Use of POA- Power of Attorney

[abettorbob 0]

Would it be possible to have a POA for my fiance and be permitted to sign documents as such? any thoughts?

To save time with mail. by the way- how long does mail generally take from Washington DC to Saratov Russia or Russia in general? thx

many thx, Rob

[joeyjoey 1]

Would it be possible to have a POA for my fiance and be permitted to sign documents as such? any thoughts?

To save time with mail. by the way- how long does mail generally take from Washington DC to Saratov Russia or Russia in general? thx

many thx, Rob

I believe a Power of Attorney is a bit extreme. At least check with your post office and see how many days are required to send a package International express mail to her city in Russia. And ask her how she will send packages the fastest from her city to you. After all, you are not sending different forms every week!

She doesn't have that many documents to sign. With initial I-129F submission, she'd sign all 4 copies of G-325A and Letter of intent. Months later and after approval by USCIS, when she receives packet #3 from Consulate, she'd have to sign DS-230 pt 1, DS-2001 and return them to the Consulate in Russia. She does not sign anything other forms (DS-156K, DS-156, FS-257a) until she is at the interview in front of a Consulate Officer.

[rebeccajo 14]

POA = RFE.

The answer is No.

You have never mailed anything to her before?

[Shub 78]

On shipping times to Russia, asking a US post office employee would be pointless in my opinion; they could tell you how long it should take for the parcel to arrive in Russia, but a whole new adventure starts when it lands on Russian soil...

I read in another topic of this forum that someone mailed a letter through standard post and another express to their partner in Russia, just as a test; standard shipping took *drum rolls* 16 weeks, while express mail took 11 days, give or take. But I don't remember where in Russia that person resided, and that can make a huge difference in a country such as Russia, not just because it's a really big country, but also because its infrastructure is not in a very healthy state.

Considering Saratov is not exceedingly far from the heart of Russia, it should be fine, but do make sure to send it express anyway. I would even if I was sending to Moscow, you never know with Russia.

[joeyjoey 1]

On shipping times to Russia, asking a US post office employee would be pointless in my opinion; they could tell you how long it should take for the parcel to arrive in Russia, but a whole new adventure starts when it lands on Russian soil...

I read in another topic of this forum that someone mailed a letter through standard post and another express to their partner in Russia, just as a test; standard shipping took *drum rolls* 16 weeks, while express mail took 11 days, give or take. But I don't remember where in Russia that person resided, and that can make a huge difference in a country such as Russia, not just because it's a really big country, but also because its infrastructure is not in a very healthy state.

Considering Saratov is not exceedingly far from the heart of Russia, it should be fine, but do make sure to send it express anyway. I would even if I was sending to Moscow, you never know with Russia.

When the mail arrives depends a lot on how near to a large city the Beneficiary is. A standard letter to my Fiancee in her small town in Brazil is almost 2.5 weeks with $0.83 postage. And sometimes, letters just disappear! With USPS International Express, it is 5 days, nothing has been lost, the package has to be signed for and I get a confirmation for about $25.

Until he makes an attempt to write a letter or to send something by the most expeditous manner, he cannot have any certainty when anything will arrive. So my advice, mail a snail-mail and a get-it-there-fast package. Then he can know if "slow" is acceptable or if it is not a problem.

[abettorbob 0]

Would it be possible to have a POA for my fiance and be permitted to sign documents as such? any thoughts?

To save time with mail. by the way- how long does mail generally take from Washington DC to Saratov Russia or Russia in general? thx

many thx, Rob

I believe a Power of Attorney is a bit extreme. At least check with your post office and see how many days are required to send a package International express mail to her city in Russia. And ask her how she will send packages the fastest from her city to you. After all, you are not sending different forms every week!

She doesn't have that many documents to sign. With initial I-129F submission, she'd sign all 4 copies of G-325A and Letter of intent. Months later and after approval by USCIS, when she receives packet #3 from Consulate, she'd have to sign DS-230 pt 1, DS-2001 and return them to the Consulate in Russia. She does not sign anything other forms (DS-156K, DS-156, FS-257a) until she is at the interview in front of a Consulate Officer.

Thanks for your comments-- I see your point, but a limited POA is fairly easy if it is permitted. thx again Rob

[abettorbob 0]

POA = RFE.

The answer is No.

You have never mailed anything to her before?

no I have not mailed anything yet. 2 in person visits email and a couple phone calls. Mail to Russia seems tricky at the very least. thanks for input, Rob

[joeyjoey 1]

abettorbob,

To start the K-1, you need the Beneficiary's G-325A and a couple passport photos. At Interview time months later, she needs your I-134, Letter from Employer, Bank statement, Birth Certificate, Divorce decree, and evidence of an ongoing relationship. She needs more from you than you need from her. I believe Power of Attorney is a waste of energy.

The K-1 Visa process requires that you and the beneficiary must PROVE that your relationship is true and has all the intentions of marriage once in the US to the Consul Officer. The CO is the judge and jury. He alone can make or destroy your case. I suggest you get some letters in the mail and start compiling some proof that 1) you have met and 2) that there is a solid ongoing relationship happening. Otherwise, you and the beneficiary could become a training session for other CO's as to how to interrogate a candidate with suspect evidence.

joeyjoey

Edited February 11, 2007 by joeyjoey

[abettorbob 0]

abettorbob,

To start the K-1, you need the Beneficiary's G-325A and a couple passport photos. At Interview time months later, she needs your I-134, Letter from Employer, Bank statement, Birth Certificate, Divorce decree, and evidence of an ongoing relationship. She needs more from you than you need from her. I believe Power of Attorney is a waste of energy.

The K-1 Visa process requires that you and the beneficiary must PROVE that your relationship is true and has all the intentions of marriage once in the US to the Consul Officer. The CO is the judge and jury. He alone can make or destroy your case. I suggest you get some letters in the mail and start compiling some proof that 1) you have met and 2) that there is a solid ongoing relationship happening. Otherwise, you and the beneficiary could become a training session for other CO's as to how to interrogate a candidate with suspect evidence.

joeyjoey

I understand and thank you for input. We have met twice, once Moscow for a week and over New Years for a week in her apartment in Saratov. I see your point about POA as a removed type relationship. Are you telling me our 800 plus e-mails are not evidence? Plus photos together Plus travel itineraries and receipts? Limited phone calls due to language but her daughter has been very helpful, notes back & forth on computer and my small translating computer got us through Moscow quite well.--- one word at a time. thx again, Rob

[sophyie 0]

There are a number of couples from Russia here, I'm sure they can answer your questions and advise you on how to mail things.

As far as I know, none of them has used a POA.

As for proof of relationship: you should definately prepare for questions about how you communicate (since neither of you seems to speak the other one's language) and have a good answer for that- and I'm not so sure the "daughter is the translator" will be the answer they're looking for... maybe taking a couple of Russian classes for you and English classes for her would strengthen your case.

But again, the peeps in the Russian forum will probably be able to answer your question...

Good luck!