Russia Specific FAQ

[slim 1,533]

Thank you for the answers. So fast!

Yeah, usually it's more like, "uh... so fast?"

[Tars 0]

I need help on a small item. Hopefully someone out there knows the answer.

My fiance'e must fill out the DS-156, "Electronic Visa Application Form". The first question asks for the passort number, place it was issued, expiration date, etc. It seems in Russia they have two internal passports issued to each citizen- a passport that allows them to travel between cities, and a passport that allows them to travel further distances within Russia. I know that my fiance'e will also need an international passport in order to come to the US.

So my question is this: Which passport information are they asking for on the DS-156?

I'd appreciate any input. Thanks in advance.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

The DOS would only be interested in her International Passport information. That is what they want.

I need help on a small item. Hopefully someone out there knows the answer.

My fiance'e must fill out the DS-156, "Electronic Visa Application Form". The first question asks for the passort number, place it was issued, expiration date, etc. It seems in Russia they have two internal passports issued to each citizen- a passport that allows them to travel between cities, and a passport that allows them to travel further distances within Russia. I know that my fiance'e will also need an international passport in order to come to the US.

So my question is this: Which passport information are they asking for on the DS-156?

I'd appreciate any input. Thanks in advance.

[Tars 0]

The DOS would only be interested in her International Passport information. That is what they want.

Thanks for answering so quickly, Jeffery. So then I must ask: Natasha does not yet have an international passport. Must she get one before filing out the DS-156, or should she just write "None" in the spaces on the form?

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

My Alla is currently waiting for her new bio-passport to arrive. I have been holding off filling out the DS-156 for her as I am sure they want to see this number on the form. I would fill the form out after she has her passport as "none" would seem she does not have a required document to obtain her visa.

The DOS would only be interested in her International Passport information. That is what they want.

Thanks for answering so quickly, Jeffery. So then I must ask: Natasha does not yet have an international passport. Must she get one before filing out the DS-156, or should she just write "None" in the spaces on the form?

Edited April 12, 2008 by Kazan' Tiger

[Satellite 1]

It seems in Russia they have two internal passports issued to each citizen- a passport that allows them to travel between cities, and a passport that allows them to travel further distances within Russia.

This is the first time I have ever heard of Russians having two "internal passports". As far as I am aware they only have one "internal passport" used for ID and registration purposes and if they choose can file for one "international passport" which allows for international travel.

Natasha does not yet have an international passport. Must she get one before filing out the DS-156, or should she just write "None" in the spaces on the form?

How soon is your visa interview? You want to have that international passport made before the interview. I am sure they check over the DS-156 and make any final corrections as needed at the interview. As far as I am aware your only deadline to comply with the embassy's checklist is the day of the interview. Ask to extend the interview if she will not have the passport until then.

I'm surprised they even let your cases out of USCIS, i.e. approved your I-129F without getting a copy of her international passport.

Edited April 13, 2008 by Satellite

[Bobalouie 0]

It seems in Russia they have two internal passports issued to each citizen- a passport that allows them to travel between cities, and a passport that allows them to travel further distances within Russia.

This is the first time I have ever heard of Russians having two "internal passports". As far as I am aware they only have one "internal passport" used for ID and registration purposes and if they choose can file for one "international passport" which allows for international travel.

Natasha does not yet have an international passport. Must she get one before filing out the DS-156, or should she just write "None" in the spaces on the form?

How soon is your visa interview? You want to have that international passport made before the interview. I am sure they check over the DS-156 and make any final corrections as needed at the interview. As far as I am aware your only deadline to comply with the embassy's checklist is the day of the interview. Ask to extend the interview if she will not have the passport until then.

I'm surprised they even let your cases out of USCIS, i.e. approved your I-129F without getting a copy of her international passport.

There is no requirement for proving the identity of your spouse for the I-129F petition. My fiancee didnt have her international passport until about a month before the interview.

[aspettando 0]

The DOS would only be interested in her International Passport information. That is what they want.

Thanks for answering so quickly, Jeffery. So then I must ask: Natasha does not yet have an international passport. Must she get one before filing out the DS-156, or should she just write "None" in the spaces on the form?

According to my Masha, it takes three weeks to get a passport to go abroad and it costs some 3000 rubles. If faster, you have to add 2000 rubles. We are getting a passport for her son through a travel agency, so maybe it is cheaper if you do it directly with the official ministry... and enjoy Russian bureaucracy . If I were you I would try to get that passport asap. She will need it anyway for the visa to be stamped and when entering the US.

I am no expert, but this is what I would do. Best luck to you.

[Tars 0]

Hello, group. I normally don't post here but I thought this would be interesting to some of you.

I sent an anonymous email to the US Embassy in Moscow. Here is the question I asked: "I was told that I could call the US Embassy in Moscow and see if there were any visa appointments that may have been canceled so that possibly my appointment could be moved up into that time slot. This information was told to me by a reliable friend. However, other people have told me that if I ask this question of you that it would actually delay my appointment even more.

I do not wish to impose any hardship on the personnel there. I just would like to know if my appointment could be moved up if there happens to be a cancellation.

Thank you for your attention to this question."

Now, I don't know if the embassy there is staffed by Russians or by Americans, but the answer I received back (if you can call it an answer) was of no help at all. Here is the reply I received:

"To consider this option, we need to know the applicant's full name, DOB, the case number and the reason of rescheduling

Sincerely,

Public Liaison Unit

Consular Section

US Embassy, Moscow"

Has any of you had any success in rescheduling? Or do you think it futile (and possibly destructive) for me to ask?

