Hi All,

I was wondering if anybody can tell me what the interview process in Moscow is likely to involve for my fiance? I've heard lots of conflicting stories about the difficulty involved (ranging from deeply intimate and offensive questions, to the incredibly mundane), and wonder what peoples' real experiences have been.

Also, my attorney has told me that Moscow isn't the easiest place to work with, and so he's not been able to give me an estimate on when an interview may be scheduled followed the (eventual) approval of my forms in Vermont... Any experiences here?

Thanks in advance for your replies,

Ж

Since the officers who give the interviews seem to change with some regularity, it is best to listen to those who have recently been interviewed. I can tell you what my wife's experiences where a year and a half ago, but I doubt that would be of relevance now.

Check this page for all of the Moscow Consulate reviews: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Russia

Look at the recent ones, they are the most relevant of course.

Oh, and don't forget to

Игорь

The best advice - все будет хорошо.

Really, it isn't a big deal. They flip through the file, ask a few questions, and it is over. It is not worth worrying about. Everyone here (in the last 3 years) has been fine. Nothing offensive in our case.

This is difficult to predict. Far too subjective, as it all depebds on the individual officer conducting the interview. One can be friendly, kind, and relaxed and the other a complete jerk. Your fiancée needs to be prepared for the later and hope she gets the former.

Welcome to the forum.

The interview process is actually pretty painless and, I believe, the most over-hyped part of this entire process. It carries a lot of weight so we stress over it, but in actuality, it's very easy if you've prepared properly and are ready. Coming here to the VJ Russia forum and following the advice and suggestions of those that've done it before, you'll be just fine.

Tell us a little more about yourself and your fiance. (And fire your lawyer!)

I am doing my second K-1, both with Moscow. The first from what I heard was the interview from Hell, the last fairly easy and straightforward. Make sure she knows as much about you as possible and don't worry about it.

I'm not sure what to say, exactly... I'm from Connecticut, and she's from Ivanovo. I'm 32 and she's 23. We met two years ago online in a forum discussing computer science (her field of study if you can call what passes for Universities in Ivanovo "studying"). We became close over a period of months, and I made my first trip shortly thereafter. We hit it off, and since she's young and I'm fortunate enough to be a telecommuter (and because the exchange rate was good), I setup shop in her hometown and spent the vast majority of my time here.

We began the visa process back in July, and now are stuck in limbo waiting. I'm surprising her this Novi God with her engagement ring.

I'm happy to answer any other questions, so ask away.

Ж

PS: Believe me, I'd love to fire my lawyer, but the forms are in and so his role is mostly done (I think/hope)...

If you're still in Russia, you can get married there and then DCF or use the K-3 if you're going to return home shortly after. If you've already paid your lawyer and done the K-1 (which was probably just an easy way for the lawyer to take your money unnecessarily) you could try to contact the embassy and change status.

It's never too late to fire your lawyer! On that note, where are you on this one, Satellite?

I am still in Russia, but will be returning stateside in in March to renew my visa again. Getting a K-3 visa, I've understood from many sources, takes at least as long as getting the K-1, plus the waiting period the Russians have before ZAGS will allow you to marry (generally one month if all your docs are in order, if the official is familiar with the law, and generally isn't a hard-###)... At this point, almost 4 months after my receipt from the VSC, it wouldn't make much sense to change horses now, would it?

You mentioned DCF like a verb... Is this some kind of alternative process besides the K-3 visa for getting spouses into the country?

Thanks!

Ж

Direct Consular Filing the USCIS approval process and results in most of your processing being done in Moscow. You must be married and you must live most of the time in Russia. US embassy Moscow has made DCF more difficult and not many people go that route but, from what you say about yourself, it may be possible for you.

Your fiance (by then, she would be your wife) would enter the USA with a CR-1 visa -- which confers permanent residency as soon as her feet hit US soil. It is a much better visa and, these days, may be a considerably cheaper path.

I don't know anyone in the Russia forum who used DCF, though, so knowledgeable, specific advice based on recent experience will probably be thin for you on this one.

First I was studying for my last law school finals and now onto the bar. Anyway, you guys have a real lawyer on here anyway, Buck, as I understand. So what part was I supposed to answer: the lawyer firing or the DCF?
You can always fire your attorney and make a claim for your retainer. However, the attorney will still be able to recover in Quantum meruit, for the hourly work he has already done if it was a flat rate agreement. That said, you can catch your attorney by surprise if he does all flat rate agreement and hasn't been keeping a good log of what he has done and when. Likewise look at your retainer if there is an hourly rate you already agreed upon in cases involving such disputes. At last resort, most attorneys really don't want to sue or be sued by their clients, so maybe you can get a good deal after all.
As for the DCF here is all my information:
http://vladivostok.usconsulate.gov/warden_072407.html
http://vladivostok.usconsulate.gov/wwwhacspetition.html
Getting Married Procedure:
http://moscow.usembassy.gov/consular/acs.p..._id=acsmarriage
http://vladivostok.usconsulate.gov/wwwhacsmarryrus.html

As I understand, you have the experience in the immigration field, and based on what you've posted here on VJ (and I know it's not legal advice... but it is darn good!) you are a "real" lawyer. (Everyone has the right to represent themselves, right?)

As far as answering the lawyer firing or the DCF, you're probably the most quailified to answer both!

Yes in most cases. Noteable exceptions: people who don't understand that they are giving up their right to counsel as provided by the 6th amendment in criminal cases and corporations.
See Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806 (1975).
Since immigration is a civil matter, you have no right to free counsel so this is not even an issue.

The only "real" lawyers are the one that the bar considers "real" lawyers...

Representing yourself is almost always a bad idea, as you are too emotionally involved in what is happening. Objective and more knowledgable advice is usually in your interest.

Most of what we have gone through here does not require a lawyer, since it is paperwork and procedure - there is very little legal knowledge required. (Filling out a K-1 or AOS is something a paralegal or secretary would do at a law firm). It is the complicated cases that would be argued in a court that require competent counsel.

(USCIS employees know the law as well as we do -- which means, they don't know it at all. They know the procedures and regulations they are supposed to follow. Their lawyers are the ones who know the law. )

I'm sure you've met a few "barracks lawyers" during your time in the military.