Scafidi454

The passport photo is supposed to be 2x2 inches. You can scan it and use a site like this to get it the correct size: http://www.epassportphoto.com/

Or 50mmx50mm (metric standard)

There is also a "make your own passport photo" tool somewhere on the travel.state.gov website (if I remember correctly), but I'd just invest that little bit for extra insurance against an RFE and future prints. You should be able to get the digital copy so that you can print what you need now, and print some later for the medical and interview (they're good for about 6 months I believe). You should be able to put them on a blu tooth device or a jump drive.

If you do get a digital copy, specify to the photo center that it is for a passport photo and that you need a copy of the digital file PLUS the prints with passport dimensions. It will cost about $10 - $20 at CVS or Walgreens.

No, but the third car in two years does (new drivers!) and the masters degree at a private college. I am up to about $93,000 so far.

Waking up naked with Alla every morning...priceless!

About that - Are there any grants or scholarships for Russian immigrants or minorities that you could tell me about?

Other than the transcript evaluation that costs about $200 to get synced with US standards and the TOEFL, what else will we need to do to get her started? I'm sure it varies by school, but I guess I mean what do we have to do in order to have her current degree recognized here in the US?

Cost of sending 3binders with insurance from Houston to Nigeria.

I sent one Artist's portfolio (9x11.5 inches), which was filled with a bunch of documents for my fiancee's interview that weighed 3.3 pounds at the post office. It cost me about $66 for Express delivery (3-5 business days within the US) that takes usually 14 days to get to Russia.

Whatever you do, try to do Express versus Priority flat rate. The flat rate and Express typically come out to be around the same price. The last time I sent something priority to Russia, it took 2 months and I didn't have any tracking number!!!!!!

You forgot the new car!

And the repairs to it or the "learning" car ))

All in all, if you feel it is loving "outside of your comfort zone", then you shouldn't do it. I am very comfortable loving my fiancee, but I am sometimes in uncomfortable situations if I'm the only native English speaker in the room; especially when it's time to try new foods!

Check out Black Lightning. It's available to stream on Netflix. It's your basic genesis of a super-hero plot, but done very well, and pretty funny. It's sub-titled.

And you've probably already seen them, but Night Watch and Day Watch are must-sees.

Doesn't sound like my thing.

There is a movie called "Russian Bride" I think. It is a story about a MOB online relationship set mostly in NY. It ends badly for the woman. Not sure I have the title right, as I watched only part of it years ago.

i think that one is from the 1930s, right?

A Foreign Affair is the same movie as Two Brothers and a Bride. If you've seen one, you've seen them both.

Do you mean Russian "bride" themed? Birthday Girl with Nicole Kidman is pretty good. Mail Order Wife is about an Asian mail-order bride, and is hilarious if you like your humor dark.

Not necessarily "bride related". I just like movies that are set in or are about Russia in the English language. Most of the Russian movies I've seen have only been in Russian, and I've used subtitles (about 20 movies or so I'd say). Like the new Mission Impossible that was set in Moscow; that movie was BAD A55 with the IMAX experience!!!!

I enjoyed the movie too. Part fictional movie and part documentary. The movie has circulated under two names: "Two Brothers and a Bride" and "A Foreign Affair." A Foreign Affair is (was?) a large MOB tour company and the movie used a real tour as the backdrop for the film, using tourists and local Russian women as actors. I think this gave the movie an interesting feel of realism to it.

David Arquette lifted above his usual limited acting talents to put in a decent performance. I will say if a viewer was not connected to the MOB life, the movie would be mediocre at best. Emily Mortimer was the standout in the movie, no question.

I watched the Two Brothers and a Bride movie last night. Great!

Looking for the other one now, but I think it is the same as Two Brothers and a Bride

Any other movie suggestions people? I can suggest some Russian movies, but you'd have to read the subtitles

Ever since they changed interview appointments and delivery system, and the applicants can pick the date themselves - yes, it's been taking 1-2 weeks.

A year ago people had to wait for 1,5-2 months, because the applicant couldn't pick a date, the embassy was scheduling "the closest possible date".

Yea - I was wondering why people were taking so long for the interview. I assumed that it could be due to the police certificate; it takes 30 days to get, but Anastasia has already got that

I'm looking at everyone's visa timelines and 90% of the people that filed when I did got their NOA2 this is driving me crazy why why I'm sad all I want is my honey here with me almost three months and still nothing.

4.5 months and I got an RFE

Wow seven days to get the interview scheduled once the embassy has the petition? Is that correct?

You see the e-mail. That came straight from the embassy. So, I'm not sure why I see other people's interviews at 40 - 60 days from NOA2. That makes no sense to me. If they had been preparing for everything up until the NOA2 and the wait time is only 7 days right now, it should be less than three weeks after NOA2 (giving time for NVC and embassy to receive it).

at least you didn't wait 5 months for the RFE!

Congratulations - Please fill out your timeline.

