Perfectly acceptable

There is a way to fix it by installing Adobe language support packet ( my Adobe did it automatically, just make sure u are connected to the internet ), but if u will write it into the form with ur hands - its will be good too. I did it with another question that i couldnt type in and its worked.

Heading to Kyiv on Saturday, arriving Sunday afternoon to see my lady. Last time I was there was the first week in September and the weather was pleasant. The low on Sunday is supposed to be 12 dgrees and 10 degrees on Monday. I live in the Dallas area where it's been in the 80s lately. Needless to say, I'm in for some serious climate shock. Anyone else ever traveled to Ukraine this time of year?

WTF? Oops, the flowers are supposed to Fs for Farinheight. I have know idea what I clicked to get the roses to appear. LOL

Mariya:
Write it in later. We had to do the same thing on our DS-230, since keyboard would not type it or print it and it is acceptable to write it in.

ZQT3344

Good tip on Adobe. We found the same problem a lot on those forms, not enough room in box to type it or what Mariya ran into, so we just handprinted it out and no problems.

DAH that is me. Dress warm, long coat and gloves and underwear long johns! Here are some tips, weather this time of year there is gray and foggy or misty rain all day and ice cold all the day long, not much sun at all, just gray outside. Sun comes up around 8 am and down by 4 pm. Also be prepared for flight cancellations and delays or changes due to the weather conditions. Make sure or I hope you allowed about 2 - 3hours between your connecting flights for this reason, make sure you call and check at least 2 days before time flying there because they are notorious for flight changes this time of year due to the weather, it was a scramble for me twice in November and December the past two years going over there, good time to go also for lower airfare prices, usually less than half this time of year for round trip. I flew Lufthansa once and KLM the other time so both were at mercy of airport weather and it got rerouted and changed on me several times both times flying in and twice flying out that time of year. It all worked out eventually but it is a hectic time. Good luck and drink some Slodyvich beer for me!




Cool, never seen that emoticon on her before how you do that?

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. 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.

I have been in Ukraine in March, May, July, September and January

Hi John...
I have been to Kyiv 6 times and I just returned 3 weeks ago from Kyiv!
I arrived Oct 13,2007 and the weather was mid 40's for the first 4 days. I then went out of the country and returned to Kyvi for another 4 days on Oct 22. The weather was then in the mid to upper 50's!

HOWEVER; I did travel to Kyiv in mid-Oct 2004 and froze my body parts off ... winter coat, gloves, scarf and I was still frozen!

I also went in March 2005 and it was even colder than Oct 2004! (other trips have been in summer time.)

This past trip, my wife bought me "warm Ukrainian Underwear" ... which are essentially "long johns!"
You can easily purchase this item while you are in Kyiv .... my wife bought mine in SUM ... the major Department Store on Kreshatyk but I am sure you can purchase same in any bizaar.

zqt3344 is 1000% correct regarding flight times, travel delays in winter, etc. I have travelled on Air France, KLM and Delta on various trips and have had delays under "normal circumstances" as well as weather problems. My last 2 trips have been Delta direct from JFK and the plane has left 3 Hours LATE in BOTH 2006 and 2007 for "stupid" reasons.

Good luck and enjoy your travel!

Thanks for the advice guys! I checked the weather for Kyiv and Vienna (connecting flight location) and they're not forecasting any precipitation for this weekend or early next week for either place, just cold. Maybe I'll get lucky and there won't be any flight delays.

Wow in all my cold weather trips I've never had a flight delay.

Hi all! Just wanted to check in and tell you that my wife is now in the USA with me and we are VERY happy! We even were able to bring her cat and dog (not easy, but somehow we got it done)! I couldn't believe it because we flew in through Atlanta, and got the bags (4 huge bags at 23+ kg each), cat, dog, and through all the immigration stuff in about 15 minutes. It usually takes me an hour with just one bag, so we were really lucky this day. They didn't ask us any questions at all. So everything is good and finally we are together. Good luck to everyone else and thanks for all the great help and support you have all provided to us here!

CONGRATS!!!

Amazing how did you get the cat and dog through? Good for you.

