ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVisa in the mail

I wouldn't hold your breath. This is mostly based on reciprocity. Since we make Russians get visas to visit the states, they will do the same thing to Americans that visit Russia.

At leas they should drop the registration system for foreigners and locals! We don't require that non sense, unless you are from the 25 "terrorist" countries who had to register immediately post 9/11.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-05-25 11:27:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVisa in the mail

Wow, I didn't know he robbed a bank! :blink: :)

Not him, his wife did. Based on the amount of money she was able to bring from Russia, the story originally did not surprise me.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-05-23 23:20:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusJumping through the hoops
Sounds like Russia to me!
Similar example, buying tickets at many venues, you come to the cashier before it opens and a sign posted on the window says all tickets are sold out that day, and scalpers go around selling the tickets at 2x to 5x the regular price. Then the cashier opens after a long lunch and the sign is taken down and regular price tickets are plenty available. It is amazing they do this at even higher venues like embassies!
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-05-30 08:42:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusViolence Against Women Act and me

Common law like Ohio??? Sweet! That means she has half my debts as well!!!

Probably not, in California debts are assigned to the debtor. So the name on the debt is key. There are many different rules concerning debt. For example if upon divorce there is more debt than assets, there won't necessary be an equal division of the community property assets. Educational loans if the marriage was less than 10 years will be presumed to not favor the community and educated spouse has to pay back the community, with the presumption lying the other way if marriage over 10 years. Just some community property thoughts for California. Because I am taking the bar in California, I haven't really studied the laws in other states.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-05-20 23:14:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusViolence Against Women Act and me

Nip this in the bud before it gets out of hand. And by all means, don't get a second job! Pay the rent, your car, etc., and don't give him $#!^. Get whatever you can in your name (only your name) now, and get that other bank account. Use one for "joint bills", rent, utilities, household stuff, etc., and the other for "your bills", car, your credit card (in your name) and any money left over. DO NOT GET PREGNANT!!!!!!!!! Also, you can change your tax status (on the W-4 at work) because you're the only one working and you're supporting your spouse. Take that extra loot and start stockpiling it in your bank account.

If your goal is to keep the current husband from getting a benefit from your wages placing the property and assets in your own name won't help much unless you get written consent of bilateral intent to show that the property was meant to be your separate property. Otherwise we have a special community property presumption upon divorce, with equal division at divorce. Perhaps it works otherwise in traditional common law property states such as Ohio, but it won't fly in California.

Jeepers creepers... Well, the ex doesn't reside in California, nor did they get divorced in California, but we do, so I don't know what to expect. One thing that helps is that we don't own any property, and the ex is actually a very nice lady, and the support will be over soon, cause the kid will be graduating high school. But really, I had no idea about all that, so thanks for sharing! :)

Not sure how it works with a foreign state divorce. I know California and all other states do give full faith credit to divorce decrees obtained out of states. What I talked about before is simply a remedy that someone who wants to collect on unpaid child support can do in California.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-05-17 23:16:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusViolence Against Women Act and me

He also seemed surprised that I can't write a check to his ex for child support

And nor should you! I hope you never ever do this and let him off the hook so easily.

Actually based on California Community Property laws, the ex spouse is entitled to all the separate property of Jewel's husband, and all the joint property owned by Jewel with her husband. Thus she can levy on those assets. To protect yourself you must open up a separate bank account and keep any property ownership only in your name. Although it is still technically community property the ex-spouse can't levy upon it without showing intent to defraud which is a higher standard. Just some thoughts from my California Community Property class - not intended to be legal advise.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-05-17 00:31:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusViolence Against Women Act and me

Just wondering, how many of this thread's posters' wives contribute to family income, and how significantly? I've been reading VJ for some months now and I see that a fair share of wives start or will start working eventually, but it's my impression that their initial post-arrival time is covered by their husbands, more or less. Sometimes that includes education, where necessary. Am I to understand that all these husbands are immensely rich? :)

My wife started working within 4 months of arrival after getting her "walk in" in EAD. Granted the wedding cost, honeymoon, plane ticket, and immigration costs came mostly from me.
As far as contribution it various from 1/3 to 1/2 of our meager student income. We are both full time students and only part time employees. We finally broke the "federal" poverty line for 2 last tax year. Granted in San Francisco, more than 3/4 our income goes to rent. :(

Well, it isn't possible to work without authorization here.

