ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
VietnamNVC:..."Merry Christmas....don't worry we have lube..."
:dance:
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-12-12 21:47:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMarrying In Ukraine
Are you planning to bring your lady to the US after marrying her? If so, plan on a more complex and time consuming process than if you got married in the US on a K1 visa.

I have discussed similar thoughts with my special sweet heart. She very much prefers to have her wedding in Ukraine to share with her family and close friends. We decided that we will have a wedding ceremony in Ukraine, but save the legal part to do in the US.

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and would like some info on a US Citizen marrying a Ukraine lady in Ukraine. I've done some research but would rather hear from someone that has been through the process.
I have no clue as to where to actually get started on the process.

Yes, I've been to Ukraine several times over the past 12 months and all is well between us. We've discussed this several times and would like to get married in Ukraine.
Thanks in advance,

Bleau


dave97232MaleUkraine2012-06-10 22:11:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarussmall parcels to Ukraine
I would use DHL instead of the other carriers, just because they are based in Germany and more established in Eastern Europe. You should find a DHL office in just about any city over there. Other carriers often rely on other companies to ship. I shipped a package from USA to Kherson, Ukraine and it arrived in about 5 days, with online tracking and everything. But it was expensive. If you plan to travel there soon, I would carry it with me instead.

If you do ship a package, keep it simple. Avoid adding anything that could cause custom delays. Also, additional weight == $$$$.
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-11-03 17:54:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarussmall town in Ukraine
Google maps shows more than one village of that name in Ukraine. Do you know which one?

As other's said, if this is your first visit to Ukraine and you are traveling by yourself, it really is best to stick with Kiev.

Is Anybody familiar with trostyanets, Ukraine. I did a search and cannot find much on it. like lodging transport from borispol airport, ect


dave97232MaleUkraine2012-11-06 00:44:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belaruspersonalised translation
One thing to be aware of is that hired translators are human, and will make mistakes, changing the meaning of what you said. He/she may know Ukrainian or Russian culture well, but maybe not your culture so well, and be confused by some figure of speech you use. Words are interpreted differently by different people based on their own experiences, and now you have another level of indirection. Remember those games played in school, where one child whispers something into the ear of another, and it goes around the circle, and you learn that the original and final versions are completely different? However, you and your partner will likely have high confidence because you have a hired translator to sort things out, and, thus, misunderstandings are less likely to be clarified.

Also, by depending on a hired translator, you and your acquaintance are not learning to communicate directly. How much basic English does she know? You will not get a chance to learn.

Couples should do whatever works best for them. If they feel much better with a hired translator, then use one, but maybe send the original writing along with the translated version, and find ways to practice communicating directly.

An alternative I would propose is to each write in your own native language and send that to each other. Each of you can then use online translation tools to translate what you received. You then get an opportunity to study and familiarize with each other's words. Of course these online tools are not perfect but she knows that also and can ask questions if something came out strange, just as you can.

Also, regardless of whether you use an online translator or not, be thoughtful of your choice of words. Try to avoid figures of speech, and use words as accurately to their dictionary meaning as possible, and avoid unnecessary complicated words or language.

Another thing that is helpful, which I am doing a poor job of here. Do not write a novel. Keep your letter short and to the point, break it into small sentences and paragraphs. If you ask questions, isolate those into separate paragraphs.
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-11-12 00:22:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus1st rule: You do not talk about baby (until born).
:dance:
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-11-17 12:27:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusSending paperwork to Ukraine
I have used DHL to send a package and it got there in a few days, with tracking, etc. It was expensive thoe.

DHL is based in Europe (Germany) and has offices in many Ukrainian cities.
dave97232MaleUkraine2013-01-03 19:21:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusUkraine Police Certificate
Did you go to the Ukrainian language version of the USA embassy web site and find where they talk about it there?
dave97232MaleUkraine2013-01-07 21:26:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusthinking on moving to the Ukraine
I'm not an expat, but one thing I want to add to Tim's comments.

You said you are disabled. Have you been to Ukraine? Does your disability interfere with your ability to use the stairs?