Thanks all! Really we got the cat and dog through just on my wife's persistence! There were so many complications and so much bad info it was hard to know what the right steps were. Essentially, we got some sort of pet passports from her local vet in Lviv. We got their rabies shots, tick treatment, etc. Finally, we got some type of form known as "form 1" from her vet. We made reservations for them with the airline...1 pet under my name and 1 under hers since they only allow 1 pet per person. Then in Kyiv, at the Borispol airport, there was someone who's job it is to take the "form 1" and make some international version of it. We also had the pet passports translated appropriately. Also, when my wife went to her medical exam in Kyiv she bought the kennels we used to transport them. I might add that the person in Borispol airport was really nasty and made up a bunch of stuff saying we had done the forms wrong, etc. etc. Had to unofficially pay him about $100. The airline charged about $130 for the pets to be transported. Also, to get them to Kyiv, we unoffically paid Aerosvit to let us take them in the cabin since the plane didn't have a temperature controlled area. So overall it was a little bit tricky getting everything done, but my wife really wanted them and was willing to do the running around to make it happen. It was only about an extra 2 minutes in Atlanta airport...someone examined the documentation we brought, took a look at the pets, and that was it.

Sounds so typical of Ukraine. HAHA and why is it I knew that somewhere in this process there would be a "tip" er well unofficial bribe that would have to be paid to some Ukrainian government worker along the way. Well just think you made that worker their salary for one month or at least 2-3 weeks right then. Maybe he or she went out and got hopped up on vodka to celebrate! Only in Ukraine.

AOS APPROVED NOVEMBER 21, 2007!
Now I am going to go get out of here and get hopped up on Vodka myself to celebrate! [size="7"][/size]

Congrats!! Glad to hear she made it safe with the Animals as well.

Congratulations!!! That's something to be thankful for!



Thank you! Things have been so great this week, I can't believe it's reality!

i know that they advise one to write case # in the top right corner of the documents one sends to NVC. Should I write my case # on DS-230 too??? Or just my personal documents?

I would say... I doesn't hurt

Thanks Fwaguy!!

Hi to all!!! Returned from Kyiv yesterday evening. Had a great time with Luda (I already miss her). The trip there and back was as smooth as it could be - no delays, etc. When I arrived there was about 6-inches of snow on the ground and when I left yesterday it had all melted. One of my most memorable events was attending the massive memorial service and parade held between St. Sofia and St. Michael's churches on Saturday. It was held to honor the millions of Ukrainians who died from starvation in 1932-1933 because of Stalin (what a SOB!!!). President Yeshenko also spoke. It was a very somber occasion.

Glad your trip went well and no hitches!

Great news, good to see the flights were ok. That country has endured a lot of hardship all at the hands of Mother Russia, and even to this day Ukraine suffers from backdoor underhand dealings of Putin and friends from Russia.

Very true. However, after reading some history about Ukriane Mother Russia is only one of many culprits that wouldn't keep their hands off that country. It's amazing who and how many times they have been invaded and slaughtered over the centuries - the vikings, mongols, turks, poles, hungarians, etc. Hopefully, the rest of the world will finally leave the Ukrainians alone.

I woudn't say that Russia brought only troubles to Ukraine. Nowadays - If not Russia's gas and fuel we would freeze here or heat our houses with wooden logs.

Russia is a police/dictatorship state now, not much different than when Stalin run it, just window dressing on it to make it appear as if they are all free and democratic now. Ukraine would be better off the sooner they get away from Russian gas and oil, it only serves as another form of control they will exert over your country and try to steer it in a direction that may not be so good for Ukrainians, and the same can be said of USA and it's dependence on oil producing countries we deal with, everyone needs to seek alternative fuel sources. Just a thought from observing on my many travels to that part of the world. I hope your Russia does not raise your natural gas prices again but I see where they have announced there would be another doubling in gas prices on Jan 1, 2008, Happy New Year Ukraine!

Wasn't it last winter when Russia cut off the gas/oil to Ukraine because they didn't want to pay higher prices? They cut it back on when Ukraine agreed to their terms. Yea, I agree that Putin has turned into a little mini-Stalin. Ukraine needs to stay as far away from the Russians as possible. I would begin by finding another source of petroleum.

Hi Guys,

I'm new to posting here, but have been reading this site for a few months.

I wondering if you guys know a good place to get the translations done in Kiev, and how much it should cost.

Thanks!

Ask RichardS, he will know, and not lead you astray, he is very knowledgable about Kiev for his wife is from there.

Hi everyone!!!! Our case was completed on December 20th how long do u think it will take for them to send it to the embassy and to schedule an interview appointment? and when do u thing is a good time to e-mail to us embassy in kiev to find out if they recieved the case?

Has anyone had the experience of having the transliterated name on the Ukrainian/Russian passport not match the English version of the name on the I-130 or I-129 docs?

We are trying to decide if we can go ahead and start the process while we are waiting for the international passport to come in. It could take up to 4 months and we hate to have to wait that long to start things on the American side...

Yes, did not pose a problem.... I think they understand that, for example, Svitlana and Svetlana are the same...

YES, happens when translating to Ukrainian, we noticed difference between it and Russian, but it was not any problem, good luck.

