Okay, here's my first attempt at making a FAQ for the Russia thread. Please PM me any corrections/comments/additions and I will edit it. This is mostly cut-and-pasted from questions
asked over the last year, with the most relevant answers.

Q. Does the police certificate need to be translated or notorized?

If the police report is in Russian, it does not need to be translated.

Q. Where can I stay (cheap) in Moscow?

A. There are no bargains.

-- From slim:
Russian Girl Friday
Contact Olesya Pomazan, the "Russian Girl Friday." She let my fiancee stay with her for about $35/night. She's a single mom with a flat in Moscow and is really familiar with the interview process.
Check out her website: http://www.russiangirlfriday.com

Moscow Rick speaks English, arrangements can be made by phone, and is reasonable.
http://www.moscowrick.com/
+7-495-741-7606 between 3 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET

Q. Can/will DHL hold the visa in Moscow?

A. Yes, you can specify to have it held at their office. This may save a few days if
you will be flying out as soon as you recieve it.

Q. How do I get an International Passport in Russia?

A. Go to ОВиР (OVIR) or the local government entity that does these. It can take up to 30 days. There are private travel companies that may be able to do it faster, though this should not cost more than 4 to 5,000 rubles. A Russian newspaper in a sufficiently large city will have classified ads from travel agencies providing such a service.

Q. How can I find a cheap flight to North America from Moscow?

A. Buy well in advance, and travel in the winter. Other tips: DL/Aeroflot Moscow to JFK is usually the cheapest route. If you are going elsewhere, try booking a one-way on JetBlue as the connection through NYC.

airtech.com has very cheap one-ways from Europe to North America (USD239). This will require you to find a cheap flight to a European hub though. (A one-way Moscow to Brussels is USD100). Taxes on European departures can be expensive, though.

If you live in a big city - sometimes it is cheaper to have a connection you don't use, if you know the flight will connect through your city. Example - instead of MOW->ATL, MOW->ATL->MCO may be cheaper then the non-stop. Buy the MOW->ATL->MCO ticket, but get off the plane in ATL and don't get on the flight to MCO. This works in any city that is a hub for the carrier. Try every possible connection through that hub and pick the cheapest

Q. What is the cheapest way to call Russia?

A. To Moscow / St Petersburg land lines, 1 cent/minute is the best deal you will find. Mobile phones are about 6.5 cents/minute at the cheapest. 5-10cents/minute for the rest of Russia. Getting SIP handset and pointing it at the cheapest provider is your best bet, other than calling cards (which are a pain).

VOIP companies will be the cheapest, though this will take some knowledge on your part to set up. Probably worth the investment for call quality and price over the long term.

Q. Where to do the medical in Moscow?

A. IOM seems to be the most popular here.

The clinics approved for K-1 visa applications from Russia are

International Organization for Migration, telephone (7-095) 797-8723,
AO Meditsina, telephone (7-095) 250-9186 or 250-8899.
Children's Hospital no. 1, Vladivostok. Tel. (4232) 40-13-35 or (4232) 45-24-26.

IOM has results the same day and is $ 90.00. AOM has results the following morning and is $ 100.00. The reports are that people are treated much better at AOM

The clinic approved for K-1 visa applications from Ukraine are:

Clinic for Oil-Refining Industry of Ukraine
9, Spusk Protassov Yar
Kyiv, Ukraine
Telephone: 044-244-8941, 044-277-4181

Per-person fee for a medical exam is no more then $75 for adults and children. The Clinic performs medical examinations any

Working day (Monday through Friday), between 8.00am and 12.00pm.

TIP, Have her ask for a copy of her vaccination records. It will save you time and money in the USA later.

