Codeblue009

Hi Baron,

I am a member of RUA, RWD and RMP forums and from what I've read there EM is considered one of the better MOB agencies out there if you want to go the MOB agency route. I'm glad to read that you were able to find your wife through EM so quickly. I have read of other EM success stories as well, Turboguy for instance found his wife through EM, I believe, although it took him a lot longer than you to find her.

Although I somewhat agree with your statement, it can be different in a case of international dating where the language barrier and cultural differences can present significant obstacles, hence a large number of such marriages that don't withstand the test of time. Many divorces happen because a couple doesn't really get to know each other on a deeper level and start to truly see each other for whom they are only after an FSU woman moves to her man's country and learns more English. At this time sometimes a man thinks: "She changed! She was a completely different person when she was in Ukraine!". The reality is that people do not change overnight once they change their address. Sure, we all change during our lifespan and have different stages in life with different priorities. But our basic values don't change. An honest, sincere person does not become a cheating liar in a matter of a few months just because they now live in the US. There are plenty of these "horror stories" on RW forums, but I always say - the guy didn't get to know the woman before he married her. He married a stranger and now he found out her true nature and living with the consequences... So unless you really know what you are doing and speak fluent Russian you really are just gambling. And sometimes when you gamble you do win, other times you lose miserably...

You are right in saying that some people have a much better BS meter capabilities than others, but still, the fact is that unless one of the couple speaks the other's language fluently there is too much room for misunderstanding and miscommunication no matter what your level of "abilities" is. Many of "my guys" are highly intelligent, very successful, professional men who really don't need their hand held in any life situation. However they have enough insight and life/business experience to know that sometimes there are situations where having another professional, a wingman on their side makes a lot of sense and can save them a lot of time, money and emotional distress in a long run.

To answer your question, yes, a few of my guys did use EM. A couple of them actually were using EM while working with me at the same time. Ultimately it all came down to numbers. How many women's profiles does EM has? I did a search on EM putting only one criteria in - age 25 through 35 (most sought after age group for guys who want to get married and start a family). The search came up with 3000 profiles total. Out of those there are only few hundred of really attractive women and if you also limit your criteria with things like "no kids', "non-smoker", hight/weight limitations, English speaking abilities, etc. you really won't have a lot of women left to contact. Fact is that these same women are being contacted by thousands of Western men from Europe, the Americas, Australia and others. The prettier girls with no kids get lots of emails and the competition for their attention is very stiff.

On the other hand a search using exactly the same criteria on Mamba produces almost 530,000 women. Let's say that only 10% of these women would consider getting involved with a foreigner that leaves us with 53,000 women versus 3,000 on EM. Please consider that Mamba is only one of the Russian sites so using just one more Local Russian site will double that number and you'll have more than a 100,000 women open to a relationship with a foreign man versus the 3,000 on EM.

Another thing is that thousands of Western men are contacting the same few hundred of most attractive women on EM, while only very few Western men contact these 100,000 single women who are open to WM on free Russian sites. If you can contact them in Russian, start a nice, interesting conversation you can quickly build a repore and this can lead to a meeting and to a relationship further down the road. My track record speaks for itself as to how good it can work if you know what you are doing.

I can atest to Mamba. I met my fiance on Mamba and was able to start a good relationship with her. We skyped everyday and I have been to Russia 3 times to see her(I-129F approved last week). Mamba has many Ukrainian and Russian women, but you still need to be cautious of who you are talking to. Many of the people on Mamba are playing games, of the sexual kind. There are few who will try to get something from you, but for the most part I liked my short time on Mamba. Having said that, I have also used Anastasiaweb.com and had a relationship with a woman from the Ukraine, who eventually came to live with me, but changed her mind before we got married. For me, Anastasia gave me an avenue to get the girls on the phone and talk to them. Since Anastasia is more a less a broker and the dating agency is not connected to Anastasia management per se, I talked to the girl I liked on the phone, after I wrote one or two letters. If she could not tell me what I wrote, I knew it was the agency writting the letter. Most of the time it was the girl and I flew out to meet whoever it was I was interested at the time (29 times to Ukraine and 7 times to Russia).

