ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAOS Interview Complete
QUOTE (Satellite @ Sep 15 2007, 09:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (slim @ Sep 15 2007, 09:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
That's why I prefer the Russian way.
I seriously doubt you do.
The Russian style includes: Rewriting the constitution several times in a decade. Then having an election, but all the top candidates are either disqualified, "disappear", murdered, or jailed. The political parties have no platform (except we support Putin) and change every election. Then once in control the government buys up all the media enterprises, thus if you say everything I just said in Russia you will also "disappear". And for you soldiers (compulsory service + serious hazing) and being sent to Chechnya is not much better than Iraq.

I'm not a big supporter of the current Russian government, but I believe, you're exaggerating. People have criticized the government in Russia for as long as I've been around, and there's a lot of criticism in the media, so I'm not sure why the West is spreading the myth that we get punished for what we think and say in any way. The truth is, a lot of people truly support Putin - he's as popular as anyone can be, so there may be less criticism than support altogether. There are a lot of things that I'm not happy about, but "lack of free speech" is not among them, because I'm not convinced it's the case.
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-09-15 13:10:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAOS Interview Complete

Welcome letter arrived yesterday afternoon. Approved was on there somewhere. Card should be here within three weeks, and we should be done messing with USCIS for the better part of two years! :dancing:

Congrats!! :dance: :dance: :dance:
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-06-15 12:21:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAOS Interview Complete
I think you're fine, and the IO was just swamped or needed to submit your case to her supervisor for an approval.
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-06-08 17:33:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusB-2 visa for parents
QUOTE (Satellite @ Sep 20 2007, 10:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Lyuba @ Sep 20 2007, 08:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The question was whether it is possible to enter the States with a passport and green card which have different names and I said yes, take a copy of your marriage certificate to show to the immigration officer at POE. I did it twice. Nobody was talking about using it in Russia.
You didn't understand the question.
Agreed. I was referring to entering Russia.
As for entering the US I can assure you that as long as your green card matches your photo and biometric information it will pass with almost any name on it. As for the passport they simply place a stamp in it. It has little or no value when entering the US as a green card holder. So I believe even if you didn't have the marriage certificate upon entering the US, you'd be just fine. As mentioned before, much different story in Russia, which has been a topic of much discussion here in the Russian forum, with one member being unable to leave Russia. See Below:
http://www.visajourn...h...34&hl=leave

You know, I don't get it - why do Russian officials at the border care where I'm going to, and if I can legally enter a country I'm going to? I think it's my own business - I can travel wherever I please, and if I run into any trouble at any POE in the world, it's my problem, not some stupid Russian immigration official's.
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-09-20 22:54:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusB-2 visa for parents
QUOTE (slim @ Sep 17 2007, 10:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Does your dad have a super-good job, or a "normal" Russian job?

My dad's an executive for a big company.
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-09-17 19:18:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusB-2 visa for parents
QUOTE (slim @ Sep 15 2007, 09:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
That is cool!

How hard was it for them to get the original visas? (and when did they get them?)

They got the original visas last year in June, I believe. It was super easy. I didn't do anything on my part - I just sent them an informal email in Russian, telling them that I can't visit them, so I would like for them to come here. That was it. When they had an interview, the Consul only asked them three questions - who they were going to visit, where they were staying and where my dad worked. That was pretty much it.
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-09-15 11:33:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusB-2 visa for parents
My parents went to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow yesterday and got their B-2 visas. They weren't interviewed, cause their old visas expired three months ago, and the Embassy in Moscow doesn't interview people who reapply for the same kind of visa within a year of expiration. They only had to get fingerprinted, and pay some additonal cash for a 2-year multiple entry B-2.

They should be visiting us around Thanksgiving for two weeks.

Just sharing the good news smile.gif


Nancy

Edited by Sid and Nancy, 15 September 2007 - 11:12 AM.

Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-09-15 11:12:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAttending the interview with your fiancee
QUOTE (Satellite @ Sep 23 2007, 10:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Your case is unique for two reasons: (1) Moscow, (2) Usually people who come from affluent backgrounds stick with people from those backgrounds.

You know, we all have different experiences, and my case is far from unique. I have friends from all walks of life - most of them are not from any kind of "affluent" backgrounds, yet they are not half as unfortunate as people that you've described.

I'm sorry your family had such a bad experience, and I'm also sorry all the bad experiences made you so bitter.