Q. How do I address a letter to Russia?

A. In cyrillic, Name last, in the dative case. Example:

Россия
г. Москва 117932
ул. Пушкина дом 30 кв 121
Ельцине, Наине Иосифовне

To send a letter to Наина Иосифовна Ельцина (Mrs Yeltsin) (the address is made up).
It is common in Russian to use last name followed by initials. For names ending in
"a", the ending is "e." If the name ends in "ия" the ending is "ии" Names ending
in "K" or "O" do not generally decline.
Mens names also decline, but I think anyone writing to a man here already speaks Russian.
Write RUSSIA in english somewhere on the envelope. Generally delivered in 10 days.

Q. How do I know when the interview will be?

A. For Moscow the online K-1 Visa Schedule is at http://moscow.usembassy.gov/consular/wwwhci10.html

Q. When will packet 4 arrive?

A. Moscow only sends one packet, combining packets 3 & 4. Nothing further is required
on your part to schedule the interview.

Q. What paperwork is necessary at the interview?

A. :
1. A valid International Passport with a photocopy of the first page. They will keep this and return it with the visa fixed inside.

2. An original birth certificate with along with a photocopy and an English translation.

3. A police report in all names as well as all dates of birth ever used. Police certificate must contain references to each place in which the applicant lives or has lived for more than six months since attaining the age of 16.

4. Evidence of termination of prior marriage (if applicable), original, photocopy and translation into English.

5. Accompanying child requires a valid passport (or may be included in the parent's passport), a birth certificate and a medical examination. If a child is 16 years of age or over, police certificates are required. Translations of the indicated documents are required as well.

6. (3) black-and-white or color photos taken against a white or off - white background (5 x 5 cm) for visa which are basically passport style photos.

7. (3) photos of passport size for medical exam.

8. Visa application fee of $100 (or the ruble equivalent) per person, payable at the Embassy on the day of interview. Must be in cash.

9. A new letter of intent to marry from both addressed to the Embassy.

10. Documents confirming relationship: photos of Petitioner and Beneficiary together, letters to each other, phone bills, airplane tickets, emails, etc.

11. Results of Medical Examination in a sealed envelope. (clinic info following)

12. A prepaid DHL mailer. (There is a DHL office on the lower level of the building to the right of the north entrance of the US Embassy in Moscow. Ukraine applicants need a FedEx mailer and it can be purchased at the Embassy at the time of the interview.

There is information that she will need from you at the time of the interview. They include:

1. A letter from your employer stating position, salary, likelihood of your continued employment.
2. A letter from your bank stating your balance, your average balance, how long you have had your account (or the last 12 months bank statements)
3. A copy of the last year’s tax return if you are an employee or the last three years returns if you are self employed.
4. W-2’s for the last year.
5. Three consecutive recent pay stubs.
6. I-134 Affidavit of Support, signed and notarized.
7. A new letter of intent to marry addressed to the Moscow embassy.

Q. Am I being scammed?

A. Yes.

Terrific job Awsome.

I thnk expanding the part about DHL service might be good. Addresses for both with a notation the one office is downstairs in the building next to the embassy but the other is where you need to have the visa held.

Maybe something about jfk and the temproary AOS.

I think I had one more but my fiancee came out of the shower and started kissing me and turned my brain to mush. Maybe as I think more about it. Still great job.

I'll put some more detail in the DHL section, there always seem to be questions about that.

I can't seem to figure out how to edit the post though (I can only edit replies). Is there something I am missing?

Who should I PM about making this sticky? Ewok?

Great job, Russ! Ewok should be able to hook it up.

I'm sure this will also become the frequently asked again questions section!

Here's my map info etc. for the pinned post...

Important Locations In Moscow

Includes:

1. Detailed maps of Moscow
2. Google Earth KMZ for Moscow
3. Link for Medical Info
4. DHL Locations
5. Airport Maps
6. Moscow Metro Maps

Enjoy!
David

Great page!

thanks for the info i wish i had found it earlier!
I have a question do i need new letter of intent?the thing is he mailed me all documents and ill have them 2 days before interview.Interview is on 17th so its late he sends me by dhl again.or is it ok if i just shoe email?

