B-2 visa for parents

[Nancy2015 2]

The question was whether it is possible to enter the States with a passport and green card which have different names and I said yes, take a copy of your marriage certificate to show to the immigration officer at POE. I did it twice. Nobody was talking about using it in Russia.

You didn't understand the question.

Agreed. I was referring to entering Russia.

As for entering the US I can assure you that as long as your green card matches your photo and biometric information it will pass with almost any name on it. As for the passport they simply place a stamp in it. It has little or no value when entering the US as a green card holder. So I believe even if you didn't have the marriage certificate upon entering the US, you'd be just fine. As mentioned before, much different story in Russia, which has been a topic of much discussion here in the Russian forum, with one member being unable to leave Russia. See Below:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...34&hl=leave

You know, I don't get it - why do Russian officials at the border care where I'm going to, and if I can legally enter a country I'm going to? I think it's my own business - I can travel wherever I please, and if I run into any trouble at any POE in the world, it's my problem, not some stupid Russian immigration official's.

[Satellite 1]

You know, I don't get it - why do Russian officials at the border care where I'm going to, and if I can legally enter a country I'm going to? I think it's my own business - I can travel wherever I please, and if I run into any trouble at any POE in the world, it's my problem, not some stupid Russian immigration official's.

It I think it is a remnant from the Old Soviet system, just like the propiska (registration) system. But, Israel also has exit passport control. But Russia has to be the only country besides maybe some Middle Eastern nations like Iran or Saudi Arabia that won't let its citizens out if something is wrong with their documents. But if anyone else has some insight, I'd love to know.

As for the legally enter part, the airlines care, because they face a huge fine, something like $10k plus they have to fly you back at their own expense ASAP. So they want to make sure no errors occur in that area.

Edited September 21, 2007 by Satellite

[Milenka 0]

I have a question that is actually related to the k-1 and leaving Russia with it, hope no one minds me posting it in this thread. Sergei's passport expires in September 08, and he is planning to fly to the US at the end of January, so that means the passport will be valid less than a year. Could this be a problem? Should he get his new passport before he leaves? I know they give back the old passport with all valid visas...Any thoughts on this? Thanks very much!

-Milena

[Satellite 1]

I think the passport only needs to be valid for just 6 months. However, getting a new one will save you money by not having to update the passport here in the US. I think its something like $150 to do it in the US and only several hundred roubles in Russia. And yes you can enter with a good visa in one passport and a new passport.

[Cliff_Ksenia 0]

My mother-in-law (works newspaper), sister-in-law (works newspaper) and two niece-in-law (age 8 and 7) just visited for a month. Getting their visas was much easier than expected, not sure if it's an "easing" of the restrictions or just luck of the draw. Very long trip from Siberia to the Virgin Islands, not sure why they wanted to come in the summer rather than winter, lol.

My wife just had her passport "adjusted" by the Russian embassy to where it added "this person is also known as.... (married name). I had read several horror stories of people not permitted to leave Russia with different names on documents.

Much easier and cheaper to get your Russian passport renewed before you leave Russia if time permits.

[Neonred 3,454]

Yes, my wife had to renew her Russian passport here and had the "also known as (married name)" notation added to her passport at the same time. Took the embassy almost 6 months to do it at a cost of over $150.

When she was leaving this past Wednesday to fly to Russia they questioned her about maiden name in the passport vs the married name on the ticket. At first they wanted to see her marriage certificate (which she was carrying, also with a Russian translation and apostile) but when she told them about the stamp with her married name in the passport they looked at that and were happy and did not need to see the marriage document.

Interesting... I talked to her last night and she is a little sad. She says she never realized what a dusty, dirty, ugly place she had lived in for so many years until she returned after living here in the US. I tried to remind her that where we live in Florida is a bit of an exception and not representative of "middle America". Never the less she is homesick for the US now.

[slim 1,514]

But, Israel also has exit passport control. But Russia has to be the only country besides maybe some Middle Eastern nations like Iran or Saudi Arabia that won't let its citizens out if something is wrong with their documents. But if anyone else has some insight, I'd love to know.

South Korea has a system where you have to pay an "exit fee" prior to departure. I'm unsure if it's connected to an approval system or not. I know they check ID and travel documents prior to issuing the stamp. (They do a courtesy check on all U.S. military personnel to ensure they're on approved leave or transit orders prior to their departure as well. Can't sneak out without a pass!)

Most of the Middle Eastern countries I've visited do a customs and security check then check travel documents but don't stress too much about foreigners transiting through or out of their country. They do seem to be a little more intense on their own citizens.

Interesting... I talked to her last night and she is a little sad. She says she never realized what a dusty, dirty, ugly place she had lived in for so many years until she returned after living here in the US. I tried to remind her that where we live in Florida is a bit of an exception and not representative of "middle America". Never the less she is homesick for the US now.

You're spot-on, Neonred. My wife describes Cincinnati the way your wife describes her home town. I told her "middle America" is only an exception, and not representative of the nice places in the U.S. like Florida. Never the less, she can't wait to get back to a coastal community.