If your destination country is the US, you will go through customs at your first point of entry here - even if you stay overnight in another country. You won't be able to get your checked bags though. Then you will recheck the bags to your US destination.

It sounds like you are flying from Kiev to Amsterdam, then to US. You do not have to go through customs in Amsterdam. It is only when you get to the US, after immgration that you have to go through customs. That is painless also. You have already been through the hassle of immigration. The customs people are pretty laid back from what I have seen on all of my trips.

I fly Kiev-Brussels (Ukraine International Airlines) and then Brussels-Amsterdam (KLM) and then to US. so I was asking if I have to re-check my luggage in Brussels.

What if most of my clients don't provide me with 1099s? Is this going to be a problem?

Mark

No - as long as you are only passing through Brussels. This is true even if connections are forcing you to stay overnight in Belgium. Your bags are checked through to your destination country, so you won't have to recheck unless you connect again in the US.

who do you rent apartments from in Kiev?

What if most of my clients don't provide me with 1099s? Is this going to be a problem?


Well, yes that would be a problem. I don't understand what numbers you would put down on your tax return without the W2's or 1099's to support it. Anyone could fill out a IRS form 1040 with numbers, but without the adequate supporting documentation, the form is meaningless.

As an example, if the income on the 1040 is $50,000 gross - you need W2s or 1099's that support the $50,000. Otherwise, someone could say you are fabricating the form and they wont believe you.

In this situation you get transcripts from the IRS indicating that what you actually reported you actually paid taxes on.

When is Kiev now mailing Visa, Day after the interview or I also heard some where they are doing all on Friday. Anyone have resent experience?

Also I headed to Kharkov on the 13 arrive Aug 14. Alyona is having her medical that day.


Dale

I completed I-134, plus tx return for 2007, bank statements, I hopes that is enough

• 7. EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT FOR FIANCE(E) VISA APPLICANTS: Any evidence from your American spouse/fiancé(e) which will show the consular officer that you and members of your family who will accompany you will not become public charges while in the United States. Documentation regarding financial support can be in any form – preferably one year of tax returns, W-2s, bank statements, earning statements, letters from employers. PRESENTING ONLY THE AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT I-134 FORM IS NOT SUFFICIENT. The I-864 form is not required for a fiancé(e) visa.

To me it seemed like Monday (maybe Friday is assembly day as Thursday is the last "big" interview day), as many visas first delivery attempts seem to be on Tuesday/Wednesday

I probably is.... I supplied only a tax return and a current pay stub.

If you are asking about providing support and don't have W-2's or 1099's because you are self employed and don't normally get those documents the solution is simple. You need to provide copies of bank statements showing deposits that equal or exceed your gross income reported in your business. When I filed for my K-1 application, my support packet included two years of bank statements. I did not provide all the copies of checks that the banks give us now.

Hi to everyone,

I have a question about forms. I know that I shouldn't sign DS-156K at home, but what about DS-156 and KEV-1? Should I sign them at home, and if yes, what date should I write near my signature -- the date of the interview, or any date before it? Oh and btw, did everyone here complete these forms according to visajourney examples?

Thanks,

Sasha

I read this, is the part in BOLD true, she cannot take her purse and mobile phone inside the embassy?
-----------------------------------------

For us the interview was anti-climatic...

Sveta arrived early and went to the guard to be allowed in. Since she travelled all night she had a small bag. She was not going to be allowed in with her bag and/or cell phone. She ended up finding an office nearby and paying the gal to watch her stuff while she was in the embassy. So only bring the essentials with you!!

When she entered the embassy she was directed to a "special room". It was at this time she handed in her paperwork and paid the visa fee. The lady on the other side reviewed the documents and asked one question. Who prepared your documents? Sveta indicated that I and her did it all... The lady responded with "I wished everyone would arrive this organized." She was then given a number and told to wait. She said there were about 20 other ladies who were having interviews that day. After about a 2 hour wait, she was the first called to the window for the interview. She showed her identification and the interview took less that 30 seconds. Simply enough time for the interviewer to stamp "APPROVED". Absolutely NO questions whatsoever! She then went to the courier desk and filled out the delivery instructions. She then exited the embassy...

The visa was approved on May 3rd (a Thursday), printed/issued on the 7th (a Monday), and delivered on the 9th (a Wednesday)....

I do not know about a purse, but Sveta's small travel bag (small backpack size) was not allowed. No electronic devices of any kind are allowed.

They do have a "closet" if you will, but dependant on the interview time it may not be open. If I remember correctly it opens at something like 9:00AM but her interview time was scheduled before.