I emailed the letter of intent and it was fine.

did you email your fiancee or to the embassy?

Here is an updated link for the k-1 appointment schedule: http://moscow.usembassy.gov/consular/iv_dates.php

My fiance. The letter is a formality (unless it states that you don't intend on getting married)

Letter of intent (updated) isn't actually a "requirement" for them to see. It's just another piece of evidence that says to the C/O "See, we really do love each other and we're getting married. NOW GIVE ME MY D@MN VISA!!!"

Very well done Russ.

You may want to add that it is a good idea to apply for a SSN as soon as your significant other arrives, it may state that they cant work or whatever, but it makes things easier like bank accounts, drivers license, setting up insurance, if you are like me and you fiance arrives before the end of the year and you marry before the year is done, then you can file taxes as married people filing jointly and you get extra money from the government(see the investment can pay off early )

We did this as well. Made a couple thousand dollar difference.

This is for Russia-specific advice. Besides, if you can't get a SSN, you can get an ITIN for the purpose of filing taxes regardless of immigration status.

is it different for K3? do we have to wait for EAD before applying for SSN?
please let me know...............thanks

The (better) advice is to apply for a SSN as soon as possible, since you need it anyway.

From the IRS: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html

What is an ITIN?
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service. It is a nine-digit number that always begins with the number 9 and has a 7 or 8 in the fourth digit, example 9XX-7X-XXXX.
IRS issues ITINs to individuals who are required to have a U.S. taxpayer identification number but who do not have, and are not eligible to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
ITINs are issued regardless of immigration status because both resident and nonresident aliens may have U.S. tax return and payment responsibilities under the Internal Revenue Code.
Individuals must have a filing requirement and file a valid federal income tax return to receive an ITIN, unless they meet an exception.
Who needs an ITIN?
IRS issues ITINs to foreign nationals and others who have federal tax reporting or filing requirements and do not qualify for SSNs. A non-resident alien individual not eligible for an SSN, who is required to file a U.S. tax return only to claim a refund of tax under the provisions of a U.S. tax treaty, needs an ITIN.
Examples of individuals who need ITINs include:

• Non-resident alien filing a U.S. tax return and not eligible for an SSN
• U.S. resident alien (based on days present in the United States) filing a U.S. tax return and not eligible for an SSN
• Dependent or spouse of a U.S. citizen/resident alien
• Dependent or spouse of a non-resident alien visa holder

Great Job Russ!

Maybe someone can clarify.

<<<<3. A copy of the last year’s tax return if you are an employee or the last three years returns if you are self employed.>>>

I thought I read self employed people are to submit 1 years tax return, where does it require
3 years tax returns?
Thankfully I have time to send these out if need be.
..... actually the way things are dragging, I have LOTS of time.

I sent 2 years and it was fine. Worst case is that they end up asking for it, so you might as well send 3 years if you can. If not, I wouldn't worry.

================
I guess it is always better to send Too Much rather than too little, however, I already sent one years tax return for her to bring to Moscow.
Does anyone know where or if they demand more than one years return for self-employed?

It is a case by case thing. I you made over $100K in that tax year, I doubt they will ask for more. If they do, it will be a 221g and it will set you back a few weeks. That would probably happen if you were just over the line.

This is a very helpful post.

Where do you get the information that a new Letter of Intent to Marry addressed to the Moscow Embassy is required? Below is the text of the required interview documents copied directly from the Moscow Embassy website. I see no mention of this requirement.

