ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Ukraine

I wonder if this is still helpful today..?


Procedurally yes, but that was when the Embassy waived the residency requirement... now you have 6 months to get this done instead of trying to do it in 32 hours.....


Could you expand on that a little??


The paperwork process the OP went through probably is still very valid but he did his in a time when the US Embassy used to waive the in country residency requirement. Now the information that has been posted by the DOS is that in order to file an I-130 petition directly with the Embassy (thus avoiding the USCIS service centers) you must be resident in the country for 6 mos. Since you must meet this residency requirement, the need to do all that they did in 32 hours seems unnecessary.


I understand that you can no longer file a DCF ( a serious bummer) But isn't the procedure still the same to get married so that you can file an I-130 when you return to the US?
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-05-03 18:20:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Ukraine

I wonder if this is still helpful today..?


Procedurally yes, but that was when the Embassy waived the residency requirement... now you have 6 months to get this done instead of trying to do it in 32 hours.....


Could you expand on that a little??
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-05-02 18:31:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)US Significant Other learning Russian (or any other language)?
I have been trying to learn Russian for bout two years now. I have Russian Cd's that I have playing in my truck anytime that I am driving and as long as I have the CD playing I can actually speak pretty good unaccented Russian. As a matter of fact one time I called my wife and when she answered the phone my first couple of sentences were in Russian and she thought it was actually a Russian speaker. kicking.gif Unfortunately I have a terrible time remembering words or phrases to be able to bring them to command and then something will come along and it pops into my head. Lena is always surprisee when this happens like i have this hidden vocabulary of 10,000 words that I can only tap at wierd times. blink.gif For instance at our sons baptism party she said something to one of her friends in Russian, but I swear I heard it in English and she was amazed that I knew those words.

We both want our sons to speak Russian and to have a bilingual household now if I can ever gain some fluency whistling.gif blush.gif
bgreedMaleUkraine2008-05-30 21:37:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)The Kyiv Beat......
Is Detroit a POE?
bgreedMaleUkraine2008-10-26 20:05:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)The Kyiv Beat......
I could have sworn that somewhere I read that the I-134 was required. If not that's ok by me. Have sent the I-864

So have I got everything else OK? (by the way the word was immigrate. Fat fingers sorry blush.gif )

Edited by bgreed, 03 August 2008 - 07:12 PM.

bgreedMaleUkraine2008-08-03 19:12:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)The Kyiv Beat......
OK we're finally getting into the final stages have received the IV bill and will pay that on Monday. Lena has all her documents ready and the DS-230 filled out. Now we are planning for the interview.

We know she has to take the ability to ommigrate document for her son as well as her medical vaccination records. The I-134 and proofs of on going relationship besides her passport and and copies of all the documents she sent to NVC what other paperwork does she need to take with her to the interview? We're hoping that we might have an interview by the end of September.

Thanks
bgreedMaleUkraine2008-08-03 18:14:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)The Kyiv Beat......
Your spouse or im my case ex spouse need this permission letter to take our kids to go visit their aunt in Canada so more than likely you will need a permission letter. this all has to do with the hague Convention on child abduction.
bgreedMaleUkraine2008-05-20 21:27:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)The Kyiv Beat......
Josh,
under the new rules you must have lived in Ukraine for six months on a non tourist visa to apply for a DCF.
bgreedMaleUkraine2008-03-21 13:14:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)The Kyiv Beat......
Mariya my wifr participates on a forum of women from FSU (Former Sovirt Union) countries that now live in the USA she says it has been really helpful for her to get an idea of what it will be like here. I have her give me the site address.

As far as your being denied because your husband doesn't make enough it is because it is not the number of immigrints but the number in the household he is supporting. For instance I have to show that i support my two children from my previous marriage as well as my wife, her son and our son. He also has to count himself so fro me that makes six. The amount for me to pass poverty level is somewhere around $32,000 gross income. Sounds like someone at NVC is unable to correctly interpret their own criteria.
bgreedMaleUkraine2008-03-19 13:02:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)The Kyiv Beat......
Wow in all my cold weather trips I've never had a flight delay.
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-11-14 19:28:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)The Kyiv Beat......
Hey John,