All in all it was a great journey over 8 years. I found the woman I am supposed to be with and also I learned a lot about the culture and the country of the Ukraine and Russia. Use good common sense, and definitely have a lot of patience when it comes to getting to know her. Communication is the key and understanding that she will want to be the independent woman she was at home, but will have limitations once here. Good luck to all!

Actually the house did much better than my pickup truck. She drove into a brick wall and it wasn't damaged. I really didn't want to turn the truck into the insurance company with her being on the third day of a learners permit so I paid for it out of my own pocket and it was 5 grand to get the truck fixed. Plus I was scheduled to go to Florida for a trade show and had to rent a rider truck which added another grand.

She did her best on that brick wall though. I still remember us sitting there with the front of the truck up against the wall and her pressing the gas pedal to the floor trying to push over the house.

As far as Gary's comment that when RW go bad they really go bad, the one I remember most was one young guy who was quite active about the same time AK Diver was here. I won't say who it was since this was told to me in confidence. It's been years and I don't think the story itself will hurt anything. One member brought a gal from S.P. on a K-1 and came back early from work one day. She had been doing naked web cam with about 20 different guys.

I can tell you a story of a girl I was dating in Simferepol. Long story short, after I went to see her and came back home, she told me she needed 1000.00 or else someone was gong to kill her. I told her I would see what I could do and I never called her again. Went back to Simferopol 3 months later and saw her on the street kissing her boyfriend. She saw me looking and was shocked, but I just smiled and laughed! I should have told her I visit the Ukraine (at that time 18 times) a lot!!!

Going through the interview package with Olga tonight! Medical is the 11th and interview the 13th!!!

Good Luck to you both!!! We are waiting for our medical and interview date also.

Alright, I am going to interject here.

First, unless you have had a lot of experience dealing with individuals whose first language is not English, do not assume that how you interpret someone's post is the same way they meant it. The OP's English use is consistent with someone who does not understand the nuances of the language. Instead of 'adding' your nuanced interpretations to his words, read the sentences individually and determine what they mean. It is equally interpretable as meaning 'my situation is thus - I have my green card so am a permanent resident. My marriage, however, is not going well. My wife's 3 teen aged daughters and I don't get along. My wife and I are arguing all of the time and we are both unhappy. If we get divorced, how will this affect my status in this country.". That is what he has said - and if you had read it as written in those words you would not now be accusing him of fraud.

Please, this website is supposed to be helpful and constructive, not judgmental and critical. When you read a post that you know is not written by a native English speaker/writer - think twice or three times about how each sentence can be phrased or constructed and put into context in the greater whole.

His situation is plausible and has been seen many times here on Visa Journey. Some relationship chasms are just too deep to bridge easily due to cultural differences and personality conflicts. Unless you actually have hard and fast proof that this man has committed visa fraud - and I see nothing in his post to indicate that he has (and I have had a lot of experience dealing with non-native English speakers), then answer his question with consideration and care - or do not participate in this thread. Speculation and supposition are good for gossip but not for facts.

This post is made both as a moderator and as a member of Visa Journey.

I repeat - if you have nothing constructive to add to this discussion, then do not add anything at all. Two posts violating TOS have already been removed and I will remove others if necessary.

AMEN!!!!!!!

Same to you!

Same to all of you!!! Olya said they were a lot of fireworks in Ekaterinburg. She just went to sleep.

Thank God for a Russian calendar. She expects me to know all these holidays. Hell, I don't even know all of ours!!!

Ahhh democracy!

Remember, Czar Putin said it is "Russian Democracy!" He will be president again. There is no force that can withstand him.

Happy Mother's Day and now Happy Victory Day.

As with most petitioners here, I wish to go to the consulate interview with my fiance'e.

What I would like to know is:

Is it mandatory that I attend with her.

Do they(consulate) frown on the petitioner not being there?

any input for experienced vj members would be greatly appreciated

Be advised some consulates do not allow the USC to be in the interview with their beneficienary. You will need to check on the embassy websites for more information on your particular consulate office. So the answer to your questions is no, it is not mandatory that you go to the interview. Hope this helps and good luck to you.

That is because you are a very clever person. Clever? what does that have to do with running.you ask?

You figured out you should marry an FSU woman long before you were too old to run fast.

My wife and I just had our first son this week! Luckily, he got all his looks from her so he's a beautiful baby! Hope everyone is doing well...will have a lot of catch up reading as soon as I get some time.