http://www.usembassy.ru/consular/consular....cord_id=fiancee

List of Documents for Fiancé (e) Visa Interview

1. Biographical Form DS-230 filled out in English (part 1 and part 2). A separate form must be filled out for immigrating child over 16 years of age.
2. Completed Electronic Visa Application Form DS-156. ( The Electronic Visa Application Form must be filled out online at http://evisaforms.state.gov. After filling out the form online, print a copy of the visa application form. The Electronic Visa Application Form is not available in the Russian language. Answers to the questions on the application must be in English and must use English characters. The applicants are welcome to use the Russian language translation to guide them through the online English Electronic Visa Application Form). A separate Electronic Visa Application Form DS-156 must be filled out for immigrating child.
3. Supplement DS-156K form. The form must be filled out in Russian. DO NOT SIGN DS-156K. No DS-156K supplement is required for immigrating child.
4. International Passport with a photocopy of the first page and the page with information about immigrating child if the child's name in included in the parent's passport.
5. Original birth certificate, photocopy and translation into English.
6. Police certificates in all names as well as all dates of birth ever used. Police certificate must contain references to each place (subject to the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation) in which the applicant lives or has lived for more than six months since attaining the age of 16. This includes localities where applicants have lived during university studies. If the applicant was on military service, he/she should bring the certificate from the local draft board. If an applicant has lived abroad for more than one year, a police certificate must also be submitted from the country in which he/she lived. Police certificate validity is one year since the date of issuance.
7. Evidence of termination of prior marriage(s) (if applicable), original, photocopy and translation into English.
8. One color non-glossy full-face photo 50x50 mm for visa. The eye level should be between 28mm and 35mm from the bottom. Another two pictures will be required for medical examination.
9. Visa application fee of $100 for each applicant (Beginning January 1, 2008 the fee will change from 100USD to 131USD) for each applicant
10. Documents confirming relationship: photos of Petitioner and Beneficiary together, letters to each other, phone bills, airplane tickets, emails, etc.
11. Results of Medical Examination in a sealed envelope. The medical must be taken at one of the embassy-designated medical centers. It takes 2 days to complete the medical examination.
12. Financial documents from the petitioner – a US citizen: please note, that Affidavit of Support (form I-134) is not required, but may be requested. The document must be notarized. Please submit financial documents to show that the applicant will not become a public charge in the United States. Such documents may include, but are not limited to:

- Most recent year tax returns (form 1040) or tax transcripts from IRS
- Copy of bank account
- Earnings and leave statement
- W-2 forms
- Letter from employer

If an applicant is required to provide additional documentation after the interview with an American consular officer has taken place, the documentation may be submitted to the 221G box at the Embassy North Gate between 2.00PM and 4.00PM on any working day or mailed to the Embassy.

Hmmm...interesting. It is in the VJ K-1 Visa guide, but I'm not seeing it anywhere else. Perhaps a post in The Foreign Embassy and Consulate General Discussion forum is warranted.

This is not a required document. It's merely you restating your intent to marry that person.

A few days ago, I was perusing several different threads on this site looking for something in particular (my goal was specific in my search). I remember seeing a post about calling the US Embassy in Moscow to see if there were any cancellations and possibly getting the interview date scheduled sooner. At the time, I wasn't particularly looking for this information and didn't want to get sidetracked. Now, I'm interested and can not remember where I saw this post.

Anyone remember seeing it?

Thanks

My first post here. Apologies in advance for the many mistakes I am sure I will make. Is there a similar FAQ list for Saint Petersburg (SP)? Does the SP consulate interview for K1 visas? Anybody willing to share his/her experience? Does anyone recommend a medical establishment in SP for the exam? Is there somebody in SP that is familiar with the interview process, somebody similar to Ms Pomazan in Moscow? My girl lives very close to SP and we hope she does not need to go to Moscow for her interview. Spasiba valshoi. Really, thank you for all your help. And if anybody interested in my experience, please let me know and I will share the very few things I know.

Welcome to the forum!

Sorry to burst your bubble, but all K-1s go through Moscow. No biggy though, we've all done it so feel free to jump right in on all these topics.

Hope to hear more of your story and help out if we can.

Yes, welcome to our nutty Russian group!

Oh. BTW, Just to help you out, it's spasibo bol'shoye in transliterated latin characters.

Welcome!

Love to hear about your experience! Please feel free to start a new thread, or you can just jump into the "photos" thread since it has absolutely nothing to do with photos anymore anyway.

