ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IMBRA Special TopicsDid anybody return CSC RFE using certified email with return receipt?
I used Certified and Return Receipt. I was able to track the package and it has been received however its been about a week and i have not received the Return Receipt Card. Keep in mind that we are talking Georgia to California.

I hope this helps

Craig
CraigUSAMaleRussia2006-07-10 20:59:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussia Visa
If she is able to get a visa to the USA beware....She will most likely be red flagged at that point and getting a visa again would be next to impossible. I, personally would not wast the time or effort for her to attempt to come to the USA unless it would be on a legimate work visa. Like some of the other comments before me have said that she would have a better chance to go to countries like Turkey or Ukraine. But, by the time you do that you might as well meet in RUS. If you nervous about meeting in her home country dont. Moscow for the most part is not too bad to get around. Plus you will have a native with you so there should be little to no issues. The main thing i recommed is to do what you can so that you can focus on the relationship and not the logistics. Plus to me it would be a bounus to see her culture and where she come from. For Americans gettting a Russia Tourist Visa or Homestay visa is no big deal. Cost is about 100.00 usd. In a nutshell, dont attempt an Amercian Visa for Russian and just get yourself a RUS Visa and go meet the girl of your dreams. Oh, I will say that you would not want to do anything in regards to trying to get her a Visa because if yoiu apply for the K-1 that could come back to haunt you. Especially if she is denied a visa.

Good Travels.

Craig

If she is able to get a visa to the USA beware....She will most likely be red flagged at that point and getting a visa again would be next to impossible. I, personally would not wast the time or effort for her to attempt to come to the USA unless it would be on a legimate work visa. Like some of the other comments before me have said that she would have a better chance to go to countries like Turkey or Ukraine. But, by the time you do that you might as well meet in RUS. If you nervous about meeting in her home country dont. Moscow for the most part is not too bad to get around. Plus you will have a native with you so there should be little to no issues. The main thing i recommed is to do what you can so that you can focus on the relationship and not the logistics. Plus to me it would be a bounus to see her culture and where she come from. For Americans gettting a Russia Tourist Visa or Homestay visa is no big deal. Cost is about 100.00 usd. In a nutshell, dont attempt an Amercian Visa for Russian and just get yourself a RUS Visa and go meet the girl of your dreams. Oh, I will say that you would not want to do anything in regards to trying to get her a Visa because if yoiu apply for the K-1 that could come back to haunt you. Especially if she is denied a visa.

Good Travels.

Craig
CraigUSAMaleRussia2006-07-20 21:49:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusIs Relationship a Secret in RUS?
Thanks all for the info.

by the way her English is excellent and she is 26 almost 27. Where im 36.

She has been quite involved in her work, supporting her parents and here education so she tells me she only has colleagues with work and no friends.

Thanks again

C-
CraigUSAMaleRussia2006-08-01 21:03:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusIs Relationship a Secret in RUS?
Ok, need a little guidance.

Is is customary for someone is Russia to not share nor tell very few people in Russia of your relationship. I have been asked to not share photos of us with my friends also?

Im trying to determine if this is a RED Flag or just a Cultural difference.

Any advise or experience would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks

Craig
CraigUSAMaleRussia2006-07-30 23:12:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK1 or K3? Need Help on which is best?
QUOTE (manwithabeard @ May 11 2008, 04:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I will tell you it's a bit of a hassle getting married in Russia. You need to get some of your USA documents with "apostile stamps" from the secretary of state from whatever state you live in (birth certificate, divorce papers, etc). You will also need to write a "marriage letter" and get it notarized and with an apostile stamp also. The directions for the Russian marriage process can be found on this site by doing a search. Just know there is some work to do to get all the documents together.

You will also face a 30 day waiting period after you apply to get married in Russia at a Palace of Marriage office. You can try for a waiver to speed up the process. Be prepared to pay extra. Best case it will take about a week to get married. Your fiancee can start the process without you if you send her the documents needed.

If you had personal problems in the past, you may want to go K-1 and bring your finacee to the USA to make sure she can handle the adjustment to America...many women can not and go home. Obviously it's better if that happens before you get married. As already mentioned, you will need to write a waiver letter explaining about you first K-1 but the USCIS accepts these routinely.

If you decide to get married in Russia I'd go for a CR-1 visa, not K-3. The CR-1 process is faster now and only costs you a few months extra than going K-3, and when she arrives in the US she gets her green card and SSN right away...and can work right away also. And you save about $1000 by not having to do AOS here in the US as with the K-1 or K-3.