Congratulations!!!!! Wishng you and your famly the best!

Congratulations! When did you submit your k1?

It was submitted on December 11, 2010. Check out my timeline.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I've updated you on the December timeline!!

Thanks!!!!

Agreed! Make sure you copy both of your current baording passes ans hotel receipts with both your names and submit. It seems you have met all the requirements. Take plenty of pictures of both of you around identifiable landmarks and you will be just fine. Good luck to you!!!

Thanks All!!!! Hopefully they will pick up the slack and get more people through this process.

Hello all my fellow VJ'ers,

I can't believe my eyes, but the VSC actually kept it's processing time with my petition.

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

The last processing action taken on your case

Receipt Number: EACXXXXXXXXX

Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Your Case Status: Post Decision Activity

On May 4, 2011, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

For approved applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include USCIS sending notification of the approved application/petition to the National Visa Center or the Department of State. For denied applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include the processing of an appeal and/or motions to reopen or reconsider and revocations.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results

listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current

processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.

*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Check Processing Times.

*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.

Sincerely,

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

I am so appreciative of this petition approval, now my secondary planning can begin. I know Olya is going to be excited when I wake her up in about an hour. Anyway, to those of you who are still waiting, I pray for your immediate approvals. God Bless you all and I'll keep you posted on any issue we may have. I expect Olya to be questioned, with respect to this being my second petition in 4 years. I don't forsee any problems with that, since she knows about all that happened. Also I wrote it in the I-129F package explaining the situation. OK, good luck to all of you and you all will be hearing from me.

maybe im not as romantic or as in love as previous posters think you need to be to not talk about or think about prenups,but im the beneficiary and i suggest a prenup,despite the fact that my fiance is a normal lance corporal,with no extra money or anything at all,and while my mom is wealthy all her assets are in iran,which in case of her death ( god forbid ) would be inaccessable to my fiance.i think you need to be open minded,there is the possiblity of divorce and he has the right the protect what he has fought and worked very hard for.

im personally doing it and im happy with my decision.my fiance is a very hard working man and he deserves to keep what he has in case of a divorce or anyhting of that sort.

in the end of the day,to each their own?

There are many valid reasons for a prenuptual agreement. Some may have a lack of trust involved and some may not. Who knows all the reasons. But what difference does it make if you stay married. A prenup only applies if you divorce. So if the couples are still in love and stay married, then this prenup means nothing. The point is that people do things out of hurt and anger. I don't believe you go into a marriage thinking eventually I will divorce someone, at least I hope no one does! But not knowing what will happen in the future, if one choses to protect their assets, I am not sure I would say they are not trusting or in love with that person. Again, if they both remain married, then this is a pointless discussion. Just my 2 cents.

Open and frank discussion of such matters is critical. I usually don't comment on Pre-nuptual agreement threads.

If the situation is that the person wanting the agreement is thinking, "I really love my future spouse and have confidence in our relationship but I also understand that even in the best of situations, many couples divorce after a short time. If this happens, I want to treat this person fairly but do not want to lose half of everything I've worked for, in the event the marriage lasts only a short time." then the other party will want to carefully evaluate the actual agreement to see if they think it's fair, under the circumstances. If not, perhaps you suggest changes.

It's all highly unromantic and depending on a person's own frame of reference, they can be quite discouraged by such a development. At the same time, there are practical matters to consider in any plan to marry.

Ditto!!!!

Hi everyone. We are getting close now! I have a question and I am hoping that someone can shed light on. I am sorry if this is vague, but it is the information as I have it. We recently received our letter from Consular on requirements for Lily's interview (my fiancée) is very nervous about her interview and sought counsel (this is where it gets vague) at some agency or service specializing in forms and document processing. She was told that for $730 USD they would do "legalization" and "authorization" of the documents from the different ministries. I believe there are three that are involved. As best I can understand they pertain to medical, police records and school (she has two children (10 and 17). Has anyone used these types of services? Or are they just preying on her fears of failing somehow the interview? She also was told that without this Legalization she could have difficulty when she begins her US status change after our marriage. My funds are limited, but will find a way to pay the unexpected $730 if it is legitimate and has merit. I just have this feeling that this is like a car salesman telling you that you must have this car! Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. I tried to get her to pose the question in Russian on the site as she could better explain than I but she just said we will do without the legalization... I just need to get some consensus on whether it is really needed. Thanks in advance...

