ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNew Russian Visa registration forms
Does anyone remember what the policy is if you enter Russia on say on April 1 in Moscow, yet it takes you 7 days by train to reach your finally destination of Vladivostok. Have you violated the 72 hour registration rule? I remember back in the old days the OVIR demanded a 1000 ruble fine from some poor Ukrainian grandma who traveled from Ukraine to Siberia and also did not register before she arrived 4 days later! Ukrainians don't need visas to Russia, but still do the registration thing.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-04-03 13:59:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAdvice Before She Arrives

the driving part is a piece of cake.

Perhaps if you live in some rural part of the country. Try driving in San Francisco with little or no experience. I have 10 years of experience and it still scares me when I encounter some situations in the city.

I'm tired of being the chauffeur!!

I agree and my wife also got her license very quickly when we lived out in a rural part of California with my parents in the first 90 days of her arrival. She hardly drives once we got to San Francisco. I have stick shift car which is no problem when on flat land, small city, and wide streets (central valley), but try parallel parking on a steep slope with streets wide enough for a horse to pass by!
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-04-10 08:31:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHow did you meet?

In short, every woman I know in Russia can and will lie to you at some point, but they are also sincere about wanting love, marriage and a family more than anything else, and they are all wonderful prospects for someone

Well believe me, there are others who are not so sincere about wanting love, marriage and a family more than anything else... or perhaps they feel that way in Russia, but once they've Americanized (aka established their own choices in America) decide that marriage and a family are NOT what they wanted.

PurrSuede, what makes you think the next lady you bring in from Russia won't "Americanize" on you? Since I think we are in agreement that you won't find out in Russia on those short meetings. I guess we are just split on our theories on when things go bad. You believe in Americanization and I believe in undisclosed fraud from the beginning.
In reality I still think the real test begins after the unconditional green card / citizenship is achieved.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-10-19 10:35:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHow did you meet?

Basically it boils down to this: the basis of your relationship (and her pending immigration) should be based on love and everything else should be erroneous. If she's placing more emphasis on where you're going to live, what car she's going to drive, what her allowance is going to be, etc., then you've got a girl that is looking for a better life. If she's saying "nothing matters, only that we be together" then you should be OK.

Slim, don't you think these ladies also learn from these agencies, other websites, or friends not only how to properly attract US men through email but what to say and what to avoid saying in order to get to their ultimate goal of a green card / citizenship if that is what it happens to be?
I've read enough from you guys to be an independent consultant to the ladies that want to commit fraud and get away with it. :P
The Soviet mentality of lying, stealing and cheating is just embedded in the people along with other things like alcohol. If there is anyone that can pull of the perfect scam, it has to be the Russian lady.

Edited by Satellite, 18 October 2006 - 11:25 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2006-10-18 23:25:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHow did you meet?

I think the USCIS might take offense at it, since it's clearly FRAUDULENT intent, Satellite...

Sorry for being so blunt in the thought process. Neither party would ever mention their true intentions to either themselves or the USCIS. USCIS is thus left totally in the dark. But something of the equal exchange that I mentioned should cross the minds of both parties getting involved in these quick meet, "fall in love", and get married internet schemes. Screaming fraud to the USCIS long after the fact is a lost cause in my opinion. Smart Russian ladies will never disclose their true intent, that's my point. And there are plenty of smart ladies in Russia who won't pass up a good opportunity to escape Russia for three years of undisclosed fake love.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-10-18 13:45:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHow did you meet?

They get what they deserve - losers with serious control issues, incapable of building a relationship based on equality. What I see is women from poor backgrounds, underdeveloped Russian cities, with low self-esteem entering into mail-order arrangements with losers and abusers.

I always thought you needed some sort of sophistication to use the internet and to meet and sign up with one of these agencies.
One of the ladies I met in Russia who advertises herself on these sort of websites happens to be my wife's friend's mother. And we even got to meet the American you describe. However, he spoke no Russian. And while the lady would curse and laugh at the American for being a total idiot in Russian in front of us, he would respond with "I love you too honey".
I don't feel sorry for the ladies or the American men one bit. This lady certainly has her eyes set on using this guy for a green card. And it is a fair exchange. 3 years of pretend love from a hot lady for the American and a green card / citizenship for the Russian lady who gets an opportunity for the American dream. Nobody should take offense to that, unless they some how thought the Russian lady actually loved them for anything but a green card. :P
As soon as you take "love" out of the equation and look to market theory and contract principles as Slim does, then these marriage broker websites don't seem that bad.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-10-17 13:13:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHow did you meet?

