ONA

My actual parents are Russian citizens.

Yes, it's true that people joined the USSR communist party because of better career prospects. That, however, did not mean in any form or shape that you absolutely had to be a member of the party. It just meant that you were a part of a special class of people (so-called "nomenklatura"), who held important positions in government, education, industry etc. It doesn't mean that somebody held a gun over your had and made you join I don't think anybody in my family ever was a member (maybe that's why nobody in my family had a great career , but they were not living in poverty either). With my parents it could be a bit easier too - they were young adults in the 80s when the communist party was probably not as strong as before.

*head of course

My actual parents are Russian citizens.

Yes, it's true that people joined the USSR communist party because of better career prospects. That, however, did not mean in any form or shape that you absolutely had to be a member of the party. It just meant that you were a part of a special class of people (so-called "nomenklatura"), who held important positions in government, education, industry etc. It doesn't mean that somebody held a gun over your had and made you join I don't think anybody in my family ever was a member (maybe that's why nobody in my family had a great career , but they were not living in poverty either). With my parents it could be a bit easier too - they were young adults in the 80s when the communist party was probably not as strong as before.

I haven't applied for my parents yet. However, I don't think that military service qualifies as "affiliation to the communist party", and definitely does not qualify as "member of communist party". My dad served in the Soviet military (he was drafted), but he hated communism, and was never actually a member of the communist party (based on what I know you had to apply for a membership - memberships in youth organizations don't count).

But for question 3 15 (A) "Have you EVER: a. Served in, been a member of, assisted in, or participated in any military unit, paramilitary unit, police unit,
self-defense unit, vigilante unit, rebel group, guerrilla group, militia, or insurgent organization?" I would put "yes" and provide explanation that it was a draft.

That's what I think base on what I know about Russia Let's see what others say.

I agree with the previous posters - the fact that they kept the passport is usually a good sign.

Don't worry about them not looking at your documents. The only thing the CO looked at at my interview was our pictures. That's it, and my visa was obviously approved.

Hope, you hear something soon!

Wow! Congrats!

I remember going through some of the steps together, and I am a citizen already (got my citizenship back in November). You are eligible to apply for naturalization now, so, if citizenship is important, I don't think you should wait

That is one of the biggest adjustments for Katya. She lived in a relatively large urban setting with no car as public transportation was all she needed. Coming here to a suburb of Detroit was a big shift, not being able to walk to the corner and get anywhere via a bus or tram. I feel she adjusted quite well as thankfully we had a few grocery stores within walking distance until she passed her drivers exam and got her license, and I feel she is a very good driver. A few days ago, I was very thankful she remembered one of her lessons I taught her. We were coming home from a store right after a snow storm, and as she neared the main road she stopped prior to the sidewalk which was covered with snow from the parking lot plowing. Just as she stopped a snowmobile shot past us on the sidewalk. If it had been me, he probably would have hit the side of the car.

I learned how to drive in Russia, but I definitely didn't have to drive nearly as much there, so it was an adjustment as well - here we live in a suburb I have to drive to a Metro station if I want to take a train to work. I put almost 90 000 miles on my car in four years - that's crazy.

We're not a gay couple, but I don't recall anybody asking about my sexual orientation at the medical. I don't see why they would - they are more interested in the beneficiary's vaccination record and blood tests. At least, that's how it used to be (it's been almost 5 years since I went through the process - there is always a chance that something has changed).

Very common with Russians too regardless gender. In Russia car is not only transportation but rather a status symbol so many Russians get way more expensive cars than they can reasonably afford. That's why in Russia you see a lot of luxury cars like Mercedes or BMW around - it doesn't mean everyone is rich, it means many people there trying to get the most expensive car they can pay for. Oh yeah, and size too - the bigger car is better car. I've noticed the same in the US about car size, so many people buy unnecessary huge SUV's and trucks with big engines even if they live in apartments within city and need it for commute to work/school only. I've noticed it's very different in Europe, when I was visiting many countries there as a tourist, I've seen huge amount of compact gas savers, especially in big cities.

- Victor from Russia

It may depend on where you live in the US.

In DC area a lot of people drive compact cars as well. I, myself, drive a compact car (I work in the city - a car like mine is easy to park in places where parking is very limited). A lot of people I know don't even have cars - they live near a Metro station, so they don't even need one. If they happen to need a car once in a while, they get a zipcar or a car2go.