It will be in Kyiv embassy by first week of January I would expect at least, usually within 10 business days of arriving at NVC it is sent out to embassy in Kyiv. Kyiv embassy does not waste time or fool around, they are very good and organized there, so get ready for your paperwork to arrive any day there after Jan 1. I would recommend you email the Kyiv embassy by January 2 and check on when they receive your paperwork, they respond to email very quickly, need to use your id number in subject line of message. Your finance should get an email notice from Kyiv embassy notifying her that your paperwork has been recieved at Kyiv embassy and as soon has you have all the information on the checklist to take to the interview then fill out that form with checklist and have her sign it(I think and scan in or fax back to embassy), they may have just have accepted an email reply back, forgot, but seemed to remember you have to fill out a checklist form and sign it then scan in computer and email back or mail back to them, although they will recommend you email them or fax them and avoid Ukraine mail system. You can go ahead and apply for an interview as soon as you get notified by email from Kyiv embassy, but just make sure you will have all your paperwork ready to go by the time you have interview or you may need to wait until it is all completed to take with her to interview, usually it seems they grant interview date within 1-2 months after you apply for interview date, good luck it is all down hill now. It will go fast. So tell your finance to get all her translations and medical exam and police certificate(record) done ASAP if she has not already done it by now.

[quote name='zqt3344' date='Dec 27 2007, 01:59 AM' post='1444879']
It will be in Kyiv embassy by first week of January I would expect at least, usually within 10 business days of arriving at NVC it is sent out to embassy in Kyiv. Kyiv embassy does not waste time or fool around, they are very good and organized there, so get ready for your paperwork to arrive any day there after Jan 1. I would recommend you email the Kyiv embassy by January 2 and check on when they receive your paperwork, they respond to email very quickly, need to use your id number in subject line of message. Your finance should get an email notice from Kyiv embassy notifying her that your paperwork has been recieved at Kyiv embassy and as soon has you have all the information on the checklist to take to the interview then fill out that form with checklist and have her sign it(I think and scan in or fax back to embassy), they may have just have accepted an email reply back, forgot, but seemed to remember you have to fill out a checklist form and sign it then scan in computer and email back or mail back to them, although they will recommend you email them or fax them and avoid Ukraine mail system. You can go ahead and apply for an interview as soon as you get notified by email from Kyiv embassy, but just make sure you will have all your paperwork ready to go by the time you have interview or you may need to wait until it is all completed to take with her to interview, usually it seems they grant interview date within 1-2 months after you apply for interview date, good luck it is all down hill now. It will go fast. So tell your finance to get all her translations and medical exam and police certificate(record) done ASAP if she has not already done it by now.

thanks for that explanation but as I understood you was talking of the K-1 visa pocess we r going for CR-1 so NVC making an appointment for me
I'm the wife who lives in Ukraine btw
thanks for info at least I know that people rorginized and working better and faster than in USCIS
thanks Good luck to all of us
Ntasha

zqt3344,

Your "K" interview scheduling information is a bit out of date. The faxing/e-mailing of the KEV-1 checklist is old procedure and has been for about 6 mos now. You now phone a call center located in Poland... This call costs money so you either must have a credit card ready or if in Ukraine, have bought a PIN number at a bank.. (instructions on the website)...

I was in Kiev November and we spent 3 hours looking for a WIFI so I could get online using my notebook and we couldn't find one. We checked the coffee shops and they didn't have WIFI. Does anyone know where I could find WIFI next time I am there?

You can try internet cafe or hotels

They actually have Wifi at the airport, it used to be free, now they charge.
However you know have to be part of the "Business Class" flying out of Kiev to get a charge card.

Or do what I did, barge in there and ask for a card, it is about $5.00 I believe.
"in there" referring to the room where business class folks go to, I do not know what they call it in the airport.
But this may be hard for you to do if your not flying out as you have to get by security etc..
Maybe now, they sell cards to everyone so you may want to check next time your there.
T

Toby, do a Google search for "WiFi hot spots in Kiev". I found some located in a few places, but I'm certain it was less than a dozen of them. I never ended up in one of those locations, used an internet cafe on the first visit, and they allowed me to tap into their network. One of the places in downtown Kyiv with WiFi was a pizza joint as I recall.

I read an interesting article a couple of weeks ago where the Ukrainian government has increased their monitoring of the Internet traffic in and out of the country including tapping into email. There were some groups trying to restrict this, but it doesn't sound like it is going to stop it any time soon.

E.

