I-134 for Moscow

[slim 1,514]

I strongly disagree with this reasoning. If I was the CO this argument would not pass muster.

Sure, it matters not what the beneficiary does back home and how successful they are at it. However, it's part of the big picture, so if their finances are tight, and Uncle only barely exceeds the minimum, they could look at the "big picture" of finances for the sponsor, co-sponsor, and even the beneficiary and say, "well, they're just barely over, but she's got a little money saved up, he's got a little money saved up, and the uncle's going to give them room and board... they should be allright."

Not saying that's how it goes or doesn't go, but that's a much better picture to paint than "hey, I'm unemployed in Poland, my husband's immigrating with his $8,000 from the sale of his car, and we're going to live with my uncle until we both get jobs and get successful. We have love, and love is all you need!"

Love doesn't pay the bills. But, uncle's room and board, plus their money they have saved up does.

[russ 1]

Likewise, I imagine you weren't paying US taxes on the money you "didn't earn" in Poland This doesn't help your cause as a sponsor either, but also looks bad in front of the IRS.

As a former US Expat myself, I'm aware of the exclusion on foreign income. (Usually, the first $86,000 you make overseas is exempt from US tax). Also, you get a credit for the money you pay in foreign taxes.

As a US citizen, you are required to report this income, even if no tax is due.

[Milenka 0]

Thanks everyone for the input. Very helpful. Just to clear it up, I was never trying to make myself the sponsor, my uncle was always going to do it. We just had some questions, about what, and how, and that it might help the case to show that both of us have some additional savings. Thanks again.

-Milena

[Milenka 0]

Proving that he took care of himself in Russia just fine should also prove that he'll be able to take care of himself in the U.S.

I strongly disagree with this reasoning. Otherwise all the folks immigrating from Europe and the rest of the 1st world would not need sponsors at all. If you were good at making money in Russia, then more than likely your technique say "stealing" , "bribing" or whatever your skill was will not work well in our system. If you were say a mechanic or electrician, you might even do better. But still adjusting in terms of language, cultural difference, and even in a specific trade all the terminology is different. If I was the CO this argument would not pass muster.

Unless you can document $125,000 in assets, it probably isn't worth it to go out of your way. You need to show either meeting the income test, or the asset test. No point in proving that you don't meet either one.

Couldn't agree more! Don't waste your time proving you aren't qualified as a co-sponsor. As long as your uncle qualifies income wise you should be fine.

Likewise, I imagine you weren't paying US taxes on the money you "didn't earn" in Poland This doesn't help your cause as a sponsor either, but also looks bad in front of the IRS.

I did also want to reply to this post. My fiance is a programmer, this is a pretty good job, even in Russia, and those languages are universal, but his English his already very good. Also, he never did any "bribing" or "stealing" so he won't have a problem adjusting to the system. That was a little offensive. But your earlier advice was very helpful.

-Milena

[Satellite 1]

I did also want to reply to this post. My fiancé is a programmer, this is a pretty good job, even in Russia, and those languages are universal, but his English his already very good. Also, he never did any "bribing" or "stealing" so he won't have a problem adjusting to the system. That was a little offensive. But your earlier advice was very helpful.

He should do fine here. Like I said, in some trades you will do better here. But remember, he has to go to an interview and speak English. It took my father as an Electrical Engineer a few years to get enough American work experience and language skills to finally get a job similar to his Soviet experience.

Don't get offended by the way of life comment about Russia in general. If you live in Russia you pretty much have to "steal, bribe, and other not so ethical / moral things" at one level or another to be "very" successful. This is what the common people in Russia say about how the successful achieved a lot of their success. Starting from the Oligarchs and working your way down. Of course there is always exceptions to every stereotype, but when a PH.D professor makes $100 a month, while a crook running a racket in cars from Japan to Vladivostok is living in a mansion, you know something is wrong.

Russia's "middle" class of professionals which your fiancé as I understand belongs to is a very small percentage of the population.

Edited June 18, 2007 by Satellite

[Milenka 0]

I guess I took that personally as opposed to talking about Russian life in general, sorry, I have just been sitting in front of the notebook WAY too much recently...

I do agree with you about Russian life in general. It's sad, but true, that there is so much corruption, and that the middle class is so small...Luckily Sergey's English is more than good enough to get through a whole interview in English :)Thanks again for your advice on the I-134, Satelite.

[slim 1,514]

while a crook running a racket in cars from Japan to Vladivostok is living in a mansion,

Hopefully that'll be me in about two years or so!

(I'm not going to run cars though.... I'm going to sell Pizza!)

[Milenka 0]

What a great idea! The pizza that is...When you open it, we will definitely come and eat there...I have never been to Vladivostok...

[russ 1]

Hopefully that'll be me in about two years or so!

(I'm not going to run cars though.... I'm going to sell Pizza!)

There is pizza here already. The question, will it be similar to my personal favorite - Lou Malnati's from Chicago?

[slim 1,514]

Hopefully that'll be me in about two years or so!

(I'm not going to run cars though.... I'm going to sell Pizza!)

There is pizza here already. The question, will it be similar to my personal favorite - Lou Malnati's from Chicago?

