ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusI am moving to Russia
For a practical matter make sure you still have a tax return for next year in order to avoid the whole co-sponsorship issue. Although you sound set because you will still be in business and working.
Are you doing the business visa to stay over 3 months? The whole deal with the HIV test and whatever other ####### the Russian side requires?
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-02-19 10:43:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarustravel to russia,what can be easier if you don't want any problems

you kidding,of course i will go only after ap and green card. we are not in a hurry.

You can't have both an AP and green card at the same time. Usually at the AOS interview the EAD and AP is taken from you. If you have no plans of immediate travel to Russia or anywhere else, don't bother with the AP at all. We saved the money and it turned out fine. For those with the emergency argument for getting an AP, in our case even if there was a legitimate emergency there is still no money to buy an airline ticket. That's life.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-02-05 17:54:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarustravel to russia,what can be easier if you don't want any problems

After he is given a US passport, even though it will say he was born in Russia in it, it would not matter, they will NOT ask him for his Russian passport, that's a fact. I know it because I was born in Russia, traveled there many times myself, including everyone I know who were born there and are now US citizens.

You are just wrong here.
Look at:
http://www.consulrus.....KED QUESTIONS
Take particular attention to question 13. Based on personal experience, my US passport says I was born in Latvia. Not even Russia. And I still had to bring in our old "exit visa" as a refugee from the USSR as proof that I am no longer a citizen of Russia! So I have no idea how all the people you "know" managed to get Russian visas in their US passports when they clearly are Russian citizens! They are very serious about this requirement.

*If they do, your friend Benjamin Franklin will kindly explain to them that you're already registered with the Selective Service, and should they need you, they know where to call.* Then you could leave using your U.S. green card as authorization to exit, and then re-enter the U.S. with no problems.

Your wrong about this one too. When a Russian citizen enters Russia using Russian documents (he has no choice as we discussed above) he is treated as a Russian citizen. The US government can't do anything to help even it's own citizen who is also a Russian citizen.
Pay close attention to the following:
"ultimately only Russian officials have the authority to resolve a dispute in Russia. The Embassy cannot arrange for your release from detention, act as your attorney nor provide funds to hire an attorney. "
http://www.usembassy...cord_id=acsinfo
Your green card or US passport only acts as chance to board an airline to the US. It is the Russian authorities who get to decide if you "actually" leave the country. Remember the "exit passport control" in Russia?
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-02-03 00:17:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarustravel to russia,what can be easier if you don't want any problems

I looked in the Russian embassy site and there was something about legalization my documents in Russian embassy in the US.What can I do to avoid going to military?Did anybody has this experience or have anything to say about it?

Last I recall, if you want to get out compulsory military service in Russia you simply pay a bribe to the right person. Aside from that, perhaps being placed on "??????????? ????" at the Russian consulate that has jurisdiction over your residence might solve the problem. The registration indicates that you are a "registered" Russian citizen residing permanently abroad. But I don't know what bearing if any that will have on military service. It works wonders for avoiding the "????????" system while temporally visiting Russia. I would email or call the consulate and ask. It's a question I asked on here a long time ago concerning children born in the US who decide to get dual Russian / US citizenship and what they should expect about compulsory military service once reaching the age of majority as well as any tax obligations if any.
http://www.visajourn...amp;hl=military
Of course the only almost guaranteed solution to avoiding Russian military service is to denounce your Russian citizenship at the local Russian consulate. But that is an extreme measure for a situation not likely to happen.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-02-01 16:38:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusK-1 Visa approved in Moscow on St. Valentine's Day

there is the piece of mind when paying someone to do something for you.

Like driving my car, doing the immigration thing is something I prefer to do myself rather than entrust some over paid attorney who has another 100 cases sitting in his desk. I'm also anti-lawyer, despite having worked at an immigration attorney's office for six months already. Based on my experience, I can tell you that family cases are (1) the easiest to do, (2) low priority, and (3) take a a lot longer to complete than would have been the case if the individual did it him or herself.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-02-16 22:55:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarushealth coverage for fiancee

Yes we're responsible, especially if you give your fiancée an affidavit of support and she gives it to the Consular at her interview.

Depends on which affidavit you signed at the Consulate. If you did the I-134 typically goes with K1 then it is not a legally binding document and you are NOT responsible. However, if something does go wrong and you intend to live with your fiancée for a while, the hospital might put her on lifetime collection, which will impact your lives anyway.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-02-15 10:50:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusShipping jewelry to russia?

Anyway to get around customs and ship jewelry to Russia?