What about those 12 million illegal immigrants? Last I heard most are working. If you want to "break" the law your wife can easily work for cash. Anything from baby sitting to housekeeping is really easy to get for cash only. Keep in mind that upon AOS based on marriage to a USC unlawful work and overstays are forgiven. But sadly, we can't promote that on VJ, although this information should still be available on an immigration forum concerning immediate relatives.

Edited by Satellite, 16 May 2007 - 10:50 AM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-05-16 10:49:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusViolence Against Women Act and me

And before Satellite and others chime in (we had this same post about a year ago... I know his position on it already) that we could "score" a "high-quality" woman here, look at it from another angle. None of the American men on here "chose" an American woman. We chose to import one from the FSU. We like women who are both beautiful and level-headed. (It's extremely hard to find that here!)

They are still here, my position still stands, just check Brooklyn, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and other large cities. Plenty of Russian speaking girls who came from the USSR as political refugees between the ages of 0 and 18, myself included, though I am a male :P They are bilingual, goal oriented, understand the American system, and posses all the same attributes as the "FSU Women". As you stated, a year ago I gave some reasons (opinions) on why those women are also unavailable.

A few weeks after she arrived she asked me if I would help her get a green card and pretend to be married but lead our own lives. Of course I said no. Three days after she got back to Russia she was begging me to do another K-1 with her and said she had made the biggest mistake of her life and her keyboard was covered with tears. To this day she knows she made a big mistake and wishes she had it to do over again.

I guess nobody told your former fiancee that Americans are too honest and law abiding to do such a thing. If she would have known she would have played the being married game up until citizenship or lifting conditions. And when she returned to Russia she was probably the laughing stock of society for blowing her chance at a greencard. My opinion, no offense.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-05-11 20:17:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusViolence Against Women Act and me

they do not adequately understand the cost of living differences between te FSU and the US. Learning what it costs for heating, electricity, gasoline and groceries is a big learning experience and telephone calls to the FSU are also one of the sobering items that FSU women must come to terms with. Using the LD Post telephone services has saved us allot of money.

Agree!
Except the phone call thing. Ask your ladies how much it costs to call from Russia to the US? Why do they turn around and think it is so much cheaper to do so from here, unless you "gave it away" by doing it all the time when you were apart :P Generally everything is much more expensive here despite our larger salaries. But many raw food items, telecommunications, and electronics are cheaper here. But rent, gasoline, and utilities really screw it up.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-05-10 11:22:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusViolence Against Women Act and me

Frankly I think an allowance would help them to learn to budget their money and plastic teaches her what is wrong with American finances.

I am a little confused. Aren't we talking about adult women here and not children? How in the world did our ladies live in Russia without budgeting? Is there some kind of assumption that women there spend like crazy? From my understanding all the crazy spending starts in America because the ladies get access to more cash and worst of "unearned" / "easy" money without ever considering how hard it is to earn it. They very well know the value money in Russia.

There is nothing wrong with plastic. It teaches one to be responsible and not go on crazy spending sprees, when used correctly.

In Russia almost no one has "credit" cards. At best they have secured credit cards. And few places where average Russians shop, i.e. the bazaar takes credit cards. So if anything, Russian ladies should be much better of with cash then plastic, which doesn't allow you to really see how much you are spending until you see the online report or worse of a written statement a month later.

But for other practical US reasons like building up credit and earning awards on purchases you would make anyway, the credit card is the superior method of payment. Unless you prefer your privacy in terms of your spending habits.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-05-10 00:21:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusViolence Against Women Act and me

Giving her about the same money per month/week she makes working back home until she can work here seemed like a logical start.

Do you plan on charging her rent and board? If not, if you subtract out her expenses in Russia for those things, as well as other necessities, you will find that your wife had very little money to just spend on herself. Therefore giving her an "allowance" equal to her wages rather than the dollar equivalent of the meager ruble salary she had minus expenses will be a huge windfall for her (My apologies if your wife was well off in Russia, then this whole topic is not applicable since she will have plenty cash saved up from her own earnings to bring with her).

This would allow her to live with the same financial freedoms she did back home. Am I terribly wrong in this thought?

My wife can tell you that she had no financial freedom in Russia, because she had so little money and was very frugal. Although things did cost a lot less there.

