ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI have lost my job
QUOTE (pushbrk @ Mar 11 2008, 09:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Evgeniya @ Mar 11 2008, 07:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Today I came to work and found out that in three weeks I will have no work. I was substituting for a woman on maternity leave (in Russia it can be up to 3 years). We had an agreement that I will work till August, well I guess it no longer stands.... I was screwed twice now, I was supposed to start a job last year in January instead they made me wait 3 months because the woman said that she wasn't ready to leave yet. And now I just have been kicked out in a street again. Not that my life was already uncomplecated. The funny thing is that I just got a raise this month. cray5ol.gif


I'm sorry you lost your job. Beyond the announcement, did you have a related immigration question?


Hmm...... related immigration question. Let me see..... How about why a H... it is taking so long? And why 2 out of 3 years of my marriage I have spent 7000 miles away from my husband and why I have no shoulder to cry on right now? Are those good enough?
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-03-11 09:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI have lost my job
Today I came to work and found out that in three weeks I will have no work. I was substituting for a woman on maternity leave (in Russia it can be up to 3 years). We had an agreement that I will work till August, well I guess it no longer stands.... I was screwed twice now, I was supposed to start a job last year in January instead they made me wait 3 months because the woman said that she wasn't ready to leave yet. And now I just have been kicked out in a street again. Not that my life was already uncomplecated. The funny thing is that I just got a raise this month. cray5ol.gif
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-03-11 09:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMy timeline
QUOTE (wlisa_rbert @ Mar 13 2008, 11:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hehehhee... gudluck to you



I just noticed that a member of August/Sept filers forum has this citation "When man plans God laughs" I fell in love with it. Because I am a super planner but everything that could go wrong in these past two years did go wrong for better or for worse laughing.gif .

Edited by Evgeniya, 14 March 2008 - 12:31 AM.

EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-03-14 00:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresquick question ds 3032
QUOTE (Tyrobe @ Mar 19 2008, 09:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Evgeniya @ Mar 19 2008, 08:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (xichdu @ Mar 19 2008, 07:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Tyrobe @ Mar 19 2008, 07:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (xichdu @ Mar 19 2008, 05:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I call NVC and hear automatic system " ... send ds 3032 out for me and my wife in my country" Do i have to wait the mail or can my wife send the email now for me to be agent. Thank you.


No, you don't have to wait for the mail. You can email in your Choice of Agent now.

Thank you very much.



What is the email adress? and Do I as a beneficiery appoint my husband a US citizen to be my agent?


The email address is NVCINQUIRY@state.gov.

It is highly recommended to have your Choice of Agent located in US to receive your mails from NVC/DOS. Your husband is an excellent choice.


Thank you! The thing is my husband is coming here for a whole summer on May 20th, we just got approved on March 17th. Whom should I appoint his Mom since he isn't going to be there in two months? or should I not appoint anyone?

Edited by Evgeniya, 19 March 2008 - 09:46 PM.

EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-03-19 21:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresquick question ds 3032
QUOTE (xichdu @ Mar 19 2008, 07:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Tyrobe @ Mar 19 2008, 07:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (xichdu @ Mar 19 2008, 05:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I call NVC and hear automatic system " ... send ds 3032 out for me and my wife in my country" Do i have to wait the mail or can my wife send the email now for me to be agent. Thank you.


No, you don't have to wait for the mail. You can email in your Choice of Agent now.

Thank you very much.



What is the email adress? and Do I as a beneficiery appoint my husband a US citizen to be my agent?
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-03-19 20:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresANY OCTOBER FILERS APPROVED........??
You can add me too Delicia. Finally, thanks GOD!!!!!!!!!!! kicking.gif good.gif I think the predictions that USCIS is working on October petitions got to be true.

IR-visa timeline
- - - - -
Oct. 1st, 2007 Petition I-130 to NSC
Oct. 10-15, 2007 were asked for more stuff
Oct. 22, 2007 sent additional papers
Nov 1st, 2007 Petition I-130 recieved by CSC
Jan. 17, 2008 date of NOA1
Jan 23, 2008 touched
Mar 17, 2008 approval via email YES!!!!!