You can do one, but not both. You get around customs by wearing the jewelry yourself when you visit Russia. You can ship to Russia, but don't ship jewelry. Just sounds like a bad plan.
If you attempt it, one of three things can happen.
(1) Jewelry does not arrive (postal service person steals it)
(2) Jewelry arrives but customs cost is more than value of jewelry (customs official steals value or jewelry)
(3) Everything is fine (rare - you lie on customs declaration and nobody checks on other side or hide item within other items sent)

Edited by Satellite, 16 February 2007 - 11:00 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-02-16 22:59:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belaruspolice certificate
The trick is finding the right police station. There are local city district stations and major federal oblast stations. You want to go to the latter. But if you go to the wrong one and tell them what you need, they'll direct you to the right one. The paper should be free of charge if you are willing to wait a few weeks.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-03-04 02:53:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusK2: kids at the interview

You can contact the U.S. embassy by email for your answers. You need to be specific about your questions and detail them by case number and names. Give them at least a week to respond.

OK, makes sense. At Canadian forum here, Meliss wrote: Kids under 14 do not need to be present... (e-mail received from the Embassy in Canada), but I am going to e-mail to Moscow Embassy

Russia is special!!! (To say the least!)
That's why we have our own forum here. The other threads and embassies information is good to get a general idea of what you "might" need to do, but remember, Russia and the Moscow embassy specifically have special rules and processes. Ensure you double check everything you get from the other forums.

Based on visual experience, a lady with a two week old newborn had to present the child along with herself at the interview! I saw and spoke to her outside the embassy nearly three years ago.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-03-05 09:46:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusShe's here.... what now?

Now I have a mortgage for a house I live in (with my cat), a car payment for the 2nd car I'd bought for her to drive, as well as a lot of consumer debt from the wedding, the rings, the honeymoon, several trips to Russia, buying the house, new appliances, not to mention the home equity loan to pay her @ss off in alimony/property settlement....

Yet another reason to marry a local gal. She'll be educated in the US, already have a decent job, have her "immigration" documents in order, bring property and assets to the relationship, and generally make you financially better off. At least that is what I get told any time I say how one sided the expenses were in the beginning.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-11-02 16:19:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusShe's here.... what now?

That might be useful. We could bring our Russian fiancees to Mexico, show them how to run across the border, and dispense with all the paperwork. Irina's a fast runner; and she can swim too, so no problem.

But would we have to live in California? Neither Irina nor I speak any Spanish, so that option wouldn't work for us.

This is still a popular method for people from the former USSR. But they all seek asylum once they are here and usually adjust. It was easier under Soviet times of course, but there is still plenty of discrimination against Soviet Jews and other minority religions in the former Soviet Republics.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-10-29 11:34:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusShe's here.... what now?

If by "showed up" you mean how we basically took most of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and California from the country of Mexico because we thought it should belong to ~us~...

Let's be historically accurate now.
We bought that territory from Mexico :P
"The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was the peace treaty that ended the Mexican-American War (1846–1848). The treaty provided for the Mexican Cession, in which Mexico ceded 1.36 million km² (525,000 square miles) to the United States in exchange for USD$15 million. The United States also agreed to take over $3.25 million in debts Mexico owed to American citizens."
http://en.wikipedia....adalupe_Hidalgo

Bought? You've got to be kidding me, if you call that historically accurate...

I was being sarcastic with the " :P " and just pointing a technicality which can be horribly misinterpreted!
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-10-27 14:07:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusShe's here.... what now?

If by "showed up" you mean how we basically took most of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and California from the country of Mexico because we thought it should belong to ~us~...

Let's be historically accurante now.
We bought that territory from Mexico :P
"The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was the peace treaty that ended the Mexican-American War (1846–1848). The treaty provided for the Mexican Cession, in which Mexico ceded 1.36 million km² (525,000 square miles) to the United States in exchange for USD$15 million. The United States also agreed to take over $3.25 million in debts Mexico owed to American citizens."
http://en.wikipedia....adalupe_Hidalgo
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-10-26 17:35:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusShe's here.... what now?

Besides, let's face it, California was populated by Mexicans long before the White Man showed up. They're just moving back in (:

How do you explain all the other communities? How about other major cities like Chicago, Miami, New York, etc? Plenty of ethnic communities get along just fine without speaking a word of English.
If it was so bad here, they'd be running to Alaska right?
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-10-26 11:07:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusShe's here.... what now?

There is little point in living here if one has no intention of learning English.

I wish that was true. It sure would reduce the incentive of illegal immigration. But here in San Francisco you can pretty much get by in your native tongue as long as it belongs to one of the big native enclaves that are already established here. Even the Russian community has their own grocery stores, lawyers, doctors, electricians, etc. We have our own yellow pages. You can take the DMV exam in Russian. Now imagine what the Hispanic or Chinese community has. It sure doesn't look like it is pointless for these people to live here.
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-10-25 22:17:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusShe's here.... what now?

finding a job w/o English skills can be difficult.

Depends what job and where you are at. I am sure there at at least a million undocumented people who speak only spanish who manage to find a job here in California! :P
SatelliteMaleRussia2006-10-23 18:13:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusApartments for Interview in Moscow
Local Russians who don't want to pay American tourist prices will look at newspaper classifieds and the online version at:
http://www.irr.ru/
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-03-10 00:07:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPolish Embassy tourist visa
If all else fails you might try doing an I-824 to move the interview from Poland to Moscow. A tourist visa denial is a pretty good reason to move outside usual jurisdictional bounds. But I would get in contact with the US embassy in both Poland and Minsk and ask for advise.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-03-05 19:06:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusLawyer

P.S. They say there's a huge Russian-speaking community in SF Bay Area.

