ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMoscow ranks as world's priciest city
Moscow ranks as world's priciest city By JACKIE FARWELL, AP Business Writer
Mon Jun 18, 5:11 PM ET



NEW YORK - Moscow is the world's most expensive city for the second year in a row, thanks to an appreciating ruble and rising housing costs, a new survey reports.

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The cost of living for expatriates in the Russian capital is nearly 35 percent higher than in New York, which served as the base city for the survey released Monday.

London, estimated at 26 percent more expensive than New York, climbed three spots to second place on a strengthening British pound and steep rental prices.

South Korea's Seoul ranked third, followed closely by Tokyo at No. 4.

The survey by Mercer Human Resource Consulting ranked 143 cities around the world, measuring the comparative cost of more than 200 areas such as housing, transportation and food. The findings are designed to help multinational employers determine compensation for their expatriate workers.

In Moscow, a luxury two-bedroom apartment will cost an expat $4,000 a month; a CD rings up at $24.83; one copy of an international daily newspaper is $6.30; and a fast-food hamburger meal totals $4.80.

A strengthening euro boosted 30 European cities to top spots on the 2007 list — Copenhagen, Geneva, Zurich and Oslo, respectively, placed among the top 10.

Eight Asian cities made the top 50, though Taipei, Taiwan, plunged 20 places to No. 48.

New York and Los Angeles were the only two North American cities to rank among the highest 50, though both fell in the rankings due to a depreciating U.S. dollar, Mercer reported.

The Big Apple dropped five places to No. 15, while Los Angeles fell to No. 42 from No. 29 in 2006.

Ranking as the least expensive city for the fifth year in a row was Paraguay's capital of Asuncion, where the cost of living is half that of New York, Mercer estimated.

http://news.yahoo.co...KVmayuoN5vMWM0F
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-19 10:11:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMail to Russia

I sent a 7lb box to Elena by DHL and delivery took 6 days... :)

$205 :(

You know what is really crazy about this rate?
Back in February, Aeroflot offered round trip airfaire from February to April from Los Angeles to Moscow for $598 with tax. If you send one or two more packages, it almost makes it more cost efficient to personally deliver!
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-27 11:16:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMail to Russia

We need to set up a VJ delivery system. People go to Russia pretty regularly from our forum, so maybe we can start hand-carrying small parcels for each other. I wouldn't mind throwing a K-1 packet in my bag for someone.

Very common practice in the Russian community here in the states. However, all we usually do is just repackage and dump it off at the local post office in the town we are going to. Unless it is the same town nobody goes out of their way to hand deliver. And we usually get the stuff from locals, here on VJ we'd have to mail stuff domestically first. I don't know who to trust more, random people online or the Russian postal service?!
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-25 10:38:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMail to Russia
If originals are not absolutely required use USPS. Make a few copies and send it a few times if you really want to make sure it gets there. DHL, Fedex, and any other private carrier will charge you and arm and leg. USPS can deliver simple $0.84 envelopes with the help of the Russian mail service within 2 weeks or not at all has been my experience (about 70% success personally). With a regular letter there is usually no issue with customs. Speaking with one Russian postal service worker in 2004, she told me absolutely write the address in Russian characters, because many Russians outside of Moscow cannot read English.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-16 09:42:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusSocail Security

Since they use the SSN as your service number, having this is important. It is also important if you expect to ever get paid.

Well SSA does give out SSN to folks who need them for other purposes besides work. Not sure how the military goes about dealing with illegals they "recruited" in time of need. I am sure they have thought of something, perhaps using the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)?
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-26 19:58:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusSocail Security

You could never get one, though you would never be able to work (W2 anyway), join the military (why would you if you are hiding from the man), get medical/SS benefits, or get many types of credit.

Joining the military if they were to let you join (even an illegal) would be entitle one to citizenship if you served in active combat during certain designated war time periods, such as right now. So this would be a huge benefit. Because recruitment levels are low, some illegals do make it in.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-25 11:02:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belaruswhats the website?

Yes I saw it. We cant wait for Aug 22. I'll be the guy sitting outside with chains, padlocks and a gallon of gasoline just in case we they dont give it to us. J/K!!!! :wacko:

Jokes like that is a great way to be put on administrative review for the next decade!
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-01 10:36:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belaruswhats the website?

