biggish data

QUOTE (Chris Parker @ Nov 8 2007, 09:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Propiska is meant to be a permanent residence, you cannot move it day by day, and there is no temporary resident registration for Russian citizens as far as I know like there is for non-Russian citizens. Merely visiting a city to see a friend or relative or do business or pass through in travel is not in any way taking up a temporary residence in that city either.

Try explaining this to Moscow militia on every corner. You pretty much have to have all your travel documents and reservations on you, plus a print out of the law, and after a good days worth of detensions they'll release you if you refuse to pay the bribe as a local who is merely visiting friends for one or two months in Moscow! Plenty of my wife's friends have had to pay for not doing a "local temporary" registration while "temporarily" residing in Moscow. This requires someone who does have a Moscow Propiska to go with you (must all the be the person who is in charge of the place you are staying). Hard to find someone who does and someone willing to waste their day with you. This is what the militia guy told us when we got stopped. Luckily for both of us local and foreign it was still the day after arrival. We avoided contact with them for the next 2 weeks during our stay in Moscow.

QUOTE (russ @ Nov 8 2007, 09:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, and it MUST be within 3 days of entering Russia, even if you are in transit. You can not, for instance, arrive in Moscow and then take a train to the far east. You must register first in Moscow, and then register again wherever you arrive.

It's true, when I was registering my visa in 2004, a grandma from Ukraine who traveled for 6 days to Siberia by train was slapped with a 1000 ruble find for not registering within 72 hours! That's big money in 2004 and when you are a pensioner from the Ukraine.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-11-08 13:52:00

QUOTE (Chris Parker @ Nov 8 2007, 08:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

All Russian citizens can legally reside away from their registered place of residence for up to 3 months, it is not a special benefit of having removed your propiska!

In my wife's case she was not registered anywhere, for some time until she registered in San Francisco. Therefore, she was subject to fines in every city she went if someone asked to see her internal passport (i.e. Moscow everywhere, and airports her own city).
Also I'd like to know the cite for this Russian law. Because in Moscow they continue to collect fines unless you get a local temporary registration within 72 hours (I am talking locals here). Not sure when it was increased to 90 days or how in the world you'd win your case when you are randomly stopped on the streets of Moscow.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-11-08 11:57:00

QUOTE (Blues Fairy @ Oct 31 2007, 02:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But it can be done through the same consulate when already in the States.

I disagree based on personal experience. The Russian consulate in San Francisco told us to go to Russia to get the "?????? ??????" and that they could not take her off the local register in her own city. She was already off! She just didn't have the paper to prove it! They can only do something if you have the letter or the stamp in either passport.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-10-31 15:11:00

QUOTE (apgk @ Oct 30 2007, 11:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I apologize for asking but what is 'universal propiska'?

I made up the term really.
But in Russia each citizen is registered with the police station or some ministry. They have their little stamp / seal in their internal passport indicating which region they are registered in (propiska). If a Russian citizen travels outside that city / region they are required to register at their new location. Not being registered at all or being outside the place of registration will constitute a fine and a possible detention. Same thing for not caring your internal passport around. Keep in mind the 4th amendment of no unreasonable searches and seizures does not exist in Russia. Neither do any of the other US constitutional amendments, such as due process of law, equal protection, speedy trial, right to an attorney, etc.

Many Russians live in flats. Many of their taxes and utility bills are tied to the amount of people registered under one address. Therefore, in many cases staying registered in Russia and living in the US will hurt the other family members who are there. Being taken off register and not registering anywhere hurts you when you make subsequent trips to Russia.

For a historical prospective go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propiska

Also check out this link:
http://en.wikipedia....ussian_passport
At the bottom it lists all the places Russians can travel visa free!

Edited by Satellite, 30 October 2007 - 03:49 PM.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-10-30 15:47:00

QUOTE (apgk @ Oct 29 2007, 07:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My fiancée seems to be totally confused - someone told her that she has to get some document from somewhere in Russia that she is leaving Russia and would not be living at the current address (the address is documented on her passport etc).