BTW, I think Dkrivosheyev is right on.
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-09-23 17:38:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAttending the interview with your fiancee
QUOTE (dkrivosheyev @ Sep 21 2007, 05:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Satellite @ Sep 20 2007, 11:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Sid and Nancy @ Sep 20 2007, 08:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I think Sat just doesn't like Russia that much tongue.gif
Being a political asylee from the former USSR, there is little to like. My family on both sides lost so much property during the first and second world war. Then likewise my parents were discriminated against and denied many work and housing perks / advancements because of their beliefs and lack of association with the communist party. Grandparents were sent from their factories and mansions to Siberia. Then I came as an adult to see just how much truth there was to these stories. A lot of it wasn't as bad as the family described it, but many things on the fraud and corruption front could use some fixing. Bribes and the necessity of a "?????" comes to mind. Customer service is another issue. Maybe it's just that I have been spoiled here. My favorite is: "?? ???? ??????"


I can certanly understand your opinion about Russia and the corruption going on there, especially since your family had to go through all this. I am originally from Russia myself, but I was not around during that time, so I cannot speak about it. However, nowdays I think it's a lot better there. In fact, I have many of my high school friends in Russia who are making a lot more money than I do here in the U.S.! In the past many Russian girls wanted to come to the U.S. for a better life because of Russian poverty, bad economics, crime, etc. But nowdays I don't think it is bad anymore. You can make good money there if you smart and work hard, jusl like here in the U.S. So now I believe Russian ladies come to the U.S. to be with their loved ones, that is the main reason.

ALL my high school and college friends make more money there than I do here. All of them. Actually, one of my dad's friends asked me a couple weeks ago if I could work as a project coordinator at his company in Moscow. The job pays 60K/year. crying.gif It will be years before I make that kind of money here.
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-09-23 10:55:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAttending the interview with your fiancee
QUOTE (Satellite @ Sep 20 2007, 06:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I might be wrong on this, but there seems to be a direct correlation between how many international marriage broker websites a country is associated with and how much fraud there is.

I for one don't understand the mentality of people who post their profiles on a marriage brokerage site. I mean, come on, if a woman (or a man) explicitly states that she/he wants to marry a foreigner, isn't it obvious that this has nothing (or very little) to do with looking for love? blink.gif (gee, hope I didn't start anything bad on here...)

I'd say there's a lot less fraud in Russia now than 10 years ago though. I think Sat just doesn't like Russia that much tongue.gif
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-09-20 22:49:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNew Name
Tickets and visa to a foreign country should match the name on your passport - unfortunately, no one outside the U.S. cares what name you have on your green card or marriage certificate sad.gif
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-09-25 20:58:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPrenups
QUOTE (slim @ Sep 19 2007, 01:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You forget about dirty socks on the floor next to the hamper and dishes and the smells wafting through the bathroom. About how you interact in public and how each of you will take offense to something the other says or does and the subsequent argument that follows.

Amen to that good.gif
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-09-19 19:16:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA O.K. Under U.S. Constitution
Why is everybody so against IMBRA? I've always thought it was great, because whatever protects immigrants is always a good thing. Immigrants are vulnerable as it is, and their rights are limited, especially rights of marriage-based immigrants. Being in an abusive relationship is bad enough, but being in an abusive relationship with a conditional green card or - better yet - without one, is even worse.

Now don't let loose your dogs on me - I am not familiar with IMBRA that well. But if it helps a potential immigrant find out anything about the USC that raises red flags, it's great.
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-04-01 11:20:00
USCIS Service CentersI made a huge mistake. Urgent help needed!requesting original docs
QUOTE (Huzz @ Aug 22 2007, 12:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I made the huge mistake of sending my passport as well as my wife;s passport along with the extension application of my visa thinking that it was required as evidence. I am so stupid for doing so and hate myself for this. crying.gif

Anyways, I am going to file a form G-884 to request original documents back but am having problems understanding some parts of it. Please help me.

the form instructions say that I need 2 identifications. It does not say photo IDs howeer. will a non photo ID work?
My wife only has 1 ID which is her permanent residence card besides her passport that is with the USCIS. What should we do? just send one ID with the explanation that the only other ID is with them?

also it says that if the form is mailed, it needs to be notarized. Who is able to notarize it?