Oh yeah it seems I am always going to Ukraine at this time of year. First time was Odessa over two years ago and it was in the 60"s the whole time. Last year I was in Sumy and it snowed and was cold, February of this year I was in Sumy again was supposed to be really nasty cold but no big deal it waited until after I left. whistling.gif Was in Sumy the middle of September the weather was great when we got married. Rained a little (that's a good sign you know) will be going back again middle of January. Seems because they had a really hot summer that winter is coming a little harder this year.
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-11-13 21:16:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)The Kyiv Beat......
No ZAGS is where you get married. This office is where you get the permission to get married. Ministry of (blank) I even know it's just down the street from the US embassy.
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-09-04 21:04:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)The Kyiv Beat......
Need some info I leave on Tuesday next week to get married in Ukraine. I know we have to go to the US Embassy to get my no impediment paperwork, but for some reason I cannot remember the name of the office we need to go to for Ukraine permission to marry. Anybody know ?
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-09-03 18:59:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Ukrainian Customs and engagement ring
Last time I went through Odessa (admitedly three years ago) There was no metal detector or wanding going on for those coming into the country. Heck they don't even have such things in Borisypol. The only thing they did was put my bags through an x-ray machine.

Now if it was me I would have the ring in my carry on and before disembarking the plane in Odessa put it in my pocket. and then follow the green line. If they ask you if you have anything to declare just say "no" I have never seen them pursue it further.

The reason they ask about womens jewlwery is because so many guys go to Odessa. On most flights I've been on there's more foreign guys than Ukrainian. So this why the customs guys/gals are looking for a shake down.

This is also a good reason to not try to bring western ideas of engagement with you it encourages problems.
bgreedMaleUkraine2008-09-22 21:03:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Ukrainian Customs and engagement ring
Last time I went through Odessa (admitedly three years ago) There was no metal detector or wanding going on for those coming into the country. Heck they don't even have such things in Borisypol. The only thing they did was put my bags through an x-ray machine.

Now if it was me I would have the ring in my carry on and before disembarking the plane in Odessa put it in my pocket. and then follow the green line. If they ask you if you have anything to declare just say "no" I have never seen them pursue it further.

The reason they ask about womens jewlwery is because so many guys go to Odessa. On most flights I've been on there's more foreign guys than Ukrainian. So this why the customs guys/gals are looking for a shake down.

This isd also a good reason to not try to bring western ideas of engagement with you it encourages problems.
bgreedMaleUkraine2008-09-22 20:53:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Ukrainian Customs and engagement ring
Uh you do realize that the whole ehgagement ring thing is a western idea right? And that engagement rings are not used or expected in Russia or Ukraine.
bgreedMaleUkraine2008-09-13 13:03:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPoverty Guidelines 2007 and 125%

You are supposed to include yourself. Not sure about your kids that don't live with you.


If you pay any financial support for the children, you're supposed to claim them as a member of your household. Regardless of the amount of time they live with you.


Altimixdj,
Nice to see someone else whos fiancee is from the Ukraine. My fiancee is from Sumy looking at getting married in June and filing a K3 so just trying to get my ducks in a row. Having to claim my kids doesn't really affect things just wasn't sure as the directions are not the most clear.
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-03-07 21:59:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPoverty Guidelines 2007 and 125%

2007 HHS Poverty Guidelines


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Persons in Family or Household | 48 Contiguous States and D.C. | 125%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-----------------------------------------------$10,210------------------------------------$12,762
2-----------------------------------------------13,690---------------------------------------17,112
3-----------------------------------------------17,170---------------------------------------21,762
4-----------------------------------------------20,650---------------------------------------25,812
5-----------------------------------------------24,130---------------------------------------30,162
6-----------------------------------------------27,610---------------------------------------34,513
7-----------------------------------------------31,090---------------------------------------38,862
8-----------------------------------------------34,570---------------------------------------43,212
for each additional person--------------------3,480-----------------------------------------4,350

SOURCE: Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 15, January 24, 2007, pp. 3147–3148



for a complete list and related info visit http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/07poverty.shtml
here u can find poverty guidelines for Alaska and Hawaii, multiply a given figure with 1.25 and u will get 125 percent of the figure.


Ok I'm still trying to get all of this stuff straight so does members of household also include my kids that live with my ex and I pay child support on? And am I supposed to include myself in this number.
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-03-07 20:19:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresOoops
Thanks all for your warm wishes. Chadandchrissy Congratulations also!! Well it looks like we will just have to wait it out and see if things go quick enough so that the baby can be born here in the states. Now something I didn't know is that if one of your parents was a US citizen that even if you were not born in the US you are considered a citizen. Huh learn something new everyday.