I spent a few weeks in Russia and I cannot imagine being there without cash. Why on earth would I expect my wife to be without cash?

Why wouldn't your wife be bringing money with her? You want to tell me she has none saved up for a trip to the US? That is crazy. She is more than capable of bringing her own cash, even if just a small amount, and if she did bring her own cash she'd find a way to get by on it without "pissing away" the kind of sums you described earlier.

However, I agree with you, that if $800 a month is same to you as $8 a month is to me, then this is whole topic is a non-issue and the rest of us should just realize that we are not all on the same financial footing.

Edited by Satellite, 09 May 2007 - 10:23 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-05-09 22:22:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusViolence Against Women Act and me

Too bad you didn't learn about internetcalls.com Three months of unlimited calling to Russia (land lines) for about $13 total. My wife is calling to her daughter and friends almost every day.

There are two obvious limits here, (1) only 300 minutes a week which will only cover 5 hours, and this lady is way over that, (2) Those free days end, and the rate page doesn't even disclose when!
http://internetcalls.com/en/rates.html
But overall I agree, we use http://www.voipcheap.com/ which is very similar.

If this relationship can't be salvaged, then get her on a plane out of this country now.

How do you just put someone on a plane? Is this lady some kind of property you can mail or get rid off because she is foreign? Last time I checked, you can't just physically remove someone from the US, only ICE can do that. All you can do is ask her to leave and provide the resources for her to voluntary depart.

you are probably under capitalized on the whole international marriage deal. I mean when your woman comes to this country she has no source of income. You should at least have a reasonable amount of spending money to give her. If she is like many women from Russia she will need that money to help her support family and at a minimum be able to buy herself things needed.

What ever happened to both spouses working to support the family unit? No one is supposed to give you anything. An allowance or spousal support comes after divorce and not during marriage. If she was going to sue him for "not supporting her" based on their marital contract, she would lose, there is an old 1950's case on this. (Forgot name, cite). This lady can't claim she is not supported when she is deprived of phone calls. And if she is under supported, she can use social services which in theory will get reimbursed through her I-864 sponsor.
Also, what is this stuff about remittances. You married her, not the family. Since when is the Russian lady entitled to send money home from the FAMILY budget? If she can do that, then can the US spouse do the same and support his parents with equal amounts?

In the end I believe all of this has to be worked out and compromises made. If not, toss in the towel and get a divorce.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-05-09 13:15:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPhotos for Evidence

Can I just print the evidence photos off on my printer?

Of course. What make you think your printer is in adequate? Hypothetically, if you were going to do some fancy photoshop work to get around having photos of each other together, it can still be printed both at home and professionally because of digital printing.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-03 20:00:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusInteresting

How does ASK NATASHA Service work?

So how many of you suckers paid for this service?! Russians are so creative. They make money on everything from visa service to relationship counseling!
I remember a few of the folks who paid to have their emails translated and a guide take them around the city. It always makes me wonder if the "Russian Guide" also held a candle during their first sexual encounter!
If someone can't communicate even at a basic level with their fiancee, it really makes me question the relationship!

Edited by Satellite, 03 June 2007 - 10:37 AM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-03 10:36:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCrazy new Russia?!

I hope they dont say anything about it because technically I should have a home stay visa instead of a business visa. I think?? Oh well!!

You shouldn't have a problem. A business traveler is not limited to where they can stay while they conduct their business.
Ironically the business visa I think is the most appropriate since you are bride shopping. Sounds like business to me.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-03 19:58:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCrazy new Russia?!

Satellite,
How recently was your last experience getting a homestay visa? There have been press reports -- in Moscow Times , for instance -- on how recent changes in law, procedure, regulation or whatever was causing lots of problems for foreigners registering their presence in Russia. It seemed to make sense, given what I was reading there, that Homestay Visas also got procedurally more difficult.

Last one that was done for me was last summer, but other plans came up and I never went, but had the invitation in hand here in March of 2006. As for registration, yes, my last registration is out of date, summer 2004. But based on what Bruc has said, it is even to register now, just go to the post office.
As for procedurally harder to get a private visa, well obviously it is harder than paying some visa company $30 - $400 to have them do everything for you.
But as far as procedure in general goes according to Russian standards, it is no more or less difficult than say registering your property or car in Russia.

