Russian Girlfriend Just got Denied Tourist Visa

[Lalakers3 0]

I am was born in the US and have been corresponding with a Russian woman I met online for a year now (email everyday, Skype on weekend, phone calls etc.) We have met in person twice... The first was in Spain in 8/2012 and the second time in Switzerland 12/2012. We had planned for her to come to LA for two weeks next month, but she was just denied in Moscow 2 days ago ( her 2nd-last one was 20 years ago...) I had to pay for her trip to Moscow from her home town. Other than her visit to Moscow it was a waist on my end. I am a little frustrated because there is a decent population of Russians in LA, and THEY got in... She is 38 and single, has no kids, never married and owns her flat. We think it's futile to try another tourist Visa. She purposely did not mention our relationship or that she was coming to see me to avoid immediate refusal. She said she just always wanted to see LA and the attractions..We love each other and have discussed possibly marrying in the future but now must do so for her to ever come visit me. She has never been to the states, or met my two daughters, and we were hoping to have her come over a few times to visit first to adjust to the lifestyle first. It is too pricey and I have to take too much vacation time to keep meeting in other countries...We have already been discussing getting a K-1 down the road and we have all of the necessary requirements to qualify my dilemma hear is this : Since she was recently denied a tourist Visa to LA, if we apply for a K-1 in several months, will the Embassy feel like she lied on her last attempt and interview? All of a sudden she wants to marry a guy in LA after just being denied a visit there?

Also, all of "documentation of proof of relationship" is prior to her recent tourist visa denial. We have talked about starting our correspondence from scratch from the date after her rejection, visiting each other again, once or twice, then applying for the K-1 in 6-8 months... Any suggestions?

Also, if we ever do get married she would like to split time between countries, 3 months here, 3 months there in the beginning of the marriage. Partly to adjust (she has lived in Russia her whole life and it is scary for her) and partly because her mother is older and lives there. I know we will need to start the AOS process and if she leaves before she gets a green card or apllies for advanced parol, she will have to get a visa to come back in... I want to be with her and just want to show her my city and meet my family...

[Lynkali 163]

I'm sure you'll get better/more knowledgeable responses from people who've actually gone through the Russian embassy, but, to my mind:

- The tourist visa denial should not have any negative effect on the K-1, as they are different processes and the K-1 is supposed to show immigrant intent (where the tourist visa is to AVOID immigrant intent). You will have to disclose the denial, but as long as it's explained fully, I think many people successfully get a K-1 after having been denied a tourist visa.

- Definitely include earlier correspondence -- this shows that you have an ongoing relationship and that her attempt to VISIT you was purely that. Now you have decided to marry so you can start talking about those plans, but there is no reason to hide your earlier relationship developments.

- After arriving in the USA, she will have to stay until she gets her advanced parole (3-4 months after marriage/filing the forms). At that point she can travel, BUT you need to stay aware of the residency requirements. I believe that she needs to spend minimum 6 months per year in the USA, possibly more. A few trips back and forth should not be an issue, but she can't maintain a residence in Russia -- she can only visit for limited amounts of time.

As I'm not going through anything similar and Russia may have more stringent rules, do wait for Russian couples to chime in with their experiences. These are just my thoughts from a Western European perspective.

[Lalakers3 0]

Thank you so much for your reply. I will definitely check on the residency requirements...

[Ken&Ruzana 4]

