The problem is every time I call NVC I get busy signal, or I get the tape message which says call back, all operators are busy. I have called 8-10 times in the last 2-3 days, after 8pm eastern time

Yes, it's a huge pain. I had my best luck either very early when they open, or just before they close (like 10:45pm ET).
At this point, you could just skip that step, and start calling the Consular Section every day and inquire. The direct # is
+380444904422. Eventually, he will tell you it's ready. Otherwise, you must wait until she received the package in her mail, but that can take a while... Did you purchase your PIN code yet?

No, not yet. I will start calling next Monday

The date on the letter from NVC to me was 6-11

BTW- the embassy is very good in answering emails

Which documents must be translated and notorized:
1- International Passport
2- Birth certificate
3- Police certificate
4- vaccination record: I know its not required for K1, but need it for AOS

She has not been married, has not changed her name, no children, no military service

Thank you

Did you d/l the information packet? It is explicit in the exact requirements as to document preparation (translations, number of copies, etc)

Yes, I just finished reading it, now i know.

regards

You might try emailing the US embassy there in Kiev, their email address is listed on their website. We found that to be the fastest and easiest way to communicate with them and get timely information, links or answers within hours or the day of. Good luck.

I live in california, what is the best airline option for my fiancee to travel from Kiev or Odessa to the US?

I read its best to stay away from JFK and Chicago airports?

I want her to come direct from Odessa/ Kiev to the US. It seems my only option is Aerosvit, I know they have direct flights from Kiev to JFK, always lands at JFKaround 4:30 pm, very busy times

Delta is the only other direct KBP-JFK... (I assume Delta is still running this flight)

Out of ODS your connection choices are limited - Kiev, Vienna, Prague, Istanbul, Warsaw & Budapest if I remember

Out of KBP you can pick up only one US carrier (Delta) or just about all major European carriers.

We have done

ODS=WAW=ORD=MSP on LOT/UAL...
ODS-VIE-IAD-MSP on Ukraine Int'sl/Austrian/UAL (tends to be spendy)
ODS-KBP-JFK-MSP on DOnBass/AeroSvit/NWA

Thanks
WAW must be Warsaw
What is ORD? Orlando?
MSP? Is it Minniapolis?
IAD?

ORD = O'Hare (Chicago)
IAD = Washington - Dulles

I didnt know Delta had flights from Kiev to JFK, thanks.


HERE IS SOME GGOD INFO:
I'm trying to fly Marina back from Ukraine, avoiding JFK. She HATES the homeland security folk there--they have given her hard times every time---my guess is they just like to talk to her!!!

But most of the flights require a connection in London. Any ideas or experince on what the current view of transit visas might me? Is it possible? Or should we avoid Frankfurt or London or Paris?


Returning to

A lot depends on the major carriers which service your final destination. Here in Denver, it is United - which means the United, Lufthansa partnership works well for us - and now that UA/LH have direct flights to/from Denver and Frankfurt or Munich, the options are pretty straight-forward.

If Delta - their primary European partner is now Air France (yuch!).

In Dallas, I think it is a major hub for American - which is aligned with (IIRC) BA.

In all these cases - Frankfurt/Munich or Paris or London, an overnight stay will be a PITA. Frankfurt does have an airport hotel which is considered behind security, so no visa requirement.

The best situation is usually with Swiss Airlines (Zurich) or Austrian (Vienna) - as the airports are small, and they both have overnight facilities still within the confines of security, so no visa requirement. You make those arrangements with the airline directly. Sadly, they are no longer in partnership with Delta - but they *may* have partnering agreements with United.

It is possible with any of those carriers to find arrangements which arrive at a different POE than JFK. My preference is for first-time foreign travelers to arrive into IAD (Dulles) which is almost always efficient and friendly (United) - or Cincinnati or Atlanta (Delta). I suggest avoiding JFK and ORD (Chicago) if at all possible.

Go here to look for transit visa requirements

http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations...ation/index.jsp

Delta flights from Kiev stop at paris

It seems if she travels alone the best option is Aerosvit, because its direct from Kiev to JFK, there will be other Ukrainians on that flight who must go through customs and INS so she wont be the only person.

The CBP not the INS but the process is what it is nonetheless. FWIW, POE's handle foreign travellers each and every day... Major POE's have interpreter services available as well... It is not a big decision point in my mind. Pick the flights that are best for your situation, (itinerary, cost, etc...).