Your faïence is right for wanting to get this document, it's called a ""???????? ?????? ??????".
It comes into play if your fiancée desires to be registered at a Russian Consulate in the US. Biggest benefit to the registration is that you can return to Russia and have a universal propiska for 90 days.
For more on the requirement see below:
"???????? ?????????? ?????????, ????????? ?? ??????? ??? ?????? ? ??????????? ???????? "??? ?????????? ?? ????????" ? ???????????? ????????? ? ?????? ????????? ?????? ? ???????????????? ????? ?? ????? ????????, ??? ?????????? ?? ??????????? ???? ? ?????????????? ?????? ??????????? ?????????? ??????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????, ? ??????? ????? ????? "???? ? ???????????????? ?????" ? "???????? ?????? ??????" ? ??????? ? ?????? ? ???????????????? ????? ?? ??????? ?? ?????????? ????? ?????????? ? ???, ? ????? ????? ?????????????? ?????????? (??????? ??????????? ???????? ? ?????? ??????)."
http://www.consulrussia.org/files.htm

However, if you are talking about just leaving Russia, nothing is required except a valid document showing right of entry into next place of destination and a valid Russian International Passport.

As for renewing the Russian passport, of course it can be done at a Russian consulate in the US. However, it is something like 5 times cheaper to do it in Russia. $150 v. 450 roubles. So if there is time I'd renew it in Russia.

Edited by Satellite, 30 October 2007 - 11:12 AM.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-10-30 11:11:00

LAX POE - any comments?

I don't get this whole POE thing. It's all the same in my opinion. My wife and I have gone through LAX, SFO, and JFK recently. The only difference is the amount of time you spend in line.

Edited by Satellite, 30 October 2007 - 10:59 AM.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-10-30 10:58:00

QUOTE (Kotenochek @ Sep 12 2007, 11:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

worked as a Lawyer with a wage far more than average.

Based on your previous posts in the other thread you probably will want to just start a family and never work again. If you do decide to pursue a career path, in California all you need to do is get your LLM, a one year program at any ABA accredited law school and you are eligible to take the bar exam since I presume you have a foreign law decree. It's a good year of study plus about another 6 months to prepare for the bar, but if you succeed you might find yourself making way more money than your man.

QUOTE (slim @ Sep 13 2007, 08:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

they're more likely than not to describe a Russia (and most other "foreign" countries) that's bleak and dark where everyone works at "the mines" or "the factory" or something like that and believe it or not, there's a high percentage of Americans that think most Russians still stand in line for bread every morning before going to work at the factories. These same folks also believe anyone "lucky" enough to get a visa to come to the States has been "rescued" from their horrible life before.

Slim, outside of Moscow and St. Petersburg and maybe a few downtown areas of other major Russian cities, this stereotype is reality to one extent or another. Even in Moscow, get on a commuter train. In less than 30 minutes you will see village people, pensioners who are selling sunflower seeds and flowers instead of enjoying cruise ships. Latest statistics show that at least 25% of Russians are living below poverty. And if your wife / fiancée never took you out to the villages, shame on her. The professional middle class that is earning a decent salary outside of Moscow is actually very small. Instead you have something like 10% of extremely rich and the rest working for food and vodka.
And when you do run across the average Russian who makes an average wage, they will consider a marriage of one of their girls to an American to be a "savior".
And other statistics show a decline in Russian population growth due to low life expectancy, more deaths than births, and a whole sleuth of people emigrating out.
If things were so good then why would the government offer these programs:
http://www.cnn.com/2...tion=cnn_latest
And an example of the rich:
http://www.theage.co...7462582827.html

Edited by Satellite, 13 September 2007 - 10:59 AM.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-09-13 10:55:00

QUOTE (natarussia @ Sep 7 2007, 09:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Men are not all immature punks looking to get the hottest piece of ### they can find ... most are happy to find a woman that they can fall in love with and vice versa.