Not sure of packet size (never actually saw it) but if it doesn't fit, they'll still get it to her. She'll have to pick it up, or they'll knock really loud at her door!

It's a standard full paper envelope. It is not even 1/2 an inch thick. But it is delivered by the Russian postal system. So I doubt they'll go out of their way to hand deliver or make a big effort to give it to her.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-25 10:42:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belaruswhats the website?

The trouble here is in thinking that the schedule posted on the "web page" is the source information. The interview schedule (whether created by the Embassy or DOS in DC) is probably generated a week or more before it makes it to the "web page". I also called DOS and got the interview date before it was posted on the web.

I wish I knew this information before hand. Because our interview date didn't get posted until at least 6 or 8 weeks from the time we got our NOA2. I called the NVC then but only asked if the case was sent to Moscow and they said yes. And that was 4 weeks after the NOA2. I was getting worried because people had received letters confirming this, but I never did.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-20 18:30:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belaruswhats the website?

You can call the US State Dept in DC and they will tell you the interview date.

You want to tell me that the folks in DC tell Moscow what date they must see you for an interview? It's news to me. I was under the impression that the consulates pretty much had free reign on how they handle their business. I do understand they belong to the state department, but had no idea interview scheduling which is a pretty small internal affair is also handled from the top.

Edited by Satellite, 20 June 2007 - 02:38 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-20 14:37:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belaruswhats the website?

Hi, just wondering where i can see the embassy visa scheduales for moscow?

http://moscow.usemba...ar/iv_dates.php
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-19 16:47:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusTourist visa

I personally know the guy who is on his second 5-year visa issued in Moscow.

It is my understanding that in the past some time after 1992 until some period thereafter, lengthier validity visas were given out. But that is not the case today. Check to make sure this "guy" is using his Russian passport to travel. And secondly, perhaps under some strange provision he is able to continue to renew older lengthier validity visas.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-05 19:05:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusTourist visa

I wanted to ask one more thing do the U.S embassy in Moscow give the long time tourist visa like 5 years or something to the Russian citizens ? last time we got 1 year visa

To my best knowledge, if you have visited US more than 5 times, haven't overstayed, haven't broken any laws, 5-year multi-entry visa may be issued and Moscow embassy does that.

That is good logic, but the answer is you can only get a two year multiple entry visa.
http://yekaterinburg...s/VisaTypes.php
Scroll down to validity.
However, citizens of other countries can receive up to 10 year multi entry visas.
Example:
India:
http://newdelhi.usem...su20yrpass.html
Basically if the countries have a bilateral agreement longer visas can be issued. Russia and the US obviously do not have anything beyond 2 years.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-04 10:19:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusTourist visa

As far as I know it is renewed by mail, without even the interview.

Depends on where you apply. For example in Moscow it can be renewed through the mail if it is renewed within 12 month of the visa expiration date.
http://moscow.usemba...rd_id=nivinterv
However, if you apply at Yekaterinburg this option is not available and interview must be had each time.
http://yekaterinburg...onsular/niv.php
Vladivostok also allows the exception:
http://vladivostok.u...hprelease1.html
And no information could be found on the St. Petersburg consulate website.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-03 22:44:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMoscow Interview

Unfortunately when she went to the medical clinics they were all closed due to the Russian holiday. This is hard for me to imagine, from an American perspective, that medical clinics would be closed due to a holiday but that is Russia for you.

Keep in mind that these clinics are not hospitals. The medical exam itself is a requirement for the embassy and is "elective" in the eyes of medical staff. No one forces you to immigrate to the US. Second, clinics in Russia can be analogized to those medical associations here in the US where many doctors rent one building and share resources such as nurses and secretaries. People come there for treatment during the day and go home during the night. Unlike a hospital where patients remain over night and so does the staff.

According to her she did call ahead to find out the cost of the exam and confirm date she would be there. This was done a couple of months ago and I don't know if no one realized then that the facility would be closed.