I don't assume nothing,...

Since she probably speaks better English than you do, there was no language barrier.

I can't believe you had the guts to imply something about my English when you don't even know me. That's just so nasty.

Silly Chick, since you use double negatives in your sentences, a simple violation of English grammar, I can't blame AK for hinting that his wife's English might be better than yours. And since you, like me, make mistakes in grammar, you shouldn't be upset by it, and instead learn from your mistakes.
Correction - "I don't assume anything..."
http://leo.stcloudst...ar/doubneg.html


if someone who arrives in the U.S. as a "student" and then gets married 5 months later has somehow got a magic lock on what constitutes a "real" relationship.

Actually, I met my husband online too...

Since your previous posts hint that what AK said is true, and I assume you met your husband before you came to the US on a F-1 visa, it sounds to me like you used the F-1 visa as a way to avoid doing the K-1. I am sure the USCIS wouldn't be pleased with that during your adjustment, if you haven't done so already. I know, save the rebuttal, you didn't know him well enough to marry at the time your F-1 was issued or you met him online after you came here :P
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-10-17 11:36:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHow did you meet?
I met my wife through random chatting on ICQ. I, like her, was also born in the former USSR. No language barrier and no intention to seek marriage via ICQ for both of us.

Edited by Satellite, 16 October 2006 - 01:47 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2006-10-16 13:47:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNeed CHEAPEST room in Moscow- 2/3 nights.
Try the suburbs of Moscow. Much cheaper. 1 hour or less on commuter train.
Also:
http://www.russia-ho....ru/hostels.php
http://www.irr.ru/
http://www.hostels.com

Or simply sleep at the train station.

Never heard of camping in Moscow. Plus its cold there during this time of the year, it is not a tropical island :) Plus it will definitely attract the attention of the militia who are just waiting to check the documents of the "unregistered" visitors.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-03-26 21:06:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNOA2!! Need some advice!!

I'm not going to ask my fiance to take the day off or time off and send her on a wild goose chase to save me a "few bucks." but if you want to do that to your fiance which it sounds like you dont mind go ahead. I personally prefer to pay 200.00 more and get my passport and visa back in 5 working days and not have to deal with it or the Russian Government as you so accurately described. Some things are worth the premium!! Thats why there's a premium!!

My fiancee then worked for a living and now is a full time student and nearly employed full time. She understood then as she hopefully understands now that $200 is a lot of money for us. Next, if she takes one day off of work she loses 200 rubles or does it on her day off anyway. However, if I pay a $200 premium that means 2 days of wages. So who has more to lose? And my fiancee understood $200 spent on something she was actually able to do in a few hours and a few phone calls means that is $200 less dollars I have when I am with her.

Everyone spends their money how they please. Plus, it is quite evident from what you describe that money is not as much as an issue for you as it was for us. So for those in my boat I always try to explain how things can be done for much less and to have faith in your fiancee's ability to get you a visa as much as she has faith in you getting a visa for her.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-04-16 21:20:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNOA2!! Need some advice!!

From what I hear, private visa's are a pain in the *** and they take some time to get.

The invitation can be hard to get. But your fiancee deals with that, not you. But for her, all dealings with the Russian government is a pain. For example registering her car or property. Getting her passport. Paying her bills. Getting free medical service. The invitation is no more difficult or easier than those things. Just ask her.
Plus, if you have to work so hard to get her a K1 she can work a little to save you a few bucks with a private in my opinion.
But once the invitation is in hand it takes no longer to process than any other visa. Just read the Russian consulate processing times.

...
I like quick results and certainty.
...

You must not be talking about anything to do with Russia! :no: :lol: :no:

Couldn't agree more.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-04-16 09:05:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNOA2!! Need some advice!!

My money is tight and tickets jump from 1158.00 May 31 to 2050 on June 1.

If your money is tight, then why would you waste $450 on processing a business visa as you mentioned in another thread?

