Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic

[Satellite 1]

I need your help here. I have a K1 client and now he resides in Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. But he is a Russian citizen and not a Citizen of Moldova. Which embassy would he be invited to?

Bucharest, Romania - http://moldova.usembassy.gov/marriage.html

Moscow, Russia - Based on citizenship.

Do I actually have a choice in this matter?

[mox 298]

Isn't it the embassy of the country that he's a permanent resident of?

[slim 1,514]

I was under the impression it was the embassy where he currently resides, regardless of citizenship. I believe in a matter of third country nationals (those living or working abroad from their own country of citizenship, and now dealing with the U.S. government) they can either go back home or do it in the country they currently reside. Moldova=Romania for embassy purposes. But, you could put Moscow down as well. Your choice!

I never thought I'd see the day when Satellite was on here asking for our advice. Oh, by the way, that's officially a consultation fee since it's for your client. I'm guessing about $250 should do it.

And look at the bright side, if you're wrong, we make another $250 to do it over! Man I should be a lawyer.

[mox 298]

I was under the impression it was the embassy where he currently resides, regardless of citizenship. I believe in a matter of third country nationals (those living or working abroad from their own country of citizenship, and now dealing with the U.S. government) they can either go back home or do it in the country they currently reside. Moldova=Romania for embassy purposes. But, you could put Moscow down as well. Your choice!

I never thought I'd see the day when Satellite was on here asking for our advice. Oh, by the way, that's officially a consultation fee since it's for your client. I'm guessing about $250 should do it.

And look at the bright side, if you're wrong, we make another $250 to do it over! Man I should be a lawyer.

And since I answered it first, you qualify as the second opinion. I'm a generous guy, so I'll cut you in for 25%.

[Neonred 3,454]

Bucharest, Romania

[Satellite 1]

He doesn't reside in Moldova. He resides in a republic that has broken away.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transnistria

It lies in between Moldova and Ukraine.

I do tend to agree with Neonred that it is probably Romania. I find this particularly odd as you have to travel to a foreign country to get a US visa, what if the foreign country denies you entry?

Slim and Mox, this country / Republic and even Moldova for that matter do not have a US embassy. Moldova has a consulate but they do not do K1 visas.

Edited March 12, 2009 by Satellite

[mox 298]

Interesting. So I'm curious...does it matter? I mean, the State Department is going to decide where his interview is, and you or he won't really have any input in the matter, correct? So is this a case where he would need to get started on additional paperwork and/or travel visas depending on where the interview takes place?

[GiGii 4]

He doesn't reside in Moldova. He resides in a republic that has broken away.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transnistria

It lies in between Moldova and Ukraine.

I do tend to agree with Neonred that it is probably Romania. I find this particularly odd as you have to travel to a foreign country to get a US visa, what if the foreign country denies you entry?

Slim and Mox, this country / Republic and even Moldova for that matter do not have a US embassy. Moldova has a consulate but they do not do K1 visas.

Well wiki says "The modern Republic of Moldova does not recognize the secession and considers PMR-controlled territories to be a part of Moldova's sovereign territory", hence I'd agree with everyone else and say file for Moldova and have interview in Romania. I believe he needs to get a visa, and they are 95% approved to go to Romania for the interview (provided proof of interview is submitted). Those few that get denied visa's have to reschedule their interview and usually get the visa on the second try (usually not enough proof was submitted with first visa app).

Moldova is not the only country that sends their residents to other countries for K1's.

[slim 1,514]

He doesn't reside in Moldova. He resides in a republic that has broken away. Slim and Mox, this country / Republic and even Moldova for that matter do not have a US embassy. Moldova has a consulate but they do not do K1 visas.

This would be kind of like when "Russians" are from Tatarstan or Ingusetia. Sure, they're not really from Russia, but as far as the U.S. is concerned, they're Russians. Since he's "kind of in Moldova" then he's in Moldova.

So is this a case where he would need to get started on additional paperwork and/or travel visas

To my knowledge, there's no additional paperwork/visas necessary to go from Moldova into and out of Romania temporarily, even for Russians. Kind of a U.S./Canada type deal.

Moldova is not the only country that sends their residents to other countries for K1's.

To be quite technical, Moldova's not sending the guy anywhere, the U.S. is. Like Satellite said above, there's no embassy in Moldova, only a consulate. It's kind of like sending Russians from the Far East all the way to Moscow for a K-1 when, in theory, they could go right to the consulate in Vladivostok. But, that consulate doesn't do K-1s. (But they do B-visas...Don't shoot the messenger....)

Anyone remember that song, "dragostea den tei?" (my ah hee, my ah hah, my ah hee, my ah hah hah............. numa numa yeah!) Anyway, one of my wife's buddies here is from Moldova and she got all excited one day and was like, "Oh my gosh. It's Moldovan song! Everyone says it's Romanian but it's not. Those guys, who make this song, really they from Moldova but nobody will make for them record. So, they go to Romania and make it then it's big hit and everyone want's to say it's Romanian music. But it's not, it's Moldovan!"

[Neonred 3,454]

Yes, they will need to get a visa to go the the embassy in Romania which often means standing in line for hours.

[Satellite 1]

So what role does question #20 play in all this of the I-129F

"20. Your fiancé(e) will apply for a visa abroad at the American embassy or consulate at:

NOTE: (Designation of a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the country of your fiancé(e)'s last residence does not guarantee

acceptance for processing by that foreign post. Acceptance is at the discretion of the designated embassy or consulate.)"

I am going to put Moscow here anyway and see what happens. Because Neonred is dead on, a visa is required for both Moldavian and Russian citizens to enter Romania. What a pain. I could also try to put Kiev, since it is closer and does not have any visa requirements, but if I can have my choice I rather send him to Moscow, at least he'll have the same Russian passport as everyone else and I am more familiar with the procedure there.

Edited March 14, 2009 by Satellite

[payxibka 10,044]

The consulate with jurisdiction over Moldova (and the breakaway republics) is currently Bucharest.... You can try to consulate shop by putting Moscow or Kiev, but as it is right now, NVC will assign Bucharest.

[payxibka 10,044]

Slim and Mox, this country / Republic and even Moldova for that matter do not have a US embassy. Moldova has a consulate but they do not do K1 visas.

Umm.. Moldova indeed has an Embassy located in Chisinau

http://moldova.usembassy.gov/

What it has in the consulate is only an NIV unit.... K-1's need an to be issued by an IV unit

[slim 1,514]

OK.

[KGSodie 0]

My head hurts.