I think when I moved here, financial security was not my biggest concern. My husband is young (29 now, he was 25 when we got married) and definitely not rich, but he is very responsible and has a decent job, and he had bought a house before I even moved here. I always had an option to stay at home and not work, which is definitely nice to have, but not for me Being able to apply myself has always been a bigger problem. I almost feel like I'm incomplete if I don't have a chance to work, to impact people's lives somehow, to learn something new everyday, and to challenge myself. So, the first few months - when I was waiting for my employment authorization, getting my DL, looking for a job - seemed like a nightmare, which is why I think that these first few months were probably the most challenging in terms of our relationship. What definitely helped me though, was the fact that it was not my first time in the States - I used to come here every summer, and I would spend anywhere from 2 to 4 months here before I finally moved - working summer jobs, making friends etc.

My husband has always known that I am very career-oriented, so he kept pushing me, and in just a few years I went from a part-time instructor to the Academic Director position. He still pushes me forward saying that I can do so much more, and I definitely agree

2015, however, was a rough year. At the age of 26 I found out that I was born with a congenital heart defect (oops!), and had to have an open heart surgery. Something like this can completely ruin a relationship, but, I think it made ours much stronger. So, this year we'll be celebrating 5 years of being married, and celebrating life as well by running a half-marathon together and possibly going skydiving

This thread makes me think about one thing...

Don't, please, don't think about your future/current spouse as a "Russian" or "American" man/woman. Remember that first of all they are another person, a human being who you care about.

Yes, there could be some cultural differences, but in reality it depends on the upbringing, the family in which they grew up, their age, and a lot of it depends on their personality, on whether they are ready and willing to adapt to change. And it's also possible that you may have more differences with somebody from your country.

Back when my husband and I had a long-distance relationship going on, he read a few articles online about "why you should marry a Russian woman". And then he said "all these articles talk about how quiet and caring Russian women are, how much they love housework like cooking and cleaning etc., so I was wondering how I found the only one who is just the opposite". I don't know maybe being half-Ukrainian has something to do with it (although I doubt it), but I am a very career-oriented, strong and stubborn person (Why he still lives with me - I don't know ). No, I don't iron all of our laundry (God forbid!) - in fact, I barely ever iron anything, and my husband cooks our dinner on most of the nights - he even learned how to make some Russian dishes. Not to mention that he likes "herring under fur-coat" way more than I do (to be completely honest, I cannot imagine how anyone can eat it).

So... stereotypes exist, but it doesn't mean that you should focus on them. Focus on the person you're about to marry instead.

I'm in Maryland, my naturalization process took about 5 months.

But you can't always tell how long your case is going to take. I know some people in Maryland who went through the process in less than 4 months, but I also know some who applied before I did, and they are still waiting (that makes it more than 6 months for them).

When she becomes a US citizen, she will be good to travel with her US passport, which will be under married name, so no "mess" anymore. Well, then she will need a visa to Russia.

That is only true if she renounces her Russian citizenship (a hard, lengthy and expensive process). If she keeps her Russian citizenship, she will never have to obtain a Russian visa. She actually won't even be able to get one (the embassy of Russia cannot issue a visa to a citizen).

I haven't updated my information in a while, I'm almost done - the Oath Ceremony is scheduled for Monday

GC-Date: 09/06/12
Sent: 06/19/15
Cashd: 06/24/15
NOA: 06/25/15
Fprints: 07/20/15
In Line: 08/06/15
Int Ltr: 10/08/15
Intview: 11/12/15
Oath: 11/23/15
Field Office: Baltimire, MD

Hi all! Another June 2015 filer here!

Here is my information:

GC-Date: 09/06/2012
Sent: 06/19/2015
Cashd: 06/24/2015
NOA: 06/25/2015
Fprints: 07/20/2015
In Line:
Int Ltr:
Intview:
Oath:
Field Office: Baltimore, MD

Same here, only I did it right the day before interview. As I recall, to get results the same day you have to show up for medical exam earlier in the day (I can't remember specific deadline), but if you show up later, your results will not be ready until the next day.

I also had to go there 3 times the same day, first time to the office in the early morning to pay fee and get forms, then to the clinic after that to get the exam done (it was very different address, away from the office), and then in the late afternoon another visit to the clinic to get sealed envelope. So I had to figure out commute in Moscow to get here and there all day.

