ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGreetings to all!
QUOTE (Milenka @ Aug 28 2007, 10:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Welcome to VJ and the "Russia" Forum, Steven! Good luck to you and Liliana! Hope to see you around smile.gif

-Milena


Congrats on your recent approval! :-)
FettmanMaleRussia2007-08-28 09:05:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGreetings to all!
QUOTE (1HappyGuy @ Aug 27 2007, 05:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You might find that it will take about a month to gather all of your's and her documents in preparation for filing the I-129F. So, get started now. I think two certified copies of documents is sufficient since you can make copies of them for your records. You are going to need duplicate copies of everything you send to the USCIS.

I think you will need police clearance certificates from every place she has lived for six months or more since she was 18. Review the guides carefully and spend time getting everything right. Generally, it takes three months for the USCIS to process the I-129F applications. After that they are sent to the NVC (National Visa Center), part of the state department where a new embassy specific case number is assigned and background is checked. From there the case is forwarded to the embassy. The embassy will then contact your fiancee at the indicated address with requirements of additional documents and procedures.

Everyone is suggesting you get started now because of all the delays. I think you should consider all the different places that your fiancee has lived and how long it will take to obtain police clearances. That could be your biggest slow down other than the application process.

It sounds like you have just gotten out of school also, so you want to review the requirements for income and wealth regarding sponsorship.

Good luck on your journey and welcome to VJ. It will be educational, exciting, frustrating, worrisome and sometimes lonely. Not to worry, you just joined a group with lots of experienced people.


Well, yes I have just gotten out of school, about a year or so now, but I have a great job, so money will not be the issue. I am well above the 125% mark. I will talk to her about the police certificates and see what she thinks about those. I also figured it would take a month or so for me to gather all the stuff I need for the I-129F. On her end, I just need the G-325A and a passport sized photo correct? The police certificate and her birth certificate are items she takes to the interview if I read the guides and such right. Thanks for the advice, I believe I will be submitting my I-129F by the beginning of October.

- Steven

QUOTE (Sid and Nancy @ Aug 27 2007, 07:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Welcome to VJ, Fettman!! Good luck with your journey!! kicking.gif

P.S. I'm from Moscow too!



Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!
FettmanMaleRussia2007-08-28 07:29:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGreetings to all!
Also, to follow up with my above post, if I submit my I-129F in October, what are the chances that it would get approved before she was back in Russia, i.e. January of next year? Does she have to be in Russia to get here interview scheduled? I would love to start as soon as I can, but as I said, I do not want to start it too soon if she is required to be in Russia before she is able to be back there. As Slim said, it is easy for me to get the items from her that I need, so I think October would be the soonest I could have everything together. Thanks!

- Steven
FettmanMaleRussia2007-08-27 14:50:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGreetings to all!
QUOTE (slim @ Aug 27 2007, 09:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Welcome to VJ, Steven.

If she's going to be back in December, send in the K-1 now. No sense in delaying, as she'll be home long before the approvals roll in and the subsequent Moscow interview. You'll save yourself a few months by going ahead and sending it in now.

You can use her "home of record" in Russia for all the paperwork. She can download the forms, fill them out, and send them to you (NOW!) and you can have the whole packet done and sent in within a week or two of getting her stuff. She can call her mother or someone (or maybe even her school has one on file) to e-mail her a copy of her birth certificate, she can translate it herself, and then she can type up a "letter of intent" and fill out the G-325A as well. A quick trip to the photo store to get her passport size photos, and she's all done. You should have all of her documents within two weeks.

After sending in your K-1 packet, it's going to realistically take a few months to get the NOA-II, then through NVSC, to the embassy, and then get her interview scheduled. Even if you sent it in today, she probably wouldn't have the interview until next year. However, if you wait until after December when she returns home, you're going to have to pass through both U.S. and Russian Christmas/New Years holidays and then get it sent in. Basically, you can do it now and save yourself about 5 months.

Good luck in the VJ process, and I hope to see you in the VJ Russia Forum.