[/quote]
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-03-19 03:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures9 to 10 more months!!!!!!!!!
I agree with all said above. My husband and I have spent over a year and half living in two different countries already. By the time we get a visa it will be two years of separation, so two out of three years of marriage we have spent apart. He visited me twice over the summer and winter breakes (he is a student) each time paying two grand for a ticket. He is coming for a whole summer again. I have to say if we didn't have an opportunity to spend accumaletevily four months together in the past year and a half I would go nuts. My best wishes to VMT filers! rose.gif
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-03-26 02:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTax returns for which year?
QUOTE (n@W @ Mar 27 2008, 01:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
do you have a copy?
This should be fine kicking.gif


I don't know if we have a copy. But I do know my husband filed snail mail, because we filed jointly, and my SS has a wrong birthdate on it, so we couldn't file electronicly. Thank you for the responses.
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-03-27 01:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTax returns for which year?
QUOTE (Elvis @ Mar 27 2008, 12:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If you got approved on 3/17 you gonna need to send the I-864 after 4/15 ( i am gueesing end of april or beginnning of May)
so I guess you have to send 2007 tax return.
Since you have to file your tax return with IRS until 4/15 it is gonna be your most recent year
it would be different when they request the I-864 from you before 4/15 which is not gonna happen( I wish it happens)

Also, the NVC website clearly says most recent return and also clearly says only 1 return not 3 years like you said


My husband has already submitted his tax forms, but what I wonder how long is it going to take IRS to go through them? Will we have to wait for two months to get most recent tax returns?
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-03-27 00:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTax returns for which year?
I need some advise. We got approved on March 17th and just trying to get stuff ready before we need to submit them. For the I-864 form we need three most recent Tax returns. 2007 is not yet available it seems. Should we wait to get the report or just go ahead and get the Tax returns for the years 2004, 2005, and 2006? I just don't want to wait till summer and extend our process at NVC. I think that it will be another month and half before the I-864 is generated. We are not assigned an NVC case number yet. Thanks!
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-03-27 00:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUSCIS Processing Time
QUOTE (Na_Ma @ Mar 28 2008, 12:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi

Today dates has been changed



CSC September 05 for I-130 (CR/IR) and Sept 09 (K-3 visa)
VSC July 30 for I-130 and Sept 17 for I-129F (K-3 visa)

But those seem to be underestimations. Many August VSC CR/IR filers got approved and most October and some November filers at CSC.
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-03-28 01:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAugust / September I-130 2007 Filers
QUOTE (dodson01 @ Feb 5 2008, 09:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Great news for those August filers -- we filed our I-130 on August 14, received our NOA1 on December 21, and got APPROVED YESTERDAY. Hold on tight -- maybe Vermont is now moving.

Oh by the way -- we were never able to access our case online since we received the NOA1 on December 31 -- just kept getting that the number was not valid. I checked this morning and the APPROVAL NOTICE popped up.

I have yet to receive an email notification or anything.


CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! TRULY HAPPY FOR YOU AND FOR ALL OF US!!!!! kicking.gif
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-02-05 21:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAugust / September I-130 2007 Filers
QUOTE (Germanchick2502 @ Nov 25 2007, 02:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My husband contacted our representative, too. But so far we haven't heard back. Normally a representative needs a case# to inquire at USCIS but as our cases all have been delayed we don't have one yet. I don't know what they're willing to do now but it sure will be interesting. Congressmen, Senators and everybody else will be very busy over the next few months to sort out the mess USCIS made. I am sure our cases will take longer than it used to be over the past months and years. But all we can do is hang in there support each other and wait. My husband and I have decided that we will look into staying in Germany together if the process takes much longer than we expected. I hope though, that they get moving soon. As everything else is rather current they will have to start cleaning up the I-130s mess they have produced themselves.


I have no idea what we are going to do. My job here ends in August 2008 (I was hoping we would be done with a process by than). My husband is a student and he can't come and see me that often. The round-trip ticket to the Russian Far East is no less than 2,000 bucks. He already spent a fortune on coming here twice in the last 15 months. I had to do my two year home stay requirement earlier, obviously I don't want to add another year. I try to stay calm, but God knows how much I hate this all already. I love being married but I also would love to be together too. My husband thinks about dropping out of school and going to work to make money to come see me. This is all awefull. I am not happy no, and it is hard to see anything positive in it.

-----------------------------
10/20/2005 Married in city court
08/12/2006 Married in church
08/27/2006 Left for Russia to fullfill 2 year stay home requirement
10/01/2007 Filed I-130 with NSC
10/05/2007 were asked for additional paperwork
10/15/2007 sent them to NSC
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2007-11-25 21:07:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusDifferent spelling in I-130 and yet to getzagran passport
QUOTE (slim @ Jan 3 2008, 05:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What you list on the I-130 is what will appear on your green card.