Delta Flight 88/89 JFK-KBP and KBP-JFK maybe do not operate on a daily basis, that is possibly why you saw a flight with a CDG stop, as you may have selected a non operating day for your return...

Correct. Delta direct flights 88/89 fly on Tuesday and Thursday (KBP-JFK), and Wednesday (JFK-KBP).

Don

There is KLM, British Airways, Delta, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Ukrainian Airlines, Aerospit out of Kiev. Lufthansa is the best, the Germans are usually on time or early, very rarely are they late and if so only by 5-10 minutes at most. KLM, Austrian Airlienes, and British Airways are next best on being on time. Delta, then Ukrainian Airlines then the worst and do not recommend is Aeropsit!

It is going to be very hard for your future wife to avoid flying into JFK or Chicago O Hare. If heading on out west to California coming from Europe, if you can find other airports to land in first like Memphis or Minneapolis or Denver or Washington DC or Philly or Boston on East Coast, like you say NYC is horrible and so is Miami and Atlanta, and Chicago is always delayed always by 45 minutes or more always, just try to schedule flight that arrives between 9 am - 12 pm and leaves out for California between 12 pm - 4 pm to avoid the delays. AND make sure your future wife takes a flight that arrives in the USA at her first airport that has like at least 2.5 plus hours in between connections, reason is because all European flights coming into the USA are always running late or behind, and then REMEMBER this once your future wife arrives at her first airport in the USA and has to get off the plane and go to next gate to get on connecting flight she WILL HAVE TO GO AND CLAIM ANY OF HER CHECKED BAGGAGE and then recheck it in same area on to her connecting flight. I know what the Ukrainian or European airport personnel will try to tell her that it is ok they will check her luggage all the way for through for her to her final destination in the USA BUT that will not happen, USA law does not allow that, apparently in European countries they do allow it for example once you check in at USA airport and fly on to your final destination overseas like for example Ukraine, you may check your baggage all the way through and not have to worry about reclaiming it at every connecting flight or foreign airport since they go ahead and put it on your plane you are flying onto in Europe. THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN FOR HER COMING TO THE USA and connecting on to see you, she will have to go claim her bags and then recheck them on to her next flight or final destination in USA otherwise her bags will stay behind wherever she first enters the USA at or whichever airport she lands at first.

Best/cheapest and most reliable for her to take an evening or overnight express train to Kiev from Odessa, that way you know she gets to Kiev on scheduled time for sure and no delays or cancellations that commonly occur at regional airports and with regional Ukrainian airlines. Once at train station in Kiev, just catch a bus or cab out to the airport within 30 minutes or less. The reason I recommend a Express train or any train in Ukraine, is because speaking from experience, the you can literally set your watch by the train schedules in Ukraine, interestingly enough of all the screwups in travel in Ukraine the trains are always on time. Airplanes are not. And they do not care and there is not the travel options in flights there like in other countries if they suddenly cancel your flight.

Good luck.

Its been two weeks since I recieved the letter from NVC
Called the embassy last night, the operator is Karina, paid $12 and bought a PIN
called back two times to schedule an interview, the PIN is invalid, talk to Karina again, she says call back and try a different phone
Called back 4 more times, same problem, PIN is invalid
Talked to Karina again and she says she will help me but after I am done she will deactivate the PIN, do I agree? I said yes.
She tells me they have not recieved the file from NVC, she also told me the info below on the US embassy web site is incorrect, my fiancee must wait to recieve the info packet from the embassy and then call to schedule the interview.
I will call again in 2 days, maybe another operator answers the phone




info on the web site:
VERY IMPORTANT: We send the Information packet (the former Packets 3 and 4) to ALL of the beneficiaries without exceptions via regular mail. However, since the Ukrainian mail is slow and unreliable, it is often the case that the packet may not be delivered to the applicants on time To facilitate the process of obtaining information outlining the steps to apply for a fiancé(e) visa the Information Packet is posted on our website. You may download it at any time and use it to prepare for the visa interview. If you do not receive the Information packet from us, we strongly recommend that you extract it from the website. The downloaded packet has exactly the same information and validity as the one that we mail to our applicants.