Then "spasibo bol'shoye" for the correction.

Thank you for the reply and the info. Moscow will be fine I hope. I still have a few questions if you guys don't mind.

1. My girl [Masha] has lost her vaccinations records (organized she is not...). Will she have to get all the shots again?

2. She has a history of health problems and she is afraid to get new shots. I know these are not required for the K-1 visa, but they are for the AOS. Is there a way for USCIS to forgive the shots?

3. Are instructions for package 3 in Russian? Not the forms. I am mingling with them now and I believe I have time as our NOA2 will happen at the end of April.

4. How is Masha supposed to send back the DS2001 to Moscow? DHL too?

5. I have downloaded DS2001 forms from the US embassies in Britain and Brazil, but I cannot find one from Moscow. Does anybody know where I can get a copy?

Again, thank you so much for all your help. I am glad I found this place as I was a nervous wreck.

Spasibo bol'shoye.

Just to give you and everyone the heads up. If health problems include any of the following she will be deneid a visa:

The following communicable diseases render a person inadmissible:
1. chancroid
2. gonorrhea
3. granuloma inguinale
4. acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)
5. Hansen’’s disease (infectious leprosy)
6. lymphogranuloma venereum
7. infectious state syphilis
8. infectious tuberculosis (TB) (clinically active)

Physical or mental disorders which render one inadmissible include the following:
1. Current physical or mental disorders, with harmful behavior associated with the disorder.
2. Past physical or mental disorders with associated harmful behavior that is likely to recur or lead to other harmful behavior.
Harmful behavior is behavior that may pose, or has posed, a threat to the property, safety or welfare of the applicant or others. A person who mentally retarded is no longer inadmissible unless there is a determination that the applicant is exhibiting or has exhibited in the past, associated harmful behavior.
According to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, alcohol abuse or dependence resulting in alcohol impaired driving may serve as a basis for determining whether an immigrant has a mental disorder associated with harmful behavior. Section 212(a)(1)(A)(iii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act discusses the inadmissibility in cases where an applicant for an immigration benefit has a significant record of alcoholrelated driving incidents.

Drug Abuse or Addiction
Drug abuse or addiction applies to the nonmedical use of a psychoactive substance that is part of a pattern of abuse. There is an exception for experimentation. Clinical judgment is used to determine abuse or experimentation when the applicant’’s medical records indicate past nonmedical use of a psychoactive substance.

Lastly:
When a person is found to be inadmissible for health reasons, it does not definitively prevent the person from being issued a visa or entering the United States. A physical or mental condition can be corrected or one can prove that they do not fall into the categories. Waivers are also available for most of the medical grounds of inadmissibility.
For original source see:
http://www.lexisnexis.com/practiceareas/im...pdfs/web475.pdf

Thank you for the heads up. None of this applies to her.

As a K1 applicant she will not need any shots until Adjustment of Status. One way to avoid taking all the shots again is to have your doctor here do a blood titer tests for immunity. Get ready to pay several hundred dollars for this.

Yes, there is. Certain vaccinations are only appropriate depending your age, medical history, and current medical conditions. A civil surgeon can make this determination and no other waiver is required. For example if you are pregnant certain vaccines are excused. Likewise if you do not meet any of the above criteria you can seek a waiver I-601 based on your religious or moral beliefs against vaccinations to otherwise overcome your inadmissibility.
See original source:
http://www.immihelp.com/greencard/vaccinat...quirements.html

Well, you can stop worrying! We're here for the main purpose of helping you through this process. Our secondary, (and perhaps even tertiary or qua-whateverthewordforfourthplaceis) purpose is to ease the transition and help in all issues surrounding your Russia-specific Visa Journey.

All of us have either gone through it already or are in the process of going through it now, so there is some really good advice on here. The Journeyman (big ups to Jason for dropping the term!) who's been answering your questions thus far, Satellite, is our MVP (most valuable poster) here in the Russia forum so pay particular attention to what he's saying. He'll steer you in the right direction.