Ok, I agree with what you are saying. As for her birth certificate, do I need that for the I-129F? My only fear is (and I am sure it is laughable) is that she would still be in Berlin when they want to set up her interview. I was planning on sending in my I-129F in November, before she got home. If I understand things right for the I-129F all I need from her is a G-325A, signed and dated, as well as a passport sized photo. The rest I provide. Also, I am getting certified copies of my birth certificate made, how many do you think I should get? I was thinking 6-8. Thanks!
FettmanMaleRussia2007-08-27 09:05:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGreetings to all!
QUOTE (Satellite @ Aug 26 2007, 04:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Will you be going through the visa process in Germany or Russia? Because your fiancee has been residing in Germany for an extensive period of time, I'd look into doing the process in Germany. Keep in mind that getting police certificates from Germany and or ordering them from Russia is probably going to take more time than usual. If you do decide to go through the German route, the advice specific to Russia might not be as applicable to you.


She will be in Germany for under a year. I believe then she will not be required to get a police certificate for Germany if I read the US Russian Embassy's website correctly. She only has a temporary visa for the EU as a student and will return home to Russia in December. We believe right now the Russian route will be the best, even if it does take longer as she and I are more familiar with it and as her MBA course load is very dense she does not have time to go through the paperwork now.

"If an applicant has lived abroad for more than one year, a police certificate must also be submitted from the country in which he/she lived."

Taken from US Russian Embassy

Thanks for the advice.

- Steven
FettmanMaleRussia2007-08-26 16:19:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGreetings to all!
Hello to all, My name is Steven and I just found this site and I have enjoyed reading the various posts and discussions. This is just what I need as I am starting my K1 process now for my girlfriend of 6 years, Liliana who is Russian. I am from the US. We met 6 years ago on a mission trip in which she was a translator and things took off from there. Now that we are both out of school or soon to be out of school, we can finally get married. I know this place will be a great resource and help as I navigate the maze of paperwork and documents. She is currently getting her MBA in Germany, so we are waiting until December to apply when she will graduate. She is from Moscow for those of you from Russia, I live in Virginia. It has been a great blessing to have her in Germany as Germany requires no visas to visit :-).

So, I wish everyone the best of luck with their application processes and such and extend an big ?????? to the Russians and a good old Hello to those of you from the States.

Your comrade in paperwork,

Steven
FettmanMaleRussia2007-08-26 15:24:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusEvidence
QUOTE (Satellite @ Sep 4 2007, 02:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Fettman @ Sep 4 2007, 09:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Anyone know an easy way to fill out the G-325A instead of manually filling out each page?
Try:
http://www.uscis.gov...form/g-325a.pdf
By filling out the first page it automatically fills out the other ones.


Well, I feel like an idiot :-).
FettmanMaleRussia2007-09-04 14:35:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusEvidence
QUOTE (slim @ Sep 4 2007, 11:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Good luck, Steven.

And don't worry too much about the evidence. Your case should be strong enough that the evidence is just a confirmation, not what seals the deal. If you've included everything you need in your K-1, you shouldn't really need any evidence.



Anyone know an easy way to fill out the G-325A instead of manually filling out each page?
FettmanMaleRussia2007-09-04 11:16:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusEvidence
QUOTE (Milenka @ Sep 4 2007, 05:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We sent quite a bit of evidence, but to agree with Satellite I wouldn't let trying to collect more evidence hold up sending the application. It seems like you have plenty right now! We got through in exactly 90 days, but it could be longer, obviously smile.gif Good luck, and I hope you get it sent as soon as possible!



Well, I feel better about what I have. Thank you everyone who responded. I plan on sending the application in as soon as I receive the material I need from Liliana.

- Steven
FettmanMaleRussia2007-09-04 08:19:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusEvidence
QUOTE (John & Alla @ Sep 3 2007, 01:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Fettman @ Sep 3 2007, 12:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (John & Alla @ Sep 3 2007, 12:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I would certainly include some emails to show the length of the relationship; but I would not go overboard. I would prefer to see many different types of evidence, not a stack of one type.