I agree in part. Those other men live in San Francisco and are looking for other men

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-09-08 01:28:00

QUOTE (Turboguy @ Sep 6 2007, 06:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

From what I have heard about 5% of the women who look for a foreign husband ever find one.

And I was the reason my wife is in that 5%. LOL, keeping the self esteem up?! I'd love to see some data on it. But I guess it makes sense. Not every person on the on-line catalog will find themselves a husband. But what is the rate in reverse? What percentage of American men succeed in finding a foreign bride? 95%?

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-09-06 22:03:00

QUOTE (Sid and Nancy @ Sep 6 2007, 03:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm sure you know that Russian-fiancée.com (or whatever) forum - lots of ladies there seem to be content with their husbands.

Actually I didn't know. I am not that crazy about the subject. Nor do I visit every single website associated with fiancées, Russians, women, immigration, etc... I hardly have time to keep with the Russian forum here on VJ.

More or less my point was about the initial contact and reason for staying throughout the immigration process. After that I can't comment. Most of the people I know who are in such relationships are still in the immigration phase.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-09-06 18:33:00

QUOTE (Habnar @ Sep 5 2007, 11:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow! You're talking about me, right? I know that you need to have thick skin to venture out onto these forums but, I don't really need this abuse!

If you are not sure ask your fiancée if she'd be with you if you were a Russian man, living on an average Russian wage, living in small flat with your parents, etc... and she met you randomly in person in the streets of her city?

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-09-06 15:38:00

QUOTE (Habnar @ Sep 5 2007, 11:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You are right, there are a lot of Russian women here and I have dated some, I just wasn't lucky enough to find the right one.

QUOTE (Turboguy @ Sep 6 2007, 05:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

younger woman there seems to be little doubt in my mind that when they are there "some" who are much more accepting of age differences than "most" American women"

QUOTE (Turboguy @ Sep 6 2007, 05:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There are a lot of the women who have a lot of loyalty and love for their man and if they find themselves in a good marriage with a good man they won't dump him just because there are better choices available.

QUOTE (Satellite @ Sep 5 2007, 01:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The BIG problem here of course is that those ladies don’t need a green card

Do I need to say more? I am standing with my position that (1) the desire for a green card will allow a woman to be "less" selective and overlook a bunch bad attributes that a Russian woman already here or any woman without immigration issues would not and (2) Of course they will not leave and be loyal because that hinders the goal and reason of coming to the states (green card and all the benefits associated with that).

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-09-06 10:48:00

QUOTE (Habnar @ Sep 5 2007, 12:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Russian women are younger and prettier than any woman I have met or I am likely to meet here. Why not marry another Russian?

Those same pretty Russian women are right in front of you in the San Francisco Bay Area. Have a look around. Most are bilingual and completely assimilated into American culture. The BIG problem here of course is that those ladies don’t need a green card

And will have no interest in anyone who is also not young, handsome, etc...

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-09-05 15:05:00

QUOTE (CityCat @ Sep 4 2007, 12:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't know if you've noticed it, Sat, but the more we ask the question here of communication between international spouses without language skills, the more people who actually are in this situation, try to escape answering it. I get a feeling they don't communicate at all. She smiles and waves and he smiles and waves back...

Good point, I've noticed that too. I ask this question all the time time, because even though my wife and I are both Russian native speakers, we still have difficulty in communicating some times. Some of it is just based on our personalities and another part is that some of my "Thinking in English" said in fluent in Russian doesn't always come across with the same meaning in Russian. Keep in mind I came here when I was six and she came just three years ago.
But I think this fellow was referring to his ex-wife. According to his timeline he has just started the process with I guess a new fiancée.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-09-04 15:15:00

QUOTE (Habnar @ Sep 4 2007, 10:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Now, her English skills are very limited and so are her chances of ever find a good job.