Wouldn't it be possible to just get a tourist visa through a Moscow based company, register it on your first day there, then handle all your business all over Russia without worrying about being registered locally?

Tried that, was registered in Tomsk and had to pay a fine at the airport for not registering for our 10 day stay in Sochi.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-05-25 11:16:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCrazy new Russia?!

As Sat suggested, I tried to go down this road. It looked like it would take more like 90 days. To get the invitation, the sponsor must prove all kinds of things (they wanted notarized employment letters, propiskas, bank accounts, etc). After that 30 day ordeal, the invitation needs to be sent (by mail presumably) to the Russian Embassy in the States. After all this, it is still only good for 90 days. You still need to pay the embassy the fee for the visa here. If you can start this 6 months in advance, it is a workable plan.

I guess everyone's experience varies widely. When my wife did the private invitation she only had fill out a silly form, pay the central bank 450 rubles, provided her passport, and a copy of mine. Then she was contacted a month later that the invitation had arrived. She placed the invitation into a registered Russian mail for 30 rubles and mailed it off. Two weeks later I got it here. Took it, plus my passport, application, and $100 money order across town to the Russian consulate in San Francisco. 7 days later picked up the passport with a valid 90 day visa. Upon arrival in Russia, I registered within 72 hours and had no more problems in her home town. If you have time to plan your trip, this can be done at minimum cost. Don't forget that your fiancée can deal with the Russian authorities in Russia, she does it all the time, just ask her.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-05-24 16:52:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGoing back to Russia
akdiver, sweetie... :)
I made up my mind long time ago... I just didnt not know my husband would not keep his promises. Thank you for supporting me.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-05-10 10:23:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGoing back to Russia
"Now imagine, if everything your wife earned .... would be spent on trips to Russia and entertainment in Russia" Quoting my husband here, all I wanna say that it so not true. Every penny I have earned, I have put on our account, and these money are being used to pay off the rent. Moreover, I feel like I am being used by my own husband.. Thanks you guys for all your good wishes... but I dont think we can "concentrate on being happy"... because even though we have "reached consensus" on the issue of me going to Russia for 1 month, the thought that he does not care about my psychological needs will stay with me forever. It should not be like that. The arguing made me so devastated... it makes me think of leaving forever. I hope you guys treat your women better.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-05-10 02:28:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGoing back to Russia

Galina prefers not to speak Russian with me.

How funny, Olga refused to speak in English with me for the longest time. She was "embarrassed" by her accent. It took about two years for her to get over it.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-05-09 23:57:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGoing back to Russia

So - that said - Satellite, where do you guys stand? Is she going (has she gone?) or what?

The best "we" could do was find a compromise on all fronts. We are going to go on a free trip to Israel in the beginning of August through http://www.birthrightisrael.com/. Afterwards I will return to the US to go back to work and school for my last semester and Olga will spend 1 month in Russia and return to start school as a transfer student this upcoming fall quarter at the end of September. Although I am still upset that she is going against my wishes she did promise to work extra hours up to August to make up for the time she is gone. Hopefully her employer will grant her a leave of absence of some sort so she still has a job to return to. Because as mentioned before her parents did leave her some money, and we are using the free ticket to cover the majority of the flight, financially we might just break even. So we are not getting divorced, although I am still upset with her level of selfishness. I am not looking forward to being apart for one month :(

Edited by Satellite, 09 May 2007 - 08:38 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-05-09 20:35:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGoing back to Russia

I would like to give her the option to go back if she wanted, but there's just no money for that. Hopefully she'll get that EAD soon, and then she'll be able to work which will do two things; it will get her out a lot more, and it will help her meet people to do things with.

Now imagine, if everything your wife earned with that EAD would be spent on trips to Russia and entertainment in Russia, even if she were to go once or twice a year for a short period of time. That becomes very frustrating and selfish which was part of the original problem. Why work at all, and when you do get married and can work, I always had this expectation of working together for a common family goal which in my opinion does not include Russia, when there are more burning issues in the US, like buy a second car or even a home some day. The whole point of getting married in my opinion was to improve both of our lives financially and not make it more burdensome by having one work to support two. I think there is a serious problem with that kind of lifestyle; where you work in America all year just to have a "good life" in Russia for a few months out of that year! I believe you either live there or here. And going back should not be your goal while living here.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-05-09 14:01:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGoing back to Russia

In fact, I think going anywhere for 3 months is too much. Yes, there are people who can afford it, because they have tons of money put away, but from what I understand, this is not your case.

