How could potential US/Russia tensions affect visas?

[domwardbound 73]

With US/Russia tensions potentially increasing because of this Ukraine situation, what, if any effect could that have on processing of spousal visas for Russians?

Depending on the situation, does anyone think an expedite would be considered?

My wife is in Moscow and worried.. I'm not very concerned at this point, but was wondering what others thought.

[ashleyphilly 70]

If anything, I think they would give the priority to Ukranians especially living in Kev. That's my 2 cents.

[LibCampFireClub 635]

Yesterday, the US State Department issued the following for the Ukraine:

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/ukraine-travel-warning.html

There are several reports that mail service to Russia from Western countries has been suspended or interrupted. The free-flow of travel to these countries has been affected and American citizens warned. With Russian troops now moving into the Ukraine, it's very likely that the US may suspend or interrupt staffing at it's embassies and consulates. That remains to be seen, but it would be prudent to be prepared for it.

[Al422 221]

I havve been to Russia several times, but I am glad I am not there now. Everything is at risk, including issuance of visas and availibility of international flights.

What if you were there, flights to the US got suspended, and then they arrested you for overstaying your visa? Don't put it past them. Putin is capable of doing something like that.

This is the worst ponit in US Russia relations since Ronald Reagan's evil empire speech. And it can get worse.

If I were you I would stay away from Russia for now.

Edited March 1, 2014 by Al422

[El Burro 11]

With US/Russia tensions potentially increasing because of this Ukraine situation, what, if any effect could that have on processing of spousal visas for Russians?

Depending on the situation, does anyone think an expedite would be considered?

My wife is in Moscow and worried.. I'm not very concerned at this point, but was wondering what others thought.

My fiancee is a Russian citizen and we had our K1 visa case transferred to Kiev a few weeks ago and now I'm glad we did. She has her interview in Kiev next Thursday morning. Events on the ground over there are happening quickly and impossible to know exactly what will happen in the next few hours let alone the next few days or weeks. I can't think of a downside to asking for an expedite or maybe ask to have your case sent to a consulate in a different country. Maybe someone more experienced can chime in.

[tcgateway99 0]

My fiance lives in Kharkov. I left the Tuesday before the protests started in November. I have been concerned for some time. All we have left is the medical and interview for our visa. I have asked and was granted a 4 month extension. Anna is scared to travel to Kiev for her medical and interview and the ban on travel prohibits me to assist with this. I am at a loss of what do to. It is truly upsetting.

[El Burro 11]

My fiance lives in Kharkov. I left the Tuesday before the protests started in November. I have been concerned for some time. All we have left is the medical and interview for our visa. I have asked and was granted a 4 month extension. Anna is scared to travel to Kiev for her medical and interview and the ban on travel prohibits me to assist with this. I am at a loss of what do to. It is truly upsetting.

My fiancee (her name is Anna also) is staying at her mother's house which is about 10 miles south of Kiev. She told me it's fairly quiet there now and the embassy is located in a quiet part of the city away from where the protests were. She had her medical last week and said it took over 6 hours because the place was packed. She also had a little trouble getting hold of the embassy to schedule the interview (phone was constantly busy) which I assume was maybe because they were short staffed. I agree, it's very upsetting.

[Amy_and_Victor 159]

I do not believe that it will affect visas in Russia, especially family/friends related. Of course I don't know what will happen in Ukraine, their new authorities can do good or bad steps, nobody knows yet what kind of future Ukraine got with them, all promises are just words and worth nothing, only time will show their actual deals.

I'm not trying to present Russian government like good guys, but assumptions about suspending all US flights and mass arrests of US citizens trapped in Russia are making me laugh. Don't demonize Russia too much, Russian government can do wrong things, but they're not total idiots to make such a dirty international scandal, especially with country they have to consider as a serious player on international arena. Such methods can be used only to contries Russia doesn't give a flying F about, like it was several years ago with Georgia. It's not the first time people starting to panic about tension between US and Russia, but as any other time, I do not think it will cause any serious issues with visas like K-1, CR-1... And it definitely shouldn't cause any serious troubles for people who are already in other country visiting it legally. Tension between Russia and US was, is and will be, because Russia and US going different ways and competing in some arenas, but for now I don't see any reasons right now for such a thing like Second Cold War or New Iron Curtain. It's just my thoughts.