Be prepared for a lack of handicap accessibility. You need to be able to climb up and down a lot of stairs if you are going to get around in a city in Ukraine. As Tim said, sidewalks are crumbling and lack wheelchair ramps to the street crossings. Crossing major streets requires going down stairs to a tunnel underneath the street. Many buildings including many 5-story apartment blocks, have no elevators, and the stairs are crumbling and it is pitch black at night. Some of the buildings that do have elevators, have very tiny elevators that I imagine would be very difficult to fit a wheelchair or other assist equipment into (although I admit I haven't checked it out), and they don't always work anyway. Even ground floor businesses are often in courtyards that have a gate at the entrance, and require you to step over a part of the gate to get in.
dave97232MaleUkraine2013-04-23 21:13:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belaruschild born ukraine

Congrats! dancin5hr.gif

 

Just a warning:  Check with your airline about its policies if you plan to travel during the third trimester.


dave97232MaleUkraine2013-06-03 22:29:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Travel to Tashkent , Uzbekistan
Hello, this is my first post on this forum so apologies if I did something wrong.

Europe, Ukraine, Russia, and I assume Uzbekistan use 220V 50Hz power with European style plugs. As others have said, most power bricks support that, and that can be confirmed by looking at the small writing on it. For me there was one exception, in that my PC power brick became burning hot after about 30mins of use in spite of indicating it should work. For that reason I would check it occasionaly just to make sure it is not getting burning hot.

Google "USB modem" or something similar and you will find cheap adapters for dial-up networking, but I would be a little bit surprised if you need it.
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-06-01 21:17:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Does NVC send letter after complete the case?
I'm still a newbie around here, but in the upper right corner where is shows your login name, click the down arrow. It will have a "My Timeline" link.

I dont know from where i fill my tyme line?


dave97232MaleUkraine2012-06-09 19:02:00
CanadaMoving to NY - Can I exchange my Ontario driver licence to NY one?
Go to the New York DMV web site and scroll down to the section "Drivers from the US or Canada Who Move to NYS", where your question is answered in detail.
http://dmv.ny.gov/license.htm
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-11-20 22:29:00
PhilippinesAir China-PI tg JFK
Here's a bunch of customer reviews on them, including some very recent (Feb 2013) reviews:

My link
dave97232MaleUkraine2013-02-20 23:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJourney Over!!!! :.(
Blessings on you for your birthday! I hope that after a few days of grief, you feel relief and a beautiful future ahead. You deserve better than him.
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-06-25 20:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsinterview tomorrow, im scared!!! need advice
Relax, get a good night's sleep, and answer all questions honestly. I'm sure you will be very happy after tomorrow! :)
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-11-15 21:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsApproved or Denied
:dance:
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-11-15 21:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsApril I129F Filer - 6 months later, approved!
:dance:
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-11-21 01:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsgot visaaaa!!!!!
:dance:
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-11-28 21:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsFINALLY WAIT IS OVER! GOT K1-Visa!
:dance:
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-11-28 21:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsi just got my k1 visa
:thumbs: :dance:
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-12-15 12:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportslast update for those who care
:dance:
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-12-13 18:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsShe's on the plane now!

Congrats! kicking.gif

 

I imagine you may have been through it a few times.  But if you haven't, immigration at PDX is nice, friendly, and quick.  Then, they put her on a bus that drops her off through a door that enters the north end of the baggage carousel area.  You can meet her there.


dave97232MaleUkraine2013-05-28 23:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOMG, OMG, OMG!!!!! :D

kicking.gif


dave97232MaleUkraine2013-05-25 10:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPolice certificate
Look at the instructions for the forms that come from the embassy, but I believe they say you need police certificates for every place he lived from age 16 and older.
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-11-17 00:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F and G325a for non-latin alphabets
Thanks for your responses. :) I will fill in all of the information in the latin alphabet except for the places it specifically asks for the native alphabet on the I-129F and G-325a. We will wait for the passport. She will probably have it in a couple of weeks and it will remove one anxiety and potential hassle to just make sure they are all matched up.
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-06-05 22:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F and G325a for non-latin alphabets
Hello everyone! :) My sweet heart is from Kherson, Ukraine and I am preparing our K1 I-129F and related forms and have two questions related to non-latin alphabets.

QUESTION #1: Several of the fields in her G-325a the names would be in Russian with Cryillic spellings. Do I fill these out in Cryllic letters with their exact names, or should they be transliterated into latin letters for an approximate name? Examples include: names of parents, the tiny rural village that her parents live in, the name of her prior employers.

