sailorman

Same thing happened with us. I only found out about our interview from the embassy website. She received the packet a week or two after I told her about the interview date. They will just send her a packet with the forms and instructions. They assume she will be ready.

GET THE POLICE CERTIFICATES NOW!!!

If she has not lived outside of Russia you should have no trouble.

We had some difficulties with this......but that was another almost tragic story.

Look back at my post in March for a detailed run down of how the interview is conducted. It was a piece of cake for us, but there were other girls there that were in trouble. One girl did not have her forms filled out and was in shock to find out that "the attorney" was not going to take care of everything at the interview for her....No joke!

I think almost all VJ'ers do fine and are well prepared.

Thanks Neon, I have followed your threads for the past 8 months; by the way, you have a beautiful wife.

jj

Our interview is scheduled for August 14 according to the Russian Embassy Website. To my knowledge we have not received anything from the embassy and did not notify them we had the package together. I have received all the notices from USA that my application was approved and forwarded to Moscow-I thought Moscow sent my girl a letter asking for notification that she has the documents together for the interview before they scheduled the interview. I am a bit confused but also excited.

I guess we better get started getting together the police certificates. I have everything else.

All advice appreciated.

great thread, we will be joining the interview race soon. our application has been forwarded from America to Russia so maybe we will hear something soon. good luck all.

There was a post in the off topic forum about the new holiday on March 20th.... Steak and ####### day. Hopefully, Hallmark will get behind that one too!

you want them to get behind that or in front

you're a "pig", slim; I like it.

did you hear about the man that walked into his bedroom carrying a sheep. He said "this is the pig I will be "making love with" when you have a headache". his wife says, "darling, I think you will find that is a sheep".

The man says, "I know, I was talking to the sheep"

Thanks Slim for the reminder; did not know about this holiday.

Wish you lots of luck and happy times. What region in Russia will you be living?(Sorry if I missed the answer earlier in the thread)

moving to Izhevsk in April. then to Oryol in May, then on to Amur and Primorsky Region in June and July (Far Eastern Russia) then Lake Baikal in August followed by Wrangle Island and Kamchatka.

Castaway

What are you going to do about the K-1 you have in progress? Are you going to give up on it? Or can you put it on hold? Or will you just wait and do K-3 later? Any idea?

The K1 will not be approved until approx. August; then we have 6 months to move to the USA. This gives us almost a year to see how we are doing in Russia and make a determination to come to America or stay in Russia.

We will most likely come to America, get the adjustment of status and all necessary paperwork done so Raya can return to America at any time; then return to Russia to do more photography; visit her daughter at the University, etc. Then we would need to do the paperwork so her daughter can come to America once she finishes University, about 4 years.

I too want to just drop all worldly possesions and go. The future thing is what's stopping me.

I was talking to my mom and telling her I wanted to do that, and she said "What about family and being close to home and all that?" And my reply was "Well, what about HER family? It's not like when she comes here we're going to be able to go see grandma in Russia every couple of months."

I would love to live the simple life over there, but still be able to fly back here once or twice a year. What I'd really like is for my family to go there with me!

Slim

give it some serious thought; pay off the bills, settle your affairs and go; you will never have a better chance than now. you will always be able to visit USA and your family can visit you in Russia. It will be very difficult for her family to visit in America.

I have 48 days left here in good ole USA; I have a few things to settle but I will be leaving April 14. We will not be rich; we will use public transport, wash our clothes by hand, and live as typical Russians. I will take pictures of some wildlife that has seldom been recorded on film (or digital pixels) and I will sell some magazine articles. if all fails, we can always move to America; but we will not fail

My application was received at TSC on the 13th and forwarded to California.

Okay folks, here is the news I can supply. Just received my NOA1 today; the notice date is Feb. 16, 2006 and the case was forwarded to California. Looks like anything before the 15th has gone to California as mine was received on the 13th.

Castawaysailor,

Although my Russian wife is already in America, living in Russia for a few months is something that I would like to do in the future. How well do you speak Russian? Do you think that knowledge of the language will be a problem while you travel to take the photographs?

-Dave

My Russian is limited but I am learning new words and phrases every day. Sure, the language will be a barrier but I photograph animals-so I only need to communicate sufficiently to get to the area with the animals-after that, I usually keep my "trap" shut.

With all due respect, I hope you are joking. She is leaving her country and family and you want to do this as a test. In my humble opinion; go for broke-put everything you have into making this work and invest totally in the marriage and your new life. If not, cancel it now. Don't believe the horror stories.