I have used optima-worldwide 2 times for tourist visa. I will send for my business visa 3/19. It costs 450.00 for 5 day return, or 350.00 for 9 day an so on up to 23 days i think. I personally do not want my passport sitting on someone's desk for longer than 5 business days so I will pay the 450.00. This includes all supporting documents. You will need a multiple entry business visa.

http://www.visajourn...showtopic=63853
If you would have planned ahead as you apparently had for future timing of your interview and NOA2, then you could have easily had your fiancee get you a private visa invitation back in March for the cost of a couple hundred rubles and you would have only had to pay for visa processing at a Russian consulate for a total of $100. Quite a bargain compared to the $450 you are about to pay. Private visa gets you 90 days just like the business visa and you don't even need to order any hotels. Just do the regular post office registration for under $1. Have your fiancee who speaks Russian and lives in Russia thus knows the system handle this for you.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-04-16 00:49:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAffidavit of Support for K-1

I am self-employed now. Well, technically, I am the president, CEO, and sole employee of a corporation that I am the only owner of. I'm not really self-employed, I'm employed by the corporation I own. Even so, I pay myself a check, cut myself a W-2, and cut myself a schedule K-1. I do not use the schedule C at all now (although I did before I incorporated and changed how I do things). This is a pretty good way to go in terms of documenting things for immigration purposes, but if you are already in the midst of an immigration process, it's a little late in the game for it.

I pay myself as well from a corporation I own. This is really the best way to do things, as:

1) Corporation protects is owners from liability.
2) AMT does not exist for corporations. $1,000,000 in income and $980,000 in writeoffs for an individual will still trigger a huge tax bill. Sole Props (sch. C) limit this somewhat, but not as well as a corporation.
3) The books are cleaner - no opportunity to co-mingle money. Good paper trail if you are audited.

It isn't uncommon to have income from all of these sources at once.


Don't worry Slim, I'm also one of those W2 earners, so you are not alone. But for our single stock holder corporation owners I'm probably preaching to the choir when I mention the piercing the corporate veil doctrine.
If your corporations ever go south, here is how your creditors could still hold you personally liable:
(Some) Factors Used to Justify Piercing the Corporate Veil:
1. Alter ego/Instrumentality
a. commingling of funds and assets
b. failure to observe corporate formalities
c. under capitalization: where the corporation is formed without capital adequate to meet known and expected business risks;
2. Deception/misrepresentation/fraud
Things used to show a single entity.
1. Cash management system.
2. Approval for major expenditures
3. Domination of board of directors
4. Promotional literature.
Two-part test:
1. Single economic entity and
2. Unfair to operate in this way.


To avoid these problems: Protecting the Veil:
1. Provide adequate capital for the entity’s intended purpose
2. Document the capital infusion
3. If the entity is a corporation, issue certificates or clearly provide documentation that the shares are uncertificated
4. At a minimum, prepare annual minutes for meetings of shareholders and directors.
–Even better, adopt resolutions reflecting approval of all major corporate actions. LLCs should also document actions!
5. Pay dividends when possible.
6. Do not install other directors and officers who will be there simply for window dressing.
–Either involve directors and officers in their respective roles or do away with the positions
7. Do not blur the entities’ identities. Use separate letterhead. Don’t use the same or similar name or logo for related companies.
8. Deal with related entities at arm’s length
9. Do not divert assets
10. Do not favor a related creditor

The following was a piece of my law school outline for corporations. Take it as that and not as legal advice.

Edited by Satellite, 14 April 2007 - 12:15 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-04-14 12:14:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusComing to America

For you to come onto this public forum and write what you wrote does a huge disservice the these couples.

I have seen 60 year olds with 20 year olds here in Orlando.. thats all i was saying

The irony of this, is that over in the MENA (Middle East North Africa) forum, the exact opposite stereotype is occurring. Older women bringing over young men and to add to the fun, from countries our nation has labeled as "terrorist alert". But then again we have enough issues here in the Russian forum to go running over there to poke some fun.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-04-21 10:07:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusgoing to moscow. any suggestions?

While climbing down 32 flights in between lots of prayers I said to myself that I would never let money stop me from enjoying a little better life

Unfortunately, like you, for most of us too, it takes something of a catastrophic event to "jump start" us into having fun.

I would love to live like Jello describes but there several practical things stopping me. One, after my credit cards reach their limit it wont be long before nobody extends me any more credit to live like money is no issue. Then what should I do?
So in the end I am not big on "saving" but rather I believe in stretching every dollar to is maximum capacity. That is the philosophy you get from living pay check to pay check.
Second, no tragic event would really change my philosophy, because even if I was a 9/11 survivor my financial position would not change one bit, unless I was to recover some money from an outside source.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-08-22 13:29:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusgoing to moscow. any suggestions?

the hotel where we stayed was $1,500 per night.