I am not that rich to go anywhere just for one week. Plane tickets are expensive, and I will not waste money for one week. This is also a reason why my parents stayed for 3 month in the US. Olga.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-02-26 21:26:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGoing back to Russia

The woman should support him all summer while the man drinks beer and watches t.v. on the couch of course! If she abondons him in this time of need he should find another woman, and fast.

Yeah, my husband watches tv. He likes Simpsons. He doesn't drink beer though... and he doesn't let me have some. I wasn't going to abandon him... but it seems its my only choice now. What do you think, should I look for another girl for him? does anybody know a girl who wants to be a future lawyer's wife? :)

I hope your husband wasn't serious about the divorce ultimatum.

This kind of internal marriage problem is better be solved by both of you without any third or fourth person. Because there are those time when you want to have another advice from someone else and in the end it makes everything worse instead of better.

I know you miss your family very much. But you already knew that you took your own risk whenever you decided to live in the US, everyone here is the same. Some even already miss their family though they haven't left to the US yet. No matter what, you and your husband should come back to the very basis of why you both want to be together, love and compassionates.

My best wishes for you, I really hope you have strength to solve it.
xoxo

This post is awesome. thank you very much for your good words! I know third parties are not going to help us; however, I am really stuck in this situation. I am going to Russia anyway, I just wanted VJ people to help me solve this problem because he seems to care about this site much more than about me...


Well are you working now ?
Will taking time off ruin your job.?

These are things that have to be considered also.... remember you are a team..a couple..You have to think about the family the marriage your in now.. You have to be adult with the decisions.. because a marriage is a relationship built on working together to build the future....

I couldn't imagine saying no to Veronica... But we would need to plan and save for it..so that it doesn't put the family in financial problems.. So you need to think of that also.. Once you have the money saved...and the vacation time coming from your Job.. then it shouldn't be a problem....

Of course to be able to fully see the picture...We need your husbands side of the story...

Yes we are adults. I became an adult when I got married at 18. You have read my husband's side of the story. (I am going to reply to it later). But let me answer your questions: Yes I am working now, probably much more than my husband. But here is the whole situation for you about the job. I am graduating form city college this semester. I applied to different universities. Depending on which school accepts me, we are going to move to that area. So "ruining household" is going to take place anyway. I am going to quit my job because we are moving. The question is WHEN i quit my job- at the beginning of the summer or at the end. My husband was going to go live with his parents, it seems like he likes it much better over there anyway...

Olga,

The standard of living that you have grown accustomed to (i.e.; a roof over your head, food on the table, electricity, etc., which some would consider necessities here in the U.S., or anywhere for that matter) here with your husband is something that the TWO of you together are needed to achieve. If one (or both) of you stops working, even if for only the summer, without proper financial planning, the household will collapse. It is almost impossible for two young people to maintain an independent household (without help from parents, and not living together with them) without both people working.

That said, I realize you miss your family and your homeland. However, visiting Russia for the summer is a major trip, and here in the U.S., to take a major trip usually requires YEARS of hard work to save for, or the sale and close of a household here, that will be moved to Russia. Your husband can't go right now, and for you to stop bringing money into the household for the summer is unacceptable.

The two of you may have a little extra money, but it is not the type of money that is going to pay for your trip and expenses, meanwhile sustaining the household back in California. He was doing it on his own before your arrival and saved all extra money for your household and expenses associated with adding another family member. Once you started working, that money added to the household income, but it still doesn't make "extra" money. If you're going to go to Russia for the summer, you have to factor in the cost and expenses of your trip, PLUS the money that you are NOT bringing in to the household anymore. Now, your $1200 trip just became a $5000+ trip, all the while he still has to pay the rent, the car payments, the insurance, the gas and electric, credit cards, school loans, etc., and anything else associated with your household, all without help from you!

With two young people working, it isn't very hard to make ends meet. Sure, you're not going to be rich, but there really isn't any stress about money, or the lack thereof. With only one person working, it is EXTREMELY hard to make ends meet, especially when one is spending a significant chunk on themselves, and no longer bringing any money in.

