Attention to all with Moscow interview October 25 and later

[Austin_Volgograd 0]

I just got off the phone with the Embassy in Moscow. They will NOT accept old versions of the DS-156 form beginning October 25th! They are requiring the new, electronically-generated version from the Department of State web site.

See the full announcement here (Embassy web site). Here's an excerpt from the web page:

Attention! Beginning October 25, all non-immigrant visa applicants must submit a completed Electronic Visa Application Form. The Electronic Visa Application Form must be filled out online at http://evisaforms.state.gov. After filling out the form online, applicants will be able to print a copy of their visa application form, which will include their data in a barcode format.

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.

My lawyer did not tell me about this change, and my wife has not received any new information from the Embassy regarding the change. I doubt the Embassy will send anything. My wife is totally upset and confused how the Embassy could change this and not tell the visa applicants. I agree. It's awful.

Oh, and there's a statement in their web page about the list of documents that says that the DS-156 is required in the Russian language. That is also no longer correct, according to the Embassy reprepresentative, effective with interviews beginning October 25!

What a wonderful beauracracy, eh?!

I hope this information reaches everyone in time to update their forms!

[Medical Moose 0]

I just got off the phone with the Embassy in Moscow. They will NOT accept old versions of the DS-156 form beginning October 25th! They are requiring the new, electronically-generated version from the Department of State web site.

See the full announcement here (Embassy web site). Here's an excerpt from the web page:

Attention! Beginning October 25, all non-immigrant visa applicants must submit a completed Electronic Visa Application Form. The Electronic Visa Application Form must be filled out online at http://evisaforms.state.gov. After filling out the form online, applicants will be able to print a copy of their visa application form, which will include their data in a barcode format.

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.

My lawyer did not tell me about this change, and my wife has not received any new information from the Embassy regarding the change. I doubt the Embassy will send anything. My wife is totally upset and confused how the Embassy could change this and not tell the visa applicants. I agree. It's awful.

Oh, and there's a statement in their web page about the list of documents that says that the DS-156 is required in the Russian language. That is also no longer correct, according to the Embassy reprepresentative, effective with interviews beginning October 25!

What a wonderful beauracracy, eh?!

I hope this information reaches everyone in time to update their forms!

Where did you get this information?

You better call them and verify that information... you do know that the American consulate in Moscow considers the K1 Visa an immigrant visa, yes?

But if you're right about this, I'm glad you found out when you did... I'm just not sure. Call them and ask them, (assuming they misunderstood that you have a fiancee visa interview).

Also, how long did it take (how many days) for your fiancee to receive her police certificate? Just curious...

Thanks...

[John and Anna 0]

The text states

"will require that all applications for non-immigrant visas be prepared using the Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF). This requirement also applies to applicants for fiancй(e) visas.

"

Get it here

http://moscow.usembassy.gov/embassy/releas...p?record_id=103

[Medical Moose 0]

The text states

"will require that all applications for non-immigrant visas be prepared using the Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF). This requirement also applies to applicants for fiancй(e) visas.

"

Get it here

http://moscow.usembassy.gov/embassy/releas...p?record_id=103

Good call John, I was extremely hurried when I read that post this morning and commented to quickly. Sorry about my misunderstanding on the matter.

And Austin, nice job on catching that, seems Moscow is not exactly consistent on what they're doing. Looks like we simply need to fill that stuff out and print out the forms, actually seems like a better of way of doing things, for future applicants.

And a question for John,

Could you tell me about your fiancee's Police Certificate? How long did it take them to make if for her? My finacee also lives in St. Petersburg... So it would really help to know how long that takes, and perhaps which place to contact, if you could ask your finacee?

This one is a big unknown for Julia and I, since I don't live there and she just doesn't know much when it comes to stuff like this.

Thanks in advance John...

-Alex

By the way, CONGRATULATIONS JOHN, that must feel great to have her approved. You must be a really happy guy right now, I know I would be. This process really sucks timewise.

Edited October 9, 2006 by Medical Moose

[aussiewench 9]

Good information On a quick search of the DOS site in the forms section it appears that the DS-156 is now only available in evisa format, unlike other forms that are still available for download. So I would say this is going to apply across the board for all embassies/consulates. Just a matter of when each embassy/consulate implements the requirement. I would say, members should check with their consulate prior to submitting the DS-156.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html

[Austin_Volgograd 0]

Good information On a quick search of the DOS site in the forms section it appears that the DS-156 is now only available in evisa format, unlike other forms that are still available for download. So I would say this is going to apply across the board for all embassies/consulates. Just a matter of when each embassy/consulate implements the requirement. I would say, members should check with their consulate prior to submitting the DS-156.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html

Yes. I saw a post on another forum and thread that Manilla is starting on November 1, 2006.

Good call John, I was extremely hurried when I read that post this morning and commented to quickly. Sorry about my misunderstanding on the matter.

And Austin, nice job on catching that, seems Moscow is not exactly consistent on what they're doing. Looks like we simply need to fill that stuff out and print out the forms, actually seems like a better of way of doing things, for future applicants.

...

Thanks. I did call the Embassy in Moscow (a little after midnight today). That's where I verified the information before I posted. I wanted to be sure before I posted so that I didn't scare anyone needlessly. I think we have enough stress about all this stuff already!

I don't know the purpose of the barcode exactly. I did some playing around, and the barcode changed when I made a change to my wife's occupation. It may be some kind of mathematical checksum for data entry, but I don't have proof of that. It's just a guess.

[John and Anna 0]

The text states

"will require that all applications for non-immigrant visas be prepared using the Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF). This requirement also applies to applicants for fiancй(e) visas.

"

Get it here

http://moscow.usembassy.gov/embassy/releas...p?record_id=103

Good call John, I was extremely hurried when I read that post this morning and commented to quickly. Sorry about my misunderstanding on the matter.

And Austin, nice job on catching that, seems Moscow is not exactly consistent on what they're doing. Looks like we simply need to fill that stuff out and print out the forms, actually seems like a better of way of doing things, for future applicants.

And a question for John,

Could you tell me about your fiancee's Police Certificate? How long did it take them to make if for her? My finacee also lives in St. Petersburg... So it would really help to know how long that takes, and perhaps which place to contact, if you could ask your finacee?

This one is a big unknown for Julia and I, since I don't live there and she just doesn't know much when it comes to stuff like this.

Thanks in advance John...

-Alex

By the way, CONGRATULATIONS JOHN, that must feel great to have her approved. You must be a really happy guy right now, I know I would be. This process really sucks timewise.

Thanks Alex

Anna is an Attorney. So she probably knew right where to got. It took a couple of weeks.

I sent an email to you with Anna's phone numbers. I you want a can send you a PDF of the doc.

Don't forget to read my timeline notes (I will add some info on Police cert to it)

Good luck to you too!!

I'ts just time now!

[Jim_Tanja 1]

Just wanted to confirm this.

My fiancee received a call from the embassy today (Oct 13) in which they told her to make sure and use the new form, not the old Russian version they sent with the packet. We already had prepared the new form, but I am glad the embassy is also notifying people.

[Austin_Volgograd 0]

Just wanted to confirm this.

My fiancee received a call from the embassy today (Oct 13) in which they told her to make sure and use the new form, not the old Russian version they sent with the packet. We already had prepared the new form, but I am glad the embassy is also notifying people.

Thanks for the update! I imagine my wife will get a phone call in the next day or two.

I've already got the new form ready for her. I just got my passport back with my tourist visa to Russia. I'm leaving on the 18th to be with her, and bring her back after the interview.