(1) How do you guys communicate? Lack of communication leads to bigger problems besides finding a job. (2) If you are in San Francisco or the Bay Area, her odds of finding a job in the Russian speaking community is good.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-09-04 13:46:00

QUOTE (Buck and Natalia @ Nov 7 2007, 03:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

After you take the bar exam, take a nice holiday with your wife if you can. You have both more than earned it at this point !!!

I doubt it. She is in school full time too. I'm actually planning on looking for a job right after the exam. There is only so long you can survive with no or little income (if my wife finds a job by then). She quit her job after going to Russia this summer and has been unemployed since August. Of course I am just as mad as I was before the unnecessary and wasteful trip took place. You can read all about it here.
http://www.visajourn...mp;#entry744201
One of the few posts made by my wife.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-11-08 11:42:00

QUOTE (Buck and Natalia @ Nov 6 2007, 01:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sadly, most law firms really stick-it-to the clerks to limit benefits. The clerks then get to stick-it-to the firms when negotiating starting salary requirements when they become associate attorneys. However, the firms then stick-it-to the associates again regarding billable hour requirements. I don't miss any of this. It is probably too late to change course now, but are you really certain that you want to go into a profession where for the next several years you will mean nothing more to the partners of the firm than your billable hour totals? Of course, they will state just the opposite when hiring you. I am hard pressed to think of any profession more demanding on your time at the entry level or less suitable for starting a new family with a spouse immigrating from another country. On a more constructive note, if you do want to stay with the law, have you thought about working as an attorney in place with no billable hour requirements....... such as government attorney, in-house corporate counsel, or other less time-demanding area? Just a thought.

Actually, at both places that I have interned one was a solo practitioner and another is a professional corporation that is really just a one man team with occasional of counsel help were far from the typical firm structure.
To be honest if I could land an associate position with partnership track that would be pretty amazing considering the kind of debt I am in. The work or treatment wouldn't really scare me. My wife has been here for 3 years she is pretty much American now. Not an issue at all.
Of course the other options all sound fine except working for the government because it doesn't pay much. Might have to go solo too if I can't find a job. I am more scared of generating clients, since I seem to lack those kind of skills.
My schedule is crazy as it is already with working full time and going to school full time. For example today I left the home at 6:00am and won't return until 12:15am. So it can't be much more demanding than that.
Actually looking forward to BAR preparation where I will take the recommendation of not working for 2 months!

Edited by Satellite, 06 November 2007 - 06:23 PM.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-11-06 18:22:00

QUOTE (slim @ Nov 6 2007, 07:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Consolidating two or more part-time jobs into a full-time job and hoping to keep the same job (or even the same line of work) is a little naive. Consolidating 42 hours of work each week into one job isn't very difficult.

Slim, you must have misread my post. I stated that both of my employers refuse to offer anything beyond 20 and 22 hours a week to avoid paying benefits. Therefore, to consolidate, I would have to seek out a third employer. It's not about extra hours, shifts, or different line of work.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-11-06 12:39:00

QUOTE (Danno @ Nov 3 2007, 11:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What is the average cost of a 4 yr university these days?

$12,796 a year for public and $30,367 a year for private for the whole package.
http://democrats.sen...me=fs-109-2-151

QUOTE (Danno @ Nov 3 2007, 11:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How could the guy working 35 hours a week afford that?

Most cannot.
http://efinancedirec...y_Analysis.html

QUOTE (Danno @ Nov 3 2007, 11:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Why not have the Govt pay for this too?

It does. My wife is getting a completely free education and about $3,000 for room and board thanks to the Federal and State government. Reason, we are poor according to FAFSA and the university's guidelines.
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

QUOTE (Danno @ Nov 3 2007, 11:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am sure if getting my teeth cleaned is a responsibility of the Federal Govt. My complete education must be as well.