Another mistake. Based on personal experience, we too called a few months early to schedule an appointment only to be laughed at and told to call back when the desired date will be within a few weeks. Although this made me upset for having to take a risk on plane tickets to Moscow (save money for advance purchase), it turned out well in the end because even though we already purchased tickets months in advance we still got our desired medical date. If your fiancée had an actual appointment date, then I can understand your frustration, but, nevertheless, one should always be aware of major holidays. Here is a link:
http://www.consulrus...idays_engl.html
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-13 13:55:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusanother I-134 question

Better wait for Satellite's input on this one. He's not a lawyer yet, but he's the resident "expert" when it comes to immigration law and paperwork stuff. I'd trust his opinion on this one before my own!

I think you nailed it with your post.
Simply put they are looking to see how many people are tied to your income. So putting down your dad will be like an additional household member. That may or may not make a difference. The second thing they are checking is to see just how many people you have sponsored in the past, kind of looking for fraud, if there is a new "bride" every year or so.
Then again the I-134, though not enforceable probably has some kind of statute of limitations. Your dad, if he returned to Russia or became a US citizen would make the I-134 mute. Although that is not written anywhere, I am just guessing and drawing my information from the I-864, which is the enforceable and better-worded affidavit.
I'd put him down just to be on the safe side.

As for being a lawyer, I'll only finish law school in December, bar in February, and hopefully positive results in May. So it's still a good 10 months before you can seek my services :P
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-09 12:08:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusrussian food in CA
Although I know where all the Russian food is in my community, where in the world is the link you supposedly provided in your post?
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-06 22:57:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusSmooth as Silk

Delta

Aeroflot

KLM

All three don't really offer travel within Russia. Delta and KLM are definitely out beyond Moscow. And Aeroflot tends to only hit the biggest of cities. If you are trying to reach smaller cities with small airports you are forced onto smaller and local Russian airlines. There are more of them than you think. I have mentioned a few in the past. Siberia, Pulkov, Transaero, etc.
These guys, especially Siberia go out of their way to charge you for excess baggage beginning with an astonishing 20kg per person period. Regardless of amount of bags. And having the nerve to weigh carry on luggage to add to that total!

The surcharge for weight depends on the airline. Depends on the flight too. Long Int'l flights (Amsterdam-Tokyo for example) will often have much higher surcharges, since the weight is much more expensive for the airline. Fuel cost per pound of cargo is much higher for longer flights. More of the useful load on the aircraft must be used for fuel, so there is less room for luggage. On short flights, this isn't a big deal - as the aircraft only carry enough fuel for the length of the flight plus reserve.

Although your logic makes sense, I have experienced quite the apposite. Small domestic Russian flights as well as within Europe and even within the US, allow much less baggage allowance per bag then long haul international flights. I am sure you are right about the price for excess baggage being more expensive on long haul flights, but the free weight is much more on them.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-06 17:27:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusSmooth as Silk

We had about 300lbs of luggage and a carefully placed 1000 ruble note got the baggage on the flight to JFK without any hassle.

That is impressive! What airline? Normally airlines allow 32kg (70lb) per bag (assuming you flew economy class), and two per person. You mention a K2 so I figure there was at least three of you. So that brings you up to 422lb for six bags. So in reality the bribe was unnecessary if your baggage was properly packed and the weight properly disbursed. Different story for Russian airlines flying within Russia which limit you to 20kg (44lb) total including hand baggage. And then start charging you something like 100 rubles per Kg over. Twice I have paid over 2000 rubles for what was normal baggage on an international flight and became excess baggage on a Russian flight inside of Russia. Of course I got billed at the check in counter which forced me to go to the cashier's office to pay up and return. Not sure exactly where to bribe in this position, becuse the checkin lady refuses to take the money. The Russian airlines must make a fortune on this, because that is a significant difference from many other airlines.

Edited by Satellite, 06 July 2007 - 10:49 AM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-06 10:47:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVisa application fee in Moscow

I am not sure how much it will cost for DHL to your address, it probably depends where you live, someone who has already been through the interview can tell you from experience.

Pursuant to a recent payee, the price is:

The DHL fee was 973 rubles.

http://www.visajourn...showtopic=76710
I think it is a flat fee regardless of where you have it sent.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-11 11:32:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusK1 visa duration and filing for AOS after marriage?

What section of the US Code of Federal Regulations (I assume that covers it) says that the I-94 status ends at marriage? Lawfully present is the important part in any case - it seems to me that being lawfully present is an affirmative defense to deportation, absent any lawful reason for it to be revoked.

