GelendzhikBelle

So.. to all at the I-130 stage...just stay the course. If there are RFE's don't panic..it'll be ok. The USCIS is just covering their behinds in the vetting
process. They are aware that 99% of the applicants are perfectly legal and appropriate because who else would be willing to go through this kind
of examination (torment?) unless it is honest and truthful?? 
I can say now that my wife is about to take her Oath of Allegiance and receive her US Naturalization Certificate, that the waiting games after arriving
in the States is pretty stressful also. It seems like the next official letter will forever be in the mailbox tomorrow..or next day.  There is NOTHING easy
about this process on any family member directly involved, so be as gentle and understanding of each other as possible. Language barriers are very
real challenges. Do your best to suppress your first reactions and consider the meanings of what was said probably are not what you had in mind.
I love my wife with all my heart and we have an incredibly strong marriage but even after 4 years I still must take some time to consider language is
a challenge. Even though I know daily use Russian, and she is about the same level of English, we still have misunderstanding. I have accepted now this
will be a reality in our life together.
 
 For the American husbands or men who are Fiance keep in mind your non native English speaking lady is going to be going through a lot of adjustments
on how American life and systems really work when here. Some of the more difficult are the concepts of private insurance for health, life, or even auto coverage. Taxes (that one is beyond explanation even to most of us born here....the tax codes). Home owners insurance...the list is long...to your new family member
these are all odd and sometimes troubling.
 
 Some amazing everyday things we accept here as "well known" such as how  "drive throughs" are common here. It seems Americans almost "live"
from our cars (not in them..from them)  Do not assume as I did that these adjustments are easy to communicate or for your loved one to understand
at first explanation. I taught my wife to drive here in the States, she failed the practical testing twice and even though I was a tyrant and taskmaster
(worried for her safety while operating a 2 ton powerful machine on the open roads) she passed the third test without a hitch. It was a proud moment for
her and she earned it! It's difficult to do this kind of instruction. One might consider "farming out" this task that will be required for living in the United States.
 
 I do agree that taking every document support to the I-130 is a wise idea. For us on our journey the small fee to pay for the translations with notary (both in Moscow and the US) was worth the assurance of acceptance (we were married in Zags#4 in Moscow and later here in our Russian Orthodox Church in Santa Fe New Mexico). It involved a lot of busy footwork and Metro travel in Moscow. For those at the I-130 just continue to approach this as "us and them" ...go into this together with the singular goal you WILL accomplish this. Don't allow the red tape that seems it wants to pull you apart..make it bind you even stronger together. You'll need that bond for the times to come too.  Keep in mind that you will again need many of these same documents as you move forward to the N-400. DO NOT misplace them.. keep everything in one safe and fireproof location!
 
 We wish all the smoothest possible journey to Naturalization and do remember to contribute to come back to VisaJourney and share your experience. It will contribute to much comfort to others on this incredibly challenging saga we have all embarked on. 

the fees are a bit steep.. and of course the bank in Russia also charges "exchange". So for instance we just sent $300 USd and the fee was $25.  I believe my Brother in Law had a "slip" of 2% on the change to Ruble.   Daily this rate changes also (as you are aware I am sure).
  Last week the conversion was 61 ruble to 1 dollar. Now it is approximately 59 ruble to 1 Dollar.  When we were married in 2012 the rate was 32 Ruble to 1 Dollar.
 This is a big factor when considering a large purchase such as a home in Russia, which we are expecting to do.  My Mother in Law owns a Soviet era apartment on the Black Sea, but she simply cannot stay on the 4th floor any longer. Very difficult to travel to and from her village also. The closest town of any size is Gelendzhik. We are going to purchase in or near Krasnodar, mostly because my brother in law can find a good job there and the clinics are large and modern for mom.
  For now the funds we are sending are mostly to support her against the new taxes on all property in Russia. Her utilities and building maintenance fees are much more now than last year. It would be impossible for her to stay in her home with the small pension she has. These are facts in Russia now..and also the fact is that if she cannot meet the demands of tax and "kanalization" then she would be placed into an "obsititziia".   She is as my own mother to me so that is not going to happen if I can do anything to prevent that. I asked if she would consider immigrating to the States but that is not an option for her. I understand..she is Russian and she would always feel out of place in America. My wife however is a different person. She has little interest to return to Russia for a homestead. We will keep our ties of course, but my wife is sure she prefers American life for most things.. not all.   The bread here is terrible! I agree.  We would be interested to learn from others how they have transferred large sums of dollars to purchase in Russia. Somewhere around $75,000 is going to be required I believe. so far we have decided to risk Cberbank and have a wire transfer from the US bank to Cberbank.  Hopefully the bank does not crash or we have a reset of Ruble (or Dollar) during the time of purchase.   