See Russ's post on how the federal government combined with some of our proud employers have made it so one person can have his teeth cleaned for 0-$20 and others have to pay hundreds of dollars. As for the education, they are already paying for my wife's but I was not eligible for it because my parents made too much when I was an undergraduate and as a graduate student I can only receive private funding in terms of scholarships.

QUOTE (Danno @ Nov 3 2007, 11:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How in the world do young couple just starting out, buy a first home in NYC or many other parts of the country?

Most are renters and do not. However, the city of San Francisco does have a lottery system where qualified people can buy a home priced below market price but would be affordable if you made somewhere between $58,00 to $98,000 a year. Remember the classic pie chart of Americans spending no more than 33% of their gross income on housing. I find it quite unfair that some follow the pie charts but a growing number of others are spending like me somewhere around 75%.
http://cbs5.com/baya..._299215710.html

QUOTE (Danno @ Nov 3 2007, 11:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Certainly Housing is a "basic human right". Why is not the Govt helping these people get safe affordable housing?

It does, see above. And if you are very poor there is section 8 housing which brings rent into that classical pie chart I described above.
http://en.wikipedia....ion_8_(housing)

QUOTE (Danno @ Nov 3 2007, 11:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How do we allow the rich to have three car garages when some of us don't even have a house?

It's called a market economy and democratic society. But it only works so long as people believe that by working hard and following the law they too can achieve that. As soon as you have an overwhelming majority of havenots, a revolution occurs. You can use many African nations as an example of this.

QUOTE (Danno @ Nov 3 2007, 11:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's amazing people even survived the first couple of hundred years in this country without the Govt doing it's "Fair-share" for them.

Again, see Russ's post, he explains it very well.

QUOTE (Danno @ Nov 3 2007, 11:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Are there any known ways to track how long it is taking to get from NOA2 to NVC getting the info? I wonder if the delay Buck and I are having are now typical?

I don't think there are. But I can assure you that getting a foreign fiancée to live in the US is just as much a government involved issue as is housing, education, and health care.

Edited by Satellite, 04 November 2007 - 12:40 PM.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-11-04 12:38:00

QUOTE (slim @ Nov 2 2007, 10:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you really need to go to the dentist?

I think so. Used to have preventive cleanings twice a year and the dentist would fill cavities before they became a huge dental nightmare.

QUOTE (slim @ Nov 2 2007, 10:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You could consolidate all those hours you work into one job with benefits. (And you'd probably make more money!)

That was exactly my point. I cannot consolidate. Because neither employer wants to pay benefits! They said so when I asked. That is why I and so many other working Americans have to take multiple jobs to get a good income flow but no associated benefits / overtime.

QUOTE (slim @ Nov 2 2007, 10:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So $130K for school is reasonable but paying a couple hundred bucks a month for insurance is not?

Both are unreasonable. But I don't want to manufacture plastic bags either, no offense. This 130k debt will hopefully open the door to more money in the future. The health insurance costs / outrageous debt you can acquire if you need services when you are sick will bring no such future benefit. If you want to open another discussion we can talk about how Federal Stafford Loans vary from 6.8% to 8.5%! Your car loan and mortgage loans have smaller percentages! What is wrong with this administration. The average student finishes now with something like 20k debt and that is only for undergraduate!
http://www.azcentral...ntdebt0415.html

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-11-03 12:03:00

QUOTE (Danno @ Oct 31 2007, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I bet if you compared the percentage of people without health insurance today and compared it to 10 or even 5 years ago, I bet you would see every year this percentage grows smaller and smaller.

I think the numbers and statistics point to the opposite.
http://www.spine-hea.../art532350.html

QUOTE (Danno @ Oct 31 2007, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's amazing really, even people like me who goofed around in school instead of doing what I should have are able to get jobs which offer health insurance.