And don't be hesitant to ask questions, even if it's something crazy like "does anyone else's girl know how to drive a car, because mine doesn't?" Someone out there is probable asking the same question or it's been asked and answered already somewhere else. There's a lot of history on this forum, and a pretty broad spectrum of knowledge and experience.

So, ask away! And don't be scared to post in the other topics either!

(and just to maintain our on topic/off topic association here... We're doing "driving lessons" at our house this week. Fun. Very fun. A little scary, kind of like when you're on the roller coaster. It's fun, but it's scary at the same time. And that's what makes it fun. And scary. And then fun again. And back to being scary.)

Here's what I did in the same situation. I went to the children's clinic in my home town to which my school was attached, and asked if they could help me recreate my vaccinations history. The head of the clinic turned out to be a very understanding and cooperative lady and she quickly filled out a typical vacc. report for me, in English! Immunization shots were uniformly administered to all school kids back then, so she just wrote down a typical vaccinations history for a person my age, with years and all. And since I did not have rubella shots (they were not given before 2001), she had a nurse give it to me on the spot, for free!

Here's what I did in the same situation. I went to the children's clinic in my home town to which my school was attached, and asked if they could help me recreate my vaccinations history. The head of the clinic turned out to be a very understanding and cooperative lady and she quickly filled out a typical vacc. report for me, in English! Immunization shots were uniformly administered to all school kids back then, so she just wrote down a typical vaccinations history for a person my age, with years and all. And since I did not have rubella shots (they were not given before 2001), she had a nurse give it to me on the spot, for free!

Thanks for the sharing this! I believe that Tania will try to do something similar.

Thanks for sharing this! I believe that Tania will try to do something similar.

Thank you so much. We'll give a try.

Priviet!

Two questions about the medical exam.

1. I assume the blood test is to check for drugs and/or sexually transmitted diseases. But is there something else they check for?

2. I was reading about somebody's experience at the medical the other day and the lady was saying that they asked her if she had had an abortion. Why is this important? I don't want to make this political or religious but if women have different rights somewhere else why asking this?

Again, I am just looking for the reasons. Thank you and paka!

PS I there are FAQs for this, I apologize and will appreciate very much if you direct me there.

Answers to your questions -

1. I'm not aware of what they check for exactly, but I'd assume they're checking for blood and RH type, viruses, infections, even things like sickle cell. AIDS is most likely on that check list too since that's kind of a big deal. Of course drugs and STDs will be on there but it's probably not going to come back with your sugar or cholesterol levels.

2. Abortion is important simply because it could very possibly alter a woman's internal parts. Also, sometimes abortions aren't done under the best of medical conditions so things like Hepatitis and other communicable diseases can be contracted. Those all must be checked out.

Welcome aspettando, feel free to post in the main forum for faster responses. A lot of people don't think to check replies to the FAQ thread on a daily basis.

Thank you so much for this tip! We'll definitely look into this ))

Dear Group,

One more question. If the beneficiary has a child, does (s)he need permission from the former spouse to take the child to the US? I haven't seen any such requirement from the USCIS, but when I take my daughters out of the country, the airline requires a notarized permission letter from their mother allowing me to take them outside the US.

In my particular case, the ex lives in the Ukraine, whereas my Masha and son live in Russia (Petersburg).

Thank you for the help and support.

Javier

Yes, it must state that they, the parent, attest to the fact that they are giving permission for their child(ren) to depart and understand it is a permanent emigration. Exception: the custodial parent has 100% custody and the court document to prove this, then they require no letter from the child's parent.

Yes, you need permission from the father/mother of the child.

Just wanted to add that if the ex-spouse has an ax to grind he or she can resort to extortion in order to sign that permission slip or simply be a deal breaker when it comes to the immigrating ex-spouse.

Thank you for the answers. So fast!

Yeah, usually it's more like, "uh... so fast?"