I am was born in the US and have been corresponding with a Russian woman I met online for a year now (email everyday, Skype on weekend, phone calls etc.) We have met in person twice... The first was in Spain in 8/2012 and the second time in Switzerland 12/2012. We had planned for her to come to LA for two weeks next month, but she was just denied in Moscow 2 days ago ( her 2nd-last one was 20 years ago...) I had to pay for her trip to Moscow from her home town. Other than her visit to Moscow it was a waist on my end. I am a little frustrated because there is a decent population of Russians in LA, and THEY got in... She is 38 and single, has no kids, never married and owns her flat. We think it's futile to try another tourist Visa. She purposely did not mention our relationship or that she was coming to see me to avoid immediate refusal. She said she just always wanted to see LA and the attractions..We love each other and have discussed possibly marrying in the future but now must do so for her to ever come visit me. She has never been to the states, or met my two daughters, and we were hoping to have her come over a few times to visit first to adjust to the lifestyle first. It is too pricey and I have to take too much vacation time to keep meeting in other countries...We have already been discussing getting a K-1 down the road and we have all of the necessary requirements to qualify my dilemma hear is this : Since she was recently denied a tourist Visa to LA, if we apply for a K-1 in several months, will the Embassy feel like she lied on her last attempt and interview? All of a sudden she wants to marry a guy in LA after just being denied a visit there?

Also, all of "documentation of proof of relationship" is prior to her recent tourist visa denial. We have talked about starting our correspondence from scratch from the date after her rejection, visiting each other again, once or twice, then applying for the K-1 in 6-8 months... Any suggestions?

Also, if we ever do get married she would like to split time between countries, 3 months here, 3 months there in the beginning of the marriage. Partly to adjust (she has lived in Russia her whole life and it is scary for her) and partly because her mother is older and lives there. I know we will need to start the AOS process and if she leaves before she gets a green card or apllies for advanced parol, she will have to get a visa to come back in... I want to be with her and just want to show her my city and meet my family...

My Now wife was denied a tourist visa also, So a month later we applied for the K1 Visa, she had no problems getting the K1, When she applied for her tourist visa she did not tell them she wanted to come here and visit me either and it was never brought up when she applied for her K1 and had her interview, so I think you will be fine.

[Ken&Ruzana 4]

I am was born in the US and have been corresponding with a Russian woman I met online for a year now (email everyday, Skype on weekend, phone calls etc.) We have met in person twice... The first was in Spain in 8/2012 and the second time in Switzerland 12/2012. We had planned for her to come to LA for two weeks next month, but she was just denied in Moscow 2 days ago ( her 2nd-last one was 20 years ago...) I had to pay for her trip to Moscow from her home town. Other than her visit to Moscow it was a waist on my end. I am a little frustrated because there is a decent population of Russians in LA, and THEY got in... She is 38 and single, has no kids, never married and owns her flat. We think it's futile to try another tourist Visa. She purposely did not mention our relationship or that she was coming to see me to avoid immediate refusal. She said she just always wanted to see LA and the attractions..We love each other and have discussed possibly marrying in the future but now must do so for her to ever come visit me. She has never been to the states, or met my two daughters, and we were hoping to have her come over a few times to visit first to adjust to the lifestyle first. It is too pricey and I have to take too much vacation time to keep meeting in other countries...We have already been discussing getting a K-1 down the road and we have all of the necessary requirements to qualify my dilemma hear is this : Since she was recently denied a tourist Visa to LA, if we apply for a K-1 in several months, will the Embassy feel like she lied on her last attempt and interview? All of a sudden she wants to marry a guy in LA after just being denied a visit there?

Also, all of "documentation of proof of relationship" is prior to her recent tourist visa denial. We have talked about starting our correspondence from scratch from the date after her rejection, visiting each other again, once or twice, then applying for the K-1 in 6-8 months... Any suggestions?

Also, if we ever do get married she would like to split time between countries, 3 months here, 3 months there in the beginning of the marriage. Partly to adjust (she has lived in Russia her whole life and it is scary for her) and partly because her mother is older and lives there. I know we will need to start the AOS process and if she leaves before she gets a green card or apllies for advanced parol, she will have to get a visa to come back in... I want to be with her and just want to show her my city and meet my family...

If you go the K1 route she can not leave the USA until she has advanced parole or her green card. She would be free to leave the USA but she would not be allowed back in. You would then need to applied for the marriage visa CR1 which takes as long as the K1. So my advise would be she needs to stay in the USA after you are married until she receives either advance parole or her green card which usually takes between 4 and 6 months.