Yeah, I agree, a sampling to me makes much more sense. As for the stamps in my passport, it is in my old passport, which I just got renewed, would it make sense to send Liliana the canceled passport as a part of the original evidence?


No, copies of the passport will be better; better to not have the questions as to why she has your passport and stuff (even if it is an expired one)


Ok, I can agree with that ;-). I would not want our jokes about being spies to come true...
FettmanMaleRussia2007-09-03 14:42:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusEvidence
QUOTE (John & Alla @ Sep 3 2007, 12:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I would certainly include some emails to show the length of the relationship; but I would not go overboard. I would prefer to see many different types of evidence, not a stack of one type.


Yeah, I agree, a sampling to me makes much more sense. As for the stamps in my passport, it is in my old passport, which I just got renewed, would it make sense to send Liliana the canceled passport as a part of the original evidence?
FettmanMaleRussia2007-09-03 11:19:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusEvidence
QUOTE (John & Alla @ Sep 3 2007, 11:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Fettman @ Sep 3 2007, 11:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (John & Alla @ Sep 3 2007, 11:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Maybe I am a bit #######, but I try to think of all the ways they might refuse my application. It is not hard to fake photos and emails; so I want to include tons of evidence of all types to show that we met, had time together, etc.


Well, the tickets and such I have do not have a clear date on them, but they are obviously real and from Berlin, especially the U-bahn tickets. For the I-129F I should just include copies of my evidence and send Liliana the originals right?


correct, copies in the 129-F and the original 129-F packet to her before interview


You are right about faking stuff, but I think in this day and age one could fake anything ;-) , but I take your advice to heart. So, I guess I should include stuff I have from the past six years as well? I have a stack of emails, and I mean a real stack :-).
FettmanMaleRussia2007-09-03 10:59:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusEvidence
QUOTE (John & Alla @ Sep 3 2007, 11:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Maybe I am a bit #######, but I try to think of all the ways they might refuse my application. It is not hard to fake photos and emails; so I want to include tons of evidence of all types to show that we met, had time together, etc.


Well, the tickets and such I have do not have a clear date on them, but they are obviously real and from Berlin, especially the U-bahn tickets. For the I-129F I should just include copies of my evidence and send Liliana the originals right?
FettmanMaleRussia2007-09-03 10:46:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusEvidence
QUOTE (John & Alla @ Sep 3 2007, 11:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I would add any receipts you may have gotten during your visit to Berlin, maybe receipts for money exchange, receipts for a motel, receipts for visiting the museum, etc.


Good idea, I have some of those, even some tickets for the underground there. They do not all have the date and time on them though, but I think that they will help.
FettmanMaleRussia2007-09-03 10:40:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusEvidence
Hey all,

Question about evidence, I am curious as to what you all provided as proof of relationship and proof of seeing each other in the past two years. Yes, I have read the guide, I just want to make sure I have enough items.

As to what I am thinking:

Proof of relationship:
Cell phone bills that clearly state day and time as well as destination, in this case Germany.
Chat logs that have day and time.
Copies of Christmas and Birthday cards as well as anything handwritten I have from her.
Pictures of us together, obviously in Berlin, Germany.

I could add to that emails from the past 6 years if you all think that will help. The thing is that for the past year we stopped emailing and only chat since the time difference is not too bad now and we like it better than just emails. I could also have use write a very loving emails over the next week or so, if you all think that will help.

Proof of seeing each other in the past two years:
Pictures of us together in Berlin
Stamps in my passport that show the date when I entered Germany
My airline receipt that shows my itinerary with dates and times as well as my bank account statement that shows the exact same amount being deducted.

So, if you all have anything to add, I would love the suggestions. Thanks!

- Steven
FettmanMaleRussia2007-09-03 10:10:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAlla accepts proposal for marriage
QUOTE (John & Alla @ Sep 5 2007, 03:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
rose.gif Very exciting news for me; Alla has accepted my proposal for marriage. I asked her two weeks ago and she wanted time to think; today she told me "you that person whom I would like to see my husband...." heart.gif rose.gif

I am so very excited. kicking.gif



Congrats! Best of luck to you!
FettmanMaleRussia2007-09-05 14:19:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAddress Questions
QUOTE (Kotenochek @ Sep 11 2007, 06:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Make sure she gets criminal record paper from Germany before she leaves.