It's true, go to:
http://baraban.com/
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-02-28 02:16:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHappy Woman's Day!

They probably informed Marc and Olga that she could work until her visa expired, which we know is not true, but that's the common misconception at the SSA office and even most people outside of the government. Elena and I were told similar things, that they could do stuff while her visa was still valid (even though we were married) but not after it expired (EVEN THOUGH WE WERE MARRIED). Almost everywhere we went (BMV, SSA, even USCIS) they were willing to do paperwork and process forms, but only until her visa expired (EVEN THOUGH WE WERE MARRIED!!!!).

For one thing it is impossible to tell if one is married by just looking at their passport and K1 visa. Recall the Russian internal passport which has the marital status placed in there. And another more obvious problem is having other federal (SSA), state (DMV) and even private entities (employers) verify immigration status, which each taking a different interpretation. Lastly I think the rarity of the K1 visa adds to the problem. Keep in mind statistically more people adjust status through other means than a K1.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-03-16 10:52:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHappy Woman's Day!

We did go to Social Security where we were informed Оля is authorized to work! :o

Marc, can you expand on this a little more? Did they tell you that K-1s are authorized to work anytime? Only after marriage? After entry but before marriage? Until K-1 expiry?

When/How is this possible?

Technically speaking a K1 is work authorized while the visa and status is valid. The visa expires in 90 days and your status changes from fiance(e) when you get married.
However, the problem is proving to an employer that you are work authorized. Bringing a print out from the social security regulations printed on their website probably won't work. A K1 visa is not listed as one of the acceptable documents proving work authorization on an I-9. Not to mention you need a social security card to work. So once again in theory an employer can hire a K1 visa holder not yet married with a social security card for the duration of that visa / status without getting in "trouble".
Good luck finding that employer.

A more practical solution to this problem is having the government modify the I-9 to include K1 visas still valid and in status as a proper document for proof of work authorization or giving temporary EADs like the once given at JFK to every K1 admission.
This oversight is yet another example of legislation and policy written at different times and pieces that don't neatly fit together to form the bigger picture.

Edited by Satellite, 15 March 2007 - 02:13 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-03-15 14:13:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHappy Woman's Day!
For those that are curious here are all the national Russian / US holidays:
http://www.consulrus...idays_engl.html

But let's face it. We live in America and shouldn't we celebrate and acknowledge US holidays? Or are we responsible for all the ones on the list I posted?

There should be no hard feelings if you were ignorant of a foreign holiday. We have our equivalent, mother's day I suppose, but it requires being a mom and not just a "woman" in general.

In Russia it is a big holiday. Anyone know why we don't have such a holiday here?
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-03-08 20:05:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusProof of prior insurance coverage while living in Russia

Given my reading of the Russian Constitution, I think I can make a case that she in fact has benefited from insurance coverage from birth.

A clever insurance company employee can also say that the Russian constitution was written in 1991 and has not covered her since birth :P Pull out the Soviet one after that, I am sure it has a similar provision.
In my opinion the whole prior insurance without a gap rule is probably referring to US insurance and might have the company scrambling since they didn't consider foreigners.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-03-05 09:42:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusProof of prior insurance coverage while living in Russia

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

You should go visit the other regions. Go see where the 25% of the poverty stricken population lives. Moscow is truly a "country" within a country. It is so much better there than say parts of Siberia where my wife lived. Day and night on some fronts. For example private insurance is just starting up over there, but I am not aware of any private clinics that exists except the dental ones. Only the "new Russians" who are regarded that the "thieves" by the rest of population enjoy any kind of decent way of life. The transparent companies are hard to find but do exists. But corruption at the state level is rampant. The stories I here from my father in law are just amazing.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-03-03 17:38:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusProof of prior insurance coverage while living in Russia

I'll ask my wife questions about just what her medical passport is.

There is really no such thing, unless you are refering to the medical file itself.
But otherwise the state insurance policy is called a "?????". Ask your wife about that. It's a small blue paper with a seal.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-03-01 20:54:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusProof of prior insurance coverage while living in Russia

When my wife arrives in the USA, my insurance company will want some sort of "proof of prior medical insurance coverage" in order to cover any potentially preexisting conditions.

So does your insurance company not extend coverage to your spouse if she has had no insurance in the past, be it in Russia or the US? What is their policy for such people?
In terms of the Russian policy, it just a small piece of paper that is renewed each year. It is not given to everyone. Only official employees, pensioners, and students have them. I'm not sure what a Russian hospital does for someone who is neither of these three. But the Russian citizen pays for just about everything in a Russian hospital anyways, because of lack of state funding. For example you must bring your own medicine and syringe, and then a medical professional will administer it to you. Russia is cool in terms of all their medications can be bought at a pharmacy and is not restricted like in the US to prescription only on most useful medications.
But to answer your question, I guess you can take a copy of it, translated it and attach it as support for your insurance company, as if it really means anything to them.