QUESTION #2: We were told that she needs her international passport before I fill out these forms, and it will probably be a few more weeks before she receives it. The reason is the Ukrainian government decides the latin spelling of her name to put in there and we must fill in her name exactly as it appears in her international passport. We will not know that until she has her it in her hands. On the other hand, I heard that we can submit the I-129F without waiting for her international passport. But if we do not have to wait for it, how do we deal with it if they choose a spelling for her name that is different than what we fill in? We are very anxious to get this in ASAP, but of course we want to filled in perfectly to avoid any risk of delays down the road.

Thanks for your help! :dance:
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-06-02 10:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat happens at POE?
They have POE reviews on this web site, over here:

http://www.visajourn.../poereviews.php
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-11-16 00:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI know its stupid, but are the forms sent to the right address? (K1)

Where to File :File Form I-129F at the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility:
For U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS
P.O. Box 660151
Dallas, TX 75266

For USPS Express Mail and courier deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: I-129F
2501 South State Highway 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067

• We recommend reading our Lockbox Filing Tips before filing your petition.
• We will send you an email or text when the Dallas Lockbox facility accepts your Form I-129F if you clip a completed Form G-1145, Notification of Acceptance of Application/Petition to the front of your petition.
• Note: A Form I-129F Petition cannot be adjudicated at a USCIS Office abroad.


That may be the current address as of November 2012, but it may change as it did in the past. People should grab the current forms and follow the instructions that come with those forms.
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-11-20 22:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 or marry and adjust status?

Marrying somoeone for the purposes of an immigration benefit is immigration fraud, so is filing for a K-1.


That doesn't sound like it applies here. I read her words and they sound like a woman in crazy love with intentions of a genuine marriage. :)

But your concern about immigration fraud is a good point. I would stay clear of the work visa option and only use a visa for the purpose it is intended for. Start here:

http://www.visajourn...content/compare

and pick one that suits you and your boyfriend, getting married now or later.
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-11-27 22:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhere to file my fiance visa documents?

Hi,

my america fiance lives in Michigan and I wonder if the state you live in determines where you file your fiance visa i-129f application.
How do I choose or find out where to file the documents?

Thanks a lot!


You live in Germany and your fiance is in USA? The I-129F is filled out and signed by the USA citizen. You fill out a G-325A for it, however. Months later, after the I-129F petition is approved, you fill out various forms that the USA embassy sends you, which can be found here: http://germany.usemb...iv/step3/#kvisa
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-12-02 13:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat should the I-129F packet look like?
Hi BamBamSam! :)

You married him in November? The K1 visa is only for fiance/fiancee. Here is a nice summary made by helpful people on this forum of the visa options:

http://www.visajourn...content/compare

It looks like K3 and IR-1/CR-1 are the options if you are already married.

Your I-129F sounds like it has more than enough to go. You probably did this also, but I imagine putting the date on the back of each photo along with the location may be a good idea.
dave97232MaleUkraine2012-12-14 00:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiance Letter of Intent
Oops, a small typo. Replace "intent" with "intend".

I, Masha2012 (put your full legal name here), do hereby state that I am legally able and willing to marry (put the full legal name of your fiance here), and intend to do so within 90 days of my arrival in the U.S. using the K-1 visa.


dave97232MaleUkraine2013-02-23 13:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiance Letter of Intent
I don't think it has to be long. Write a couple of sentences that briefly say how you met. I would include the specific date you initially became acquainted (in person or online), and the specific dates that you met in person.

The examples should show an outline of a letter. Some examples have an old address. Send it to the United States Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 2501 South State Highway 121 Business, Suite 400, Lewisville, TX 75067.

The following statement is important. Put it in there:

I, Masha2012 (put your full legal name here), do hereby state that I am legally able and willing to marry (put the full legal name of your fiance here), and intent to do so within 90 days of my arrival in the U.S. using the K-1 visa.