Just out of curiosity, if you can afford $1,500 a night for 10 days, why are you doing the whole K1 thing pro se? Just give an attorney a few grand and let him worry about it.

Edited by Satellite, 20 August 2006 - 06:27 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2006-08-20 18:27:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusgoing to moscow. any suggestions?
Jello,
If you would have spent the time to click my profile you would have realized that my AOS filing was Fresno, but I currently reside in San Francisco.
But that is besides the point. The Fresno office has a huge area of jurisdiction. Back when we were doing AOS I lived with parents and we were a good 100 miles away from Fresno and it was still our service center despite the fact San Francisco and Sacramento were only 80 miles away.

That aside, I agree with you, that if you have a good cash flow that comes in easy, then sure spend it. But to be honest with you, the amount of money I spend on rent in San Francisco for a tiny one bedroom apartment would be enough for a four bedroom home in a place like Fresno.
And for the right price, right here in San Francisco I can probably have equal if not better accommodations than you in New York. But like you said, I can't afford it.
But the way income distribution works in this country and in Russia, there are a whole lot more people who are poor like me than rich like you. :P So, my rant about spending $500 a day on a hotel will be more understandable to more people on VJ.
But from my experience in Russia, no matter how much money you spend you'll never be able to "buy" American accommodations. So when in Russia, why even bother? Live like a local, which is actually a lower standard of living than even our working class, and you'll better understand your fiancee and the world she comes from.
If you want to spoil your fiancee, save it for the US, that's my two cents.

Edited by Satellite, 19 August 2006 - 10:24 AM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2006-08-19 10:21:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusgoing to moscow. any suggestions?

Some RW will tell you to keep quiet and try to buy two "Russian tickets" but you'll likely stand out like a sore thumb, so pay the price for the foreigner ticket.

We bought the "Russian" priced tickets all the time, even though I am not a Russian citizen. The only time I got "caught" is when I decided to push the envelope and request two (even more discounted) student tickets and when asked to show my "student ticket" as it is called in Russia I pulled out my UC Berkeley ID card and claimed to be local studying there. That is when the lady finally asked to see my Russian passport and we just went to another cashier and bought a regular Russian ticket and one student ticket for my wife.
Just wanted to add that this took place at the Tretyakovskaya, a huge art gallery if you are into those kind of things.

Edited by Satellite, 18 August 2006 - 02:33 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2006-08-18 14:29:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusgoing to moscow. any suggestions?

We always rent an apartment for several days thru gotorussia.com.

Let your girl take the lead and you'll be ok. Let her do the buying and the negotiating..she'll know what to do.

This sure sounds very hypocritical or contradictory at best. My wife at the time would never consider jumping on a website designed for an English speaking tourist and rent a place through them. She would go local through her Russian contacts and negotiate a Russian price for Russian accommodations. No offense to gorussia.com, I am sure they are good, but their clientele make an American salary which is not a Russian salary. Just some food for thought. Where as a local newspaper in Russia will have the local Russian in mind when it posts a listing for $100 a week for an apartment rental.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-08-17 21:02:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusgoing to moscow. any suggestions?

In light of the fact that you speak no Russian and your fiancee's English is limited, in my opinion I think it might be wise to spend a few more dollars and stay at one of the nicer American brand hotels (I stay at the Ararat Park Hyatt when in Moscow). It is expensive (about $500 - $600 per night), but everyone at the hotel speaks very good English and they are extremely helpful (which is especially good since you don't speak Russian and have never been to Moscow).

Wow! That was our entire Moscow budget for two weeks :P If someone is actually going to spend $2000-$3000 for a week's stay, you can split half with me and I'll come a along and show you how to survive on the remaining $1500 :P
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-08-17 14:34:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHelp, I need advice

I have over 2 years, $40,000 and my whole heart invested in her.

Sounds like this business venture has gone down hill. Talk to PurrSuede and see if you are heading down the same path towards divorce.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-08-23 21:44:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusTrip to Kazan

Supposed to meet 3 Russian girls in Kazan, hopefully not all at once. I hope my timeline will start then.

I wouldn't be too worried about gangs and crime. But in your case I'd be on a particular look out, because if any of these girls get a hint that you went "shopping for a girl" then I wouldn't be surprised if they sent a friend or relative to "take care of you".