Edited by Satellite, 01 March 2007 - 04:48 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-03-01 16:47:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVisitor's visa while K1 pending

I have only seen one case of a fiancee from Russia successfully visit her SO in the USA and in that case it was real nip and tuck at immigration.

You keep missing the point. She wasn't sent back on the plane because she came to "visit" her fiance. She was sent back because she was unable to prove non-immigrant intent. The officer thought she was not here to see her fiance but here to stay forever.

Edited by Satellite, 17 March 2007 - 03:31 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-03-17 15:30:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVisitor's visa while K1 pending

My K-1 application got hung up after NOA-2 at the NVC and was taken for Administrative Review so I am in a big black hole. Instead of being forwarded to the Moscow Embassy it is floating around Washington for some unknown reason. It is frustrating to see someone with the same timeline with their interview set for 10 days from now and mine may not be for who knows when. I heard of one case that was in A/R (administrative review so I don't confuse anyone) for 8 years.

If I recall correctly this is I think your 3rd K1 petition. The more you file the better the odds are of getting caught in one of these AR holes. I sympathize with you, but I would also suspect that multiple filings might have influenced their decision to "review" you some more; if for nothing else, to make sure this time around you got the right one.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-03-15 17:32:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusWhen does Russian Citznship expire?

In fact, to specifically get rid of russian citizenship will cost you $500, some pain in filing russian forms, and a year of wait. I'm speaking out of personal experience and experience of thousands of other people.

That's certainly true:

"????? ?? ??????????? ?????????? ?????????

? ???????????? ? ??????????? ??????? «? ??????????? ?????????? ?????????», ?????????? ? ???? 1 ???? 2002 ????, ???????? ?????????? ?????????, ??????????? ?? ?????????? ???????????? ???????????, ????? ???????? ????? ?? ??????????? ?????????? ????????? ????? ??????????????? ????????????????? ??? ??????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????. ??? ????? ?????????????? ????????? ?????????:

1. ????????? ? ???? ??????????? (????? ????????? ????? ???????? ? ??????????????). ?????????? ? ????????? ???????? ??? ?????. ????????? ???????????? ?? ??????? ?????. ????? ????????? ??????????? ?? ???? ??? ? ?????????????? ??????????? ??????? (??????? ???????, ???????????). ??? ?????????? ?????? ????????? ?? ??????????? ????????????? ?????????? ? ???????????, ? ????? ???????? ???????????. ?????? ?? ???????????? ? ?????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ???? ??????????????. ????? ?????????, ??????????? ?? ????, ?????? ???? ???????????;

2. ????????, ?????????????? ?????????? ??????????? ????????? (?????????????? ?????????? ?????????????);

3. ??? ?????????? ??????????? ??????? (3?4 ??);

4. ????????, ?????? ????? ?? ?????????? ? ??? (????-?????, ?????????? ? ?????????????, ??????? ??? ? ??.), ? ????? ??? ????? ? ??????? ?? ??????? ???? ? ???????? ????.

5. ???????? ? ?????? ? ???????????????? ????? ?? ????? ?????????? ? ?????????? ????????? (? ?????? ?????????? ???? ?????? ? ???????? ?????????);

6. ???????? ???????????? ?????? ???????????? ??????????? ? ??????? ? ????????? ????? ??????????? ??? ????????????? ??????????? ?????????????? ????????? ????? ??????????? ? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ??????????? ?????????? ?????????;

7. ???????? ?????????? ?????? ?????????? ????????? ?? ?????????? ????????????? ?? ?????? ???????.

??? ????????? ?????????????? ????????? ?????????? ?????, ???????? ????? ?? ??????????? ?????????? ?????????, ? ????????? ????? ?????? ? ?????????? ?????????????? ?????????, ?????????????? ????????? ????? ?????????? ??????? ??????????? ???? ?? ?????????? ?????????? ????????? (?????) ?? ????? ?????????? ???????????????? ?????????? ??????.

?????? ??????????? ????? ???????? ??????? ??? ????????, ??? ??????????; ? ?????? ????????? ??????? (?????, ????????) – ????????, ?????????????? ? ???????????? ? ????????????????? ?????????? ????????? ????????? ??????? (?????, ????????).

????????? ?????? ? ????????????? ???? ????????????? ?????????????? ?????????? ????????? ? ????????? ??????? ? ?????? ???????. ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ? ???????? ????????? ???????????? ?????????:

???? ? ????? ???????,

???????, ???, ???????? ???????????? ???? ? ???????????? ?????????? ??????, ????????? ???????.

??????? ?? ?????????? ????????????? ?? ?????? ??????? ????????????? ????????????? (??? ????????????) ?????????? ?????? ? ?????????? ???????? ??????? ?????????? ??????.

??? ????????? ????? ??????? ????????????? ?? ?????? ???????, ???? ??????????????? ?????????? ??????????, ??????????? ??? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????????? ????????????? ?? ?????? ???????, ????????? ????? ????????? ???????? ????????? ? ????????????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ? ????????? ??????? ??????.