I think one of the forms specifically (can't remember which one) says specifically DO NOT SIGN .... as it is needed to be signed in front of the CO. With the advent of the call center, do they even use the KEV-1 anymore?

Anybody going to Kyiv (or Kirovograd) leaving 13, 14, 15, 16, or 17? I may not have sent my documents early enough to my Fiancé, our interview is the 19th (next tuesday).

As I've played courier before, I was wondering if i could get someone to play courier for me? If you can, I can overnight the documents to you and you can pass them on to her in Kyiv.

PM me if you can, much appreciated.

Mark B.

Yes, they still use KEV-1.

My fiancee had her interview today, our case was approved, she was inside the embassy for 3 hours 9-12noon
the interview took less than 5 minutes
asked her only one question, is everything on the forms true.

SWEET!!! Congratulations Muddy I am happy for you

thank you
I wish I had found this site sooner
http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php

Congratulations!

Thanks

After the ladies get their visas do they need to leave Ukraine in less than 180 days?

Muddy, the visa is good for six months from the date of issue. So, pretty much 180 days is the time frame when to leave.

Actually the proper answer is that they must enter the USA on or before that expiration date. The could leave Ukraine at day 170 and go visit grandmother for two weeks in Poland and then present themselves at the US border and they will be SOL.

Just some quick info on travelling with which name (Green card or Passport) and so on. We just got back from Ukraine and me being me, I bought the tickets and put my wife's ticket in her married name which did not agree with her passport. We went through JFK and on to Kiev. We had absolutely no problems whatsoever. We took her Green Card and several copies of our wedding certificate. We also carried a stamped original and a certified translation. The only time that anyone kept a copy was at check-in at JFK, otherwise they looked at the papers and sent us on our way. This includes both Ukrainian and US officials. I'm not sure if we were just lucky or if we caught everyone on a good day.

While in Ukraine we looked into geting her Passport changed to relect the name change...Uh, lets just say that her passport did not get changed. They told her that first she needed to be taken off of her dad's apartment (6 weeks), then she would have to apply to get her internal passport changed (3-4 months) but they had no forms for that and she would have to wait 6 weeks for a form. And then after the 5-6 month period of doing this she could apply to get her name changed on her international passport, but they cautioned her that if it was due to marriage outside of the country and she planned on living outside of the country she would have to apply for one of the infamous exit visas first...Another 4-6 months....Hmmm, her passport works just fine the way it is.

Sasha had her interview today, got approved within a few minutes and was out quickly enough. Best of luck to everyone else. She can fill in more info for you all if she wants ~

Mark B.

My congratulations When will she be arriving?

Congrats...

The airline (Delta) lost my two pieces of luggage cause I arrived 4 days ago and my two suitcases have not been located yet.
what happens if the won't find it at all? Or what should I do? Who happened to be in this situation?

I have had this experience with Delta and others quite a bit over the years. Did you file a claim at the airport before you left? Sometimes they can see where the luggage is immediately. I have been to Minsk (for example), and had my bags go to Vienna instead.

It usually takes a day or two to recover a delayed suitcase if the flight was an international one. Maybe an extra day if there was a change due to flight cancellation or security issue. It is only a small percentage of the missing bags that are permanently gone - in that case they pay you for the bag (usually not enough).

Good Luck

Hey Brad,
Thanks for the reply.

I flew from Nashville, TN to Kiev via JFK. 4 days passed and they are still looking.. I had to buy clothes, some toiletries... anywho I am upset but still hopinhg for the best..

Usually the airline will pay for clothing and the personal items that you must purchase while waiting for you luggage to be found.
Good luck.
Grid

should I just save check of some clothing I buy and then mail those checks yo Delta?

If you filed a missing bag claim at the airport, they gave you a number to call right? Call the number and ask how long until they will pay for things, what they will pay for, and how to send receipts. There may be a way to do it online.

Got back to Chicago last night from Kiev. I went to Kiev last Friday to be with Ulyana for her Interview on the 19th of this week. Here is the sequence of events:

Arrived to the Embassy at approximately 9AM on the 19th. There were many people milling about and forming a line to the front door of the embassy. Someone before, maybe FWAGUY, said that you receive much respect when you show a US passport. Definately true. We were whisked to the front of the line and told to proceed inside. Even the Babushka at the front of the line did not like this, but when the officer said something to her, she replied "I understand, I understand"

Once inside we were sent to the wrong line -we waited about three minutes when another officer asked what visa we were applying for. We said K1 and were instructed to go back down a hallway to a smaller room with two heavy glass windows that protected the workers inside the office - much like you would see at a currency exchange.