Lena and I are both really excited and happy, timing kinda sucks but we're happy. Biggest thing is I won't be able to be in on all the cool stuff that goes on in those first few months :( As I can't get there again until nearly the end of June when we were going to get married. Since this is her second pregnancy she's already showing no morning sickness though :thumbs: :dance:

Now if I can just get all this crazy paperwork figured out and which is really the best way to file Arrgh :blink: :blink: :wacko:
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-03-13 18:46:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresOoops
This is a bit embarrasing my fiancee and I were planning on getting married in June as we both have some loose ends we wanted to get taken care of before getting married. Well it seems that we had a very good celebration during the week of Valentines and it seems we are now expecting. My question is does USCIS take this into account when processing visas (like maybe make them go faster) as I would really like this child to be born in the USA. Any thoughts?
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-03-10 18:45:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresChanged jobs and areas
Hi,

Still trying to get a handle on all of this as far as what is acceptable when processing visa paper work.

Last year was a terrible year fro me income wise as the housing industry in Michigan crashed. I still met the poverty level for a family of four. In November I moved to Louisianna and found a good job at 52k plus. My question is will the short time on my new job at a higher income level and my crappy prior year make a difference when it comes to approval time as far as the 845 goes? Or will I need to find a co sponsor to go along with me just to be sure?

Thanks
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-04-11 20:45:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 for her son or just her
OK so this means two application fees correct?
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-07-15 19:33:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 for her son or just her
OK maybe I missed it somewhere (not unusual for me) But when I file for my soon to be wifes I-130 do I also file one for her seven year old son as well or is he covered under hers? I guess the same question follows with the I-129F.

Next on the list since she is pregnant and due the last week in October what paperwork do I file to bring our son here. I know he will be an American citizen because I am and that to assure this all I have to do is contact the Embassy with the proper information. So any thoughts?
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-07-15 16:20:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionDivorce during removing of conditions
From what i have found out it takes about nine months for a divorce to be finalized here. Do you think USCIS will wait that long for the decree? Her Green card expires in December that is why the September filing is important.

Edited by bgreed, 11 June 2010 - 06:14 PM.

bgreedMaleUkraine2010-06-11 18:13:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionDivorce during removing of conditions
My wife and I have decided that we are really not meant for each other and so have decided to divorce. The question comes in that September is the time that we should file for the removal of conditions so she and her son can get their ten year green cards. There is no angst between us just two people who can't live together. She wants to be able to stay in the US as we have a two year old together and of course I want her to stay for this same reason. What should we do to make this work for the both of us?
bgreedMaleUkraine2010-06-11 13:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIV bill generated
Currently they will not give you the IIN until you have the IVbill in hand because people have been paying the IVbill before it is generated thereby slowing down their process. So wait until you get it and then pay it on line.
bgreedMaleUkraine2008-07-28 11:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJan/Feb '08 VSC CR-1 Filers
Sent our packet in January got NOA1 February 14th got NOA2 July 2 Currently AOS bill and IV bill are paid I864 is in process my wife just sent her DS-230. We went through Vermont
bgreedMaleUkraine2008-08-09 23:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureswe're approved!!!
QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Sep 18 2008, 02:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (bgreed @ Sep 18 2008, 07:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We are approved!!!!! kicking.gif kicking.gif Talked to NVC about 10:00pm last night and was told we were appoved. So now on to Kiev for medicals and interview!!! kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif


Congrats, it won't be long now. Follow the paperwork requirements closely and call the embassy in about 4 weeks if you haven't received the information packet from them. It's pretty easy stuff once you get past the NVC. Good Luck!


Hey Blake thanks for the congrats good.gif Just so you know CR-1 works a bit different than the K-1 process at this point. Embassy should have her paperwork from NVC in about two weeks then they will set up the interview.
bgreedMaleUkraine2008-09-18 18:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureswe're approved!!!
QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Sep 18 2008, 11:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Congratulations! Now to speed things along...some tips.

DO NOT wait for the consulate to receive the petition and then send Packet 3. You could be waiting a LONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNG time. Go to the embassy webiste and download Packet 3 and get to work on it. (if you haven't already) Your fiancee can get the police check now if she has not already. You can get the medical exam as soon as you have your KEV number which will be on the letter you receive from the NVC.