????????? ??????? ?????????? ?????????, ?? ??????? ????? ?????????? ?? ?????????? ?????????? ????????? (?????), ? ??????????? ??????????????? ?????????? ???????????? ? ?????????? ????????????? ????????? ????????? ??? ?????? ?? ??????: 127381, ??????, ??. ?????????, ?. 23.

??????? ?? ?????????? ????????????? ?? ?????? ???????, ?????????? ??????????? ????????????? ????????? ????????? ??? ??????, ????????????? ?????????????? ??????????? ????? ??? ?????? ? ?????????? ??????? ?????????? ????????????? ????????? ????????? ??? ??????;

8. ?????? ???????????? ????? ? ????? 550 ???????? ? ????? «money order» (400 ???????? - ?????????? ?????? ?? ??????????? ???????????, 150 ???????? - ?????? ??????? ?? ?????????? ??????????? ???????????)

9. ??? ????????????? ??????? ??????? ? ?????? ????????? ?? ??????????? ??????????? ??? ???????? ??????? ? ??????????? ??????????? ?????????? ?????????. ????????? ????? ?????? ????? ? ?????????????? ????????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????, ?????????? ??????? ?????????? ?????????? ????????? ? ??????? ? ????????????? ? ????????????? ? ???????? (??? ??? ???????)..

????????? ???????? ?????????? ?????. ? ??????, ???? ????????? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ????????? ? ????? ? ????????????????, ???????? ?????????????? ???????? ? ??????????????? ?????????????, ????????? ? ??????????? ????????? ????? ???????? ??? ???????????? ????? ?????? ????, ???? ?????????? ?? ?????. ? ???? ?????? ??????????? ??????? ????, ???????????? ?????????, ? ???????????? ????? ?????????, ??????????????? ????????, ??? ?????????? ?????????????? ????????????? ???????? ? ??????????? ????????????? ?? ??? ????????.

??? ?????????????? ?????? ? ?????????? ?????????, ??????????? ?? ?? ??????? ?????, ???????? ???????? ?? ??????? ????.

????????? ????????? ???????? ? ???????????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????????? ???? ??????????? ? ?????????? ??????? ??????????? ?????????? ? ?????? ???????? ????????? ? ?????.

???? ???????????? ????????? ? ???????? ?? ??? ??????? ?????????????? ? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ??? ?????? ????????? ? ????????????? ???? ??????????? ??????????, ??????????? ?????????? ???????.

????? ?? ??????????? ?????????? ????????? ?? ???????????, ???? ????????? ?????????? ?????????:

- ????? ?? ??????????? ????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????????, ????????????? ??????????? ???????;

- ????????? ????????????? ???????? ?????????? ????????? ? ???????? ??????????? ?? ?????????? ????, ???? ? ????????? ???? ??????? ?????????? ? ???????? ???? ? ?????????? ?????????? ????????????? ???????? ????;

- ?? ????? ????? ??????????? ? ???????? ??? ????????????.

"

http://www.consulrus...org/citizen.htm

Pretty impressive list of things to do. Getting rid of Russian citizenship is probably harder and more expensive than acquiring it!

Edited by Satellite, 19 March 2007 - 11:32 AM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-03-19 11:31:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusWhen does Russian Citznship expire?

Was wondering if anybody knows when during the Immigration process does Russian citiznnship end. The reason I ask is She owns a apartment in Tver. That was given to her husband by the Government. She knows that as soon as she gets U.S. Citznship she will lose this flat, she rents this now while living in Kyrgyzstan. Does anyone know when Russian citznship is lost in this process. She intends to sell the flat before she loses it.

As far as I understand, you cannot lose your Russian citizenship unless you take an affirmative step in renouncing it. My opinion is based on several inferences:

1. "Applicants who used to be citizens of the USSR or of the Russian Federation and then emigrated from the USSR or from Russia must submit: one of the documents which confirms that they are no longer citizens of the Russian Federation (so called "Visa to Israel" or stamp in their passport saying that they left for "permanent residence abroad" before the 6th of February, 1992 or official document certifying that their Russian citizenship was abrogated), otherwise the applications will not be accepted."
http://www.consulrus...l...of the USSR
- FAQ for getting a visa to Russia. Thus one does not lose citizenship

2. "????? ?? ??????????? ?????????? ?????????
? ???????????? ? ??????????? ??????? «? ??????????? ?????????? ?????????», ?????????? ? ???? 1 ???? 2002 ????, ???????? ?????????? ?????????, ??????????? ?? ?????????? ???????????? ???????????, ????? ???????? ????? ?? ??????????? ?????????? ????????? ????? ??????????????? ????????????????? ??? ??????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????. ??? ????? ?????????????? ????????? ?????????:"
One must provide a right to live in the US, fill out a form, make a declaration, proof no tax liability and no Russian registration before being renoucning one's Russian Citizneship.
Thus it shows that one cannot lose it so easily for reasons such as naturalization.
http://www.consulrus...org/citizen.htm