[nitrous_guy 23]

If you go the K1 route she can not leave the USA until she has advanced parole or her green card. She would be free to leave the USA but she would not be allowed back in. You would then need to applied for the marriage visa CR1 which takes as long as the K1. So my advise would be she needs to stay in the USA after you are married until she receives either advance parole or her green card which usually takes between 4 and 6 months.

I thought after you meet your partner, the USC can apply for K-1 but the partner doesnt have to be in USA for the process, and later needs to travel and marry the USC within 90days of arrival to the USA, AFTER granted the k-1 visa.

Can someone correct me if I am wrong?

[Ken&Ruzana 4]

I thought after you meet your partner, the USC can apply for K-1 but the partner doesnt have to be in USA for the process, and later needs to travel and marry the USC within 90days of arrival to the USA, AFTER granted the k-1 visa.

Can someone correct me if I am wrong?

You Are correct. But the K1 visa is a one time entry visa. So once she enters and marries here she can leave the USA but would not be allowed back in unless she waits to leave the USA Until she receives her Advance Parole or until she receives her Green Card

[Lalakers3 0]

My Now wife was denied a tourist visa also, So a month later we applied for the K1 Visa, she had no problems getting the K1, When she applied for her tourist visa she did not tell them she wanted to come here and visit me either and it was never brought up when she applied for her K1 and had her interview, so I think you will be fine.

Thank you for your reply...

[Dave&Roza 748]

I am was born in the US and have been corresponding with a Russian woman I met online for a year now (email everyday, Skype on weekend, phone calls etc.) We have met in person twice... The first was in Spain in 8/2012 and the second time in Switzerland 12/2012. We had planned for her to come to LA for two weeks next month, but she was just denied in Moscow 2 days ago ( her 2nd-last one was 20 years ago...) I had to pay for her trip to Moscow from her home town. Other than her visit to Moscow it was a waist on my end. I am a little frustrated because there is a decent population of Russians in LA, and THEY got in... She is 38 and single, has no kids, never married and owns her flat. We think it's futile to try another tourist Visa. She purposely did not mention our relationship or that she was coming to see me to avoid immediate refusal. She said she just always wanted to see LA and the attractions..We love each other and have discussed possibly marrying in the future but now must do so for her to ever come visit me. She has never been to the states, or met my two daughters, and we were hoping to have her come over a few times to visit first to adjust to the lifestyle first. It is too pricey and I have to take too much vacation time to keep meeting in other countries...We have already been discussing getting a K-1 down the road and we have all of the necessary requirements to qualify my dilemma hear is this : Since she was recently denied a tourist Visa to LA, if we apply for a K-1 in several months, will the Embassy feel like she lied on her last attempt and interview? All of a sudden she wants to marry a guy in LA after just being denied a visit there?

Also, all of "documentation of proof of relationship" is prior to her recent tourist visa denial. We have talked about starting our correspondence from scratch from the date after her rejection, visiting each other again, once or twice, then applying for the K-1 in 6-8 months... Any suggestions?

Also, if we ever do get married she would like to split time between countries, 3 months here, 3 months there in the beginning of the marriage. Partly to adjust (she has lived in Russia her whole life and it is scary for her) and partly because her mother is older and lives there. I know we will need to start the AOS process and if she leaves before she gets a green card or apllies for advanced parol, she will have to get a visa to come back in... I want to be with her and just want to show her my city and meet my family...

My wife applied for a tourist visa and was denied. Two weeks later she applied again and was approved. The only differences were a new IO, a new letter from a female friend inviting her to visit the US, and my friends contacted their representative. She was able to get a second tourist visa a year later and then the K-1 visa a year after that. Sometimes I think they deny people the first time to see if they are willing to spend the money for another try. You can try again, meet in another country again, or go to Russia and see what her life-style is like--you will find it very different from the US that I can assure you.

Good luck,

Dave