Whatever your Russian papers say is good for the Russian govt. The U.S. govt. will recognize you in your new (I-130) applied for name once you've been updated in the system.

The main thing is that the numbers match, not the spelling of the names. Your passport number remains the same no matter if your name is spelled with an extra y or e or an ae or whatever.



Thank you! It is good news. I can't even express how much trouble I had when they issued me a new passport and changed my name from evguenia to evgeniya while I was in the US. I couldn't get driving license bz my visa said yevgeniya, my SS# evguenia and my new passport evgeniya. HA ha hahaaaa! So this is my story. I just didn't want to deal with this mess once again.
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-01-10 01:07:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusDifferent spelling in I-130 and yet to getzagran passport
Hey all,

I know there have been many posts at this site about the way people in OVIR spell passports. But here is what I am dealing with right now. I married in the U.S. to an American citizen and came back to Russia and changed my name to husband's name. We filed for IR spouse visa and spelled my name in English the way it is in our Marriage certificate and his passport. That was in August. Now when I went to OVIR to apply for my new zagran passport they said that my last name will be spelled absolutely different from what it is in my husband's passport or marriage certificate.
I was told to send a letter to Moscow FMS and to state my reasons to spell it the way it is in my English documents and not the way their automated program does it.
Anyway I am sending a letter with supporting documents today and hope I get a permission. People at local FMS here said it was done before. I hope for the best.


What are the outcomes of last name in I-130, Marriage certificate and passports not matching one another?
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2007-12-26 21:39:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusLooking for he Lowdown on interview timeframes
QUOTE (seanconneryii @ Feb 17 2008, 11:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
As i have mentioned, I recently got I-130 approval (and assuming K-3 petitioning is dead as many seem to believe), I'm looking for a likely interview date (time from NOA2 to interview date).

The USCIS time frame for Russia 130 petitions is an alarming 199 days between NOA2 and interview. Can that be true? Looking for further information from VJ members in the Russian forum.

Thanks.



By the way, congratulations on your apporval!!! And a question how did you manage to get it so soon? We sent our petition on October 22nd and still nothing. And as far as I know VSC just finished August petitions.
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-02-29 01:44:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusLooking for he Lowdown on interview timeframes
QUOTE (Bobalouie @ Feb 21 2008, 11:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Jason-Sasha @ Feb 20 2008, 11:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Our wait from NOA2 to interview was less than 90 days. I think it all depends how quickly your petition gets to NVC after approval. From NVC to interview was about 60 days. Hope this helps.


Our wait to interview will be 84 days. NVC only had the petition for 3 days before it went to the consulate. It was in transit 3 days, then it sat in the mailroom of the consulate for 2 weeks, then they scheduled the interview for 60 days after that.


The process for K1 and CR1 is very different. Look at CR1 forum, that is why in general it takes at least 6 months from NOA2 to interview for CR1 filers.
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-02-29 01:14:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHow long to get a CR-1 interview?
QUOTE (seanconneryii @ Mar 21 2008, 12:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I know 95% of American men bring their Russian ladies over via the K-1 fiancee visa. So most of the anecdotal data on interviews and scheduling times, etc. is based on the K-1 process. It looks like for K-1s it takes about 60 days to get an interview date.

Anyone know how long for the CR-1 visa interview? And is the interview essentially the same questions as if the K-1, or different?


You are askign a wrong crowd here biggrin.gif Most of the people on Russian forum are appling for a K-1 here. But I have an impression that there is no difference in scheduling between K-1 and Cr-1, the process at NVC is different but after that it is almost the same. I guess the difference is that because K-1 doesn't stay long at NVC the process is almost 3 months shorter. There is a person here who applied for a K-1 visa in November and has an interview scheduled for May already. We applied in October and our interview will probably be in October if everything goes well with NVC.

Edited by Evgeniya, 23 March 2008 - 10:08 PM.

EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-03-23 22:06:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRight spelling on a Russian zagranpassport
QUOTE (slim @ Mar 21 2008, 07:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Misspellings are more of a pain in the @$$ than anything. Officially, as long as all of your numbers match up, there's never really any problems out in the "real world."