I'd only go k-3 if you simply must be together as quickly as possible. You'll spend more money and she must wait to work in the US, and you will be doing lots of stateside paperwork. But if time really matters, then go for K-3.



thanks for all the good info.

In ready all the posts here it sparked a question to me...for your average person/couple what is the best application based on things like time and work permits and s uch? K1,K3..etc??

Your call.

CraigUSAMaleRussia2008-05-11 19:22:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK1 or K3? Need Help on which is best?
QUOTE (Ranie and Glen @ May 11 2008, 11:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (CraigUSA @ May 11 2008, 09:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ok, i have a bit of a delimea and not sure which would be best for my situation.

I have been in love and part of my Anna's life for more then 3 or more years now. We had applied and were with in about 45 days of approval on the K1 last year. We had some problem and decided to cancel the application. So that application is closed now. We have decided that our lives are best together as we cannot be without one another. Anna feels as if the K3 would be best since we had already applied for the K1. She is affraid that the authorities would feel that if one application would be cancelled then another would be too and they would not approve it.

Any thoughts or experiences as to what would be best for us.

Thanks

Craig


I am wondering why you cancelled the application since you could have gotten he visa by now if you had not cancelled it anyway..
Somehow I don't think it wil be big deal in the future to start k3 process


QUOTE (Ranie and Glen @ May 11 2008, 10:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (CraigUSA @ May 11 2008, 09:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ok, i have a bit of a delimea and not sure which would be best for my situation.

I have been in love and part of my Anna's life for more then 3 or more years now. We had applied and were with in about 45 days of approval on the K1 last year. We had some problem and decided to cancel the application. So that application is closed now. We have decided that our lives are best together as we cannot be without one another. Anna feels as if the K3 would be best since we had already applied for the K1. She is affraid that the authorities would feel that if one application would be cancelled then another would be too and they would not approve it.

Any thoughts or experiences as to what would be best for us.

Thanks

Craig


I am wondering why you cancelled the application since you could have gotten he visa by now if you had not cancelled it anyway..
Somehow I don't think it wil be big deal in the future to start k3 process


Oh did u guys break up and got back together again??
i could tell from your signature smile.gif



We had some issues that did not come up at a good time and we both were not being smart about the whole thing. We have grown and learned many things from that and are much stronger now. smile.gif

I hope that helps some...

Our main concern is that since a K1 has been applied for would it be difficult to go through that again for would it be better to go through K3 and marry in her home country.

Thanks
CraigUSAMaleRussia2008-05-11 10:18:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK1 or K3? Need Help on which is best?
Ok, i have a bit of a delimea and not sure which would be best for my situation.

I have been in love and part of my Anna's life for more then 3 or more years now. We had applied and were with in about 45 days of approval on the K1 last year. We had some problem and decided to cancel the application. So that application is closed now. We have decided that our lives are best together as we cannot be without one another. Anna feels as if the K3 would be best since we had already applied for the K1. She is affraid that the authorities would feel that if one application would be cancelled then another would be too and they would not approve it.

Any thoughts or experiences as to what would be best for us.

Thanks

Craig
CraigUSAMaleRussia2008-05-11 09:50:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHave I lost my Mind?
Hello all.....

Well, here is my story very briefly....

In 2006 I met Anna who is from Southern Russia. We very soon met face to face and needless to say I racked up quite a few frequent flyer miles and was filling up many pages in my passport. Over the days and months we became very close and I proposed to her in Sochi . To both of us it was like a dream come true and we were so in love. We soon filled out the K-1. As we got closer to approval we became more apart and had more and more problems. Some were workable and some we were not able to work through. In then end it came down to our Religious differences and our lack of compromise to each other. I was as guilty as she was. So, soon we called things off and our K-1 was cancelled. She had interview date in Moscow and was probably with in 30 days of getting an approval. We never really broke off our communication totally. We have learned a lot about one another since then, than we did prior. We both have dated others since that time. Now we come to our current time. In the past 6 months or so things Have of sorts increased. We are venturing about getting back together and go through the process one final time. Its funny because as I have dated in my home country I have looked back at my time with her and have realized that my love for her was most likely stronger than I had personally realized. At no such time have we had any hurdles with language and culture. I laugh because for those that are not or never have been involved with someone from another country automatically think that is and will always be the problems. When we first met I was totally against considering living in her home country. I , now am more than willing if we could. In a nutshell I think that its this....We were unwilling to compromise and fought on things that in the big picture were not life threatening. The other and very big thing was that I was listening to all of my friends that just could not understand why I would want to be involved with anyone that was not in my same town.