Complete total B.S.!!!!!! Stay away from all this stuff!

She is finally here. We are static. :dance:

Congratualtions!!!! I wish you both to have a Blessed and happy life together. Good Luck to you both!!!

As for me, I hope the liquor store will have my favorite Ukrainian vodka. :dance: You can see it in my new avatar. Nothing quite like a good Honey Pepper Vodka.

I've got the same Vodka and I haven't opened the bottle in 3 years. It was a gift, but I don't drink. But I love Georgian wine. Republic of Georgia that is. Went to Russian last month and they told me they don't sell Georgian wine. At least in the Ukraine you can always get good Georgian wine.

The Houston General Russian store has very good products, much better than the one in Austin, Texas.

I will be in Ukraine in Jan and Feb, if we start the paperwork in Feb, and if it takes 4 to 6 months to get the Visa,and that is just guessing, then it would be issued about July, maybe August. Then if she can travel on Nov 10th, we have 90 days from the date of her entry to get married, if I understand the time limit. I think that here in the US we will still have to do the usual getting blood test and going to the courthouse and getting a Marriage License.

I was thinking about taking her on a couple week tour of the US, and possibly getting married in Las Vegas.

Then there is more paperwork to do to change her K-1 Visa to something more permanent?

But back to the top, what steps do I need to take to start the process? Is the paperwork filed in the US or in Ukraine?

Baron555 and Gary have given you good information. You actually have some options to consider. Either marry her there and file the I-130 or do what a lot of us have done, K 1 visa I-129F. Go to USCIS website and download the forms and check within the forums for guidance on how to file. There are many people here who will help you, since we have been through this before. Just take a look at the process and ask questions when you have them. Good luck to you and I know you will love the Ukraine! I know I did!

Hi Everyone,

I received the hard copy of my NOA2 a few days ago. The first line said "The above petition has been approved, and forwarded to the listed consulate." There is no mention anywhere on my NOA2 about my petition being sent to NVC. This is my second approved I-129F for a Filpina. The rest of the wording on my NOA2 just explains that because this is my 2nd approved I-129F it has been added to a multiple visa petition database and says that when my fiancee enters the USA we have 90 days to marry. Has anyone else gotten a NOA2 like this?

I will be in the same situation as you, with respect to having filed for two I-129F's in the last 4 years. I am also glad to see that you are moving forward with your petition. It can be very hard being absent from the one you love and have many misunderstandings. That distance doesn't help for understanding each others circumstances well. I just had one today, but we worked it all out with. After I explained why we were fighting, she understood the rationale, and we are now going to be a bit more patient and understanding to each other. It is a pain to wait, but once we get over this hurdle, then a sense of normalcy will hopefully kick in. Good luck to you and I hope you both shall be truly happy with each other.

Congratulations!!!!!

<!--quoteo(post=1972477:date=Jun 29 2008, 05:17 AM:name=slim)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (slim @ Jun 29 2008, 05:17 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1972477"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Great to hear that it's really no big deal as long as you follow the rules. Congrats, have fun, and hope to see some fotos....<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

OK, will take a ton of fotos...

Talked with a friend yesterday about Paris and he tells me Paris is a great city. He said the only thing bad about Paris is the French people!

Since I was born here, but French is my first language, I will tell you that French people are very nice. Just do not be rude and be respectful and they will help you. Every country has it's pain in the rear, but on the whole, France is a great place outside of Paris. Go to Nice or Bordeaux. The food is excellent and the wine is superior. Enjoy your stay and take in the cultural experience.

Perhaps. But it's rarely the threat of being disbarred or sanctioned that sends chills down your average lawyer's spine. It's the cost of mounting a defense. You can literally win your case and lose your house.

Agreed!

So am I. But the first chick I saw in Odessa keeps walking through my dreams. In heels. And that silky blouse buttoned at the neck and at the waist and no where else.

Alla has my undying loyalty, but things seen cannot be unseen.

I hate Barabra Steisand. The chick is walking to the music of Roy Orbison.

Gary, I FEEL YA!!!!!! Yeah, pretty woman is about right! Ohhh...gorgeous women!!!!! now I know why I had to get rid of all my pictures, I would go nuts!!!!