- Victor from Russia

I had a very similar experience. The only thing is that I didn't go very far away from the clinic while I was waiting for the results. I actually met up with a girl who was going through the same process, and we did the medical together, and then just hung around the area together waiting for the results.

It might be a bit of a challenge when you return because my Wife and I were married in Moscow and after the ceremony at ZAGS #4 we right away registered both of her Passports with her new last name. If they do not match probably the "straff" you'll pay might be a bit expensive. We did this first step on both of her Passports for exactly the reasons you mention.. the registration and Passports should match. I imagine you could explain it was an oversite before you left Russia and they will "overlook" with the right "gifts".

My Wife had to fight the red tape twice in Russia because of a mis-spelled last name on her International Passport! Two times she had to take a long bus trip to the oblast offices. The local registration in Gelendzhik refused to correct the Passport, so she had to go personally to the oblast (Krasnodar). Straff... just to correct the spelling error the original person in the first registration office made. We in fact verified the spelling and guess what? On arrival the Obalst office "corrected" the spelling.. Our last name is Lehman.. they "corrected" it to Lexman.. of course because in Russian there is no "H" sound. In English this letter in our name is actually silent.. no sound.

Now we have a worry about "prospika" she still has in Russia for her flat which she and her mom still own. If we do not do this new registration then I expect the Russian Passport on entry will confiscate her Russian Passport, and then of course I worry she will not have a Visa to go to her own birth Country!! Ironically..I would be able to stay and travel because I must have a Visa, but she would be expelled..or worse..house arrest in Moscow and then the one time "exit Visa" process which is expensive.

She is telling me that it is impossible to meet the new registration law requirement because the allowance to mail the registration would only be accepted from a Russian Post!!! The law does NOT mention in the Russian text anything about accepting a Non Russian Post..it is only presumed the postmark will be within Russia.

I tend to agree with her having already had my lessons in Russian legals involving immigration, Visa's and such. Anytime a bureaucrat on either side of the cultures is involved we end up running for cover!

I am worried because if she is correct then the many thousands of Russia property owners now living outside of Russia will soon be in violation of this new law, and unless all of them make a trip back to do the registration in person, then it will be impossible to keep the International Passport legally. The really bad part of this is we were planning on buying property in a larger city in Russia and I have my doubts now that she will be able to keep her residency. We are at this time awaiting the I-751 notice of Interview (or not) so if we were to travel overseas it could be a bigger mess here in the States, so for us it is not at all wise to travel back to her home again. Once we are past this stage of the immigration steps it will be less of a problem.

Anyone know if Moscow is or will accept registrations under this new law by Post outside of Russia?

She doesn't need to register until she actually goes there. Once she goes to Russia to visit she will have 30 days to register either at the local immigration (UFMS) office or at a post office. It doesn't matter if she has property in Russia or not. It doesn't even really matter whether or not she is registered in Russia (propiska) or not. If she goes to Russia, it will be best if she informs the authorities about her Green Card.

Have her read this: http://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/549051ff2ae59619db9d422e

She can find other sources with similar information.

I've decided not to go to Russia in the next few years, and I am seriously considering renouncing my Russian citizenship in future. One of the reasons is this particular law.

Hi guys,

I'm in an immigration process as my wife is an American citizen. I'm going to get my EAD soon but I don't know how to start to work. My major was English and American studies (literature, linguistics) and I have a 3 year bachelor degree as well as a master degree that I haven't received yet because there's a goverment-based requirement to have 2 intermediate language exams passed for any MA students in my country in Europe. (Otherwise I passed the state exam, so practically I have an MA degree in theoritical linguistics) The required language exam is an external thing, does not even belong to the training programme or to the institute, you have to bring it in once it's fulfilled to get the MA degree. Is it possible that it will be accepted as a master degree here since there is no such requirements? A passed state exam practically equals with the degree itself.

I will be able to work soon and don't want to be supported by my wife but want to share the costs at least equally. How do you think I should start everything? Will I have to go to a college, take ESL exams (what a shame it would be with an English major) or can I have my degrees accepted and start to work? I live in NYC. My wife's income is quite low so it would be crucial for me to start to work as soon as possible and I would like to work in my field, related to education, as an ESL teacher or something like that.

Thanks for the answers.

Hey there!

It's been a while since you asked, but I figured, I could still answer the question.