To spice things up for those that keep up with Mobile internet, PeopleNet in Kiev signed a contract with Nortel Networks to get a 1xEV-DO Network out in Ukraine.
From the looks of it, it will start in Kiev then expand from there. But with past contracts with the FSU they usually do not go to far. Meaning they may do Kiev then opt not to pursue any other city. LOL

So I would say within the next 6 months to a year they will have broadband for your mobile.
Do not know what PeopleNet will charge, but it WILL be less then what folks are getting for internet at home. (rumors I am hearing). Thats why PeopleNet is choosing this as an option so that they can compete with the DSL/Cable folks.


http://www2.nortel.com/go/news_detail.jsp?...mp;locale=en-US

My fiancee did search on google and the ones we went they require registered cell phone. Her phone is prepaid so it doesn't work. I need to work on my notebook so unless the internet cafe allows me to tap into their network it wouldn't work for me. I will ask next time if they'd let me do that.

Thanks

They should allow it. I used my Vonage softphone from the Cafe and they charged me for the bandwidth used. Just don;t allow them to screw with your laptop unless you know exactly what they are about to do to it.

[quote name='natashenika' date='Dec 27 2007, 02:05 AM' post='1445281']
[quote name='zqt3344' date='Dec 27 2007, 01:59 AM' post='1444879']
It will be in Kyiv embassy by first week of January I would expect at least, usually within 10 business days of arriving at NVC it is sent out to embassy in Kyiv. Kyiv embassy does not waste time or fool around, they are very good and organized there, so get ready for your paperwork to arrive any day there after Jan 1. I would recommend you email the Kyiv embassy by January 2 and check on when they receive your paperwork, they respond to email very quickly, need to use your id number in subject line of message. Your finance should get an email notice from Kyiv embassy notifying her that your paperwork has been recieved at Kyiv embassy and as soon has you have all the information on the checklist to take to the interview then fill out that form with checklist and have her sign it(I think and scan in or fax back to embassy), they may have just have accepted an email reply back, forgot, but seemed to remember you have to fill out a checklist form and sign it then scan in computer and email back or mail back to them, although they will recommend you email them or fax them and avoid Ukraine mail system. You can go ahead and apply for an interview as soon as you get notified by email from Kyiv embassy, but just make sure you will have all your paperwork ready to go by the time you have interview or you may need to wait until it is all completed to take with her to interview, usually it seems they grant interview date within 1-2 months after you apply for interview date, good luck it is all down hill now. It will go fast. So tell your finance to get all her translations and medical exam and police certificate(record) done ASAP if she has not already done it by now.

thanks for that explanation but as I understood you was talking of the K-1 visa pocess we r going for CR-1 so NVC making an appointment for me
I'm the wife who lives in Ukraine btw
thanks for info at least I know that people rorginized and working better and faster than in USCIS
thanks Good luck to all of us
Ntasha


Ntasha:
No problem, when in doubt, go to Kyiv USA embassy website, get their email address and email them any questions you may have, they are very good and reliable, and can tell you just exactly what to do or what procedure they are currently doing now to be for certain. That is too bad if they switched to a phone system procedure this spring or summer, just more hassle and expense for Ukrainians, so I would definitely email embassy to find out your best options. Best of luck to you.

My fiancee did search on google and the ones we went they require registered cell phone. Her phone is prepaid so it doesn't work. I need to work on my notebook so unless the internet cafe allows me to tap into their network it wouldn't work for me. I will ask next time if they'd let me do that.

Thanks


They should allow it. I used my Vonage softphone from the Cafe and they charged me for the bandwidth used. Just don;t allow them to screw with your laptop unless you know exactly what they are about to do to it.

They should but you watch E, they will do something to rip the Ukrainian people off as usual.

Hmm,
I do not understand? You believe that it is expensive to use the phone in Ukraine?
Yes the US Embassy in Kiev did go to a phone system charging some money to get information, however I found it very valuable and I never had to wait.
Also, by calling you can not only verify if your paperwork has arrived, but you can set up an appointment with them as well. That is better then email as there is no option to do that, and it is better then waiting for them to send you the package. This could save you weeks in the process, maybe even a month or two, if you wait for them.



I do not understand how getting Wifi would rip of the Ukrainian people if this guy is traveling and most likely not Ukrainian?
I found the internet cafe's in Ukraine not expensive and plenty of places as well. Although I did not use WiFi, I do not see why you cannot ask them to plug you in directly using a normal CAT 5 connection. I mean, your not at starbucks right? And you have to be within a certain amount of feet for Wifi right? So why not just pick a chair and ask them if you can plug in?
If they cannot, they have computers you can use, of course certain things on your laptop you will not be able to do, so bring a USB device with you to make transfer of files easier.
T.

bcartr? how does your wife like it thee in US? was adjustment easy for her?

P.S. I got my case complete as far as i remember it was on Dec 13th. wanna say special THANK YOU to Fwaguy for his right advice and comments!