I realize the situation you're in. He gets to see his family and friends all the time, and you haven't seen yours in two years. He just keeps working and doing school stuff, while you work and miss him, miss home, and never see an end. It's hard. But what you have to keep in mind is if the two of you work hard at it for two more years, you should have plenty of money for BOTH of you to take off to Russia for the summer. Being married is tough, especially when you're so far away from home, and your life is so dependant on his right now. However, in the long run, that should balance back out, and the two of you should be stronger together.

If you leave for the summer, divorce is not an unacceptable proposal. It would be nearly impossible for him to maintain the household at home while you are away spending a huge chunk of the household's budget. If you do this, when you return... there won't be a household to return to. Part of being a young married couple in the U.S. (and especially California) is being 100% dependant on each other for financial support. To let down your partner financially, once a standard of living has been established, is to let the marriage down. If you're going to let the marriage down by not bringing in your "half" of the money, (and subsequently spending a significant chunk of "his" money as well) divorce is absolutely an option.

I know Satellite is still big in the school thing, so he may need you to "support" him for a while. If you do this, consider it an investment, because by him going to school, and finishing law school, you will have all the money that you want to go visit your relatives in the future. You probably won't even have to work, and can spend every summer in Russia if you so desire. The trade-off for that is supporting him now. That's how marriages here become successful. One partner or the other must sacrifice a desire in the short-term for a pay-off in the long-term.

What I suggest:

Wait until you have vacation time from your job (that way you're still being paid) and take a short trip to Russia to see your family. If he can go with you, great, if not, no big deal, it's a short trip. Come back, support him through school, and then when the two of you have enough money, go for the whole summer, TOGETHER! But for now, it's going to have to be a short trip.

Or, you're going to have to choose between your husband and life here in California, or life in Russia with your friends and family. Good luck with everything.... I have a feeling I'm going to be having this very same talk in a year or two.

To reply to your post, I'll start with a little story. Once I asked my husband- if he would be able to choose what century he would like to live in- what period of time would he choose. He answered that he would like to be a slave owner... So that's my preview. Here is the real story:
While he is concentrates on his studies, I am basically the one who really works and supports the family. I am studying too. But, sometimes I have to sacrifice my classes in order to work. He thinks school is really important (and I agree), so he doesn't do anything at home at all. The only thing that makes me really glad, I am pretty sure he had seen how a hammer looks in some books.
You are saying My husband can't go to russia right now. Yes he can. He just doesnt want to. He hates russia. You know, there are no hamburgers in Siberia...
I am not going to stop bringing money to the household! My patrents are going to pay for my trip Plus they gave us some more money already, and I am working really hard.
Trust me, there Will BE a household to return to. Everything is going to work just fine. My husband will not even miss me.
Honestly, it seems to me you dont quite understand how hard it is to be in a foreign country... Also, how old are you?
I really hoped you would support me... but oh well... everybody has their opinions.

Edited by Satellite, 26 February 2007 - 02:04 AM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-02-26 02:03:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGoing back to Russia
Hi guys. Olga again. I have a lot to say. I am going to work now, while he is enjoying his Sunday off. I'll post my reply in about 10 hours.

Edited by Satellite, 25 February 2007 - 01:46 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-02-25 13:43:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGoing back to Russia
Now the husband speaks. It's pretty unique to be quoting my own name, but I'll do my best to explain "both" sides of the story. As everyone knows my wife never posts on here unless we have an argument. Or in this case an ongoing argument. But here are my comments and you guys decide.

The husband wants his wife to work all summer. He wants her to take care of him.

We make about the same each month, but it all falls apart if half is missing. However, Olga is graduating from junior college this semester and will not start school again until the fall, so this summer I though we'd work full time together and make a few extra dollars since normally we only work part time. Perhaps buy Olga a car or maybe take a nice trip together, since we really can't afford vacations.

She wants to go back home for a visit. She misses her house, her friends, her relatives.

There are some mitigating factors here which were not mentioned. Olga went to Russia for one month for the winter of 2005-2006. Her parents are here now with us and have been here for 3 months are leaving shortly. So naturally going to Russia again and for the whole summer makes me very upset.

He says that if she leaves, he will file for divorce.

It's not so much the money as the leaving for the whole summer that has me upset. I don't think that is acceptable. As far the money thing, I pretty much have to close up the households as others guessed it. That would include terminating our lease, placing our stuff in storage, moving back in with my parents or finding roommates here in the city. Moving back in with my parents would entail about a 4-6 hour total commute each day. Since both my jobs are here in the city.