3. "? ??????? ? ??????? ???????????
? ????????????? ????? ? ?????????? ???????????????? ??????? «??????? ???????????» ???????? ??????? ? ???? ???????????? ??????????? (??????????) ???? ??? ????? ??????????. ??????? ??????????? ?????????, ???? ? ???????????????? ??????? ??????????? ?? ?????????? ?????????????, ?????????????? ??? ????????????? (????????, ????? ?? ???????? ??????????? ??? ??????? ???????????? «??????» ???????????; ??????????? «??????» ??????????? ??? ????????? ???????????? ??????-???? ????? ???????????).
??????????? ????? «? ??????????? ?????????? ?????????» ?? 31.05.2002 ?. ?? ???????? ??????? ?????? ????? ????????????? ?, ?????????????, ?? ????????? ??????????? ????????????? ?? ???????? ???????? ???????????. ????????, ???????????? ??????????? ?????? ????? ??????????? ?? ?????? ??????????? ??????????? ???????????. ?? ????????? ?????? ?? ????? ??????????? ??? ???????????? ??????????? ??????????? ?? ???????? ? ??? ?????? ????? ? ??????????? ?????????? ?????????. ? ?? ?? ????? ???????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????, ?????????? 18 ???, ???????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ???????????. ????? ????, ??? ??? ????? ??????????????? ????????????? ??????????? ?????????? ?? ?????????? ?????? ? ??????? ?????????? ??? ??????????????? ????? ?????????? ?? ??????? ? ???????????? ???????????. ????????? ??? ?????????? ???????? ????????? ??????????????, ??????????????? ????????????? ???????? ???????????.
?????????? ????? ? ????, ??? ? ??????????????? ? «???????? ??????????» ?????????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ?? ??????? ? ??? ??????????? ???????????. ?????? 6 ??????????? ?????? ??????????, ??? ????????? ?????????? ?????????, ??????? ????? ???? ???????????, ??????????????? «?????? ??? ????????? ?????????? ?????????».
????? ???????, ???? ?? - ????????? ??????, ?? ?? ??????????? ???????????????? ??? ?? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??? (???? ????? ?????? ??????), ? ?? ?? ????????? ??????????? ???????????, ???? ??????????? ??????????? ???. ? ?? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ???????? ?? ???? ??????????? ???, ????????? ????? ?????? ???????? ??? ???????? ? ????????? ???????? ???????????. ??? ????????, ? ?????????, ??? ???????? ? ???????? ?? ??????, ?????????? ?? ?? ??????????, ???? ?????????? ? ?????????? ??????????? ?????????? ?? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ?????????? ??????????. ??? ???????? ? ?????? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ???????????? ???? ???????????? ???????.
????? ??????? ????, ???? ?? - ????????? ??? ????????????? ???????? (?????? 18 ???) ? ?????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????? – ? ???? ?????? ???? ????????? ?? ????? ??????????????? ?? ??? ???, ???? ?? ?? ??????????? ????????????? ?? ?????? ?? ????????????? ???????????.
?????????? ?????????, ??????? ??????????? ???, ????? ??????? ?????????, ??? ? ????? ??????????? ?????? «? ??????????? ??» ?????????? ????????, ?? ??????? ???????, ??? ??? ?????????????? ???????????? ??????????????? ????????? ??????, ??????? ???? ???????????, ????? ??????????????? ??? ?????????? ? ?????????????? ?????????????? ? ??????.
????? ????? ??? ?????? ??????, ??? ?? ???????? ??? ??????-?????? ?? ?????? ???????????? ????? ?????????? (?????????? ? ????????????) ?? ??????? ???????. ??? ????? ?????? – ?????????? ????????????? ??? ?????? ? ??? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ??????????? ?????? ?????????? ???????. ? ?? ??????????? ?? ?????? ???????? ? ??? ??????? ?????????? ?? ????? ? ???. ???? ? ???????????? ? ??????????? ??????? «? ??????? ?????? ?? ?? ? ?????? ? ??» ?????? ?????????? ???????????? ????????-?????????? ?????????, ????????????? ??????? ?? ??? ?????????? ??????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ? ??????????? ???? ???????????? ???????. ?????? ? ??? ?????? ????? ? ????, ??? ? ?????? ?????????? ????????? ?????? ????? ? ?????????? ? ???????????? ?????????? ????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ????????? ? ???????????? ? ?????????? ?????, ????????? ? ?????????? ??????????????."
http://www.consulrus...org/citizen.htm

Russia does not prohit the acquisition of dual citizenship nor does one lose his Russian citizenship in such an aquisition.


My impression and I could be wrong is that when you get your US Citizenship you swear alegience to the USA and give up your previous citizenship. I think it is possilbe for children born of that marriage to have dual citizenship but I think it is not possible for an immigrant. Someone else can correct me if I am wrong.