I am about to get a JD degree. Never messed around, 25, and have yet to have a single job that has offered me health insurance. I have not gone to the dentist in two years, since I lost the privilege of being on my parents plan. Right now I am working two jobs, 42 hours a week and no insurance, no vacation pay, and only because the city of San Francisco mandated employers to have sick days do I have that as of 2007. My two jobs are 1. law office clerk and 2. circulation assistant at the university library.
Neither allow me to work full time to get benefits. By the way our income is way above the federal poverty line but sure feels like poverty here in San Francisco.
My wife luckily gets coverage from her school, I do not. Pretty much I hope every day that I do not get sick. Dropping a couple hundred dollars a month for insurance or $100 and having a $8000 deductible does not seem reasonable to me. I am already carrying $130k debt for school and I don't need another $100k debt for a week or so stay at a hospital.
Obviously having children is out of the question as my wife's school policy does not allow for dependents.

I understand all the problems with socialized medicine and that is not what I am proposing. Rather, I am all for either a government insurance plan that has to be accepted by all doctors or like the state of California is proposing, force employers to provide coverage to all employees.

QUOTE (Danno @ Oct 31 2007, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

At any rate, my friend if you get sick, feel free to mosey on down to the emergency room they will treat you... it's the law. (just ask any illegal)

Sure, and I'll send you the bill

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-11-01 12:25:00

QUOTE (Danno @ Oct 30 2007, 09:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My friend, I am 45 years old and I have NEVER seen a sick person on the street... that was sober

I'm not talking about the sick people in the streets. As I doubt there are 50 million people in the streets. I am talking about the working folks who work several part time jobs or even a full time one where medical benefits are not offered. Hard to imagine right? So what are those people to do? They can either choose to buy health care, food, or pay for rent each month. They can have only two of these three each month based on their salary and the cost of the latter. Yet they are too far above the federal poverty guidelines to receive assistance for either three!

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-10-31 15:16:00

QUOTE (Danno @ Oct 30 2007, 08:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It amazes me how anyone who has been involved in dealing with agencies of the Govt would ever sign on to the Govt. Running something as complex a Health-care

When you become one of the 50 million uninsured people and growing in this country you too will want the government to provide you with some kind of health care. Especially if you had to choose between rent, food, and health care each month because of the out of control prices for the latter.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-10-30 23:34:00

Tourist Visa from Russia to US

QUOTE (Satellite @ Nov 8 2007, 03:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Russian Embassy itself / visa division.

Corrected to US Embassy!

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-11-08 20:21:00

Evidence

QUOTE (John & Alla @ Sep 3 2007, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Why take the chance and delay this painful process any more than necessary. An RFE will delay you at least a week or more.

Because (1) based on personal experience only minimum evidence is required (2) if you delay the filing of your I-129F by several weeks because you went overboard to begin the process you will actually lose more time.
The goal is to start the process. At least in 2004 when I was filing the wait was 150 to 180 days before any action was taken on my I-129F. A lot of us were dumping bare minimum petition just to get put in the queue and then took the time to prepare more evidence in case an RFE was requested and were able to respond immediately. Although a lot of us were scared that the entire petition would be sent back if we went with almost nothing at all.
It's your peace of mind. I always slept better with a NOA1 in hand than rather wasting weeks gathering evidence.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-09-03 18:45:00

Evidence

QUOTE (John & Alla @ Sep 3 2007, 08:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is not hard to fake photos and emails

QUOTE (Fettman @ Sep 3 2007, 08:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You are right about faking stuff, but I think in this day and age one could fake anything ;-)

Plenty of folks have faked this entire process to get immigrations benefits. Just look at how many times just on VJ someone who was happy a year or two ago screams "she scammed me". So use your judgment in the evidence gathering. You don't need much. Go overboard only if you get an RFE for lack of evidence. People have gotten away with the bear minimum when it comes to evidence (1 photo, 1 passport stamp, and 1 boarding pass). Remember, they do the judging of relationship at the consulate interview, AOS in the states, and finally at lifting conditions. There are more built in reviews as the benefits increase.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-09-03 16:29:00

FOOD!!!