Don't you guys consider it cruel that my husband doesn't let me go see my family, especially when he goes to his parents almost every week?

My parents live only 100 miles away and we go about twice a month or less. We go there to do the basic things like laundry and food shopping because the prices here in the city are outrageous.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-02-25 13:20:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGoing back to Russia
Hi guys! I would like to ask for your advice! Should a husband let his wife go back to Russia to see her parents, sister, and a small niece? The husband wants his wife to work all summer. He wants her to take care of him... She wants to go back home for a visit. She misses her house, her friends, her relatives. He says that if she leaves, he will file for divorce. Who is right? I know probably that is the hard question... because everybody should solve their problems within the family... but anyway I want you guys to tell me what you think about this. I am that wife... My name is Olga. Don't you guys consider it cruel that my husband doesn't let me go see my family, especially when he goes to his parents almost every week? Thanks in advance!
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-02-25 04:57:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussian Wife comming to the U.S. B-2 before K-3 ???

-My Wife has been to the U.S. 2 times on a J-1 Student visa. I read the Foreign Affairs Manual on this and it does not seem to matter.

This is not exactly true. Check to make sure your wife's former J-1 visa did not have a home residency requirement. If she had it, two years must go by before she can enter the US again on any visa or adjust status unless a waiver is filed.

1) Can she apply for a B-2 Spouse Visa?

You can always apply, it's your $100. The problem will be proving non immigrant intent especially when answering questions 36 and 37 on the DS-156:
"36. Has Anyone Ever Filed a Visa Petition on Your Behalf?
37. Are Any of the Following Persons in the US [Husband / Wife]."
Could you get a visa, techinically yes, is it likeley, not really considering so few of our ladies could get B2 visitor visas without marking yes to those two questions.

2) Would she get approved or denied?

Most likeley denied.

a) If approved can we file the I-130 and I-129F (when she is in the U.S. and not get in trouble and change her status to be here legally

Nothing illegal about that. It is only illegal to adjust to immigrant status if you came in with immigrant intent on a B2 to begin with. Hypothetically if you and your wife came here on a business or pleasure trip with no intention of leaving Russia, because she planned for you to live there with her, and suddenly while in the US her plans changed 180 degrees, then it does work. What you are hinting at with the preconceived intent is illegal. And in both cases you cannot change status to K3 from a B2, see explanation below.

Could she be approved and opened a B-2 Visa if I filed for her K-3 prior?

Yes, but not likely from Russia.

c) Would she, if in the U.S. under the B-2, have to fly back to Russia after the K-3 is approved to be able to receive it and/or change status.

Yes, because "Any nonimmigrant (A to V) may not change their status to K-3 or K-4." See I-539 Change of Status. But one is not prohibited from adjusting status to permenanet residency, but only prohibited from changing status from non immigrant B2 to K3.

d) How long would it take for her to receive the B-2 visa

Vaies by consulate, but time frame is probably around a month or two. Maybe faster.

a) Are there any other solutions to bring my wife to the U.S. without waiting for the K-3 visa?

Certainly, your best bet is a visa that has dual intent to avoid the immigrant intent problem. The prime candidates are the working professional visas H1B (which are all used up for this fiscal year), L1 (inter company transfer), and O extraordinary ability visa.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-07 22:10:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussian Internet

Having his driver meet us at the airport was worth $50 - we wouldn't have been able
to arrange anything much cheaper ourselves, and he knew exactly where we were going.

I had no idea public transit now costs over $50 :P We use it in San Francisco and in Russia, even with luggage. It's kind of exciting. You should see us.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-09 11:28:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussian Internet

Back in 2004 I paid $30 a month for unlimited access. It was DSL, and it was super fast.

That is unbelievable for Russia. They just don't get the concept of unlimited or flat rate. Of all the computer experts I spoke to in Russia, none of them could name a single company offering unlimited usage at a flat rate. Granted some companies offered pretty good deals if you purchased say 100 gigabytes of traffic, but none were unlimited. Moscow might be the exception here, I think.

However, a lot of internet companies offered "intranet" which was unlimited access to a local network. This is very popular to get all the pirated movies, software, music, and other peer to peer things. But otherwise, nothing was really flat rate or unlimited.

