Rob & Angie

I just went through the interview with my Ukrainian fiance and her daughter on May 8th. It was so much easier than what my imagination was putting in my head. They were very polite and helpful. If you have the correct documents, and can answer 5-9 simple questions, we were asked 6, 1 to me, 1 to daughter and 4 to Vika, you will be approved. (please read my embassy write-up) I also have the feeling that once you have given them the papers, and before you go to window for interview they have already made their minds up, so as long as you do not make up answers, and you do not hesitate, all will be ok. Please feel free to send me message if you have any particular concern, as Vika or I are more than willing to tell you of our experiences.

we were approved on 8th, we get visas delivered Monday, it would have been Friday but the 9th was a holiday

We waited over 2 weeks and called every day, then after 15 days I called again and got our KEV#, and was told at that time that they had not only received our package but that it had been sent on to embassy just 4 days after NVC got it, it was just that system had not been updated to show the status to the people who answer calls at NVC

Hey my fellow VJ'ers,

Yesterday I accompanied my Ukrainian fiancee and her daughter to the US Embassy for her interview. All went well, I was pleasantly surprised that the cost went down, only paid $480 for the both of them. Interview was a piece of cake, 6 questions only. 1 to me, 1 to my fiancee's daughter and 4 to Vika. Although they understand that they still have a long way to go to complete all steps to becoming US citizens, I am sure glad that the wait to be together is over. The waiting and worrying (most of it needlessly) is very hard to go through, but looking back seems less a bother now that Vika is approved. I have completed an embassy review and updated timeline, I cannot wait for the 21st May when we all fly here to PA to be together as a family.

Hi there, I know that DHL is very big in Ukraine, I have also often used regular Post office, and have had documents sent to me from there take 9 days and going there take 10-12 days. Safest but more expensive is DHL.

Hello again fellow VJ'ers!

I am off to Ukraine for a month to be able to go with fiancee to interview in Kiev, and then to help pack her belongings for America!

I have (hopefully) 1 last question regarding form DS-230 Part 1, question 16. I think I am over thinking everything, but want to be sure. This question asks for spouse's name, I think they mean current spouse if married, and filing for a married visa, as this form is for many types of visa applications. Can anyone please confirm this, or am I wrong and it means her ex-spouse? Sorry for being a little stupid right now, but I am worrying over everything!!!

Here is address for where to go pay for medical.... Mihailovskaya 8, Kiev

Yes, clinic address is the same, only where you must go to pay for medical is new/different, cost is 1000(UAH)/per adult. I will give address here tomorrow, I hope that you/someone will then maybe add it to US embassy page for others to see for future reference.

Unfortunately, I am not sure the exact date, but you cannot pay at the clinic, they gave Vika a different address to go to pay, there also was a thread that I cannot find now where that couple also tell about the new way to pay. I will be happy to post the address given of where you go to pay as soon as I can call Vika with the time difference.

Hello VJ'ers,

Our packet has left NVC, but we are still awaiting notice from embassy that they have application. In meantime my fiance has booked her medical for 23rd Apr. My question is for those who have been through this, what are the bus numbers to take to go between place you pay and medical center, or what are the Metro stations that are closest? If anyone has gone from train station to payment place do you remember what buses also?

Thanks again

Congratulations, and thank you for all your help answering my questions, I hope someday that my Vika will be taking same oath.

Hello VJ'ers,

I have a question on how to answer #32 of the DS-156 form. It asks "Do you intend to work in the US? yes/no, If yes, provide address of US employer.

My fiance does intend to work here, but not until after marriage and once we have obtained correct status to allow her to work, so therefore she does not have an employer. Do I answer no or yes? I do not want to answer no, and in 6 months or so when she applies for a job get bitten by immigration saying "Hey, you said you weren't going to work!"

Please help!

Hello VJ'ers

I have question regarding NVC; on many timelines, I see where NOA2 for a K1 was followed in only 5-9 days by NVC received and then their NVC left is only a few days after that. My NOA2 letter is dated March 20th, and every time I call NVC they say they do not have my paperwork, it can take 15 business days. Does this mean that when I do call they will say they have had my paperwork since XXX and sent it out on XXX; or that they just got it, and now I must wait for them to send it out? Apart from issuing a new case number for us for the US embassy in Kiev, what does NVC do with a K1 visa package?