While waiting for the packet information might be what they want you to do, it is simply impractical. If we had done this, we would still be waiting as my now wife's packet NEVER arrived.

DO NOT WAIT on the packet in the mail, it will either A.) never get there or B.) take forever. Go online and download all forms and packets you need and print out and get going on it.

Downloaded already, last week.

Their email:
Please note that it takes approximately four to six weeks for the actual approved petition and its supporting documentation to reach the Embassy. We can only start processing your case, (that is, send out the information packet and schedule a visa appointment), once we receive the hard copy of the approved petition.

This morning I emailed NVC to see if they have sent my file to Kiev
Calling them has not worked.

We found Kiev USA embassy always replied to email and with accurate instructions in about less than a day, if you are up late at night, it is going to be morning or middle of day there and you can get even better response with email then, just have to stay up after 10 or 11 pm. You are right calling is a nightmare and impossible to get through on phone. Good luck.

This is my first post on VJ. I believe that Delta flights 88 and 89 fly everyday. I have taken those flights at least 6 times on 5 different days of the week. I was reading an article in the Kiev Post two years ago and they had an article about the new head guy for Delta in Kiev and I think I remember that it was going to be a daily flight. They could have adjusted it to fewer days, but I think they are still 7 days a week. I just flew to KBP using these flights on a Wednesday and returned on a Sunday. I have also been routed from JFK to CDG, cheaper ticket. IMO, NWA/KLM from Detroit through Amsterdam is a better chioce. JFK as a point of entry can be difficult. If your lady is flying alone, I would definitely recommend going through Detroit. Also, Detroit is a much, much, easier airport to navigate. Also, IMO NWA/KLM's service is much better than Delta. Price can be cheaper by about $300 sometimes. Just giving my 2 cents. Hope this helps. Also, anyone that has to go from KBP to Poltava or Kharkov, I recommend the Autolux bus from Boryspil. Leaves from the airport parking lot. Cost is $20. Travel time is 7 hours to Kharkov. Very comfortable and nice. Sometimes I hire a driver, which is $200 each way. 5 hour travel time. Very convenient. I know that the internal flight is $135. I would rather walk. I have been advised by former girlfriends and friends not to use those flights. If anyone needs information about Kharkov or the private driver, who is good, give me a shout. I can hook you up. I will say this, once you are outside of the cities, the signs on the road and the road signs are merely suggestions. I hope this helps someone out.

Thanks for your reply.

I had always used taxi or train to travel to other cities. 90% of the time by train. In my last trip I finally decided to take a chance and use the flight from Odessa to Kiev, took one hour, to tell you the truth it wasnt bad, really, I will do it again. I did travel from Odessa to Kharkov by train, round trip, took 14-15 hours, if I had to do it again I will travel by airplaine.

I can't agree with you
I flew to Kharkov from Kiev It took about an hour and was comfortable and fast, Autolux is good,because it leaves from KBP but there is an Express train from Kiev to Kharkiv takes 6 hours, and costs $15-20 dollars much comfortable than Autolux
Regarding POE in JFK it wasn't bad experience as well, the only thing it might take longer to stay in line, so you have to have an extra time to go to your next flight and you have to take your luggage with you.

I totally agree with you

Police certificates: After you go to the ploice station and pay the fee, how long does it takes for them to prepare and print the certificate? How many days did you have to wait?

My Fiancee waited about 10 days. She paid more to get the certificate sooner rather than later. Not a large some of money to expedite it, I think about 75 to 100 hryvnia. Otherwise, it would have taken about 3 to four weeks. This was in Ivano Frankivsk Region.

Regarding the interview, from the American Embassy in Kiev's website:



My fiance called the Embassy and has her interview date (July 15), but what are they talking about with "purchasing the PIN number or using the credit option in order to be interviewed"? I know she has to pay $131 (in Ukrainian currency) for the visa at the bank prior to the interview, but I'm not following this PIN number or credit option thing. Thanks in advance.

Don

How did she set up the interview? She must have purchased the PIN to be able to even call the Call Center and talk to an operator, in order to schedule her interview. If she somehow did it without purchasing the PIN, they claim she will not be interviewed.

My fiancee's is scheduled for August 13

How many days does it take for the embassy to mail the passport(and visa) to an address in Kiev?

Scott,

If that's the case, then all is well. I was not aware that you could not schedule the interview without purchasing a PIN number.