Edited by Satellite, 26 July 2006 - 11:15 AM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2006-07-26 11:14:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRequesting a Russian birth certificate while out of the country
According to the Russian Consulate website here in San Francisco it costs $50 to get a document from the Russian archives and can take between 1 to 6 months. So the horror stories must be correct.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-09-04 11:40:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMarried one year

Interesting, my use of "###" gets censored but your use of ###### is perfectly fine? Is something wrong with this picture?

Perhaps things only get censored on this site when someone complains via the report button. Since all of us tend to be more mature and laid back then the rest of VJ folks in the general forums, no one here gets banned or has their posts censored.
Although I do have one notable exception during the criticism of grandpa Nick by figsybigsy.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-09-08 16:32:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusWork Permit at POE

if we do not need an EAD to work then why do we have to apply for one and pay the fee?

As I pointed out in my previous post, I took issue only at the part that you "must" stop working while you wait for your real EAD. Obviously we apply for an EAD because it is hard to get hired without one in the first place. But once hired, to quit your job while you wait for the government to give you a benefit you would receive otherwise if it was not for their backlog doesn't always seem rational. The loss of a steady full time job because you had to stop will result in a lot more money than the $180 EAD cost.

But it is an individual choice I guess... you either accept the rules or you pick out the bits you like and ignore the bits you dont and hope for the best....

I couldn't agree more. INA§245(c ) explicitly states that 245(a) (unlawful presence and unauthorized work) will be ignored if you are an immediate relative. That is the law. There is no hope or luck involved here.
It is not about picking out which part of the law you like most, but rather picking out the law that applies to your fact pattern.
As I understand for some people like myself, if we don't have that second income we go under. So each situation is unique and should be examined on an individual basis.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-09-13 18:27:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusWork Permit at POE

Has anyone been issued a work permit at their POE?

My wife did not get one at LAX.

If so, where?

Others have gotten them exclusively at JFK.

And how does it all work, gotta get EAD later, pay for it, how much, etc., etc., etc.?

If you get an EAD at JFK it is free and is valid for the duration of your fiancee status as a K1. She falls out of status at the end of 90 days, leaving the US, upon your death if it occurs before marriage, or marriage to you. Once either of these occur the temporary EAD is no longer valid. You will then need to pursue a real EAD if you do not want to wait for the completion of your AOS processing. That EAD will cost you $180.
http://www.uscis.gov...forms/i-765.htm
The processing time will vary. But if you do not receive an EAD after 90 days based on your priority date NOA1 for I-765, you can apply for a interim EAD that is free from your local USCIS office.
If you do not receive a temporary EAD at the POE you end up waiting until you file for a real EAD based on your AOS filing which can be done in one package which is sent of to the lockbox.
Having any kind of EAD alone is not sufficient to work. You will also need to get a social security card. Again the processing times for that vary.

And if your fiance(e)s/wives are working now, how did they do it, and how long did it take?

My wife now working. She started working on the second day after we filed for AOS at a walkin appointment at our local USCIS office. Two years ago it was still possible to do these and at our office EAD's were issued on the spot. She no longer has an EAD, because the greencard has superseded it. It took us 70+ days to get married and less than a week to find a job and receive an EAD card.

Only POE that seams to be giving out Temp EAD is JFK... it is only valid for 90 days and then you have to stop work... there will be a gap of a few weeks or more before the 1 years EAD that you file for with AOS will be issued...

I agree with the JFK statement but disagree with the "must" stop working statement. And my explanation is based on the INA§245(a) and (c )
245(a) normally would prevent someone from adjusting status if they are inadmissible. Common grounds for becoming inadmissible are:
212(a)(6)(A)(i): Immigration violators
212(a)(9)(B )(i): Unlawful presence.
Our concern here is unlawful presence which occurs when you work when you are not authorized as Kezzie has stated in his response.
However, upon looking at 245( c ), this section says, not withstanding the provisions in 245(a) an immediate relative is exempt from the unlawful presence factors which would disqualify many other applicants for adjustment of status.
Thus one may both overstay their status and work while not being unauthorized while successfully adjusting status to an immediate relative such as a spouse as stated in Slim's response.
There is a catch though. While someone is in unlawful status such as working without authorization they are still deportable and can be placed in removal proceedings.
But odds are ICE (immigration and customs enforcement) isn't going to pick you up unless you present yourself to an immigration official at your cognizance such as an airport or are picked up by the criminal justice system who then place an ICE hold on you.