I think we've already discussed it before. Misspeling is not just @$$ it is a royal pain when it comes down getting driving license and collecting airfare bonus miles and so on. So I would prefer not to deal with it any longer. On Friday an inspector has accepted my papers for a new passport, so I should have it in three weeks or so. Which is great!
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-03-23 21:47:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRight spelling on a Russian zagranpassport
I just wanted to share that if you are changing a name to your husbands name and it turns out that it is going to be spelled diferently on zagran passport you can petition UFMS (upravleniy federalnoy migratsionnoy sluzhby) in Moscow. I send a letter with my marriage certificate, my husbands passport copies attached via mail and then fax. And got a reply yesterday via mail that now my last name will be exactly spelled as my husband's in English. I am so happy. I am applying for a new zagran passport next Wednsday. Apprantly when I went to a local Regional (Krayevoy) Immigration office in my home city they had cases like mine before. They just need a permission from Moscow. Don't go to passportniy stol by address they can't do anything for you.

Edited by Evgeniya, 19 March 2008 - 11:41 PM.

EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-03-19 23:40:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMedical exam Question?
QUOTE (mox @ Mar 21 2008, 02:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (seanconneryii @ Mar 21 2008, 10:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I wish the US government and the Russian government could work it out to expand accepting visa applications in the other US consulates for which there are many. If nothing else, the St. Petersburg Embassy should be also doing visas and medical exams. Russia is too darn big for just one US Embassy handling immigration visas.

Agreed. Kinda silly for the biggest country in the world to have only one consulate for immigration visas.


Good point!!!!!!!!!!! I have to fly to Moscow, it is going to take 9 freaking hours by direct flight and a thousand bucks for a ticket. I am going to do my medical in Moscow too, because I have heard an appointed person in our city is charging extra... But it is a shame really we have a Consulate here but no Immigration officers to deal with immigration visas.
I just dont' know where to stay in Moscow for twoo weeks, hotels are way overpriced.

Edited by Evgeniya, 23 March 2008 - 09:58 PM.

EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-03-23 21:57:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHas anybody done Medical Examination in Vladivostok?
Thank you Slim and Satellite
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-03-30 19:55:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHas anybody done Medical Examination in Vladivostok?
I was wondering if anybody's done medical examination in Vladivostok? I didn't hear very nice things about the person there who does medical plus I wonder how much it costs, because US embassy in Moscow doesn't inidicate the fee amount on its website. Comments.... I am almost inclining towards doing my medicals in Moscow, but my medical record is lost here in my hometown so I worry about complecations... and it is pricy to fly back and force to Moscow.

Edited by Evgeniya, 28 March 2008 - 01:38 AM.

EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-03-28 01:37:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusDS-230 and supporting docs for IR visa
I have a question, I am a beneficiary. I have just sent to my husband a pile of papers that go alonge with DS-230 to National Visa Center. I got a Police certificate and translated it and notarised the translation, I copied my birth certificate and translated it and notarized the translation, marriage certificate is in English bz we got married in the US. The thing that I didn't do is I didn't send my original birth certificate, do I have to do so or can I bring it to the interivew. Bz US Embassy in Moscow says that I you can bring the originals of documents that were not sent to NVC to the interview appointment. I am hesitant to send an origninal Russian Birth certificate bz I am afraid it is going to get lost on the way to the US and on the way back here. So what do you think?
If you applied for IR or CR recently for a Russian spouse, please share your experience?
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-05-18 22:33:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusIR for a Russian wife
QUOTE (Fedup @ Sep 11 2008, 11:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Evgeniya @ Sep 10 2008, 11:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So our case was completed on August 14th and they they changed it to August 19th. I just talked to an NVC operator and he said it is possible that they will schedule our interview this week or next week but it isn't for certain. Is there a chance that we will have to wait another month and won't get even a November date? This scheduling practice concerns only CR/IR visas...I am just sick of waiting game.... helpsmilie.gif

CSC
Recieved I-130 petition on Nov 1st.,07
Approved March 13th, 08

NVC
Case completed on August 19th


Dont' worry, you should get October date. Spoke to the operator too, she said they will finish scheduling next week for October. Also I asked her if it depends on the embassies workload, she said yes. And Moscow is not a busy one, compared to some.