She won't need it as she will be there under a year. I looked into this, from the US Embassy in Moscow's website:

"Police certificates in all names as well as all dates of birth ever used. Police certificate must contain references to each place (subject to the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation) in which the applicant lives or has lived for more than six months since attaining the age of 16. This includes localities where applicants have lived during university studies. If the applicant was on military service, he/she should bring the certificate from the local draft board. If an applicant has lived abroad for more than one year, a police certificate must also be submitted from the country in which he/she lived. Police certificate validity is one year since the date of issuance. "

She will be there under a year so she should not need it. Thanks for the advice all!
FettmanMaleRussia2007-09-12 07:25:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAddress Questions
QUOTE (Fettman @ Sep 11 2007, 10:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (slim @ Sep 11 2007, 10:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Above is correct. I think I was the one that messed you up with the "get her birth cert. translated" post a few weeks ago. Sorry for that.

I included my fiancee's birth cert in the packet I sent in but in reality, it was not necessary. I sent copies of everything for her and me. Her passport, my passport. Her birth cert., my birth cert., etc., etc., I was trying to make a "his and hers" packet, and that's just not necessary. Check out the guides section here, and send exactly what they have on there. They need your birth cert. to establish that you have a legal right to sponsor someone. They can check hers later. Skipping all of this, I think they can use your passport instead of your birth cert.

Send what's on the list. Nothing more, nothing less. Looking back, I know I was a little bit "overkill" on the paperwork I submitted and it seems most everyone stresses the "evidence" portion of the interview. Taken as a whole, we make this process a lot more complicated than it needs to be. Keep it simple and stick to the guides. It should streamline your process and maybe even help you shave a few days off the wait.


I am a list person, so it will be no problem for me to stick to the list smile.gif.


Ok, so now I am filling out the I-129F, and when I go to put in her middle name it will not fit in the box. So, do I have to fill out an continuation sheet just for that or is there something else I can do? Also, when I put her address in Moscow there is a postal code attached to it, should I always include it even if they do not ask for it? For example, some of the fill in the blank sets have a postal code box, others do not. Thanks!
FettmanMaleRussia2007-09-11 09:59:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAddress Questions
QUOTE (slim @ Sep 11 2007, 10:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Above is correct. I think I was the one that messed you up with the "get her birth cert. translated" post a few weeks ago. Sorry for that.

I included my fiancee's birth cert in the packet I sent in but in reality, it was not necessary. I sent copies of everything for her and me. Her passport, my passport. Her birth cert., my birth cert., etc., etc., I was trying to make a "his and hers" packet, and that's just not necessary. Check out the guides section here, and send exactly what they have on there. They need your birth cert. to establish that you have a legal right to sponsor someone. They can check hers later. Skipping all of this, I think they can use your passport instead of your birth cert.

Send what's on the list. Nothing more, nothing less. Looking back, I know I was a little bit "overkill" on the paperwork I submitted and it seems most everyone stresses the "evidence" portion of the interview. Taken as a whole, we make this process a lot more complicated than it needs to be. Keep it simple and stick to the guides. It should streamline your process and maybe even help you shave a few days off the wait.


I am a list person, so it will be no problem for me to stick to the list smile.gif.
FettmanMaleRussia2007-09-11 09:42:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAddress Questions
QUOTE (Turboguy @ Sep 11 2007, 07:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
That is what I remember too. For the initial filing you need a copy of your birth certificate and any divorce decress. For the interview she needs her birth certificate. A translated copy of it and needs to have an original of your birth certificate with her in case they ask to see it. They usually don't but once in a while they do. Anyway, you have time on that.


Ok, that is what I thought. Thanks to all of you who cleared this up for me.
FettmanMaleRussia2007-09-11 07:38:00