In any case, do they mail everythng that you send them in the first place back to you, especially stuff like passports and other original documents one the decision is made?

crying.gif crying.gif crying.gif crying.gif crying.gif crying.gif helpsmilie.gif crying.gif crying.gif crying.gif crying.gif crying.gif

Thanks for the help and support.

I sent original documents to USCIS, and I got them back, but it took a very long time - 2 or 3 months, as far as I recall. I made the same mistake - sent them my original SEVIS papers when they would have been more than content with photocopies... headbonk.gif

I didn't submit G-884, I just called the 1-800 number and requested my papers back.

However, if you want to send G-884, the instructions say you need to submit two forms of photo ID:

QUOTE
Before consideration can be given to your request, twoforms of identification must be submitted. Examples ofacceptable forms of identification are:

Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card;

Driver's license;

Employment authorization document;

Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship;

State-issued identification document;

U. S. or foreign passport.


Send copies of these ID's, not the originals. I understand your wife has a GC - send a copy of that and a copy of her passport (which is not at some USCIS office, but you have copies of it, right?). A Notary Public can notarize the form for a small fee or even free of charge.

Good luck, hope you get it all back fast.
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-08-22 21:20:00
United KingdomUK regional forum
...I may have posted in the UK forum once or twice, does this mean I violated the rules? :(

Well, I have been to England and Scotland many times, and I had a good Irish friend. I don't know if that counts?

:)
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-05-21 22:03:00
United KingdomWhat are your favourite British bands or solo singers?
Most of my favorite bands are UK bands. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and practically all that fits into the "classic rock" category. Absolute favorite UK solo artist of all time is David Bowie.

Least favorite: pop #######. Take That and the like.

Edited by Jewel12, 15 April 2007 - 03:47 PM.

Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-04-15 15:45:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussian citizens with green cards!!!
Thank you very much! :)

My birth certificate says the Russian Federation.

No, "USSR" doesn't actually "scare" me lol, but it would just sound very unusual to me. Although, yes - I was born when the USSR was still around.

Thank you very much again! :)
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2006-12-17 00:13:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussian citizens with green cards!!!
I have a question for all citizens of Russia who recently got their green crads. What do you have on the card as your place of birth? One acquaintance of mine recently got hers, and she scared the living hell out of me, because her card stated that her place of birth was USSR, and she said that that's how it's gonna be now.

Is it true? Thanks! :)
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2006-12-16 20:38:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusTravel to Paris for Russian wife with Greencard
Schengen visas are easy to get :) You won't have any problems. Good luck and have a nice trip! :)
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2006-12-16 20:34:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusLooking for approved AOS applicants from Russia
I'm Russian, my name check's done. It took less than 4 months since the date we filed to get an interview date - see my timeline for details :) Good luck to you all! :)
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-01-06 18:33:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusinterview on 11th
Good luck with the interview! I wish her all the best - I'm sure she'll be just fine! :)
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-01-06 18:50:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAn Update
Good luck! :)
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-01-09 01:13:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAPPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations!!! :dance:
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-01-21 13:49:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusvisa denied 01-16
OMG, so unfair... :( I hope she will be approved now after you've submitted additional evidence. It sounds like you have enough, I think the CO was in a bad mood that day.

I wish you all the best!!!
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-01-21 13:32:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belaruslanguage problemsd
A little off-top :)

I really admire all of you who made an effort to learn some Russian just because you have a Russian spouse. I admire that a lot. It really is a great way to show how much you value your relationship :)

As for resources to learn English - definitely go to a public library and try to look for something like "English for Russian speakers". I would especially recommend video and audio materials. Of course, a private tutor would be an ideal thing, but they may charge quite a bit for their lessons.

Good luck! :)
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-01-06 18:48:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussian University (College) degrees

I was wondering what kinds of experiences people may have had with their spouses degrees from Russia. Was it easy to get the 'accreditation' through any of the online services? Did they have to take many courses to achieve an 'American' equivlant degree? What types of degrees do you guys have experience with?

Any help, comments, or suggestions would be appreciated. My wife has a (equivlant) bachelors degree in education and one in music.

It's very easy to get a degree evaluated. I only did it for employment purposes (not that my employers were interested in my stupid BA in history, but I still evaluated it).