I have an MA in English Linguistics from a university in Russia. When I moved to the States, I sent my diploma and transcripts to an evaluation agency (ECE). You can use a different agency, I chose this one because I had heard a lot about ECE prior to moving here It took me about 3-4 months to find a job as a part-time ESL instructor. In about 6 months I started working full-time at the same language school.

A few months ago I was promoted to the Academic Director position.

Soooo... Getting a job as an ESL teacher is possible, especially if you live in a big city (or close to one).

The funny part is that if you want to go to college, you will have to take IELTS or TOEFL I'm planning on going back to school, and it seems like it doesn't matter how long I've been teaching ESL for. Oh well, at least it shouldn't be hard

I received my approval in the mail today!

The case was approved on 1/30/2015

Can someone please update me I did a walk in Biometrics and suprisinsly the lady and everyone where happy actually they told me the week for my appointment they are booked for over 300 people but today they had only 30 people and they are done. Lucky Me. I want to also share this don't know if you have noticed it or anyone heard uscis is making some changes i was the first one they saw my Bio appointment letter containing 2 application Number so it took them a while to figure out the new system will that help me have no clue but for my appointment i had the entire workers come to see how it was done including the on site manager. Anyway figured i shared so everyone take a look at their appointment letter to see if they are getting the new system of 2 application number or just 1 application number

Mine has 2 application numbers. I've been wondering why they had two...

Well, it's a different kind of danger. Most people have to leave Russia seeking asylum. You are not allowed to support Ukraine.

My parents have been talking about a possibility of a civil war in future, but they still will not agree to leave Russia.

From all that I have read, you cannot do this at the consulate in the US. It must be done in the regional offices there in Russia, in person, however they do allow you to mail this in to them...but then...they do not send you any confirmation of receiving it, so you can still easily be listed as a "criminal"...especially if it gets lost in the mail. I am now told, that the immigration offices there have these forms....BUT...get this.... they do not have a law that tells them they can give this form to the public yet, so my wife is now told to come back on the 17th...which is a Sunday...haha..they are closed, so she will try again on the 18th. Even if you went down with a printed out form, they will not take it, so you cannot submit it yet. My wife asks...maybe they need a law to use the toilet:)))) She is very very upset with this whole mess, and frankly I don't see how she can endure anymore BS from the government. My question is, why are the really doing this in the first place?????

Why are they doing this? Who knows... maybe they are planning on "protecting" Russian speakers in other countries (they've been doing a lot of that in different places lately). Maybe they will create some more "interesting" laws in future, related to taxation of people, who have another citizenship or a resident card, or related to our property in Russia. Whatever this is, I don't expect any positive changes.

However, I have some information that might help your wife. It's all in Russian, and I don't feel like translating, but you can have her read this:

Итак, закон, обязывающий граждан РФ уведомлять о иных гражданствах, ВНЖ и документах на право постоянного проживания, принят и 4 августа 2014 года вступил в силу.

Закон называется

Федеральный закон от 04.06.2014 г. № 142-ФЗ "О внесении изменений в статьи 6 и 30 Федерального закона "О гражданстве Российской Федерации" и отдельные законодательные акты Российской Федерации"

Прочитать текст закона можно здесь.

www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_163933/

Основной подзаконный акт - приказ ФМС РФ, определяющий порядок подачи уведомления так же принят и опубликован 05.08.2014 г. Он вступает в силу 17.08.2014 г.

Называется

Приказ Федеральной миграционной службы от 28 июля 2014 г. № 450

"Об утверждении форм и порядка подачи уведомлений о наличии у гражданина Российской Федерации иного гражданства либо вида на жительство или иного действительного документа, подтверждающего право на его постоянное проживание в иностранном государстве"

Прочитать текст приказа можно здесь.

base.consultant.ru/cons/cgi/online.cgi?req=doc;base=LAW;n=166884

Кроме того, принят еще один подзаконный акт - постановление правительства РФ.

Называется

Постановление Правительства Российской Федерации от 30.07.2014 № 733 "Об утверждении Правил осуществления Федеральной миграционной службой и ее территориальными органами учета письменных уведомлений о наличии у граждан Российской Федерации гражданства иного государства"

Прочитать текст постановления можно здесь.

pravo.gov.ru:8080/Document/View/0001201408070010?index=0&rangeSize=1

С целью разъяснения положений принятых нормативно-правовых актов, ФМС России 7 августа 2014 г. была проведена пресс-конференция.