So.. to all at the I-130 stage...just stay the course. If there are RFE's don't panic..it'll be ok. The USCIS is just covering their behinds in the vetting
process. They are aware that 99% of the applicants are perfectly legal and appropriate because who else would be willing to go through this kind
of examination (torment?) unless it is honest and truthful?? 
I can say now that my wife is about to take her Oath of Allegiance and receive her US Naturalization Certificate, that the waiting games after arriving
in the States is pretty stressful also. It seems like the next official letter will forever be in the mailbox tomorrow..or next day.  There is NOTHING easy
about this process on any family member directly involved, so be as gentle and understanding of each other as possible. Language barriers are very
real challenges. Do your best to suppress your first reactions and consider the meanings of what was said probably are not what you had in mind.
I love my wife with all my heart and we have an incredibly strong marriage but even after 4 years I still must take some time to consider language is
a challenge. Even though I know daily use Russian, and she is about the same level of English, we still have misunderstanding. I have accepted now this
will be a reality in our life together.
 
 For the American husbands or men who are Fiance keep in mind your non native English speaking lady is going to be going through a lot of adjustments
on how American life and systems really work when here. Some of the more difficult are the concepts of private insurance for health, life, or even auto coverage. Taxes (that one is beyond explanation even to most of us born here....the tax codes). Home owners insurance...the list is long...to your new family member
these are all odd and sometimes troubling.
 
 Some amazing everyday things we accept here as "well known" such as how  "drive throughs" are common here. It seems Americans almost "live"
from our cars (not in them..from them)  Do not assume as I did that these adjustments are easy to communicate or for your loved one to understand
at first explanation. I taught my wife to drive here in the States, she failed the practical testing twice and even though I was a tyrant and taskmaster
(worried for her safety while operating a 2 ton powerful machine on the open roads) she passed the third test without a hitch. It was a proud moment for
her and she earned it! It's difficult to do this kind of instruction. One might consider "farming out" this task that will be required for living in the United States.
 
 I do agree that taking every document support to the I-130 is a wise idea. For us on our journey the small fee to pay for the translations with notary (both in Moscow and the US) was worth the assurance of acceptance (we were married in Zags#4 in Moscow and later here in our Russian Orthodox Church in Santa Fe New Mexico). It involved a lot of busy footwork and Metro travel in Moscow. For those at the I-130 just continue to approach this as "us and them" ...go into this together with the singular goal you WILL accomplish this. Don't allow the red tape that seems it wants to pull you apart..make it bind you even stronger together. You'll need that bond for the times to come too.  Keep in mind that you will again need many of these same documents as you move forward to the N-400. DO NOT misplace them.. keep everything in one safe and fireproof location!
 
 We wish all the smoothest possible journey to Naturalization and do remember to contribute to come back to VisaJourney and share your experience. It will contribute to much comfort to others on this incredibly challenging saga we have all embarked on. 