I know about cases when 5-year degrees from Russia were considered equivalent to US Masters degrees.
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-02-11 14:30:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMiddle name/second name?
I dropped mine completely, because I thought the patronym wasn't really a name! :) My relatives are naturalized US citizens, and they use their patronyms as middle names. When I saw it on paper, I thought it looked kinda funny, and I decided not to have a middle name at all :) :) And I didn't list it among my previously used names - didn't have any problems.
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-02-11 15:02:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFBI name check
OMG, that's just horrible!! :blink:

Good luck to you, I hope it will all be resolved in the near future!!
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-02-11 14:35:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarustravel to russia,what can be easier if you don't want any problems

The answer to your question is YES. They can get you and send you to serve in the military. I don't think it matters if you're a US permanent resident or citizen.



Hi Jewel--

Just wondering how you acquired this information. From the consulate?

It happened to somebody I knew, who was an LPR. He was stopped at the border, because he didn't have any paperwork that proved he was exempt from the draft. He didn't get drafted though - he sorted it out somehow. I don't know how.
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-02-11 19:07:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarustravel to russia,what can be easier if you don't want any problems

hi everybody!
here is my topic.me and my wife Sarah are going to russia.
but i'm 23 and that means that in russia they can still take me to the military service if they check my passport.I looked in the russian embassy site and there was something about legalization my documents in russian embassy in the US.What can I do to avoid going to military?Did anybody has this experience or have anything to say about it?
thank you.

The answer to your question is YES. They can get you and send you to serve in the military. I don't think it matters if you're a US permanent resident or citizen.

To be able to travel to Russia freely in the future, you will need to give up your Russian citizenship. It's a very expensive and complicated process from what I know. Simply acquiring US citizenship won't mean that you lose your Russian citizenship. You will need to follow the procedures to renounce Russian citizenship if you don't want it any more. And of course, as soon as you reach the age when you don't need to serve in the military any more (I don't know what it is - 27 or 35, or something else), you will be hunky dory :)

I saw something about exiting Russia in one of the posts here - just wanted to say that Russian citizens do not need to present any documents to exit Russia. Well, passport, of course, but they can't stop you from leaving, unless you're subject to the freakin' draft.

Good luck with the green card process :)
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-02-11 14:49:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussian Fiance

:) I love being a minority - I'm ugly and married the poorest American around! :)



I really doubt that. (The ugly part, that is.) And as far as the poorest American around... I can give him a run for his money!




Congrats Milenka for finally sending it in! GOOD LUCK!!!!



Edited: Jewel12, I just checked your profile to see if you really were ugly. In all actuality, you kind of look like Jada Pinkett-Smith when she's playing that tough chick on the Matrix, and she's HOT!!!

:) :) :)
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-02-26 15:43:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussian Fiance

There's an assumption that guys here marry Russian chicks because they're hot and we've got a little money.

:) I love being a minority - I'm ugly and married the poorest American around! :)

Seriously, Milenka, you will be okay - as long as the relationship is genuine, there's nothing to worry about! :)
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-02-20 13:35:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarushealth coverage for fiancee

Look at it this way - she probably has no insurance now, and the health care system there sucks anyway (according to my wife), so what's another three months? I wouldn't worry too much about it if I were you, and if you are that worried about it, just get married right away and put her on your insurance. You have a readily available solution if it is that much of a problem.

Yeah, healthcare may suck, but I guess it really depends on where in Russia you live - I had such a wonderful experience with healthcare in Moscow. I had a serious surgery, and all the costs were covered, and the follow-up care I received was absolutely awesome! Here in the US I don't have health coverage, because I work part-time, and my hubby can't put me on his plan, cause it's too expensive.

I've been without coverage in the US for almost 2 years, and it's really not a good idea. Baklan, if you can afford it, definitely put your wife on your health plan as soon as you get married. I hurt my hand a while ago, and was stupid enough to go to an emergency room without insurance. They charged me $600 for a bandage :blink: Now I just hope I won't get hurt again or land a full time job in the near future.

Good luck! :)
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-02-26 22:49:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusUSCIS and Embassy moving incredibly quickly.
Yay! :dance: It's always good to see a speedy process :)
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-03-02 23:03:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusK2: kids at the interview

Another question (should be easy): proof of her custody of her daughter (she has never been married). I believe, internal passport page with daughter's name and Birth Certificate with mother's name should be sufficient ?

My best guess is - it will suffice. But this is just what my common sense tells me. Hopefully, people with experience will add their 2 cents... :)

Edited by Jewel12, 02 March 2007 - 11:31 PM.

Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-03-02 23:31:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusLawyer

Also, if any one knows how I can Get Elina in touch with some Russian women that she can talk to and visit maybe once she is in the states, that would be great

THANKS!

The only Russian person in the US I know is myself :) But I'm in Northern CA, and I'll be happy to help :) Just let me know!

P.S. They say there's a huge Russian-speaking community in SF Bay Area.
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-02-26 16:21:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusProof of prior insurance coverage while living in Russia
When I lived in Russia, everyone I knew was covered by private insurance, and no one ever used state-funded medical care. Also, annual pap tests are more than common (well, I would know, I had them myself :D ). Also, health insurance that I was accustomed to back there, worked pretty much like a typical US HMO plan. Well, I guess, maybe not everywhere.

In terms of the Russian policy, it just a small piece of paper that is renewed each year. It is not given to everyone. Only official employees, pensioners, and students have them.

I think you may not be 100% right here - everyone has this health coverage thing. But the one I had was not a blue paper with a seal, but a plastic green card :) Gee, I don't know anything any more :) I never used it in my life, cause I was always a dependent on my father's policy, and it was private.

I suppose, it may be different in different regions. I am from Moscow, and I was told that other places in the Russian Federation were very different from Moscow in terms of medical care and everything else. Anyways, I'm aware that health insurance here may ask for proof of continuous coverage, but if you can't provide it, they should be able to administer a medical exam to determine if pre-existing conditions exist.

I hope you will be able to resolve that! Best of luck to you! :)
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-03-02 23:19:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusTimelines
Oh well, the Russian Federation seems to be gone from the timelines now :( Too bad, I like it a lot better than just "Russia".
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-04-11 17:16:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusBrining my Mom to the USA

Another possible route, (and I don't condone this) is for your mother to "pay the fine" for getting her paperwork done properly by her local "agents" that handle that sort of thing

Things like that are possible in Russia.

And at the US Consulate?

Russians are very good at lying, cheating, and stealing. You can see it today from the top of the government and oligarchs all the way down to the common folk. So to present false documents with a straight face is no problem for most Russians. And how will the CO prove that the documents are false? They have all the proper seals and stamps. I am sure it is done with success more times than we want to imagine.
Oleg Gazmanov - Novoya zarya gives a comical insight into Russian bribery and stealing :P

Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-01-09 21:22:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusBrining my Mom to the USA

Annabelle,
As I said before, with Russia it is very tricky to get tourist visas for average income earning citizens outside of Moscow. The embassy requires the usual proof of family in Russia, job, house, etc. But when you look at the overall picture, who wants to go back to a job where you work 12 hours a day for $150 a month? Who wants to return to an small flat located in the middle of Siberia? Who wants to return to their 75.5 horse power Russian car? So having all the usual documents that show ties can in my opinion paint the exact opposite picture which is that based on your current situation America sure sounds better.

timelena,
Our moms have every reason to overstay. Do you have any idea how many Russians overstay their visas and never go back? Especially in major cities like Brooklyn, San Francisco, and Chicago. The Russian community is large and supportive. They can earn a quick buck working for cash as baby sitters, maids, mechanics, or just construction hands. Plus because our mothers are immediate relatives their overstay will be forgotten when the kids are eligible to file I-130's on their behalf? What is there to return to Russia for, if your only daughter and and say grandson is in America living a life they never had in Russia?

Wow, well said! I couldn't agree more. I especially like the 75.5 horse power car part :thumbs: Man, do these cars suck!!!

Annabelle, I am SO SORRY it happened to your mom :( It's unfair. I don't know what advice to give you - I don't personally know anyone whose tourist visa was denied, but I still remember my interview for a student visa a few years ago at the American Embassy in Moscow. There were at least 3 denials there while I was waiting for my turn, and all of them were ladies who wanted to visit their sons/daughters in the U.S. :( :( :(

My parents visited me here once, but I was still on a visa (non-immigrant), and they are very well off by all standards. And I still worried a lot that they would get a denial!

Unfortunately, lots of Russian citizens overstay their visas and break the law here. Lots. I go to Russian immigration forums sometimes, and people there openly discuss how to cheat the system and stay in the U.S. It makes me sad, but it's true :(

Then again - nothing stops your mom from trying to get a visa. She may get a wonderful consular officer who will grant a visa without a second thought! :) It happens too.
Sid and NancyFemaleRussia2007-01-09 01:37:00