Hello,

I know it is very difficult for a Russian to get a US tourist visa (B2) right now, but does anyone have any recommendations on a way that it may be possible, even if it will take a long time?

Any (recent) success stories?

I am aware that the US Embassy and Consulates in Russia pretty much stopped processing any visa applications, so it has to be done through a US Embassy/Consulate in another country.

How about Kazakhstan? Georgia? Turkey? Armenia or Tajikistan perhaps?

From what I am reading it seems allowed to apply for a US tourist visa simultaneously at multiple embassies (as long as you pay the $160 for each), is this right?

Any advice, or experience, or suggestion is much appreciated.

I am trying to figure out when to apply for Citizenship. I understand taking 3 years from the date of gc issue. However, do you take to the account foreign trips and subtract them from 90 days? GC says 03/12/20. Applying to Nader 3 year rule. If 90 days subtracted, can apply starting December 12. However, over these 3 years we traveled abroad for a total of 31 days. Do you subtract only 59 days from 03/12, which takes to the account period that I was out of the country or subtract 90 days and do not take to the account 4 vacation trips out of IS for a total of 31 days?

My wife and step daughter arrived just over 3 years ago with K1/3 visas. We had all of the paperwork and fees ready to go to file for AOS, but had a very costly medical emergency which had me paying medical bills for some time and exhausted what I had saved to file for AOS. Obviously my family is now well outside the 90 day window, but we were married within that time and have also had a child together since our marriage. I'm wondering if we can still file for AOS as per the guide, or if we need to also file I-130?

Interesting development that is supposed to take effect Sunday June 12th.

US will end Covid-19 testing requirement for air travelers entering the country

The Biden administration is expected to announce Friday that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will lift its requirement for travelers to test negative for Covid-19 before entering the US, according to a senior administration official.

The move, which CNN was first to report, will go into effect for US-bound air travelers at midnight on Sunday.

The CDC is lifting the restriction that the travel industry had lobbied against for months after determining it was no longer necessary based on the science and data, the official said. The CDC will reassess its decision in 90 days and if officials decide they need to reinstate it, because of a concerning new variant, for example, will do so. The measure has been in place since January 2021.

The official said the Biden administration plans to work with airlines to ensure a smooth transition with the change, but it will likely be a welcome move for most in the industry.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/10/politics/us-to-end-pre-departure-testing-requirement/index.html

Without going into the details of my personal reasons to request an expedite, I had a question about process. I understand the basic starting point and have tried to read some threads here, but...

I went online to Ask Emma, got to a live agent, and asked them to please create an expedite request. They said, sure thing, here's the ticket #, and I should hear from USCIS within 7 business days. Here's what I'm confused about - I thought, that within 7 days, I would be given an RFE to provide additional information, not originally part of the I-130 package, to explain the reasons for expediting.

Today, I just got back a generic message:

"Your request for expeditious processing is denied.

Upon receipt of your letter requesting expeditious handling, this matter was reviewed and a determination was made that it does not meet the criteria for special handling."

But, besides the roughly 5 sentences in the Ask Emma chat - I never sent any letter detailing the request or any evidence for it!

I don't want to be that guy but I do believe I have a strong enough reasoning to request an expedite. So, looking for any advice if I was to request an expedite again... Should I do it again online, should I get on the phone, through my congressperson? I'm just confused that they'd deny it without even getting any further information!