Keep in mind the purpose of this letter. It is to declare your intent to marry as per the conditions of the K-1 visa. A long letter going into the details of your relationship only serves to distract from that purpose. Imagine some busy USCIS employee in some office building going through your application, tired in the middle of a long day at work, going through a checklist to see that all the necessary documents are included. Make it easy for that person to quickly determine "Yes, there is a Fiancee Letter of Intent included in this package". This USCIS worker is not going to want to read through a bunch of romantic fluff, for the 597'th time today, to get to it. Your relationship (specifically, the proof you met within the last 2 years) will be described elsewhere, with the photos, with your answer to question 18 on the I-129F, etc.

Don't forget to sign and date it. Send the original letter, signed with an ink pen, not a copy. Some people say a copy is fine, and some people say they get RFEs because they did that, so I wouldn't risk trusting that.
dave97232MaleUkraine2013-02-23 11:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhere to file Form I-29F
The instructions that come with the I-129F say you can do either way. Only you can answer if the faster express delivery and other features (e.g. tracking) are worth the extra cost. I plan to send it express.
dave97232MaleUkraine2013-02-23 13:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMarriage Broker Question
Several people here have asserted that Anastatiadate is not an IMBRA marriage broker. I am pretty sure it is a marriage broker. Basically, any entity that charges fees for providing dating, matrimonial matchmaking services, or social referrals between US citizens and or other permanent US residents and foreign nationals. There are some exceptions, such as for religious organizations and organizations for which their principal business is not international dating (i.e. match.com exempted).

Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer; I do not know what I am talking about.

Didn't AnastasiaDate charge you a fee for that chat session where you became initially acquainted? It sounds to me like a "social referral". I would put them down on #19 to be safe.

Here is the IMBRA law:

IMBRA Law starts at Section 831

Go to page 3075, Section 833, buried in the depths of all this legal doodoo:

(4) INTERNATIONAL MARRIAGE BROKER.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘international marriage
broker’’ means a corporation, partnership, business, indi-
vidual, or other legal entity, whether or not organized
under any law of the United States, that charges fees
for providing dating, matrimonial, matchmaking services,
or social referrals between United States citizens or
nationals or aliens lawfully admitted to the United States
as permanent residents and foreign national clients by
providing personal contact information or otherwise facili-
tating communication between individuals.
(B) EXCEPTIONS.—Such term does not include—
(i) a traditional matchmaking organization of a
cultural or religious nature that operates on a nonprofit
basis and otherwise operates in compliance with the
laws of the countries in which it operates, including
the laws of the United States; or
(ii) an entity that provides dating services if its
principal business is not to provide international dating
services between United States citizens or United
States residents and foreign nationals and it charges
comparable rates and offers comparable services to
all individuals it serves regardless of the individual’s
gender or country of citizenship.


dave97232MaleUkraine2013-02-20 23:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures5 year ban - file for waiver before i129f?
Just one question. How good is your fiancee's English? Can she speak English fluently enough to easily deal with whatever questioning she was put through when you were separated? I wonder if the problems you ran into may be due to some misunderstanding. They probably have staff that speak fluent English and Spanish, but probably not Russian.
dave97232MaleUkraine2013-02-01 02:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures5 year ban - file for waiver before i129f?
This is a messy kink in your plan. As you can see from other posts, you are getting conflicting advise about the waiver. It would seem clear there is no universally understood correct way of dealing with this.

Normally I think using a lawyer is a big waste of money, but it might help you to have a good immigration lawyer to deal with this situation.

I am not a lawyer or immigration expert so I do not know what I am talking about, but if you choose to do it yourself, here is what I would consider:

1. The U.S. border check is in the U.S., on the north side of the bridge, so on the I-129F I assume you have to check "YES" on the question about your fiancee being in the U.S. before. I would then attach a supplimental letter explaining the situation, and include copies of the relevant documents.

2. On the question of filing the waiver with it, or wait until you are denied. I would vote to file with it. Is there any reason it would hurt? It seems that either they will accept it or not. If they do, great! If they don't, well, you are in the same boat you would have been in if you waited for the denial.
dave97232MaleUkraine2013-02-01 01:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhere can we meet?
Oh, nevermind. On second reading I see you are already investigating those issues. :)
dave97232MaleUkraine2013-01-07 21:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhere can we meet?
You also need to find out what she needs, if anything, to enter Mexico. Has she already applied for and received an International passport? Does she need to obtain a visa before entering Mexico?
dave97232MaleUkraine2013-01-07 21:42:00