Hey FEDup how is your RFE going, did they get it yet? I called to an operator, he said to call back this week on Thursday or Friday and see. But we didn't get scheduled last week. I am trying hard to stay optemistic.....Good luck to both of us!
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-09-14 19:11:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusIR for a Russian wife
So our case was completed on August 14th and they they changed it to August 19th. I just talked to an NVC operator and he said it is possible that they will schedule our interview this week or next week but it isn't for certain. Is there a chance that we will have to wait another month and won't get even a November date? This scheduling practice concerns only CR/IR visas...I am just sick of waiting game.... helpsmilie.gif

CSC
Recieved I-130 petition on Nov 1st.,07
Approved March 13th, 08

NVC
Case completed on August 19th
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-09-10 23:04:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusIR for a Russian wife
QUOTE (seanconneryii @ Mar 20 2008, 09:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Evgeniya @ Mar 20 2008, 10:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thank you for your comments and help. I was thinking about appointing my mother-in-law as my agent. She is going to be in the US and she is our co-sponsor anyway. It is kind of hard to change our summer plans at this point now. My husband has already non-refundable tickets and internship set up here. Also we haven't seen each other since mid August of last year. I am hoping that by the time he gets here we'll submit AOS form and pay the fees and all is going to be left is my Immigration application DS-230 that I need to fill out anyway and police records and such. By the time the NVC will consider it my husband will back in the US. That is the plan at least.
So Do you think I can appoint my mother-in-law as my agent?

Yes...but I hope you don't get one of those RFEs from the NVC. That might require sending more information. Can your mother-in-law handle that if it occurs? If all goes smoothly, you should be OK.


Let's hope we don't get a RFE. I have face yes.gif If not he is going to be here only for 10 weeks.
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-03-23 21:43:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusIR for a Russian wife
Thank you for your comments and help. I was thinking about appointing my mother-in-law as my agent. She is going to be in the US and she is our co-sponsor anyway. It is kind of hard to change our summer plans at this point now. My husband has already non-refundable tickets and internship set up here. Also we haven't seen each other since mid August of last year. I am hoping that by the time he gets here we'll submit AOS form and pay the fees and all is going to be left is my Immigration application DS-230 that I need to fill out anyway and police records and such. By the time the NVC will consider it my husband will back in the US. That is the plan at least.
So Do you think I can appoint my mother-in-law as my agent?
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-03-20 21:11:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusIR for a Russian wife
QUOTE (WWW @ Mar 11 2008, 01:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I did apply. What is your question?


Since all papers are going to NVC. I decided to get things done early. It takes a month to get a certificate from the Police office here. How long is it valid for. I have read somewhere it is a year or six months. Our I-130 petition got approved couple days ago, so I assume I will need to submit my police certificate, birth certificate and all in couple months. Also we married in the US do we need a marriage certificate with apostile for the NVC or just general one will do. Sorry I have a lot of questions. Also my husband is coming to Russia in couple months and going to spend a whole summer here. Whom should I appoint as my agent at DS-3032 form, his Mom may be or should I just not appoint anybody and let NVC to send all paperwork to me.
Thank you!!!!!!1
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-03-20 02:25:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusIR for a Russian wife
Hello to Russian forum members. I usually post at IR/CR forum but today I went onto Russian forum and realzied that just everybody else is appling for K-1 here and I can't find anybody who applied for IR visa for a Russian spouse past Fall. Just wondering.... whether I am alone?

Edited by Evgeniya, 29 February 2008 - 01:41 AM.

EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-02-29 01:40:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHow long does it take to get a passport back after the interview?
QUOTE (slim @ Sep 24 2008, 12:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Jeffery says it too.... it is a HUGE step for anyone to take. My wife took her time coming over here and still had (and is still going through) adjustments. I think the more time you take with making sure everything is taken care of at home, the more it will help you out down the road.

And not to say you're leaving everything behind, but it will help your future relationship if you convince yourself that your new life is there in America with your significant other. If you're constantly talking about the way things are "back home" instead of the way things are "at home" (with your S/O) it's going to be a lot more difficult to transition. I can tell you from the S/O's perspective, one of the hardest things to do is convince the newly arrived spouse that "this is it" and it's time to get on board with the way things work here. If you can take some time transitioning yourself from Russia, it will be easier for you to step right into your new life here. Just showing up and hoping you get it is not a very good plan.


I could've agreed with you, but my husband and I are in different situation. We have been together since 2003 and married in 2005. In August, 2006 I had to go home to fulfill my 2- year home stay requirement bz I had J-1 visa. He came to stay with me every summer (overall we spent seven months out of the 25 months). So after having a family and sharing a household for three years the following two years of separation felt like torture. All we want is to be together as soon as possible and we don't want to wait even a day longer if we can help it. We have been literally counting every day of the last two years...and finally we don't have to be apart anymore...and that is happiness. Sorry Slim you have a point but it just doesn't apply to every relationship.
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-09-26 00:26:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHow long does it take to get a passport back after the interview?
QUOTE (akdiver @ Sep 22 2008, 03:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My wife got hers back in 2 days. She asked DHL to hold it at the Moscow station and she just went and picked it up.