I hope this complicated but fuller explanation better guides you on the course of action you choose to follow.
For a full view of the law go to:
http://www.uscis.gov....htm#slb-act245
http://www.uscis.gov...r...ame.htm&2.0

Edited by Satellite, 13 September 2006 - 03:00 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2006-09-13 14:58:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPassport name change and such
Great news akdiver,
I wish the Seattle consulate had jurisdiction in San Francisco. But as we all know, my wife was told to head to Russia and do internal passport changes first before any external passports will be changed. I guess we can try again, but as usual Russia has different rules depending on where you are at.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-08-01 12:26:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMOSCOW HOTELS

Trying to get the private visa involved so many documents that it was not practical to get.

This is the problem with Russia. All the regions come up with their own rules. In Tomsk, the only documents needed for a private visa was a photocopy of my passport page, pay slip from the bank, and an application form filled out by my wife. That was submitted to the OVIR and 6 weeks later an invitation was ready for pick up. The invitation was then mailed to me, which I along with my visa application form, passport, and money order submitted to the Russian consulate in San Francisco. 2 weeks later the 90 day single entry visa was ready.
Other regions as you guys describe must come up with different rules and requirements and that is a shame for such a lack in consistency.

Edited by Satellite, 18 September 2006 - 09:04 AM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2006-09-18 09:03:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMOSCOW HOTELS

Can a guest visa even be used in my situation - 2 cities where I'll be staying more than 3 days each? I understood that a guest visa is only used for the city in which it is issued.

By guest you mean private? Yes. I stayed in Tomsk and Moscow for over 3 days. In Tomsk I registered through the simple processes I described in the other post. In Moscow I had my 2 day hotel register me for 2 weeks. They broke the law, but they were cool about it. Surprisingly no bribe was required, even though I was prepared to give one.
I can understand that you wife would be nervous about dealing with US authorities in terms of getting a US visa. So was my wife. But my wife had no problems about dealing with Russian authorities. She marched right into the OVIR and everything was taken care of smoothly. She lived in that country for many years and had no problems.
It is the same comfort level you will have walking your wife into the Social Security Office or DMV when she arrives. You wouldn't pay someone $50 to do that for you, no matter how much your wife suppose would insist on it :P
Yes, you are right, the airport only cares about a registration stamp. My comment about wrong sponsor would be the difficulty you would encounter if you have a tourist visa given out by a hotel and try to have your wife register you at the OVIR.
According to Russian law, on a private visa you can stop at as many OVIR's and register if you stay at the city longer than 3 days. But ultimately as in my case my first registration covered 90 days, no matter where I traveled. And in reality the extra registration is only to satisfy local militia officers in the particular city I was at.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-09-17 22:55:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMOSCOW HOTELS

Am I inviting trouble if I don't let the renting agency do the whole visa process?

I have no idea why you guys have so much trouble with this. I had my fiancee do my invitation and registration for under $15 total. She sent me the invitation and then she took me down to the OVIR. The problem is that you guys don't plan to far enough ahead and thus suffer by worrying if the agency will take care of you. You are at the whim of the inviting agency when it comes to registration, hence I always had my wife do it for me. Thus to end your worries pay them what they ask and stop worrying about it. Unless you want to try to go to the OVIR yourself and try to register. You'll encounter two basic problems:
1. Wrong visa, OVIR usually registers private visas. I'm not sure if they do business visas as well.
2. Wrong sponsor. They want the party that invited to sign off.
These people that rent hotels:
1. Should have the authority to register you as if they were a hotel; or
2. Should do a private or business visa invitation for you if they don't.
For a Russian to pay less than $1 to the central bank and to take you by bus to the OVIR to register you, a process that can take less than 30 minutes if you follow correct procedure, is a steal if they charge you $50! I wish I could open something similar in America.
By the way the cost of those invitations is less than $15 for Russians. Again a handsome profit. Regardless of who orders them hotel, private person, or a business.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-09-17 14:06:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMOSCOW HOTELS

So... What do you guys do about the registration stamp on your Russian migration card?