Tars

Edited April 24, 2008 by Tars

[Tars 0]

Oh, by the way. It was a misunderstanding on my part about the types of passports that Russians have. It was translated to me and I think some of the meaning was lost in the translation. My Natasha has an international passport besides the one she uses internally to travel within Russia.

Does anyone know if she should get her police record now, or wait until we have the interview scheduled?

Tars

[Don E 0]

Your fiancee should request the police certificate immediately. Depending on where she lives (and has lived), it could possibly take a couple of months to get the police certificate (of course, it might also take a week or less). The police certificate is valid (for the U.S. Embassy's purpose) for one year from the date of issuance.

As far as requesting that the interview date be moved up, I can't possibly imagine that it would hurt anything to ask. The worst thing that could happen would be they would say no. While they have no problem rescheduling to a later date, you're going to have to give them a good reason in order to get your interview date rescheduled to an earlier date. It doesn't have to be life or death, but it must be something they would consider valid. As an example, when my ex-wife had her interview, we were able to get her date moved up a couple of weeks. The primary reason that we asked them to consider the earlier interview date was the start of school for her son. By moving her interview date just a couple of weeks earlier than it was initially scheduled, he could get here in time to enroll in school and start at the beginning of the semester with all of his classmates. In that case, the Consulate granted our request.

[aspettando 0]

Dear Group,

A few more questions:

1. My Masha, always inquisitive , has been "told" by "experts" that the international passport should be biometric for the visa granting. There is nothing in the official requirements mentioning the need of a biometric passport. Is there really a need for a biometric passport for the visa interview and subsequent entry to the US of A?

2. Some time ago there were complaints about IOM's treatment during medical exams . But for non Moscow residents this a good deal since they give the medical results the same day. Have there been any recent complaints at IOM?

3. Please bear with me . The DHL mailer is basically a prepaid envelope in which the US Embassy will mail passports back to the beneficiaries. Right? If so, must the addressee be the beneficiary her(him)self, and must the fee be from sending something from Moscow to the beneficiary's place?

Thank you for your patience .

Javier

[Bobalouie 0]

Dear Group,

A few more questions:

1. My Masha, always inquisitive , has been "told" by "experts" that the international passport should be biometric for the visa granting. There is nothing in the official requirements mentioning the need of a biometric passport. Is there really a need for a biometric passport for the visa interview and subsequent entry to the US of A?

2. Some time ago there were complaints about IOM's treatment during medical exams . But for non Moscow residents this a good deal since they give the medical results the same day. Have there been any recent complaints at IOM?

3. Please bear with me . The DHL mailer is basically a prepaid envelope in which the US Embassy will mail passports back to the beneficiaries. Right? If so, must the addressee be the beneficiary her(him)self, and must the fee be from sending something from Moscow to the beneficiary's place?

Thank you for your patience .

Javier

My fiancee had her interview on April 2nd, and she applied for her international passport in Mid January. Her passport is not biometric and it was not an issue. No one even mentioned anything about it.

My fiancee had her medical exam just before her April 2nd interview, and she did it at IOM. She said that there were no problems at all and that it was a normal exam.

The prepaid mailer does not have to be the beneficiarys address. My fiancee put the address of her local DHL office in Sochi and arranged for them to call her when it arrived so she could pick it up. You should have it sent to the most reliable address.

[aspettando 0]

Dear Group,

A few more questions:

1. My Masha, always inquisitive , has been "told" by "experts" that the international passport should be biometric for the visa granting. There is nothing in the official requirements mentioning the need of a biometric passport. Is there really a need for a biometric passport for the visa interview and subsequent entry to the US of A?

2. Some time ago there were complaints about IOM's treatment during medical exams . But for non Moscow residents this a good deal since they give the medical results the same day. Have there been any recent complaints at IOM?

3. Please bear with me . The DHL mailer is basically a prepaid envelope in which the US Embassy will mail passports back to the beneficiaries. Right? If so, must the addressee be the beneficiary her(him)self, and must the fee be from sending something from Moscow to the beneficiary's place?

Thank you for your patience .

Javier

My fiancee had her interview on April 2nd, and she applied for her international passport in Mid January. Her passport is not biometric and it was not an issue. No one even mentioned anything about it.

My fiancee had her medical exam just before her April 2nd interview, and she did it at IOM. She said that there were no problems at all and that it was a normal exam.

The prepaid mailer does not have to be the beneficiarys address. My fiancee put the address of her local DHL office in Sochi and arranged for them to call her when it arrived so she could pick it up. You should have it sent to the most reliable address.

Got it. Thank you so much!

[Tars 0]

Ok, group. It is my turn to ask for advice/help again. I, too have "experts" that are telling me things (by experts, I refer to Russian women friends that are in my hometown). The I-134 "Affidavit of Support" clearly states that tax records are only needed if you are self employed. I did not send tax records to my fiance'e because I am employed. I sent four months worth of pay stubs, a copy of my W-2, a letter from my employer, a letter from my bank, and current copies of my IRA account.

I'm being reamed right now from the "experts" because I didn't send my 1040. Should I send the 1040?

Any input would be helpful.

Edited May 12, 2008 by Tars