One tip - when you get back this room, there is a button by one of the glass windows that says you can push it for assistance. We did not and after sitting there for 45 minutes, (It was 9:50AM at this time) I pushed the button and a lady came to the window. I asked if we needed to sign in or check in. She replied "your fiancee can bring her documents to the window now"

The embassy official had her own KEV1 form and went right down the line asking for each document. Ulyana would push the document through the opening of the glass window. She was told to sit down. After about 5 minutes, she was called back again and asked to go down this side aisle. She returned very quickly. I asked what was that for - "It was for finger and palm prints". We again sat down.

And then we waited and waited. There was only two other girls all morning. One girl had an 8AM appointment and was gone by 10:15am and one girl had a 9:30 appointment. We started to get a little nervous and then at 11:30 another officer (man) called Ulyana's name and she was asked to go back down this side aisle to a window - again, similiar to a currency exchange. I asked if I could go. He said yes. By the time I had gotten back there, he had already asked Ulyana if she spoke English, she said yes.

He then proceeded to start giving our documentation back through the opening at the bottom of the glass window - again, a window similiar to what you would see at a currency exchange. He then looked at me and said: "I looked at all of your documentation and I really don't have any questions. Take this form out the Fed-Ex station and they will record it and you will reveive your visa in 7 to 8 days."

So, that was it. Not one question. So, I would very much agree with what has been written here. Make sure all your documentation is in order and that you have ample evidence of a relationship. They had our documents for 1 1/2 hours and there was only one other girl at the same time as our interview, so they had ample time to review the documentation.

I had every letter Ulyana wrote to me, every letter I wrote to Ulyana, an sms log for the last year, phone records for the past year, ample financial eveidence to support the 134 form, pictures, records of three trips to Ukraine since Auugust of 2007 to see her, one trip in March to Egypt together.

But there was one girl form Ulyana's home city that previoulsy had interviewed in July - she was turned away and asked for more proof a relationship. She scheduled another interview on August 5th. She again was denied - I beleive because they do not beleive the relationship was bona - fide. So, my counsel to all here would be to ensure you have plenty of documentaiton and proof of a real valid relationship.

Thanks to each of you for all for your valuable advice.
Good Luck

John

Congratulations!

Btw, I was told to go to the beginning of the line (near the front door of the embassy), too, because K1 visa applicants do not have to wait there.

I guess that was a really nice day, you were asked no questions at all, and I was asked only three -- how many times Mark has visited, how we met and where he lives.

Sasha

Thanks.
I'll be in the US in the middle of September I guess.....

Sasha

UPDATE:

I just spoke to Ulyana. THe Embassy just called her this morning. They said her documents/visa is ready and will be sent to Ivano-Frankvisk for pickup on Monday. Fed Ex will not drive to her Village to deliver. She lives in a village by the name of Zarinchya - about a 30 minute drive by car to Ivano. So, she will go on Monday to pick up her Visa.

So, it took them two/three days to process the visa paperwork & FedEx out. In essence it will be 6 days from the date of our interview to the time she gets the Visa - that includes two weekend days.

She will arrive to the US on September 6th. I had previously purchased her and Anna's ticket back in July.

John

Yes, I got a call from Fedex today, too... However, I'll get the package by myself in their office on Tuesday (as Monday is the day off) -- still have things to do in Kiev.

Sasha

Yes, you will need to save the receipts. I would give Delta a call and ask them about their procedures

Can you believe, Delta did not find my baggage though i had personal tags with my name and address and paper inside with all my details.. and i had only one stop in NYC-Kennedy.. They asked me to fill otu a lost baggage form and that's it for now.. i dunno what they gonna reimburse..

Do you think I should insist on an upgrade of my return flight or they never do things like that over lost baggae?

Mariya - I don't think they ever upgrade flights over lost baggage (different departments). Let me know if they agree to upgrade you - I will press that if they ever lose my bags.

Cheers

Brad, I will let you know. I fly back to US in 2 weeks.

Thanks and safe travels

Today unexpectadly Delta rep. brought my bags. I am sooo happy..
12 days passed though...

Cool - just in time to change clothes before you go back! Did they upgrade you? Did they tell you where the bags went?

Delta did not upgrade me though I asked - they just apologized for the inconvenieces and said they will pay me $ 125 expense reimbursement when I mail them my receipts.

My bags were travelling all around Eurpe for 12 days. I saw Milano airport, Budapest airport labels...
Tough my itinerary was:
Nashville-JFK-Kiev

I flew through Frankfort to Minsk once, and my bags went to Vienna and Prague. Another time they just stayed in Frankfort for three days - no explanation.

Glad to hear you did get them back.

Cheers