I always come over on a private visa and thus am entitled to 90 day registration at the OVIR. Cost is less than a $1 paid to the Central bank and receipt returned to the OVIR. For those that travel on tourist visas, your hotel or inviting organization should do it for you. Ideally it should be free because you chose them over someone else. Same goes for business visa.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-09-17 12:45:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMOSCOW HOTELS
Since your fiancee is searching you'll be able to get the price you want if not lower.
Has she tried:
http://www.irr.ru/
Also check the surrounding suburbs of Moscow. Small towns located about 20-50 minutes away from Moscow by commuter train have bargain rates. This is how we lived, granted we stayed for free at her uncle's flat in Korolev. But see rental ads in that town with prices comparable to Siberia.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-08-25 14:24:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusmoscow embassy affidavis of support

Why are you dealing with a lawyer?

Perhaps he prefers delays and likes to pay an extra $2000+ to have someone else fillout and mail out the forms?
My guess is as good as anyone elses.
I suppose if the lawyer really botches things up then he at least has a possible malpractice action while we have no none to blame for our RFE/denial.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-09-05 12:26:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusmoscow embassy

OVIR? In Russia? LOL Russia has not OVIR a lot of years!

As I understand it, Moscow started a pilot program a few months ago to remove the OVIR. However, different regions of Russia have been slow to implement it. In Tomsk, the OVIR is still standing. It is divided into many sections. Passport services for Russians getting an external passport. Property registration and the like. And of course foreign registration / visa services.
I have always been able to register without a bribe. It required going to the bank to pay the duty and returning with one photo and a filled out small application. The sponsoring individual was with me as well just in case.
But if you are indeed from Russia, I wish more people would have your attitude about bribes. Maybe if all of society adopted your point of view Russia would be a pleasant place to visit.
In my experience everything in Russia can be done without bribes if you are willing to wait and stay within in the law.
As soon as you want to speed things up or go beyond the "stated" rules then a bribe of any kind becomes necessary.
The key to bribes in Russia is to find the correct person to bribe and the correct amount.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-09-16 18:49:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusQuestion

What US bank orders rubles for you?

I wonder too, similarily, what airport in the USA has rubles at the currency exchange? I can attest to no rubles in SFO or LAX, but I was just looking. And has anyone encountered the newly released 5000 ruble note?
http://english.newslab.ru/news/197451
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-09-19 18:17:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusQuestion

One last thing... have your girl exchange the money for you. When the fat old lady with the mole on her lip tells you that the small rip in your $50 bill is going to cost you $30, you'll just nod and say "OK. Spaaseeeva balshoooeeeea." (and that's how it'll sound to her.) But your girl will say (in that sexy Russian pissed off girl voice (that is so common when dealing with "customer servants" in Russia)) "No. You will give us the full $45 back."

Slim is starting to understand the power your ladies have in Russia to get things done without you getting ripped off. Just imagine how much you would save if you let your ladies handle all of your transactions in Russia from buying fresh meat to renting an apartment!
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-09-19 12:12:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHow many Russian ladies that post here who have finsihed the visa process without the aid of a lawyer...

Of course you didn't know that she has adapted and over come so many obsticles in her life that I am willing to support her on this one thing. She looks out for her family and helps them more than most of my friends here help their family. She has said things to me that have convinced me she is a very smart person.

If all of the above is true then there is really no need to have this thread. The person you describe now would be more than capable of doing the "Moscow part" on her own.
I apologize for my remarks, I am just basing it on personal opinion as my fiancee had great command of what to do and how to get it done in her own country that she is very proud of.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-09-23 14:38:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHow many Russian ladies that post here who have finsihed the visa process without the aid of a lawyer...

The biggest thing we are worried about is the Moscow part once I send her the NOA2.

Here is how I see it. If your fiancee is unable to go through the interview part and successfully navigate international travel to come to you, she will never make it in America and will be a huge burden on you.
Moscow is part of HER country. There should be nothing to worry about. The only US interaction is the interview and no one is allowed in except her anyway!
To be honest, I would be reconsidering my decision to marry a lady who is unable to navigate the "Moscow part" in her own country.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-09-23 09:42:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussian Language Self-Study

? ???? ????!

You made one more mistake in this sentence.
It is ? ???? ???y! Rather than "????".
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-09-24 11:32:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussian Language Self-Study
russ,
You mention all these study aids, are you still using them now? I must be crazy, but wouldn't your wife be the best source to learn Russian from? You guys could try speaking Russian in the home. Or she can tutor you for an hour a day.
I can't really vouch for any particular method because Russian was my first language, granted I left the USSR when I was 6. But as a current student I would vouch for the junior college classes. There is something about a classroom setting that forces you to learn.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-03-19 20:55:00