Основным спикером на пресс-конференции была

Казакова Валентина Львовна

Начальник Управления по вопросам гражданства ФМС России, полковник внутренней службы

Видеозапись пресс-конференции на ютубе

youtu.be/BHv0oCG5uLM

Видеозапись пресс-конференции на сайте информационного агентства

www.pressria.ru/pressclub/20140807/949447250.html

Это к настоящему моменту все источники, из которых мы можем сделать какие-то выводы.

Кроме того, разработаны бланки уведомлений.

Бланки в PDF, образцы заполнения бланков, файл Excel для заполнения на компьютере доступны по ссылке:

cloud.mail.ru/public/e3109cbe9b3e/Uvedomleniya_FMS_Prikaz450.zip

или

drive.google.com/file/d/0B1jjl9UC3sYkeUFHbFFyaTRyUHM/edit?usp=sharing

Чтобы не отвечать на типовые вопросы, резюмируем то что уже известно.

1) Вопросы процедуры уведомления:

1.1) Уведомление можно подать только с территории России. Подать уведомление через интернет нельзя. Подать уведомление через консульство нельзя. Подать уведомление заказным письмом из Германии, а равно как и из любой другой страны, нельзя.

1.2) В России уведомление подается либо в отделение УФМС по месту жительства (при отсутствии места жительства по месту пребывания, при отсутствии мест пребывания и жительства по месту фактического нахождения) либо через любое отделение Почты России.

1.3) В ФМС подача уведомления бесплатна. Через Почту России - стоит небольших денег (за почтовое отправление).

1.4) Уведомление подается лично, с предъявлением паспорта. Подать уведомление за совершеннолетнего взрослого нельзя.

1.5) За несовершеннолетних и недееспособных уведомление подает родитель (законный представитель).

1.6) Разработано два вида бланка уведомления. Для взрослых свой бланк, для детей и недееспособных свой. Бланки уведомлений доступны здесь:

cloud.mail.ru/public/e3109cbe9b3e/Uvedomleniya_FMS_Prikaz450.zip

или здесь:

drive.google.com/file/d/0B1jjl9UC3sYkeUFHbFFyaTRyUHM/edit?usp=sharing

1.7) После подачи уведомления от сотрудника ФМС или Почты России необходимо получить заполненную отрывную часть уведомления с подписью и печатью ФМС или почтовым штампом. Этот документ будет являться доказательством подачи вами уведомления.

1.8) Уведомление о уже имеющихся ВНЖ и гражданстве должно быть подано до 02.10.2014 года включительно.

1.9) Уведомление о приобретенном гражданстве или полученном ВНЖ либо документе на право постоянного проживания должно быть подано в течение 60 дней со дня получения гражданства или такого документа.

1.10) Из разъяснений Казаковой В.А., начальника Управления по вопросам гражданства ФМС России, данных ею на пресс-конференции, следует, что лица, пропустившие срок уведомления вследствие нахождения за пределами РФ, обязаны уведомить ФМС в течение 60 дней после первого въезда в РФ, при этом они освобождаются от ответственности, поскольку не имели физической возможности уведомить ранее. Стоит отметить что эти слова не подтверждены каким-либо документом.

1.11) К уведомлению прикладываются копии документа удостоверяющего личность (паспорта), документа, удостоверяющего право постоянного проживания/гражданства (при наличии), документа, подтверждающего родство/опеку с несовершеннолетним/недееспособным (в случае подачи уведомления за несовершеннолетнего/недееспособного)

Подаются простые копии. Ничего переводить/заверять/апостилировать не нужно.

2)Вопросы о том, кому необходимо подавать уведомления

2.1)Кто такой "Гражданин Российской Федерации, постоянно проживающий за пределами Российской Федерации"?

В настоящий момент точного законодательного определения критериев нет. У чиновников единого мнения на этот счет так же нет.

Из разъяснений Казаковой В.А., начальника Управления по вопросам гражданства ФМС России, данных ею на пресс-конференции, следует что освобождаются от обязательства уведомить о наличии иного гражданства или ВНЖ лица, снявшиеся с регистрационного учета по месту жительства в России. Те кто зарегистрированы в России, обязаны подать уведомление в течение 60 дней с момента первого въезда после вступления закона в силу.

Если гражданин зарегистрирован по месту жительства в России, но считает себя постоянно проживающим за границей, он должен быть готов доказать органам ФМС или следствию что постоянно проживает за границей.