Finding the corresponding regulation in the federal register will be a hell of a task. That was part of my duties at the immigration firm I worked at. Note the past tense as of June. I found a higher paying job doing fraud and whistleblower work so it was an easy decision. We had a practioners CD from AILA which allowed one to search simple things like I-94, out of status, etc. and find the corresponding CFR, INA, and case law if any. To open up a book right now to find it would be too much work, I have to study for my Federal Income Tax final. Another subject that I find very fascinating.
But anyway look at the gallery picture of an I-94
http://www.visajourn...y...bum=5&pos=0
Note how one is admitted pursuant to Class K1. Meaning you must follow the admission rules pursuant to a K1. A similar notation say B2 (tourist) or H1B (working visa) is placed in other admission cases for example. One is clearly out of status for say studying or working on a B2. So one should correspondingly be out of status for being in K1 status (one coming to marry in the US) and be married at the time (you got married).
And to address your point, if you are hauled into ICE custody for unauthorized work while being here lawfully on a B2 you may be deported despite having an otherwise valid defense.
Back when we did AOS, you could potentially avoid being out of status by having a city hall / court house marriage in the morning and doing a walk-in appointment at your local USCIS office here you would file your AOS and instantly get a NOA1 receipt later in the afternoon. Although the official one still came in the mail a few weeks later. But even then for those few hours you are still out of status.
This might be a good question to post in the general K1 board to see what kind of response we'd get from some more knowledgeable members, albeit covered with a bunch of foolish guesses as well.
But if you are seeking an answer in the Code of Federal Regulation, you will probably find some cute line that says one is deportable if he is out of status. The details such as the I-94 would be in a procedure manual. memos, cables, and other operating instructions, but might be found in the regulations as well. As for getting right to the issue, I doubt you will find anything about status and marriage post K1. You just have to make an inference based on other things you know.

A friend of mine is married to his wife of 40+ years, and they recently ran into immigration problems. She had trouble proving that she was here legally. Back then, this was all done at the border upon entry, based upon the marriage and that was it.

Your friend can simply adjust status under registry. Read up on it in the I-485 instructions. Basically if you can prove you have been in the US since January 1, 1972 you get a green card no questions asked barring any other grounds of inadmissibility say medical, criminal, etc. But being out of status and entering without inspection are excluded. So she can do that if all else fails, but that would put her back to regular green card status. Does she have a US passport? Have her apply for one, that is an easy way to test if you are a US citizen. If she does, that should fly for proving status.

Edited by Satellite, 11 July 2007 - 10:10 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-11 22:07:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusK1 visa duration and filing for AOS after marriage?

One exception would be hanging out near the Mexican border and not looking "American" enough. In this case, you can be deported without a hearing. Not sure if this has happened to someone who entered on a K-1, but it would be a real pain getting back into the US. (This happens to citizens too!) Deportations without hearings smell like a huge violation of due process to me, though they do happen.

I was pretty sure they at least finger print them and take down their names. Normally in such a situation you get an expedited removal, which is still some sort of hearing / due process albeit all in one day. Held unconstitutional for a green card holder, see LANDON v. PLASENCIA, 459 U.S. 21 (1982).
In some cases this is advantageous, because prior removal interrupts benefits for cancellation of removal especially for those who want to get it based on 10 years continuous presence. Thus if weren't "officially" deported you are still eligible.

Update on the K1 status:
I had to look this up in my notes. The term out of status is really two prong
1. unlawfully present (staying beyond I-94)
2. out of status (not doing what you said you are going to do in the US). i.e. working while on a tourist visa.
So back to the question at hand, you are technically admitted pursuant to your K1 visa and given an I-94 valid for 90 days in K1 status. You are out of status as soon as you marry or technically speaking no longer seeking marriage to the petitioner. Good luck proving that one. But simply put, marrying the petitioner makes you out of status before receiving you NOA1 for AOS, but technically lawfully present until the I-94 expires.

I hope that makes sense.

Edited by Satellite, 11 July 2007 - 05:02 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-11 17:01:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusK1 visa duration and filing for AOS after marriage?

Also, once married, the K-1 is technically "void" and the alien is out of status. (I'm surprised you didn't jump on this one, Satellite!)