There's pizza everywhere. But, what there's not, is American (New York, Chicago, thick crust, thin crust, deep dish, stuffed) style, i.e. FAT AND TASTY!!! pizza that's served by girls wearing a Hooters type outfit in a sports bar atmosphere that has "American standards" of service, price and taste.

Picture this...

You walk around the corner, and outside there's a nice cafe-style seating area where gorgeous college-age girls wearing unbuttoned softball jerseys (with bikini tops inside) are serving pizza and beer on roller skates and you can hear American classic rock pumping out of the speakers. . You go inside, and there are 32 Samsung (or LG) flat screens showing sports from all over the globe - Soccer, Rugby, Cricket, Auto Racing, Horse Racing.... even the dog show! although I don't know about the spelling bee - and the same girls are serving across a massive bar to several awaiting tables and large semi-private booths. Off to the side, there are several VIP rooms for private parties. In the basement, there's a night club, and upstairs, the girls are all housed for free as part of their pay. They double as night club waitresses/bartenders/dancers/scenery and can do whatever they want after hours. The beer will be cheap, the pizza, chicken wings, and other fried food will be tasty, and the fun will roll on.... 24/7!

I know this is going to be a hard market to get into, (the "buy-in" is probably going to be pretty substantial) but I believe it can be done. It just has to be "sold" to the people there, and I believe, like all people, something marketed as "cool" will catch on anywhere. Also, anything marketed to the primitive man will always make money!

[russ 1]

Hopefully that'll be me in about two years or so!

(I'm not going to run cars though.... I'm going to sell Pizza!)

There is pizza here already. The question, will it be similar to my personal favorite - Lou Malnati's from Chicago?

anywhere. Also, anything marketed to the primitive man will always make money!

Yes, but this is why I live in America...

I've seen this tried before in many parts of Europe... Do some market research, I'm not sure if the volume exists in Russia to support it. A smaller place might be more feasible.

This is Russia. I don't know if you want to be so high profile.

[Satellite 1]

"American standards" of service, price and taste.

Few Russians outside of Moscow are going to pay $15 - $25 for a pizza when they make only a few hundred a month. Even fewer people will want a $5 beer. Service will be hard to pull off because you will be hiring Russians who don't understand what that is and will continue to act in the usual Russian uncustomer friendly way.

I know this is going to be a hard market to get into

Besides the huge amount of capital you will need to start the place, get ready to pay off the mob and the government racketeers who keep an eye on how local business are doing. Refuse to pay the cover price and you will find yourself shot dead. Sounds like a movie, but many Russian businessmen know it all too well.

By the way in 2003 we at some place called New York Pizza in Novosibirsk. It pretty much had American pizza at Russian prices. It had the Elvis theme decorations. But no ladies on roller skates or plasma TVs.

Edited June 19, 2007 by Satellite

[russ 1]

Even fewer people will want a $5 beer. Service will be hard to pull off because you will be hiring Russians who don't understand what that is and will continue to act in the usual Russian uncustomer friendly way.

You can probably sell a $5 beer, assuming it is at least two liters in volume. As for the staff - this is Russia. The nicer restaurants often have casinos and strippers, just because.

The (current) nicest place in town here charges 50 rubles ($2) for a 1/2 liter Carlesburg or Tuborg (made in Russia). This is too pricey for most locals, the place is dominated by foriegners. In the lounge there, the staff outnumber the customers at all times (5 piece band, sound guy, 2 bartenders, 4 waitresses, 2 hosts, and a hookah-specialist). This is for 11 tables.

Besides the huge amount of capital you will need to start the place, get ready to pay off the mob and the government racketeers who keep an eye on how local business are doing.

What I said about not looking too big or successful. You will be paying for security 24/7. (This is Russia, you need to be open 24/7). You'll need a driver/bodyguard.

Mob and government? Aren't they mostly the same thing now?

Expect "fire code" problems, etc.. When IKEA tried to open outside Moscow, an undisclosed "fire code" violation prevented them from opening for months. As soon as you are ready to open, expect to pay the big money. If you start making money, remember that will be a temporary situation - eventually there will be a "tax" problem.

It is probably safer to do this being the silent partner of an established (Russian) investor. Worst you can probably lose then is money.

[slim 1,514]

Still only dreaming about the idea, but you guys are spot-on with some of the pros/cons floating through my head.

I'm going to set up shop in Vladivostok which has a high volume of foreigners, so I should be able to get by with a "big dollar" set up, or even a smaller, local spot.

Although you guys are familiar with the "bad side" of business in foreign places, you're missing the "good side" of the business as well. Some of the cons (paying off the mafia) are actually pros. There's no need to worry about a "tax problem" when my mafia guy is the tax collector!

[Satellite 1]

Some of the cons (paying off the mafia) are actually pros. There's no need to worry about a "tax problem" when my mafia guy is the tax collector!

You want to call it a business deduction then

It's still a tax in my book no matter how you call it. And "the power to tax involves the power to destroy."

McCulloch v. Maryland, 17 U.S. 316 (1819)

And Russians are good at destroying.