US Immigration from Russia

Hello Everyone!

I am currently in the process of bringing my wife under a CR-1 Visa from Russia. I submitted my I-130 this month. I am aware that this will take at least one year to show signs of progress and for her to come.

We were discussing the best way for her parents to visit in the US when she does come to live here. I understand there is no process for sponsoring someone to come as a tourist. Does the same apply to family and such? I know some countries (like Russia for example) have an invitation system for "private" visas which are not the same as a tourist one, that way for example I could go to Russia for the sole purpose of visiting my wife with an invitation from her.

She is still in Russia as I mentioned before, and won't be moving here until at least early 2025 I assume (please hurry up USCIS), considering that my wife is under CR-1 application:

1- Is the best/only course of action for her parents to apply for B2 visa? If so, is it better to wait for my wife to actually move here before they apply? I ask because I assume the CO would ask why they want to go, and they can say "I want to visit my daughter and son-in-law (and maybe even grandson haha!)" But my wife would not be here yet technically, I guess it can be mentioned that she will be here soon under a CR-1.

2- Or can we get a head start and try to get a multiple-entry Visa for them so that they have it ready for when she comes and they can come to visit at some point later? The reason why we may want to get a head start it's because B2 visa interviews for Russians are held in Warsaw, Poland. And it's difficult to go there as a Russian since they would have to apply to Schengen and go through a 3rd country because Poland doesn't want Russians entering due to the conflict. Also apparently interview appointments are set for many months forward so even if they apply now their interview would be for around Summer.

I know I don't have to convince you guys, but my in-laws really don't have any intentions nor care about coming to live here. They just want a way to visit us. They have jobs, own two small properties, and are elderly too so it's not like they want to go and live somewhere new and completely different.

If you all could point me in the right direction I would appreciate it. I just want the best way to guarantee a multiple entry visa for them to visit as they please. As I mentioned they are elderly, so it would be less than ideal for them to have to get a visa every time they come and visit for just 2 weeks considering all the hassle they have to go through to get to Poland.

Hello Everyone,

My wife has been married 2 times in total (1 with me now + 1 past spouse). So I put 2 on the question "How many times has your beneficiary been married?"

In the Form I-130 online, on Beneficiary's Family -> Current Spouse I put myself as the information for the current spouse as well as when and where did the beneficiary marry the current spouse (me).

However, there is a question that says "When did your beneficiary's last marriage end?", I understand "last" as the previous marriage my wife had, and I put the date that marriage ended. However, she thinks it can also refer to her latest one which is with me, in that case, it should be empty.

The next page says "Beneficiary's prior marriages" where I listed her past marriage and also when it ended. So it might also be redundant I put that same date on "When did your beneficiary's last marriage end?". I used to be somewhat sure of my answer as I thought it was referring "last" as being the previous one (before me). But now I must admit I am confused and doubting my answer.

So what is the proper answer to that question on Beneficiary's Family -> Current Spouse -> When did your beneficiary's last marriage end?

Also nowhere in the form it has asked me to submit divorce evidence like a divorce certificate. Is that normal?

Thanks to all in advance. I have the rest of the form ready and planning to submit it today. Just this doubt now came up while we were reviewing together.

I just got married and want all the tips and advice on what to do next. Fiance came on a K1. We got married within 90days and applied for her Social Security Number. Waiting for that and marriage license. Applying for her I-485 next. What tips and advice do you have?!

The myUSCIS estimated time doesn't mean much, but is it pure noise or there's some signal in it? Please vote in the poll and let's find out.

It seems US CBP issued an updated carrier guide.

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2023-Nov/Carrier Information Guide ENGLISH.pdf