' or even 'reasonable' answers. Heck, sometimes VJers report that some document in the chain is never received (NOA1, NOA2, NVC, consul letter, etc).

Make the calls, hang in there, and everything will turn out ok. Usually. But that's what the calls are for!
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-07-24 09:39:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)I-864EZ question
For what purpose? What other paperwork is being filed along with this?
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-07-24 09:17:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWestern union receipts?
QUOTE (sweety10 @ Nov 2 2007, 09:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Do you have to have western Union receipts at the interview? I remember reading about it somewhere. I never felt the need to ask money from my hubby. kicking.gif would that cause a problem?


I've read that if money is sent, then the western union receipts are a good thing to bring to the interview. Natasha quit her job when I was visiting her so that she could spend as much time with me as possible. It was her intention to get another job after I left, but then her mother got a job and requested that Natasha stay home and prepare meals and take care of the house, so she has been doing that instead. Accordingly, I send her money each month to pay for her internet service and whatever else she needs, and to give her a little money for herself and for her daughter Vika. I have saved all the receipts and will take them to Natasha prior to her interview.

If you both earn money independently, I can't imagine that a lack of receipts would be a problem!
KGSodieMaleRussia2007-11-02 09:39:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNeed help text messaging to Russia
I also have Verizon and problems with SMS to Russia. Being short of patience with Verizon customer service, I signed up at ipipi.com (disclosure: I am in no way affiliated with them, other than as a customer) and I use that to send her SMS messages (in Russian or English, my choice). Not the ideal solution and I should follow up with Verizon since I have to pay to use ipipi, but it's an alternative.
KGSodieMaleRussia2007-11-19 09:22:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAttention Russian Ladies
Natasha uses russian-fiancee.com, and says there is a lot of good information there. She also shares with me the humerous stories she reads. Of course, she also obsesses over the horror stories too!
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-01-14 16:56:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAffidavit of Support question
They mean debt for which the property is collateral, and not debt in general. At least, that's how I would interpret it.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-01-20 20:30:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApproval emails - are they being sent?
Although I was signed up for email updates, I never received any from the USCIS - only the snail mail NOAs.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-02-01 14:23:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHELLOOOOOOOOO
It does take some time. Check out the timelines here on VJ for a better idea of the processing times. Good luck on your journey!
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-02-06 21:30:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPkt 4 submitted
Although we did the K1 not the K3, at the consulate interview we also brought along the I134. No one asked for it. After the interview, when we realized this, we panicked and overreacted and submitted it (by leaving it with the guards at a special embassy entrance) per the instructions of one of the workers at the windows inside the consulate. We were just concerned that someone had 'forgotten' to ask for it, and we didn't want any problems with getting the visa. Of course, the visa wound up taking 3 more weeks to receive anyway, but oh well.

Just our experience.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-07-03 12:21:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureswe got RFE..pls help!
Take a deep breath and realize that everything will be ok. No one wants an RFE, but it's only a hiccup. The RFE should state specifically what it is they want to see, and is probably just something your fiancee overlooked when preparing the package. Have him follow the instructions completely, and your petition will be back on track in no time.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-07-24 10:24:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFinally approved @VSC
ypa!
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-08-13 16:42:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVisa delivery time - Moscow, Russia
QUOTE (katita1757 @ Nov 12 2007, 07:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (dkrivosheyev @ Nov 7 2007, 08:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Did anyone have their K1 interview in Moscow recently? My fiancee had her interview on November 1st and she was approved. I am wondering how long does it take for the Embassy to print the visa and ship it to my fiancee. It is November 7th now and the visa has not been sent yet. How long did it take you to receive the visa?
I have heard that the Consulates no longer issue the visa. They send it back to the states where it is issued and Fed ex to the beneficiary. good.gif