My interview has been set and i am now starting to plan my trip to move to the states. Im having a few problems understanding the checked baggage policy on their website. If anyone has flown with Continental Airlines recently id apriciate the advice

On the site it says "Continental Airlines will accept up to two pieces of checked baggage with a maximum weight of 50 pounds (23 kg) per bag and a maximum outside dimension of 62 inches (157 cm) per bag in exchange for the applicable service fees."

One of my bag is exactly (as close to as possible) the 62 inches. Will they want to measure the bag when i get there or will they take my word for it? I dont want to get there and find out that i didnt measure it right (i have checked 4 or 5 times but ovbiously its so close im worried about risking it) and have to pay extra when i can just get a suitcase slightly smaller for a cheaper price than it would cost to send oversized luggage.

Also are both bags coverd free or do i have to pay for one even if neither of them are over sized/over weight? Ive never gone with more than one piece of checked luggage and i cant seem to find it on the website..

and lastly if a bag is oversized and overweight do i have to pay both additional fees combined?

TIA Hope your all having a wonderful day!

If it fits, it ships. They'll allow some small overages. Last year, my bags were included with my airfare (I think); I didn't pay anything extra when I got to the airport. Also, if the bags are over, there is a table somewhere on their website that tells you the cost of the overages. https://www.continental.com/CMS/en-US/travel/Pages/CheckedBaggage.aspx

Wow, again, as I observed during my interaction with them, emailing reveals so much information and guidance. Much more than asking anywhere else....it's like they really know what they want???!!!!

Sarcasm?

Dear Tyler,

Thank you for writing to the US Visa Service Desk.

We understand that you wish to know whether it is possible for your fiancée to have her medical examination done before the petition approval and even before the interview is scheduled.

We would like to inform you that the medical examination may be conducted before the K visa interview or after the interview. It is possible for your fiancée to have her medical examination done before the petition approval and even before the interview is scheduled.

Please refer all questions about medical appointments and the examination, to the clinics directly. Find more information about the medical examination on http://moscow.usembassy.gov/physicians.html.

In regard to your query about the current interview waiting times for visa interviews, please note that the current interview waiting times for K visa interviews are 7 days in Moscow.

NOTE: In case you want to track your current passport status which was submitted to the Embassy, please, send an email to passportstatus@ustraveldocs.com and in the subject and/or body enter a valid passport number exactly as it was entered at the time the appointment was scheduled, and you will receive an automatic response with the status.

Feel free to write back in case of any queries. Also you can visit our website: www.ustraveldocs.com.

Please visit XXXXXXX to leave feedback about services we provide.

Sincerely,

US Visa Service Desk

E-mail is definitely better than a phone call. Unless policy changed since a year ago Moscow allows the medical to be done prior to NOA-2. We did our medicals Feb 1 and didn't get our NOA-2 till later in March. Everything worked out well with the interview. Good luck!

I just e-mailed the embassy. I'll let you all know what I hear.

I am aware of that, BUT ... have to see it from the other side too. Taking such an important and life-altering decision takes time and a bit of insanity, and the fiancee will always have doubts. And hearing the person you are willing to make the changes for having what seems to be second thoughts isn't much fun or encouraging. As far as we are concerned, we have already taken the plunge, you can’t be pulling the safety net from under us.

Not having second thoughts - Just thinking of the other person

I am the foreign part and I react in the exact same way. I think it is just beign nervous, plus, sometimes we feel you might not want us there since you keep on saying it is ok if we decide not to come.

I usually say it to try to relieve pressure and to empower her to make her own decisions. Her last boyfriend was really controlling and didn't really like for her to make decisions on her own.

Those can still be broken into, perhaps a temporary mail box at 'mailboxes etc.' or something secure. you can always change it back after a few months. It's up to you, but its a suggestion.

How do you have the GC already if it's only been about a week after the wedding?

Also, you should just get a PO BOX

Hi, our interview date is set for March 20. I am wondering if anyone has any idea of how long after the 20th she will have to wait for her passport to be sent back to her with the visa? Thanks.

How soon are we able to schedule the interview for after the NVC receives the NOA2 petition approval? I mean, I've seen that most people have scheduled anywhere from 30 - 60 days away, but is this based on the embassy's availability or the couple's needs? I think that's much more time than needed to get everything that we need.

In Russia they do allow the medical to be done before the NOA-2. We did this because we were there in Moscow anyway and I was able to help Olya with the 2 kids doing it all the same day. You might want to call the embassy in Kyiv and ask them if it is also allowed there if that would help you. As others have pointed out the exam is good for one year for the visa and for the AOS. Good luck!

So, would my fiancee call the embassy in Moscow to find out if she can go before the NOA2?

It's a great movie for insight into the differences between the cultures.

A couple of my Russian friends agree; they also find it very funny!

Why did you pay $404? Are applicant's required to bring their own pre-paid DHL parcels for the delivery of the visa???

Don't think about it now.....because you won't believe it or know for sure till she's here.

I understand that - I did go to Moscow to see her in August (about 10 months after we had been in our LDR), and I went to find out if there was any possibility for the future. That's why I proposed. You're right in saying that I won't know until she gets here, and that's why we're doing the 90 day round trip ticket.