Thanks for the feedback on the transcript/return thing, I think I know how to move forward. Now I have a question concerning visa invitations for her family and friends.

Now, I know that it is much more important that they are able to prove they have strong ties to Russia, i.e. good reasons to return. However, I would like to give them invitation letters so that they can show why they are coming, who they will be staying with, etc. Anyway, I was wondering beyond the basic information, what other information should I put on the letters? My SO believes I need to put things like their passport numbers, all their passport information, addresses, etc. Does this seem right? Or, what did any of you put on any invitations you created? Thanks!

Lastly, what is the best way to contact the Moscow embassy to see if they received the file?

Steven

I don't remember everything I put excatly, but I did not use any passport numbers. In the invitation letter I don't think I put any personal information. There is an application for that.

I explained why I wanted my mother-in-law to visit and tried to establish reasons for her to not immigrate. Things like her husband, her house, relatives, etc. The basic things you were talking about...

I wasn't concerned about contacting the embassy about if they recieved it because they contacted my mother-in-law quickly, if I recall.

It probably would not hurt and might help to emphasize that you are aware of immigration laws and will not support an overstay -- and perhaps point to selfish reasons (not wanting to imperil the spousal beneficiaries status here) to buttress your posture on this matter.

I remember an esteemed member of another board used such a strategy a few years ago successfully to get his Russian in-laws to visit the States.

Here is a sample letter I used that worked:

Your Name
Your Address
Your Phone

Today’s Date:

Visa Issuing Officer
Nonimmigration Visa Section
U.S. Consulate General
Yekateringburg, Russia

Dear Visa Issuing Officer,

This letter to invite my parents XXX (spelled XXX in Russian) and XXX (spelled XXX in Russian) to visit us at XXX, California and also make an explanation on their application for the B-2 visitor visas.

I haven't seen my parents in over 1 year. I feel a great family closeness with my parents and such feelings have often been reflected in my dreams. I have been phoning them a lot to partially fulfill my feelings, although telephone talks is still quite different from seeing them. My parents have never seen how my husband and I live, our house, and have never met my in-laws.

[Insert nice paragraph on why your relationship is special and how family or work wise they are so intimately connected to Russia]

My parents have a piece of land and privately owned home in XXX. They do not have any intention to stay in the USA permanently. They are used to the living and culture in Russia. They have good lives there and have all the essential things needed including family, salaries, car, daughters and grandchildren, relatives, friends and state health insurance.

I would like them to spend a few weeks living with us and to visit some of the beautiful places in California. My parents have sufficient income to purchase airline tickets for their trip and will not required any living expenses, as they will be staying in our house. I will be financially obligated for them while they are present in the US and make sure they return back to Russia promptly at the end of their trip.

I highly appreciate your assistance for my parents application for B-2 visitors visas.

Sincerely,


Your name (Status, e.g. green card holder or US citizen)

Wow!

All I did was fill out the application for her and put "filled out by slim" in the "person who filled out the form" part.

An "invitation letter" is an informal support letter. It's not official so it can be whatever you want it to be. The real reason you're doing one is so you can "affirm" that what you're saying is true and it connects to the person trying to come here and corroborates their story.