Don

Allow for about 10 business days(because of them taking their time and processing and delivery) and they usually send it FEDEX or some other private delivery service, it will not come Ukrainian mail. Used to, year or two a ago, you paid fee down hallway after interview approved, left passport with them, went out for lunch or walking around Kiev, then came back later that evening and picked it up in person, but not now, they take the passport and then mail it and visa stamped in it to you later on.

Curious for you guys doing this now in 2008. You have to pay this PIN fee no matter what or you do not get to interview? Also curious were you able to still do it online or by email when setting up interview and downloading forms to fill out and then email or fax back to embassy? Or does the USA embassy force you to buy this PIN no matter what now and call them to set up interview now? Wonder when most of this started happening, in spring or summer of 2007 or fall or just now this year in 2008?

Per the website:

If you have assembled all the documents necessary for your interview, please contact the Call-Center at 044-207-7071 to schedule it.
The Immigrant Visa Unit no longer schedules interviews.

This has been the situation for at least 6 months if not a little longer. I remember a year ago or so it was being announced.

If my fiancee and I arrive in JFK at 1:59pm(terminal 3) and our next flight(same terminal 3) is at 4:25pm, do you think that is enough time to go to through custom, get our luggage, and passport control?

I think we can go to customs together, cant we?
Then I must go get our luggage and she must go to INS(I think), and after I get our luggage I must wait for her outside the INS room, correct?

passport control (aka immigration), luggage and then customs...

You will be allowed to go through customs together and you most likely will be able to go through immigration together... ask the crowd control officer..

JFK can be very busy... you might be OK at 2pm... if it were 4pm I would be very nervous.

Secondary inspection at JFK is a blocked off area not a room...

YES, should be plenty of time and you are arriving early in afternoon which is also good time with less delays.
Good luck.





Another unnecessary fee income generator for US embassy.

Forms DS-156 and DS-156K, on KEV-1 instructions it says these two forms can be completed in Ukrainian, there is no need to translate the forms on the interview date, correct? Just want to make sure

No not if done in Ukrainian.

Muddy,

Have your fiancee contact the embassy to find out which overnight service they will be using. She can contact that service and pick up the passport with visa from their office.

Regarding your connection in JFK, I hope there are no delays. That close a connection does not allow for airline delays, which happen. My wife's connecting flight out of Amsterdam was delayed over an hour because a woman from Africa couldn't speak a language anyone knew and she wanted to go to the toilet. No one understood this but my wife and the airline people didn't listen to her. They ended up taking the woman off the plane.

They send it by FedEx

She lives near Odessa, maybe she can pick it up from the FedEx office in Odessa, when they recieve the package from Kiev

After the interview is finished, what documents does the embassy keep? What documents would they return to us?
After the interview do you need to ask them to return the documents to you?

Quick question: Is the interviewee informed at the end of the interview whether they will be getting a visa, and is it ok to purchase airline tickets at that time for, say, 3 weeks later, or is it best to wait until Fed Ex physically delivers the visa before buying airline tickets? Thanks in advance.

Don

I think your risk has become smaller at that time when buying after the interview.

I would never suggest to anyone to do what I did, which was to buy tickets before we even had an interview date.

Our interview is on July 18th. I have already purchased my tickets. I will travel there on July 31st, and we will both return on August 5th. You should be all set with 3 weeks notice. Besides, worse case is taking a penalty for rescheduling. With ticket prices the way they are, that penalty is in the mud.

You should be getting your passport stamped with visa back by FEDEX within about 7-10 business days.

They keep everything that you give them. So make copies of anything you wish to have for your own records. All that stuff you give them goes in your packet/file and is going to be given to your future wife in that brown sealed envelope that you should get at the embassy after the interview is complete, your fiancee is not open that sealed brown envelope(inside of it is all that stuff/documents you took to embassy at interview that is going to be forwarded on to USCIS after your fiancee arrives in USA and hands it over to immigration official at airport), for she will have to hand it over to immigration officials once she arrives in the first USA airport on her trip to USA.




Don
Yes, three weeks should be plenty of time, you should get that passport with k1 visa stamp inside it within about 7-10 business days delivered to your fiancee via FEDEX.

Do you think my 2007 tax return and bank statement would be enough?

Thanks