Стоит отметить что эти слова не подтверждены каким-либо документом.

2.2)Что такое "действительный документ, подтверждающий право на постоянное проживание в иностранном государстве"?

В настоящий момент точного законодательного определения критериев такого документа нет.

Из разъяснений Казаковой В.А., начальника Управления по вопросам гражданства ФМС России, данных ею на пресс-конференции, следует что ФМС РФ не уполномочена определять какие из иностранных документов подтверждают право не постоянное проживание в иностранном государстве. Гражданин, обладающий таким документом, должен сам определить дает ли документ право постоянного проживания исходя из законодательства страны, выдавшей документ. При этом ответственность за правильность определения лежит на гражданине.

Что касается Германии и других стран шенгена, думаю, разумнее всего будет считать документами на право постоянного проживания все виды ВНЖ/ПМЖ, в том числе и ограниченные по сроку (NE,AE,AT,BC,DA-EU и другие). Не подпадают под обязательство уведомления, соответственно, обладатели всех видов виз.

3) Вопросы ответственности за неподачу уведомления.

3.1) Предусмотрена административная и уголовная ответственность.

3.2) Административная ответственность по ст.19.8.3 КоАП РФ предусмотрена за несвоевременную подачу уведомления либо за подачу неполных или недостоверных сведений и карается штрафом от 500 до 1000 рублей.

3.3) Уголовная ответственность по ст. 330.2 УК РФ предусмотрена за неисполнение обязанности по подаче уведомления и предусматривает ответственность в виде штрафа до 200 000 рублей либо обязательными работами до 400 часов.

3.4) Уголовная статья по подследственности отнесена к СК РФ.

3.5) Протоколы по административной статье имеют право составлять сотрудники ФМС и участковые полицейские.

3.6) Разница между "несвоевременной подачей уведомления" и "неисполнением обязательства по подаче уведомления" определяется в моменте обнаружения факта неподачи уведомления. Если выяснилось что уведомление не было ранее подано в момент подачи уведомления - то это "несвоевременная подача" и действует административная ответственность. Если выяснилось что уведомление не подано и не подается в настоящий момент, то это уголовная ответственность. Иными словами, если вы сами пришли и сдались, то административная ответственность, если вас поймали, то уголовная ответственность.

http://www.newsweek.com/ukrainian-refugees-flood-russia-rebels-are-squeezed-263166

No, I mean Ukrainian citizens. I'm in Russia, and my friends who have gone to OVIR for various reasons have said that the line is 90% Ukrainian refugees now. If they were Russian citizens, they wouldn't be at OVIR.

Russians fleeing for Kiev? What are you talking about?

There have been a few cases when ethnic Ukrainians who are Russian citizens, or Russians who don't support the government fled for Ukraine (some ended up in Kyiv, some in other places... even in Lviv).

I don't blame them. Since the first days of the conflict my dad (who is Ukrainian and grew up in Kyiv Region) has had to deal with people who called him a "banderovets". Idiots! I'd love to have a chance to get my parents out of there. I just went to Russia in May, and I did not feel safe there. This might have happened because I am from the region that's right across the border from Luhansk, but it's still a fact.

Hi everyone! Another July filer here.

My information:

Date of I-751 = 07/18/2014
NOA Date = 07/21/2014
Biometrics = 08/22/2014

As far as I know, you will need HIV test if you want to obtain a student visa (at least exchange students I know had to get theirs done).

My husband has just gotten a 3-year multiple entry visa. We applied in person in DC (we live in Maryland), and then I picked it up (I happen to work 10 minutes away from the consulate). It took us about a week.

Russian visa is really easy to obtain, never had a problem.

I think were going to have to do it in Russia, the issue is that her passport expires about 2 weeks before she was planning to return to visit family. Thankfully we haevnt yet bought the airline tickets though. Is there any problem travelling with a passport thats going to expire in a matter of days? I seem to recall that in Russia renewing an expired passport is a bigger deal, is this true? If it is how many days should be left on it when she makes the application?

It will take you a couple of weeks in Russia only if you know "the right" people. Otherwise, it will take 1.5-2 months from what I can recall.

As for renewing the passport here, I renewed mine last year in DC. I made an appointment in December, but the appointment itself was for March. I applied for the passport in March and picked it up from the embassy in June. So, yeah, 6 months sounds about right.

The good news is that it doesn't really matter when her travel passport expires as long she has a valid internal passport.