If you get married in Canada you will go through the CR-1 process. If you do this I suggest you make sure you BOTH get Marriage Certificates.. one for each of you. You'll need one for any legal/financial transactions needed in Canada and she will also need one when she files the Petition for your immigration. Also..suggest you complete two copies of DS-230 (Part 1 only) and G-325A (for you, she will generate her own G-325A for the package going to Homeland Security, USCIS).
Generate and print them out. BE ACCURATE ON ALL DATA! Double and triple check everything is correct!!! You need to sign and date those after your married and she brings them back to the States with her.
Doing this will save you time and postage later. Sign and date both of each of them in case your Wife has some unforeseen event like a coffee spill or whatever.
I married my Wife in her Country on a Tourist Visa to her Nation, and this is common. The other process (Fiance' Visa) is faster at first but has more steps involved and expense later. Not good or bad, just different. A big plus is that your green card will arrive quickly using the CR-1 process. You will be able to get a job or own a business much sooner in the States using this process. You will have more time apart until you get your Visa. Bummer; but it's part of the deal.
If there were any "flags" because of your ignorance of the process at the Border your Lady will be allowed to file an explanation on your behalf. The fact that you are now aware and willing to follow the process should go a long way to success.
It is important to ask this next question. Is she a Citizen born in the States or a Naturalized Immigrant? If so your ok, if not then your not going to get through this until Naturalization is complete for her. Only US Citizens (Born or Naturalized) are allowed to Sponsor. Very important to know and follow the laws..and much pain has been caused to those unaware as you discovered.
Ask your Lady to join in here at the Forum. There are good people and much assistance for her here. Many years of experienced people who will help you and her every step of the way and that have been through or are currently going through the Visa Journey. Don't worry too much...just do each step as the law says from now on and be patient. The process works if you stay on course. Welcome to Visa Journey. We wish your path is smooth and uneventful from here on.

GOOD DEAL!! Congrats! Soon as you see that "Paid" then yer almost ready to send the package.

YES!! Now that you have this code you MUST put your NVC Code on EVERY PAGE of EVERYTHING you send to NVC from now on. everything!! Original documents too! It does no good to "preserve" a Document in this process only to get a Checklist notice sent to you. The Code is absolutely required from now on with NVC because that is how they keep track of the flood of paper flowing through there.
Today I have been trying to call them to ask for Supervisor review of our Petition and so far it is nothing but a busy signal. Hopefully I will get through today.
Get used to the Contract clerks being this way. They are pretty much not going to be very talkative and they DO see how many times you call them. You are being recorded too..so keep your cool on all conversations.
DOS is easier to get in contact with but you will only speak with them when it is time for your Interview (you can also ask NVC for this VERY important information). As Saylin mentioned...I would not "bug" DOS very much. They are much less tolerant of our being anxious to be complete to our Visa. For me, when I get finally get through the NVC Checklist maze, that patience is going to be very difficult to keep!! Got to get there first.. just trying to get resolution through to these people is an act of skillful diplomacy.
Your DS-3032 can go in now. We did this electronically at the same timeframe as you are now and it was not a problem. They accepted the Assignment of Agent being me. Now NVC has both of our E-mails. If you call them (guaranteed, you will if for nothing else than your Interview appointment date) they will repeat both your E-mail and your Spouses E-mail to you after you give the case code, your full names, and dates of birth. remember..you are the Petitioner, your Spouse is the Beneficiary. Same routine every time you call them. Have your Spouse do the DS-3032 now. You need this in order for you to take over as agent because at this point it gets more difficult. In fact.. I have strong doubts the DS-230 could ever be completed correctly unless the non USC was VERY fluent in English and Computer IQ is high. I had a heck of a time getting that form to work before I had it perfect. If you make changes the form will "auto-delete" and you have to start over from the beginning. You also cannot "save" this form. Not to Flash or harddrive. BE SURE all your Documents match as far as numbers, places, names, and dates and you should be ok.
Congrats on being pro-active. Your going to be fine because the agent cannot be bashful in this process. Time to stand up as an American and be the guide to your loved ones.

Yes!!! Congradulations! Big step complete! We hope to be there soon too!!
Not that we are anywhere near complete on our Visa Journey, but I do want to thank those that have been through this frustrating and sometimes confusing process and take the time to help those of us still on the path.
As for my Wife and myself I have serious doubts we would have accomplished as much as we have without the patient and clear information provided here. Just getting to the wedding process was no simple task either!
One of my Co-workers has been through this twice! He is now married to a very kind Singapore lady and I have been keeping him informed of the changes that have been set in place since his last journey. Without this website I am pretty sure I would have been sent into the wrong direction.
Nuff said.. Bless you all of you and we are praying and hoping soon you will be with your loved ones and get moving forward in life again!