Hi everyone,

Just wanted to post out of disappointment and loss as to what to do. As I mentioned before, my mom is trying to get a visa to come here for my graduation. Following the advice of many, I filled out the application myself (DS-156) and mailed it to her for her signature and such. Then, she had to take it to the place called Pony Express, the only authorized courier service with the U.S. Embassy.

Those people, of course, try to justify the fee that they charge--in addition to shipping costs and visa fee. So, they scrutinized my DS-156, and found many "faults" with it--such as, for example, using hyphens as opposed to brackets in the phone numbers. So, they quickly filled out the other version themselves, and had my mom, who knows no English, sign it--refusing to "accept" the application I filled out for her. My mom, knowing no English whatsoever, submitted to their insistence. Further, they refused to give her back the copy that I originally submitted--for some magical reason.

Now, after having scrutinized their copy, we realized that they lied in response to the question of whether my mom' has ever been denied a visa before. Instead of answering "yes," as I did on the previous application, and disclosing all the details of the prevsious denial, they for some reason simply checked off "no."

What do you guys think? What should I now do? It seems that whatever I do will be a bad route--either emphasizing the fact of her prior denial, or lying and concealing it, which we don't want to do. I am so furious with them.

I would raise high holy hell. Unfortunately, beyond that I have little constructive to say. But I can certainly empathize with your frustration, as I've felt similarly many times during the past 2-3 years...

Maybe call the embassy and request instructions? I'm not sure what else you can do...



Z

I would not only call the embassy, I would send them an e-mail aand a snail mail letter detailing what occurred. Best of luck.

Well, I'd certainly go on to complain after a visa was in hand, or no longer necessary due to the event being missed. But so long as there's a chance to get the visa, I'd err on the side of requesting information about how to handle this mess instead of pointing fingers or lighting fires under anybody's behind.

Z

Except that the box being checked "no" on the new form might cause problems. I think in this case I would be more proactive.

I don't think a previous denial really hurts your mom's chances. I think few people get a visa the first time around. Any thoughts on this, those who have had success in getting family to visit?

I wouldn't do squat. That's a classic case of "it's Russia" and there's really nothing you can do about it now anyway.

Have your mom take the original DS-156 to the interview and explain to them what happened and how you provided one for her, etc. etc. etc. Have her tell the whole story about how the Pony Express guys made her change it and she didn't really have a choice but either way, she's just trying to come visit you and then get back home.

I believe if she presents it as "such a hassle just to go visit" then they'll be able to understand what she's going through. After all, it is such a hassle just to go visit!

I know--this is such a hassle just to go visit, and this is just the very beginning. We'll try to contact the Pony Express folks, and see if they sent stuff out yet. Hopefully, they'll be able to do SOMETHING to correct their error (though I might be assuming way too much here). It's just that if she waits till the interview, there is a chance the officer will already have made his mind even before the interview, based on the misrepresentation in the infamous question 32.

It just feels like the system is made there to screw the little person. Any way you can do it. And Pony Express is the lucky, uneducated beneficiary of the system. What irks me even more is that people do not even protest--my mom "just did what they told" her.

THANKS FOR YOUR EMPATHY, GUYS. We'll keep you updated! I am so lucky to have found this forum!

I believe the system is set up to screw the little guy here too. Well, not so much screw them as to make all of them work hard their whole lives to pay for it. Anyway, that's another topic for another time.

Back to your mom's pony express snafu.... I think as long as she goes in to the interview with the original in hand and explains what they did at pony express, she's going to be OK. Worst case scenario she reapplies, this time using a different pony express or taking it directly to the consulate herself.

I don't want to jump too far ahead, but I'm betting you guys are worrying a little too much about this. Things are done differently in Russia, and they know that at the embassy. Good luck, and definitely keep us posted.

Good news! We got it handled--though the package was already shipped out, they will hold it in the Moscow Pony Express until the new, correct DS-156 arrives. So, everything is good so far, but the biggest hurdle is coming up! Thanks for support--I might have overreacted.