So, I ask this....Have any of you experienced and gone thru with something like this and is this a smart decision and or thought.

With all of that we had talked about getting married first and filing a K-3. We felt the K-3 was the better option for one simple thing. The idea that once she arrives in the US that she would be able to work sooner than if she entered on a K-1.

Thanks and I look forward to your thoughts..

Craig

Edited by CraigUSA, 26 September 2008 - 08:31 PM.

CraigUSAMaleRussia2008-09-26 20:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresengaged first of K1 first??
One thing not to forget is that there is some of the K-1 that she has to sign and to save you time on International Shipments it probably would not be a bad idea to have that paperwork with you. I would at the very least go through the paperwork and familarize yourself with what you will need from her. Many end up filling out all that they know beforehand and once you propose to her sit down and together fill out and sign the remainer of the forms. As you probably alrady know you basically have to put your relationship on paper and it is a big help when the two of you work together in putting this together and providing information and records from each side.

Good luck and remember one thing..."Patients"

Craig/Anna
CraigUSAMaleRussia2006-07-16 22:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHas Anyone From CSV received NOA2
So....I was wondering. Has anyone received NOA2 after RFE from Calfornia? It seems to me that California is running extreemely slow compared to the others?

Thanks

Craig
CraigUSAMaleRussia2006-07-18 17:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAm I the only K-1 with Russian Fiance?
It seems to me that on this site there are very very few Russian Fiances'.

Just curious why this is being that there are quite a large number coming out of Russia. I believe if memory serves that the American Embassy in Moscow performs something like 10-14 interviews a day?



Thanks

Craig
CraigUSAMaleRussia2006-07-18 17:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCancelling of K1

I just wanted to say that i am truly sorry to hear about this situation i pray that you have peace in your mind from this and i wish you all the best in your life. And yes your right it is better that it happened now. Take Care (F)





AJ1


Thanks and i totally agree..Better now than later..Its funny how some will say all that they do when they may not really feel that way. Very unfortunate. I , fortunately know that not all people are like this and i hope to fine the love of my life one day that is honest and loves me for me. I know many of you have found that here and i desire the same.

Take care

Craig
CraigUSAMaleRussia2007-08-10 09:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCancelling of K1

Where is your petition? From your timeline it appears to be in Moscow. It also appears that you had an interview... Was a visa issued?



No interview took place and Application was sent back to California. The last correspondance i had was from California saying they received the petition back and it was under review.

So does this mean i just need to send cancellaiton letter from me to California?


Yes, if the petition is at CSC and since no visa was issued, then that is where you go.....

The letter does not have to be long. Simply write that you wish no additional processing to occur. Reference you WAC# and other identifying information. They should send you an I-797 back within a few weeks indicating that they have cancelled the petition.


I sent a letter pretty much stating to cancel the petition with my name,her name and petitiion # on it. Im guessing that is all they will need?

Thanks for everyones input and i wish you all the best of luck with your applicatins. Who knows maybe one day ill end up her again.

Craig
CraigUSAMaleRussia2007-08-10 09:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCancelling of K1

Where is your petition? From your timeline it appears to be in Moscow. It also appears that you had an interview... Was a visa issued?



No interview took place and Application was sent back to California. The last correspondance i had was from California saying they received the petition back and it was under review.

So does this mean i just need to send cancellaiton letter from me to California?
CraigUSAMaleRussia2007-08-10 09:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCancelling of K1
I am sorry to report that my engagement and application to my Fiance in Russia has ended. It is unfortunate but as many have reported better now than later. Who knows what may be in my future. I had given her my entire life and was willing in so many ways to make her time here in the USA as much like home as could be. But she was not willing to be with me. Some may say then why did you not go to her Country. I will answer that we discussed this on many differnt levels and collectively we felt it was financially better for us to be in the USA.

So with that can someone guide me as im going thru the process of cancelling our K1 if i just send it to USCIS is that enough or are there are places that it needs to be sent?

Thanks

Craig
CraigUSAMaleRussia2007-08-10 08:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTime Limit Once K-1 Received
Hello everyone!

I was wanting to know if anyone knows if there is a limit of how long your Fiance can say in the home country once the K-1 Visa is receiced before she leaves for USA? My fiance has things she has to take care of like Real Estate once the K-1 is received and i dont want to put the K-1 in jepoardy of being expired.

Thanks

craig
CraigUSAMaleRussia2006-07-29 16:58:00