- Victor from Russia

Edited March 2, 2014 by Amy_and_Victor

[domwardbound 73]

I do not believe that it will affect visas in Russia, especially family/friends related. Of course I don't know what will happen in Ukraine, their new authorities can do good or bad steps, nobody knows yet what kind of future Ukraine got with them, all promises are just words and worth nothing, only time will show their actual deals.

I'm not trying to present Russian government like good guys, but assumptions about suspending all US flights and mass arrests of US citizens trapped in Russia are making me laugh. Don't demonize Russia too much, Russian government can do wrong things, but they're not total idiots to make such a dirty international scandal, especially with country they have to consider as a serious player on international arena. Such methods can be used only to contries Russia doesn't give a flying F about, like it was several years ago with Georgia. It's not the first time people starting to panic about tension between US and Russia, but as any other time, I do not think it will cause any serious issues with visas like K-1, CR-1... And it definitely shouldn't cause any serious troubles for people who are already in other country visiting it legally. Tension between Russia and US was, is and will be, because Russia and US going different ways and competing in some arenas, but for now I don't see any reasons right now for such a thing like Second Cold War or New Iron Curtain. It's just my thoughts.

- Victor from Russia

This. Молодец.

[Brian&Larissa 73]

TC....if traveling to Ukraine would soothe your heart and mind, then do it. There is no ban on travel there. I am seriously thinking of getting over there to make sure my future-family is safe and protected. Are they in a hot spot? No, but supporting them financially and physically would calm me and I know would calm them. If traveling to Kharkov is not in the cards....meet your lady in Kiev and do everything together. No risk, in my mind, is to big when family is concerned. My 2 cents.

As for Moscow, I believe the other posters that I it will be business as usual. If anything, Kiev will be affected much more than Moscow.

[eekee 182]

Mail to Russia interrupted? What? Mail to Russia has always stunk. I agree with Victor. Nothing happened during the Georgia war. This has the potential to be worse, certainly, but I wouldn't panic prematurely.

[jft 12]

John Kerry today talked about sanctions on the Sunday morning talk shows and these sanctions included suspending US visas for Russia. What he meant specifically and whether any such sanctions would include K-1s is unknown but the possibility is on the table and is quite real.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/02/russia-ukraine_n_4884749.html

[El Burro 11]

John Kerry today talked about sanctions on the Sunday morning talk shows and these sanctions included suspending US visas for Russia. What he meant specifically and whether any such sanctions would include K-1s is unknown but the possibility is on the table and is quite real.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/02/russia-ukraine_n_4884749.html

I suspect he meant visas for Russian government officials much the same way that visas were suspended for officials in the Yanukovych government. I highly doubt it would affect any family based visas.

[Hollyday 122]

I havve been to Russia several times, but I am glad I am not there now. Everything is at risk, including issuance of visas and availibility of international flights.

What if you were there, flights to the US got suspended, and then they arrested you for overstaying your visa? Don't put it past them. Putin is capable of doing something like that.

This is the worst ponit in US Russia relations since Ronald Reagan's evil empire speech. And it can get worse.

If I were you I would stay away from Russia for now.

I seriously doubt anything like this could happen. If flights to the US are cancelled, so what? Take the next flight to Europe. Noone can force you to stay and overstay your visa. Like, seriously.

[Dashinka 23,251]

Victor, I am thinking the same thing, and of course hoping for the best. I am amazed by the rhetoric coming from the politicians, but don't see this progressing to a more serious issue. I would think if Russia was really interested in more than protecting its bases in the Crimea, they would have done it already, but one cannot always predict geopolitical moves. As for myself, I am heading to Moscow in two weeks to meet my fiancé for her interview, I am flying through Amsterdam, so am not worried about US flight bans. My Russian visa was issued in record time without paying extra for an expedite process, so I am hopeful.

One last note, although not as big as the Olympics, the Paralympics begin in Sochi this week, so I imagine there will be a lot of people traveling through Moscow over the next few days. So far I haven't heard of any pull-outs, or boycotts coming from any sources. Of course, that may change.