Email the consulate 2 weeks after you receive your letter from NVC. Reference your case number and ask if your case has been received. Email them at kyiviv@state.us By the time they receive this you should be able to have all your documents for the interview. As soon as they say they have your case, call the "call center" and make your appointment. Even with this effort, you can expect to wait until perhaps 2 months from the NOA2 date before your interview. Perhaps faster. Our NOA2 date was May 15, the first interview date we were offered was June 23 but we could not make it to that date. The next date was August 7 and we made that one! So be prepared and take the first date offered if you can, because the next may be another 6 weeks or so.

Good luck, the interviews in Kiev are super easy IF you have all the documents in order.

Gary



Hey Gary, Thanks for all the tips. I noticed that you have filed for a K-1 we filed a CR-1 so had to send the police report to NVC along with the DS-230 only document she has to provide for the interview will be the travel approval for her son. All the rest will come to the embassy from NVC.

Since you filed a K-1 your procedure is a bit different. Thanks again.
bgreedMaleUkraine2008-09-18 18:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureswe're approved!!!
We are approved!!!!! kicking.gif kicking.gif Talked to NVC about 10:00pm last night and was told we were appoved. So now on to Kiev for medicals and interview!!! kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif
bgreedMaleUkraine2008-09-18 07:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSo I'm stupid
OK I'm sure its here somewhere but I can't seem to find the answer or maybe i just don't understand the answer.

We are considering filing for a CR-1 rather than going the K-3 route so I understand about filing a I-130 for my wife but do I also file a separate I-130 for her son? Or is he included on hers?

Finally anybody gor some recent timelines on CR-1 for Ukraine??

Thanks
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-08-02 21:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJust got fired!!!
Well the title basically says it all. Boss got angry over an error on my part (trying to teach two new guys how to do metal soffit took all day to get just a few feet)

Was going to be getting married next month and filing petition so If I get a new job how will this effect how they look at the petition?
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-08-10 19:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLittle confused
Yes I understood about the I-134 and I-864 it was just bit confusing on the tax return issue. By the way who or what is AGI?
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-08-11 10:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLittle confused
I have read up on the different petitions K-1, K-3, CR-1 why is it that there are different requirements as far as number of years required of tax records? I had thought that if you were employed you only needed the last years records and if you were self employed you needed three years.

Now just reading again I see that a CR-1 needs the last three years tax records While a K-1, K-3 only needs one years records. Am I just stupid or is there a type somewhere?
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-08-11 07:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresdifferent question
No she has not worked in any security sensitive type work. The grey area is that technically she was not legally employed in Ukraine because she used her Russian work papers to prove that she had work experience to get better jobs. She has been a manager at a bank and a upper level administrator working for the city of Sumy in the planning dept. The thing is if she were to say she worked these places there would be no record. So any further ideas?
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-10-08 16:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresdifferent question
Ok here is a question that I have seen asked before. My wife is a Ukraine citizen and has worked both in Russia and Ukraine. However the situation in Ukraine is that she was working under her Russian work papers.

Here is why, in Ukraine and Russia your potential employer is looking at your work experience (sounds familiar) however they don't just accept your resume they want to see your work papers which is an offical log of where you worked for how long and what your position was. This is the reason she was using her Russian work papers because they contained all her previous experience where her Ukraine papers were blank. So she was employed in a grey area where if anyone asked it would be like she never worked there. Kinda like being an American citizen but employed like an illegal in the US.

So my question is should we show her employment history for the last five years even given that if they actually check it out the response will be "never heard of her" Or just say that she was unemployed for the last five years. Any thoughts?
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-10-08 14:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI made up my mind- I'm going with CR-1
Hi Cristy,

I went through the same thing and actually right now K-3 and CR-1 seem to be running neck and neck as far as time goes. And when you think about the AOS hassle along with all the other stuff the CR-1 makes more sense.

Gregg
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-10-11 17:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCASE COMPLETE INTERVIEW COMPLETE VISA GRANTED
Congratulations!!! Hope someday soon Lena and I will be making such a post.

Just for example maybe you could write how you organized your paperwork etc. to make so "perfect"
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-10-21 09:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresStepsons I-130
SHould I put my stepsons I-130 in the same packet as his mothers and listed as such in the table of contents or should his be an entirely separet packet?
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-11-09 08:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIR-1/CR-1 VERSUS K-3
They haven't been married long enough for an I-R1. HAve to be married for a minimum two years for that. Could go the CR-1 route though (my choice).
bgreedMaleUkraine2007-11-26 11:36:00