I have seen this said on VJ many times, but what Russ and fwaguy are saying, I think they are correct, in that the I-94 becomes your document in terms of legal stay in the US upon entry and the visa is pretty much useless, but it does come into play for other minor issues like attempting to change status pursuant to an I-539 will be barred because you used a K visa to enter rather than some other allowable type.

They are, however, allowed to stay by decree of the Attorney General because they're married to a U.S. citizen. (Still right, so far?)

Yes, but only after filing for AOS, and not by the simple fact of marrying.

They kind of fall into a "limbo" status at this time because the K-1 is set up specifically for the purpose of coming to the U.S. as a non-immigrant that becomes an immigrant within 90 days.

I think the real limbo occurs for any dates after the expiration of the I-94 until receipt of the NOA1 for AOS.

Actually the K-1 is "technically" void upon the expiration date or use (ie..entry into USA), whichever occurs first. Upon entry, the I-94 becomes the controlling document and any dates on the K-1 are "moot".

I tend to agree with this as stated above.

Sat can correct me, but US Visas have exactly zero to do with the duration of legal stay in the US. Once inspected at the border, the duration of stay is determined by the date affixed to the I-94.

Agree as stated above.

It is probably possible to end up being deported if you do not file an I-485, though assuming the marriage is otherwise valid, this is highly unlikely.

Of course, but to get into ICE custody you pretty much need to commit a crime. And then depending on the crime even the I-485 filing won't help you stay off deportation.

Even if you do somehow end up in INS detention for a deportation hearing, I'm relatively certain a competent immigration lawyer would file the AOS before showing up in court and be able to seek relief somehow. (Sat - any knowledge about how this would happen?)

Typically people end up in custody for a crime or outstanding warrant (even for silly things like not showing up to court to pay a traffic ticket) or for green card holders when they travel and their felony conviction finally comes under the radar at the airport. Otherwise it is really hard to get picked up. Those employment raids are too far apart and we don't do random document checks like in Russia!
But once in custody, depending on the court docket, you are almost better off filing your I-485 with them, because the judge has jurisdiction over most matters once you are in court. And the adjudication is done right there and then in an hour or so at your individual hearing. But most likely your attorney and with permission of the government, the judge will move to close proceedings to let you continue the process with USCIS. There is really no advantage to filing your I-485 before you have your first master hearing, because there is no guarantee the government will agree to close proceedings to let you continue down that path (thus you wasted filing fees).
The other bad part of getting picked up by ICE, is that you must have a bond hearing to be released from custody in most situations and that will cost you at least the minimum at $1500 and only after that can you move to close proceedings. Or if you don't have the $1500 (you can ask to be released on your cognizance, very rare) or you can sit in custody and wait for your individual hearing (which could be a year later) and get your I-485 adjustment adjudicated that way!

As usual - PERSONAL OPINION not legal advice.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-11 16:09:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusK1 visa duration and filing for AOS after marriage?

I don't think that filing for AOS after 90 days after entry to the US fails to comply with the letter of the law. Being married within 90 days is the key. Our AOS (based on K-1) was filed

Exactly, because the law also states that marriage to a US citizen assuming you entered with inspection will forgive all prior overstays and unauthorized work. Thus making the 90 day issue mute. Marrying before 90 days offers the nice advantage of avoiding paying more money for an I-130. And filing for AOS ASAP speeds up the process of getting a work permit, property travel document (for entry back into the US), avoiding potential deportation issues, green card, and ultimately citizenship. For those whom these are not big concerns, the date of filing is truly irrelevant.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-11 11:03:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusparents at the wedding

No, tourist visas are easy to get, for average Russian.

Every Russian has an apartment and/or piece of land, so here is property.

The income has to be at least a thousand dollars

Your dreaming if you think the average Russian makes $1000 a month and "EVERY" Russian has an apartment.
First of all the average Russian makes somewhere in the neighborhood of $300-$400 a month.
http://english.pravd...5/8687-salary-0
http://www.sras.org/news2.phtml?m=574
Although this article is two years old, their salaries have not tripled in two years!
Next real estate prices have indeed tripled in Russia. With Moscow prices rivaling top US cities. Therefore, the new generation is not likely to own an apartment or land outside of a village shack on a salary of a couple hundred when apartment prices begin at $50 - 100k with almost little or no credit buying.
I stand to be corrected on these facts and numbers.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-03 22:20:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusparents at the wedding

Is it a possibility to have Elina's parents over for the wedding we will have here in the states?