We also had bought the plane ticket in advance, but it was for something like 2 weeks after the interview was scheduled to occur.


Thank you everybody for valuable information, I just booked a ticket for Oct. 25th (my interview is Oct. 14th). If I get my passport earlier I would be able to move it closer or for a further date at no cost.
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-09-22 19:29:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHow long does it take to get a passport back after the interview?
Hello, I wanted to ask how long does it take to get a passport back after the interview? My interview is scheduled for Oct. 14th on Tues. Do you think I can get a passport back by the end of the week if I arrandge for an office DHL pick up? Just need your advise.
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-09-21 18:35:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMedical exam in Moscow
Ok, I talked to the Lady in Vladivostok today and showed her NVC letter that clearly states that I need to come to the interview on the date of Oct 14th to the US Embassy and etc. She said it is not the letter she needs, she claims that I have to have an Invitation letter from the US Embassy itself. Are they going to send it to me. I have emailed them about it two days ago but they haven't responded.
She still gave me a list of things that I need to do, but it seems like that she is not going to give me her conclusion until I show her that Da.. letter

Did you guys get one? Who can I contact about this at the Embassy?
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-09-26 19:08:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMedical exam in Moscow
QUOTE (Turboguy @ Sep 23 2008, 04:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
There is a DHL office in the building just to the right of the Embassy so going in the morning for the physical then going to the DHL office for the mailer and back to the clinic for the results would be easy enough to do.


Hey fellows,

I have resolved that issue. My husband got his copy of the interview letter so he scanned it and sent it to me. So now I have it. I called back the lady (she is the only one who does Medical exam in Vladivostok, nobody else can do it), so I have an appt with her tomorrow. I already got a list of all my vaccinations from my clinic. So I am doing good. Just didn't want to risk it and do my medical a day before my interview with flight being cancelled all the time and delayed and so on. Thank you for advice and I will let you know how it goes. I am just getting ready to leave right now and sorting things out.
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-09-26 00:15:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMedical exam in Moscow
Okey,

I just talked to a "nice lady" in Vladivostok Dr. Luchaninova. She is quite a personality. She totally refused to proved me with any information regarding med exam unless I will provide her with an interview letter. I don't have one and my interview in exactly in three weeks. Also Dr. Luchaninova is going to be in Vladivostok only till the end of this week and couple days before I leave for my interview. I have already asked US Embassy to give me an email confirmation about my interview appointment hoping I still can do my medical here. But if it doesn't work, I know it is risky but can I do my medical in one day with IOM a day before interview????

Thank you,

What a pain to leave so far away from Moscow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wacko.gif

Edited by Evgeniya, 22 September 2008 - 07:34 PM.

EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-09-22 19:34:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMoving CR1 interview to an earlier time.
Ilya it actually might take two months from the date your case was complete till the interview for the IR/CR visa. Our case was completed in mid August and I had interview on October 12th, look at my timeline.
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-10-19 12:04:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGot a visa!
Thank you for all the congratulations! I am also happy to say, that I am already in Washington D.C. I flew out on Sat. and landed yesterday. At the immigration control they haven't asked me any questions either except why did I come here. It was all easy as well. It is funny but I think I am having a cultural shock once again. Being away for two years really kicks in.
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-10-19 10:09:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGot a visa!
Just wanted to share good news, I had my interview for the IR visa on Tuesday Oct. 14th, and today picked up my passport at the DHL office on Tverskaya street, I am flying to the USA tomorrow.
Consul asked me just two questions, how have we met and if I was in Turkey ( my name must have matched someone). It was way too easy and simple. I got to the Embassy at 7:30 and stood 30 minutes in line, there were just 10 people there for immigrant visas. I was not asked to show any documents or photos or anything. It took two full days from the interview to get my package, Embassy forwarded to the DHL on Thursday and I could pick it up on Friday morning. So everything worked out just great.


I am so happy we are so done done!
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-10-17 05:33:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusI am not a train
QUOTE (Brad and Vika @ Oct 19 2008, 08:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
One more example of cultural experience creating an interesting communication issue. Too funny.


I am Russian, but I haven't heard this expression. Maybe it is the same as "I am not a horse"
EvgeniyaFemaleRussia2008-10-19 11:59:00