That doesn't seem to make any sense. If the visa is sent to the USC, how does it get affixed to the passport? The USC then has to ship the visa/passport to the Russian citizen? I thought the embassy affixed the visa to the passport and sent that to the Russian citizen directly. They will, after all, need it to process in at the POE (if not to depart Russia as well).
KGSodieMaleRussia2007-11-13 19:44:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionSoft copy submission for proof of on-going relationship at interview
I did the same thing for the I129F proof of relationship, and plan on doing it again for the interview. Logs of the chats and emails, and then selected emails and ecards and chat transcripts (edited for space and content).
KGSodieMaleRussia2007-12-27 17:16:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDoes everyone get a Packet 3?
I believe it depends on the country. Russia doesn't seem to have any packets - they just send you a letter telling you what to bring to the interview.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-01-12 10:34:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 Letter From Employer
Thanks guys. It's easy to get really obsessive over these things, and it's good to have your input.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-01-21 10:09:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 Letter From Employer
I sent the sample employment letter to my HR department, and they have sent me my letter. However, they did not say whether my position is permanent or temporary. I've been employed for over 18 years with the same company, which certainly implies permanency, but I'm worried over how particular the embassy in Moscow will be. I'm looking for opinion on the provided text:

January 8, 2008

Re: Employment Verification

To Whom It May Concern

This is to confirm that Kevin XXXXXXX is currently employed with XXXXXXX as a Systems Engineer and is currently earning $XXXXXXX per year.

Mr. Smotherman was hired into his current position on December 29, 1989.

If you have any questions or require any other information, please contact me at XXXXXX.

Sincerely,

<HR person signature and printed information>
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-01-20 21:23:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAre the interview documents kept by the embassy?
Thanks YuAndDan, but when it comes to documents that Natasha needs to take to her interview, she's running the show. I know she doesn't need it, but she wants EVERYTHING with her! Thanks for all the info however. I'll stick with the originals only.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-01-26 22:44:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAre the interview documents kept by the embassy?
Are all of the documents that are taken to the embassy for the interview (in my case, the US embassy in Moscow) kept by the embassy, or are they just presented for review and then retained by the interviewee? I'm sure the I134, DS230, and DS156 are kept by the embassy, but what about everything else? The employer letter, the bank letter, bank statements, the further proof of relationships documents such as receipts and photos and etc, the tax transcripts or copies of 1040s, W-2s, and all the rest? I know the officer can ask to see originals of the various documents (birth certificates and the like), but should I also make sure my fiancee has copies of everything so that they can be turned in to the officer if requested?

Thanks in advance!
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-01-26 21:34:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPoverty level
http://www.uscis.gov...form/I-864P.pdf

This is the PDF showing the 125% income levels.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-02-05 10:07:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionFiance packet
I can't speak to the Japanese standard, but when Natasha received hers it was in both English and Russian.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-06-30 13:02:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionThe DS-156 Form
Yes, I completed this form electronically before leaving for Moscow for Natasha K-1 interview (couldn't go, of course, but I waited on the street outside) and printed it. Natasha submitted it at the consulate (along with the rest of the documents) and had no problems whatsoever.

Good luck!
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-07-24 09:32:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 Filing
Thought I might as well add my experiences. I brought the I-134 with me and gave to my fiancee for the interview - but they didn't request it. We freaked out afterward (when we realized this) and wound up submitting it through a side gate (per consulate instructions for document submittal), but I still don't know if anyone actually looked at it.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-07-30 09:55:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionLife changes....
Many hearty congratulations, and thanks for sharing such a wonderful story!
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-08-18 13:21:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAnyone Know about Kiev Embassy Schedule
It's pretty common for the FSU countries to shut down at Christmas time for 3 weeks. Not much happens over there during this time, sorry!

Good luck with the interview, though.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-12-23 10:21:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionproof of income & tax returns
I'm sure the experts will add their opinions, but here are my thoughts:

If you are over the 125% line, and your employment letter says your position is permanent and validates your income, then I would hope everything would be fine. Of course, logic sometimes has no place in government decisions! If your income is close to the minimum, then things could get dicey. Everyone has to leave the nest at some point, though, so I would hope the prior year as a dependent wouldn't matter. Just my opinion on these things, though.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-02-07 13:26:00
CanadaVisa Arrived
Exciting times! Congratulations!
KGSodieMaleRussia2007-11-13 13:28:00
CanadaSearching electronic devices at US Border: Story
Good grief, this is absurd.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-02-07 12:51:00
CanadaConsidering divorce, k-1, remarrying
If they smell anything they even think might be fraud, you could be in for a tough time.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-02-06 21:26:00
CanadaTravelled here together?
I flew to Moscow for the K-1 interview and paced out on the sidewalk in the falling snow. We had to wait an eternity for the visa to arrive (my passport had less than a week left on it) and then took the long flights back to here. It was a wonderful experience and I'm so glad we got to take the journey together.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-08-13 17:29:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWhere is NOA???
If you can read the WAC number you can check your status online:

https://egov.uscis.g...earchDisplay.do
KGSodieMaleRussia2007-11-14 08:53:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionLength of time from receipt until check cashed?
It got really long there for awhile, but it seems to be improving. We filed back in July, and our check was cashed in less than a week - so fast processing does sometimes happen. But the other poster is correct - they advertise a month to process. You don't have a timeline - which petition did you file? I-129F's don't go to Nebraska any more, or anywhere but California and Vermont.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-02-06 09:26:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionNOA 1 for wife but not daughter
I agree, 1HappyGuy. Natasha and I had very open and direct conversations prior to my first visit regarding expectations, accommodations, contingency plans, etc, so we both knew what the other expected and/or required. Most of those plans went out the window after we actually met, but we did have them! ;-)
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-12-16 14:48:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionHealth Insurance, 401K
My company does the same thing. I'm still putting the package together, but in case I want to throw them in I've captured screen shots from the internal corporate HR site showing the beneficiaries and dependents covered by my insurance. I also have an email from HR that states that the company doesn't produce documents showing coverage or beneficiary status, and suggests I capture screens for this purpose. I've also gone out to the insurance company's website and downloaded the latest statement, which shows claims for all of us, as well as their covered status.
KGSodieMaleRussia2010-06-07 12:57:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionK-2 Biometrics
That's my understanding as well, though I was told by the CSC person that we wouldn't have to pay the biometrics again, since we paid it as part of the I751 and biometrics weren't taken. That said, I fully expect to have to pay it again. :hehe:
KGSodieMaleRussia2010-09-13 15:53:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionK-2 Biometrics
Seeking confirmation, we called USCIS. The drone was very unhelpful, flipping back and forth between "she doesn't need biometrics" and "she needs biometrics", until finally settling on the latter. She said she would send a request over to the CSC informing them that we had not received a biometrics appointment, only to discover that their software wouldn't allow her to do this. She then transferred me (I believe to CSC).

I spent 40 minutes on the phone initially with USCIS and got 0 useful information. I spent 5 minutes post-transfer and the issue was cleared up. The woman at CSC indicated that the prior biometrics were being used for our daughter, but that she would need new biometrics (via I-90) within 30 days of her 14th birthday. The current expected processing time for the I-751 is 6 months, which puts us just prior to our daughter's 14 birthday. I was told that there are (obviously) two scenarios: 1) We don't receive the permanent cards before her 14th birthday or 2) we do. For case 1, an 'automatic' biometrics appointment notice should get generated, but I should call a month or so before, if we don't have the cards or an appointment notice, and request one. For case 2, we would need to send the card in along with an I-90 within 30 days after the 14th birthday, at which point we'd get a biometrics appointment and (eventually) a new card. If we file within the 30 days, in this case, there would be no fee (for either the I-90 or the biometrics, since the fee was already paid with the I-751).

So, that's the "official" information. We'll see how far reality varies.
KGSodieMaleRussia2010-09-13 12:30:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionK-2 Biometrics
Thanks for the replies. Assuming our daughter receives her permanent resident card, with or without biometrics, prior to her 14th birthday next March, my read of the I-90 instructions would seem to indicate that she would need to file this form, with biometric fees only (no application fee), within 30 days of her 14th birthday? Strange rules.
KGSodieMaleRussia2010-08-30 08:29:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionK-2 Biometrics
Follow-up question. My wife has read on another forum that if our K-2 daughter receives her permanent resident card before she turns 14 (she turns 14 next March), that she must get a new permanent resident card when she returns 14. I couldn't find this information on the USCIS site, however. Veracity?
KGSodieMaleRussia2010-08-29 12:01:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionK-2 Biometrics
Our daughter got her "Verification of inclusion of a dependent in filing of form I-751" letter first, then my wife got her I-751 Receipt Notice, then she received her biometrics appointment notice. We haven't received a biometric appointment notice for our K-2 daughter, nor a separate receipt. Normal? My wife's biometric appointment is on Monday, and the letter doesn't mention our daughter.
KGSodieMaleRussia2010-08-26 12:33:00