Anything is possible, right? You better plan ahead though. Gathering documents showing lack of immigrant intent and scheduling an appointment can take a few weeks if not months.

have any of the Russian bride or grooms done this?

I can only speak for ourselves and the answer is no, mainly because: (1) A trip to the US would constitute about 5-10 years of salary which is impossible for the average Russian outside of Moscow. (2) Likelihood of getting a visa is not good. (3) Short notice of wedding (coupled with the underline fact that we weren't sure if my wife would get a K1 to begin with).

Just get them tourist visa.

Sounds very simply to me. Where do you buy them? Last time I checked each tourist visa applicant must present their own case and qualify for the visa. i.e. prove that they have substantial ties to Russia and economic ability to come to the United States. You as an American marrying their daughter have little or no influence over their application.

It is relatively easy to get, and the parents will be able to stay for two weeks, this should be enough for any wedding.

I have never heard someone say that US tourist visas are easy to get for Russian citizens before, especially if you consider how many people return from the embassy / consulate in tears after being denied.
If the visa is granted, they will be granted the typical 6 months stay of entry even if they tell the POE officer their intended stay is just 2 weeks. I have not heard of such strict limitations of 2 weeks for parents of bride / groom.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-02 21:08:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFrom Russia with Love

I have a hard time understanding how you can fall in love with a person if you don't speak a common language fluently

You and me both... Maybe we should ask everybody here, how it works for them. I am unbelievably curious how people do it. It's hard for men and women to understand each other without language barrier...

Add me to the list.
I was once told that the couples communicate through sex, but that must be a joke!
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-11 18:20:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFrom Russia with Love

...she cannot speak much English.

We have had some funny experiences happen because of cultural differences and translation issues...

Anna later told me that they only asked her two questions...

Sounds to me like she understands and speaks English. If not, get her English or your Russian up to speed, or you could later face marital problems down the line. There is only so long you can go with primative communication.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-11 11:10:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusWhat's after NOA2

This is very useful Kym... is there such a page for Frankfurt, Germany?

Yes,
http://www.visajourn...p;cty=Frankfurt
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-18 10:49:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusWhat's after NOA2

Are you guys going to get married before the baby's arrival? I've never heard a woman saying "I want to be about 8 1/2 months pregnant in all of our wedding photos.

Way too many Russian marriages occur because the bride is a few months pregnant. I wouldn't count that as a tradition.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-15 18:53:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusWhat's after NOA2

4. interview packet is sent out (will both parties be sent something?)

After the NOA2 all contact is with the beneficiary only.

how in the hell do they expect you to have wedding plans finalized when you don't even know when the person will be here to attend

Your wedding plans are the least of their concern. All they care about is that you plan to marry. If you are planing a large and expensive wedding you really should look into "wedding insurance" or calculate realistically how much of your deposit you will lose in case the bride is not here as planned.

Once the NVC forewords the file to the Embassy, they send out a packet 3...Once you have all the other info gathered that is needed, I-134, birth certificates, passport, police records, court certificate (if needed)...etc, etc. You then return the Applicant's Statement of Readiness To Be Interviewed. You will then receive your interview date. And I am only assuming that it works the same in Moscow as it does Sydney.

The following information should be disregarded as mostly false and incorrect. Moscow will send you a packet as soon as it it gets your case outlining when your interview date is and what documents to bring. Because the assumption that all consulates are the same is wrong, VJ created separate forums for different regions.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-08 17:34:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusswitch to a different consulate

Since Romania is the designated consulate for Moldova, I have to believe they will have at minimum, a Russian speaking interpreter.

You are not the first person immigrating from Moldova! They'll surely have a Russian speaking official.

it is true you cannot choose where you have your interview (Olga's would have been in Vladivostok if that were an option!).