Agreed, just a little cold feet I guess. It just really scares me to get married to a woman that I've only lived with for about a month and a half total. I would NEVER EVER EVER marry a woman here that quickly. Even though we've had a huge amount of communication over the last 6 years and I really do feel like I know her and want to spend my life with her, have the family, etc..... I'm just scared, and would love to have the option of playing it safe. But, like you said...... GO FOR IT!!!! And that's what I'm going to do.

Slim

I have total respect for you fears and your cold feet. The venture we are embarking on is riskey but the rewards are plentiful. You never truely know someone you date; even if you live together for years. I, personally, judge my lady by her character, her history with her children, her work ethic and the beauty I see within her. Maybe I am totally wrong; I will move to Russia, give up my very profitable business, maybe make a complete ash of myself and fail-but I will have invested everything-she deserves nothing less.

Oh, get some "foot warmers" for those cold feet

I want to go too!

How are you doing the photography? Is there an agency that you go through?

I would love to leave everything here behind and get over there. Only thing stopping me is the job there. If I could freelance something, I'd do it in a second.

Either way though, have fun and good luck!!!

(Edited because I can obviously not do freelance spelling or punctuation!)

Yes, I have an agency and a couple magazines I will shoot for; with the internet-you can work nearly anywhere in the world.

Also, the cost of living is so much less in Russia that just a months salary will last me a year in Russia. I do have much more that just a months salary but that is a good example.

All, if anyone finds out anything please let us know! We are desperate to find out whats going on...

thanks

Karol

Looks like according to your timeline; your package was mailed to California. I would assume anything sent to Cali would stay in Cali.

For a practical matter make sure you still have a tax return for next year in order to avoid the whole co-sponsorship issue. Although you sound set because you will still be in business and working.

Are you doing the business visa to stay over 3 months? The whole deal with the HIV test and whatever other ####### the Russian side requires?

Yes, I have a one year business visa

Thanks Nick; but this move means closing my laboratory business and many adjustments. Nevertheless, it is so very important that I understand her country; her culture; and her environment. I will also be venturing into a new business of wildlife photography. During my stay in Russia; I will be doing photos and selling to magazines and such.

Oh, Nick, about the adoption; nyet! Your cute but not my type.

Well Castaway, at least you will be there for the spring, summer and fall and not for a harsh winter.

Good luck to you and keep all your friends here in the states informed about your life in Russia.

I was just over there two weeks ago. It was -35 when I arrived and we had a heat wave go through and it got to a toasty -27.

skemper19

Indeed it is all confusing; no one know the answers yet. I would assume since your package was received at Texas on the 15th; it would stay in Texas and not be transferred to California. Most of the packages for some time were being transferred from Texas to Cali; but it now seems that Texas is now reviewing the I-129F K1 visas now. What does this mean-if you package is reviewed in Texas-it could be approved sooner than if it was sent to Cali. But, this is the government-they could decide to do a massive slow down and not process any packages for awhile. Just watch for your check to be cashed; when that happens, look on the back of the check for a case number; use that case number to check the progress of your package.

Texas received my package Monday-check has still not been processed by my bank.

Well, the decision has been made and the tickets purchased; I am moving to Russia April 14 and staying until October. I will be doing wildlife photography and helping my fiancee with preparations to move to America. I know this is a bit unusual but I want to truely learn about Russia and Russian life so that I may better understand my wife and her children. I have been to Russia five times in the past 7 months to see if this adventure is possible.

Wish me luck or tell me what a fool I am.

Just wondering too....

Is there any way to stay past the 90 without getting married? I know the K-1 is a Fiancee visa, with the intention that the person is arriving strictly for the purpose of getting married to the USC.

It just scares me that I have to get married in less than 90 days. I would like to have at least 6 months or more, but I know we may be like "well, day 89... let's do this!"

Have any of you ever heard of USCIS granting an extension?

Slim

With all due respect, I hope you are joking. She is leaving her country and family and you want to do this as a test. In my humble opinion; go for broke-put everything you have into making this work and invest totally in the marriage and your new life. If not, cancel it now. Don't believe the horror stories.

super, congrads

I am sure hoping for the best; sent in my application last week, received this monday but still have not seen the cleared check in my bank account.

I sent in our K1 last week; the USPS has notified me it was delivered on Monday. I am expecting the check to be cashed in the next couple days. How do I check online and monitor the progress of the application.

Hello Everyone

Raya and I just filed our K1/K2 visa with the Texas Service Center; our consulate is Moscow. I am nervous but excited. The countdown has begun

Hi Russian Forum members. Raya and I have just filed our K1/K2 Visa with the Texas Service Center. Hoping for a quick approval. I am excited and nervous