"????? ? ??????????? ?????????? ????????? ?????, ???? ?? ?????????, ???? ???????????? ???????? ??????? ????? ??????????? ?????????? ?????????"...
3. ??????? ? ????? ???????? ????????, ???????? ??????????? ?????????? ?????????, ? ????? ????? ????????????? ?????????, ??????? ????? ?? ?????????? ?????????? ? ???, ?????? ? ??? ????????? ?? ??????? ???? ? ???????? ????. ...
http://www.consulrus...org/citizen.htm

If you go through the process of giving up your Russian citizneship it will be impossibile to produce the documents showing you are a Russian citizenship when you attempt to register your newly born child in the US with a Russian consulate in the hope having the child acquire Russian citizenship.


Different countries have different rules, but one is not required (in most instances) to renounce their previous citizenship. Certain countries, i.e. North Korea, are mandatory, but others have the possibility of dual or transitioning to single.

Russia is such a country if you attempt to acquire citizenship in a simplified matter through a parent who is a Russian citizen and you are not and you are over 18.
"????? ? ??????????? ?????????? ????????? ? ?????????? ???????
...
??????????? ???????? ????? ???????????? ???????? ???????????? ?????? ???????????? ???????????, ?????????????? ????????? ????????? ?? ?????? ?? ?????????? ????? ??????????? ? ???????, ??????????????? ????????????????? ??????? ???????????, ???? ????????????? ?????? ?? ????? ???????????, ? ????? ????? ??????? ?????????, ?????????? ??????????????? ??????????? ??????? ???????????? ???????????."

However, there does not see to be such a requirement for acquiring Russian citizenship in a general matter:
"BY NATURALIZATION: Russian Federation citizenship may be acquired upon fulfillment of the following conditions: Be at least 18 years old. Have permanent residence for a total of five years, or three years of continuous residence immediately prior to filing an application: For refugees recognized as such by the Russian Federation, the time periods shall be halved."
http://www.multiplec...FEDERATION.html

As far as selling the flat, once you are gone it is a great idea for the reasons you mentioned below:

She pretty much knows that if K-1 goes through she will have to sell the flat, because she could never keep an eye on it, or trust anybody for a long period of time,All her last renters had to pay was utilities and when she visited last summer, they had jumpered the electric around the meter, previous renters stole the hot water heater in bathroom and parts of the one in the kitchen, just crazy.

That's the Russian behavior I'm more familiar with.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-03-19 11:28:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAnyone got a lead on tickets to the Bolshoi?

She'll be able to get tickets in-hand and hold them for you, that way you won't have to worry about being scammed.

This would only work if you planned well in advance and she went and bought the tickets in advance from the ticket booth and didn't charge you an unreasonable markup. Based on her prices per hour for small errands, it is pretty much the same markup the scalpers have.
"25-30 EUR will cover most small errands, e.g. to buy tickets or to deliver something within Moscow, or to send a parcel etc." http://www.russiangi....com/prices.htm
I consider this an unreasonable markup by all standards. No handling fee in America runs at $50+.
I balked when I read that because most average income earning Russians make only a few dollars an hour at best. Getting those tickets will take only a few hours at most, metro costs just 30 rubles roundtrip. Yet another reason why work with foreigners gets you unreasonable and unconscionable profits.

Edited by Satellite, 05 April 2007 - 11:13 AM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-04-05 11:10:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAnyone got a lead on tickets to the Bolshoi?
This is a hard one. The scalpers bought up all the tickets months in advance. They peddle the tickets outside the theater for crazy prices. But what can you do. They don't sell anything online. If you are a local you buy from ticket booth for performances well in advanced. I think the "regular" price is somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 to 1500 rubles depending on the quality of the seat. Good luck finding the best deal from the scalpers.
Also try:
http://www.visitruss...e-0/bolshoi.htm
http://www.boxoffice.bolshoi.org/
But these are still from third parties.

Or go directly to the source:
http://boxoffice.bolshoi.ru/

But I think its 60 days advance notice. Student tickets are very cheap for example. If I remember reading correctly, as low as 20 rubles!
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-04-04 17:00:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVisiting Russia

For non-citizens going into Russia, I know you need some kind of medical insurance to cross the border.

Could you give me a source for this. This is the first time I have ever heard of Russia requiring insurance to enter. It is a very common requirement for Russian citizens entering Europe, but never heard of it the other way around. No such requirement exists on the Russian consulate website geared towards US citizens entering Russia.

I will look into the travel insurance, I would rather spend the extra $30 and know it would be accepted. The one offered with the tour group was over $100 each, so I assumed others would be too.

Medical care in most parts of Russia is very cheap. We are talking a $15 for a hospital stay a day and even less for a doctor's visit and medicine. It's not like in the US or Western Europe. But you'll need to be with a Russian speaker to get this rate. So a policy that charges you more than $15 a day might not be worth it, unless it covers a full blown evacuation back to your home country, meaning a very serious injury or illness.

Wow, I didn't know you need medical insurance to enter Russia! I've traveled to Russia 5 different times over the past 8 years, and never once was asked if I had insurance.