I'm breaking her down too. I've really got her hooked on Mac'-n-cheese, the Kraft cheese shells to be exact. I'll make that with some burgers (starting with Salmon... working towards all-beef patties) and we'll have beer to drink. Or, I'll make some nachos with all kinds of ####### on top (Cheese, ground beef, spicy bean paste, SOUR CREAM!!!!,) and she'll eat half the plate. And I'm really starting to get her to enjoy dessert when we go out. She would never get it before, but now the brownie a la mode is more appealing to her than to me. She's yet to gain the 5 kilos that I have, though!

Are you trying to turn her into an "American" girl, you know about 30 - 70 pounds overweight and proud of it? 'Watch out or you will succeed. Russians are only physically in shape because of their diet and constant exercise. Here we just sit and eat.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-07-27 17:16:00

FOOD!!!

Both of us pretty much eat everything. Amazingly my wife had no troubles eating all the new food in America. And I mean stuff ranging from Chinese to Mexican.
However, I have been the one urging her to change her Siberian Russian diet which I think is unhealthy. For example, lots of bread and potatoes. Very few vegetables and fruits. And the worst of the worst, pure smoked pig fat with garlic! Having grown up in the central valley of California I am big on fresh fruit and vegetables that are in season. But then again I have had Russian food since coming here since that is what my grandmother and parents cooked at home when I lived with them. But her cooking is a little different so I had her watch my mom and grandma on some my favorite dishes.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-07-25 16:22:00

Flights to Russia

What's your question here?

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-08-30 20:33:00

QUOTE (Kotenochek @ Sep 5 2007, 04:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They helped to get mh fiance visas several times.

Russia does not have a fiance visa for foreigners. I'd be skeptical of any company which tried to get you a visa that is not offered by the country of interest. If they tried to help your Russian fiancee get a US fiancee visa, I'd be skeptical too, because VJ is much better.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-09-05 21:58:00

QUOTE (Turboguy @ Aug 31 2007, 09:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They just sit there, collect $ 100 ask a few questions and say no. Most businesses have to provide something for the fees they collect.

Consider the embassy as an amusement park, they charge $100 for admission.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-09-01 02:24:00

Sat is back!!! Hooray! I missed your voice here! How have you been?

I've been good. Got back from our free trip to Israel two days ago. Jumped right back into the thick of things: school and work. The trip was exhausting. We saw more than things than locals could see in three years. But the group setting was fun.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-08-18 02:37:00

they need to go to an interview in Moscow.

Not necessarily. Some folks are exempt from interviews. Those who apply in Moscow who have had a visa to the US issued in the last year and are reapplying for the same visa. Those under 14 and over 80.
And more importantly those living under the jurisdiction of the other US consulates can choose to go their respective consulates rather than the embassy in Moscow.
See jurisdictional map below:
Overall: http://yekaterinburg...lardistrict.php
Yekaterinburg: http://yekaterinburg...ar/district.php

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-08-17 18:51:00

QUOTE (bruc @ Aug 31 2007, 10:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

all prenups don't always stand-up in court, especially if kids are involved.

No prenup regarding child support stands up in court. The state has a great interest in children. Your prenup might be approved by the judge in regards to child support, but its the judge that has the final say on this subject unlike your prenup concerning the spouses.
Example:
Yes, one can waive all rights to him or herself, but will still collect child support as the court seems fit.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-08-31 16:53:00

QUOTE (slim @ Aug 30 2007, 07:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I find the best way to keep your spouse from getting 1/2 of your assets is to have none.