Edited by Satellite, 07 June 2007 - 09:32 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-07 21:30:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussian Internet

I'm very pleased to have internet access here in Russia. The downside is that it is ridiculously expensive. 1.6 rubles/Megabyte. That is about 65 dollars/GB. While DSL is reasonably fast, this is insane. 1 day of light VJ use and email is running me about $10.

There is a feature in internet explore that allows you to turn off images. All images will appear as open boxes and you have the option to click show image. Go to tools -> internet options -> advanced- > multimedia ->s how pictures. That is how the computer I used in Russia was setup. That way you don't squander all your traffic on silly signatures, pop ups, and the like.

Edited by Satellite, 07 June 2007 - 09:48 AM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-07 09:43:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPolice certificate

BTW, does the police report need translating for the embassy in Moscow?...

This has been asked numerous times. The poster below almost got it right.

All documents must be translated into english. If the language is other than Russian it must me notorized.

However, the police certificate does not have to be translated into English for two reasons:
1. Personal experience of myself and others.
2. See Embassy Instructions:

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


Notice how the birth certificate and divorce decrees need a translation, yet the police certificate has no such language. Simple logic would lead one to conclude it is not required.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-06 11:51:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusinternational passports for russian citizens

OVIR is no more. It's all done through the post office now, from what I've heard. I think there is an official redesignation, but I'm not sure of the new name.

Slim, the OP was talking about Passport Services for Russian Citizens! The OVIR perhaps under a new name is certainly still there. The building does property registration and has the passport desk. An other administrative functions. It simply doesn't do foreign citizen registrations. It probably still does foreign permanent residency and the like.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-03 10:28:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusinternational passports for russian citizens
I believe all Russian passports are made through an internal ministry something like the OVIR only for Russian citizens. The government has a monopoly over this process and you cannot go to a third party to make a Russian travel passport. The wait time is one month and the cost last time I was there was something around 450 roubles. I also remember long queues to both drop off and pick up the passports. To expedite the process, if it is even done, would have to be with the government officials. Bribe perhaps if it is not officially done. Hiring some agency seems rather shady.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-01 23:23:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusinternational passports for russian citizens
Expedited at a Russian consulate in the US or in Russia?
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-01 14:29:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusBack To Russia

That's not just a Russian saying.

Sorry for the assumption, I just never heard any of my American counterparts use it in my 18 years here.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-04-30 10:50:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusBack To Russia

You've gotta let her know on this trip that if she's not going to do all the washing, ironing and cleaning.... she can't come!
And then laugh and say, "I'm just kidding honey....

There is a Russian saying, [translated] "for every joke there is some truth to it."
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-04-30 09:25:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPacket 3 for Moscow Embassy

How does she get the interview date?

She gets notified by two ways:
1. Checking the embassy website:
http://moscow.usemba...ar/iv_dates.php
Look for your case number from your NOA2.
2. Receiving the package which will state the date you must appear. Like jury duty, you get no initial choice.
As far as their logic in assigning dates, I hope they do it by cases received, but I am sure they have other elaborate ways of scheduling interviews. Unless one works at the embassy I am not any is qualified to give an answer here.
Of course one must actually have an approved I-129F sent by the NVC to the consulate to start this process.

I thought a check list of documents needs to be signed and sent back and the embassy will schedule a date for interview and notify her. Is this not the process?

And the answer is:

You send nothing back to them.

You thought wrong. The key to your success in working with Moscow is to avoid listening to advise at the consulate level from fellow VJers who have gone through any embassy besides Moscow.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-13 21:11:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPacket 3 for Moscow Embassy
Don't forget medical exams are only good for one year. This becomes a bigger issue for AOS if you want to avoid doing another one here for big money without health insurance. Simply put if you jump the gun on the medical by a few months, then wait another few months to actually come to the US after the visa is issued and then wait some more months to file your AOS, the medical might expire by then.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-05-24 10:42:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusTime it takes to schedule an interview at Moscow Embassy

Now I don't know whether to be worried that my case is an anomaly because of some problem or that things are now taking longer for some reason (summer, glut of current cases, etc.)

Your case is not an anomaly. It looks closer to how long it took for us in the summer of 2004. Because Moscow posts interview dates online it takes away the element of surprise. Therefore if you get your NOA2 today and they have scheduled through August, you know your interview isn't going to before the other scheduled dates! Good recognition.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-06-15 15:35:00