Ditto.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-03-11 12:50:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusTimelines
I thought the question of country referred to the country the beneficiary is a citizen of and not where the interview will take place.
"Country of non-US Fiance / Spouse / Family Member Country" pursuant to personal profile edit personal information.
Contrast that with the profile information, benefits filed at in terms of service center.
The other ambiguous question in the profile is "nearest" local CIS office.
In our situation, our CIS office is actually located farther than two of the nearest CIS offices. Since jurisdiction is supposedly done by county, our county is large enough to create this almost 20 mile anomaly where the closest CIS offices are actually north (Sacramento) and west of us (San Francisco), yet we are forced to drive south to Fresno.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-04-03 13:53:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusTimelines
You should post this in:
Site Related Discussion - Updates, Ideas, etc.
http://www.visajourn...hp?showforum=14
That will get the administration to respond faster if at all.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-04-01 18:36:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNew Russian Visa registration forms

If ones girl fiend has time and stomach to spend a day in OVIR for getting your Invitation (for home stay visa) done and sent to you (and it needs to be done well in advance you depart form your home, about a month), and then she would spend another 2 to 8 hours to get you registered, then it is fine. If one has either business or tourist visa, s/he can book a hotel and get registered there for free.

It took my fiancee just one trip less than an hour to fill out the form for getting a private visa. All it takes is calling in advance to find when to come in for that kind of service. And registration took us less than 30 minutes because two people were waiting in line before us. Even if it took longer we were spending time together anyway. To be honest we waited much longer for our AOS interview at the CIS office here in the states then for the silly registration stamp at the OVIR.
As for doing things way in advance, I usually plan any trip way in advance. Tickets are usually cheaper and it takes time to request vacation time and most of the time there is only one time slot in the year that could work for me. If you do the private visa you get the full 90 day registration regardless of how long you stay and you don't to need to worry anymore about not having enough days as is the issue with the hotels.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-04-12 08:24:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNew Russian Visa registration forms

When I see old women sitting in the cold trying to sell a few veggies I'll buy a few from them and give them a $10.00 bill, a hug and get a photo taken with them.

I always buy from them too. But I only give them how much they ask for. Although the proper tradition is too haggle for a better price, because that is the Russian mode of doing business. Usually they have better deals than the people at the official lofts at the bazaar and their food is much better.

On this trip we'll be visiting the Baby Home Orphanage and my plans are to give them a donation from my business and find out more of their needs and when I get home I'll be calling all my good ole buddies on the phone to also help them out.

Definitely a worthy cause. It's really depressing when you consider how much the 10 or so oligarch in Russia have and how little is done to help such places.

I try to present myself as a "good American" in any country I visit...amazing sometimes the friendship and memories that remains with me.

Same here, but I don't toss money around. Mostly people are attracted just from hearing me talk and describe life here in the US. A good American can be a poor American too. And while in Russia I always try to live and spend money like a local.

I'm glad people can get all the deals with the registrations fees, etc...my goal is to enjoy my fiancée and her daughter and make new friends so I don't even give a $25.00 fee at OVIR a second thought.

It's not really deals. It's just the actual price of things if you don't succumb to the "services to foreigners". For a poor student as myself $25.00 is a lot of money. For a business owner that is probably peanuts. But my wife and I have a great time even on a budget. She didn't live in luxury before and there is no reason for her to start now.

Glad it works out for the both us.

Edited by Satellite, 04 April 2007 - 02:19 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-04-04 14:16:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNew Russian Visa registration forms

No, I was never charged a fine for registering late. All I had to pay was the standard registration fee. I think I paid $25.00 and a box of chocolate candy at OVIR each time and the one time my fiancée registered me through a hotel was $20.00.

Wow, you really overpaid. I always paid 20 rubles ($0.75) for my registration at Sberbank. Then I would bring the paid slip to the OVIR. Never any candy or bribes. In fact the OVIR didn't even want to accept payment and only wanted the paid bank slip. The hotel I stayed at in Sochi didn't charge anything for registration because by law they have to do it. So if they charge, they are ripping you off for some kind of service because you can't demand your rights in Russian. Same situation in Moscow. Stayed at a hostel for two days and they did my registration for free. These companies that do your guys' visa invitations and visa registrations are just making a profit of something that costs almost nothing.
For example if you go to a Russian travel agent and order a hotel room they will issue a tourist invitation for free as part of the service. I am surprised your ladies don't make any of the reservations. Same with the new post office thing. I am sure the post office is charging less than a $1 for the Russian citizen to register the foreigner yet they take $20+ from you. Even the private invitation runs around $15 for the Russian citizen to order and no where near what the agencies charge. At least your fiancée bought the train tickets. I am sure the English speaking agencies make a good buck on this too.

Edited by Satellite, 04 April 2007 - 11:53 AM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-04-04 11:51:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNew Russian Visa registration forms

I had no problems with passport control again at SVO....never paid a fine nor bribe.

The problem I was referring to was the OVIR charging fine just to register you in the first place, because you did not see them in 72 hours!
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-04-03 21:13:00
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