No assets won't keep a judge from issuing support payments of 1/2 your income simply because you made a lot, she sat at home or had a low paying job, and you had a good standard of living (explanation for lack of assets).
So to add to your comment, I encourage my wife to get highly educated, work a lot, and find a high paying job. Best would be equal pay, but if she makes more, then even better, if you look at in terms of divorce anticipation.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-08-30 10:18:00

QUOTE (Turboguy @ Aug 28 2007, 10:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

if you read it you will know more about Pre Nups and Post Nups than the lawyer who does write yours.

Don't forget that if the attorney screws up, you have a cause of action for Malpractice, in which case his or her insurance carrier will pay you for what your ex spouse wronngfully got.

Edited by Satellite, 28 August 2007 - 03:28 PM.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-08-28 15:27:00

QUOTE (CityCat @ Aug 27 2007, 11:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sat, do you know anything about post-nap? I think I want one, I didn't look into it though. Is it worth it in your opinion?

We haven't really discussed them much in our law school education. Most of the focus was on the prenup in both family law and community property.
The postnup is mentioned in a footnote as a possible avenue and not much more than that.
For prenup basics go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prenup
There isn't such a simple article for Postnuptial Agreements, but here are a few basics:
1. Because they are signed after marriage, and the couple is in a fiduciary relationship with each other, and any transactions between them are viewed with caution.
2. They are new to the law and how they are interpreted or enforced is not known and hard to predict.
3. Common sense would say prenups are better.
Okay found some basics:
http://www.divorcene...tial_agreements
For practical reasons, Turboguy mentioned a few, and I want to add that if you don't have any agreement and one of you is offered a partnership agreement in a business, it can make your partners very uneasy knowing your spouse is a "silent" partner who will as have an interest in the partnership.
My overall opinion on them, they are better than nothing if you want minimize attorneys fees during divorce.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-08-28 11:14:00

QUOTE (slim @ Aug 27 2007, 06:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

she's going to get some, if not all, of your money (for nothing more than signing a paper) if/when you divorce, why would you even consider getting married without one.

Well it's more than that. The hot Russian lady, who can be 20 or 30 years younger than the old American guy had to sleep with him, live with him, wash and cook for him, etc... I think you get the picture. So, if she gets half in that kind of situation, she probably deserves it.

QUOTE (slim @ Aug 27 2007, 06:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

She cheats, she gets nothing. She flies back to Russia and stays for six months, she gets nothing. She shacks up with her boyfriend every weekend, she gets nothing. She stays with you two years and three months (as in, the day the green card arrives in the mail box).... she gets nothing. Etc. etc., etc......

Once again, don't forget that terms like how many times you will sleep with me or walk the dog will not be enforced and thus stricken from a prenup. And if that is what was violated, well you are just out of luck. And more importantly, if any terms in a prenup actually encourage divorce, that prenup will be void for a violation of public policy. For example, “upon divorce you get my house.” Guess what the bride did, she got a divorce in 60 days, hoping to cash in on the house. Court ruled the prenup was not enforceable.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-08-27 12:36:00

A general advice on pre-nups.
Get in contact with a lawyer from your jurisdiction. Each state has it's own policies and laws on how prenups should be done to be valid in your home state. Likewise, certain things placed in prenups are not necessarily enforced and a good lawyer will help you draw up one that is beneficial to you.
Likewise, in some situations a prenup might not be necessary depending again on your financial situation and your home state.
For example in California, a Community Property state, assets acquired prior to marriage, by devise, inheritance, will, or gift remain your separate property and cannot be equitably distributed as in common law states.
Because a prenup in the context of marrying a foreigner who really only has 90 days to decide whether to marry you in the first place, does not speak fluent English, and is most likely on their first trip to the US can be a great obstacle in making a conscionable and enforceable legal document in the eyes of a liberal court / judge.
Lastly, don't underestimate the advice your fiancee might receive from her friends and family about not signing any document resembling a prenup due to preconceived fear of being left destitute in the street or even placed into "slavery" due to common myths and stereotypes. For some the prenup might break the relationship regardless of how much explaining you do.

Satellite

Male

Russia

2007-08-26 15:56:00