Don't mix Apples and Oranges. It is true on cannot choose to interview for a K at a consulate. Any consulate for that matter unless it has been designated to take K1 visas. However, one can embassy shop. Like Slim said, the first option is one the I-129F itself. One can easily be a citizen of one country yet be a legal resident of another for reasons such as being a refugee. Likewise, one can also change embassies at a cost of $200 and $340 after July 30 by filing an I-824 for action on an approved petition.
http://www.uscis.gov.../form/I-824.pdf
"This form will be used to request a duplicate approval notice, to request approval notice to another U.S. Consulate; and to request notice to a U.S. Consulate for derivative visas to family members."
The criteria for getting one of these granted is not spelled out.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-20 21:30:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusK1 Moscow Interview

The other two clinics still seem to have weekend hours...

I stand partly corrected. You only lose one day, in such a case, because you still have to wait for the results the following day. I don't think Sunday medical results would be available prior to the 8:00 AM Monday interview. Limiting your days in Moscow are crucial if you are on a budget!
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-21 10:49:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusK1 Moscow Interview

We're also planning to be in Moscow for about a week (2 days for medical + 1 day interview + 3 days to wait for visa in hand). Is that about right? I guess this is reasonable though of course, we wish it would be faster. Has anyone gotten their visa in less then 3 days?

You can do the medical in one day at MOM + DHL payment in one day and the interview on the other other day. Expect 2 to 3 days for the visa if you are picking it up. However, this plan doesn't always work because if you get a Monday interview, you'll have two wasted days on the weekend where you can't do the medical. Likewise I suspect a Friday or Thursday interview might also delay the embassy in processing the visa.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-20 21:16:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusthe "do not open envelope"

What if she would've been someone who had always desired to go to the U.S. and now had a "free pass?"

Biometrics solved this problem. And at least the passport is being sent to people who have applied for US visas. It would be far worse if it was just sent to random people in Russia. Such folks have no common interest, those people could simply trash the passport all together.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-21 15:45:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVaccination certificate

Is it likely that the clinic in Moscow could use these records to fill in a DS-3025 that we would use, eventually, to secure her I-693A?

My wife went to MOM with her local vaccination print out and they refused to look at it as well as administer any vaccines needed for the K1 processes, citing that it is not needed for the visa and you can do it in the US. And so we did, at the cost of $10 a pop at public health. Not that bad, about 5 of them in total.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-23 00:32:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAOS Approved

the CO said to expect the green card in 2-4 weeks.

The "CO" is a Consulate Officer who works abroad at the embassy, did you have your green card interview there? The "AO" is an Adjudications Officer who does green card interviews at local USCIS. See the Official "VJ" dictionary for more terms. http://www.visajourn...page=definition.
I suspect you had the latter, but we don't want to confuse the new members on here.

Approved, Elena is Legal

She was just as legal before getting her green card as after. She was legal when she entered with a visa. And after you filed for AOS she was automatically granted authorized stay by the attorney general while your AOS application was pending.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-11 11:26:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusB2 Tourist Visa for Russian Husband

Even when the USC spouse lives abroad as well?

For starters it is a hard burden to prove even for our VWP countries. Remember the DS-156 asks if you have any relationship to anyone in the US or has anyone filed an immigrant petition on your behalf. So my biased opinion stands. It's very hard to do. But if you have a spare $100 and a few weeks, you can always try.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-02-19 14:05:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusB2 Tourist Visa for Russian Husband

Has anyone out there had any experience applying and/or receiving a multi-entry B2 tourist visa for their Russian spouse before starting the immigration process?

Applying yes, receiving no. Young single people who can be considered "New Russians", might have a chance, but otherwise your chances are slim to none in my opinion.

Edited by Satellite, 18 February 2007 - 01:46 AM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-02-18 01:45:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusTravel to Russia with GC

Both documents have the Secretary of State's Apostille. She will also take her Green Card...I did not pay the additional $30 for the Russian Translation of our Marriage License to be a true translation.

You shouldn't have any problems. But if you truly wanted to use the marriage certificate for some official purpose in Russia, you are at the mercy of the ZAGS people if they want to accept it without the consulate certification. Since technically it is still out of compliance with the Hague Convention. Although I am not 100% sure about that!
http://www.rusconsho...egalization.htm
However, on a second read, it appears that the translation is what requires the consulate certification.
http://www.rusconsho...f_documents.htm

Edited by Satellite, 25 July 2007 - 11:19 AM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-07-25 11:15:00