I maybe should have been more clear about my letter to the President. I did not ask him to help get me approved in any way, I merely asked if it would be possible to make an inquiry as my Congressman had, and I told him how long I have been waiting, that I really loved my fiance, and if the delay was due to having to do a manual background check, that I am not a terrorist, nor smuggler or drug dealer!! On the website, there is an option that I chose for 'Help With a Government Agency' I know the president did not intervene, but just maybe, maybe a white house staffer called or emailed USCIS and that prompted the case officer to look again at my file

Likewise my letter to St. John was just a request for a speedy answer to my application, and that it be approved.

Hello fellow VJ'ers

I just wanted to share some interesting points about my case to maybe help others in similar situation.......

I just got approved March 20th 2012 after a 7 month 1 day wait. I filed on Aug 19th 2011, had an RFE on Jan 13th 2012 asking for another passport photo of me. On March 1st my Congressman made inquiry to Vermont Service Center; the reply on March 7th, was that following my RFE, Vermont had 60 days in which to reply, which worked out to March 27th if counting 60 straight days, or April 23rd if the days were business days. Honestly I was getting worried, and even a little annoyed at the time it was taking, I saw many others getting approved who had only been waiting 4 months! I was told there really was nothing I could do, even getting Congressman to make another inquiry would not help, I was told USCIS does not report to Congress.

So.....I wrote a letter to the President! Using the White House web site, on March 15th. On March 24th I also wrote a letter to St. John of San Francisco (I am a convert to Russian Orthodox) who I was told during his life helped many immigrants.

March 20th I got my approval. Miracle or coincidence? I am not saying either one was the reason, in fact I do not even wish to ever find out what IF anything occurred, I like not knowing, and it sure makes a great tale one day for any grandchildren I might have.

Well I received email at 9pm, but didn't notice until now 11pm. After 211 days, RFE and I admit some despair, I am now so excited, I can hardly type this. I wish to thank everyone for all their answers to my nagging questions and alleviating my doubts. For all you others, it has been almost 7 months to the day since I submitted my forms, so be patient, it is hard, but they do finally get to the petitions!

To Gary and Alla, what is a manual background check as compared to 'normal' one and what are some reasons for having to have a manual check??

I can stay in Ukraine for upto 12 weeks without a visa, her birthday is April 10th, but from what you are saying (and I really appreciate your answer) is that the 60 day limit is nothing to go by. So that leads to maybe asking Congressman or IG to look into my case if it goes past 60 days?

Hi,

Does anyone know much about the Vermont Service Center? I received an RFE on Jan 13th, and Vermont replied that they had my response (they needed another photo of me) on Jan 27th. I am in RFE response review according to USCIS website. On the website and in the RFE letter, it says that I will receive a response within 60 days. My 60 days ends on March 27th. My question is does that 60 day limit have any meaning to Vermont. Do they care if it goes over the 60 days, or are they good at keeping to their statement? My soon to be step daughter has a birthday coming and I would dearly love to go there to be in the Ukraine for it, if I do get approved by 27th I can easily make it and then stay for interview, but I have no idea if I will even get a response by that date

I find it quite interesting that Paul86 and Vosnmars and myself, all have a last touched date of 2/9/12!! I filed back on Aug 22nd, and had RFE, but it is taking sooooo long!

I saw your reply to my post, I just reread the I129F form, I agree that it only asks, but all I know was my FRE requested I send 2 passport photos of my self, which I sent.

I received my RFE on Jan 13th, it was for 2 passport photos of me, as my lawyer had only sent 1. My reply was received at Vermont SC, Jan 27th, I am still waiting for NOA2.

Hello VJ members!!

Can anyone please tell me if the Ukrainian Embassy allows a co-sponsor for a K1 visa I-129F on the I-134 form? Also, I own my own home with no mortgage, can I list this as an asset that they will allow, and if they do allow is it at only 1/3 value?

Thanks in advance......

Hello VJ'ers!!

I was hoping for a little advice, I got my NOA1 on August 19th for my K1. I received an RFE on Jan 13th, replied and was notified they received reply on Jan 27th. RFE was for 2 passport photos only. I am seeing the K1 visas from November are being approved, and so my question is...is it worth calling Vermont Service Center and asking to speak with a tier 2 person, and will it help, or should I just wait a while longer? Any good advice appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hello VJ Users!

I could do with a little more knowledge. I received an RFE that said I had not provided 2 passport photos. Nothing else was on the RFE. Vermont got my photos on Jan 27th, and I got update Jan 31st that they were now in RFE response review. My application was then touched Feb 9th. I have been looking at other timelines and see that most people received NOA2 between 6-14 days after RFE was received back at USCIS. I know letter states that USCIS has 60 days to give written decision, but would appreciate any feedback as to how long I can expect to wait?