Misha'sgirl

is possible an RFE was issued and you never received it, then the RFE deadline was past,

then USCIS auto-denied it for you failing to comply.

I suggest you call in again, ask for an ISO, a Tier 2 Human,

and :

1. ask if an RFE was issued and

2. ask if any returned mail pieces on you.

then report back here, when yer able.

Dealing with a CSR, the first human that answers, is a waste of time. You must ask to be transferred to an ISO, a Tier 2.

But unfortunately Tier 2's are not always helpful.

AOS is even more expensive than filing the I-129f. Having a baby is even more expensive than that combination. I highly suggest waiting on the baby, unless he is making excellent money.

As far as getting started, if you can afford a lawyer to do all the work for you, go that route. Otherwise, use the GUIDES. mmmmmmuch luck to you!!!!

You got my vote..my current fiancee was denied a year ago when I tried to get her B1 it devastated us..good thing I was able to come over 2x.

Were you guys fiancees at the time of her B1?

Congratulations!

Thank you for clearing that up!

Thanks! =) The process for him was about two hours total, so pretty quick. That was just the total time he was at the embassy. He accidentally showed up with a flash drive, and they told him, "You either get rid of that, or stay outside" so he literally just threw his flash drive and his headphones on the ground. He said many other people had to do the same thing, but no big deal. They did take his phone.

He said the actual interview was very short... maybe 10 minutes, tops. They asked him about the pet names he calls me. They asked him how he met me, which languages we speak in, has he met my parents (he has through Skype), were we in Russia together, and where I lived in the United States. He said it felt pretty informal to him, and he was definitely "over-prepared"... he kept wanting to show them more documents. Then all of the sudden after the few questions they asked the woman said, "Your visa is approved." He had her repeat it several times because he was in shock. He was definitely really nervous... we talked after it was approved, and I could see that the whole process had been stressful for him.

The people at the Embassy said that the visa should be ready within a week or less, so fingers crossed he'll be here soon!

Good luck, by the way! Soon you'll have your answer, too!

I know they "take" your phones away but they don't keep them. He did get his phone back right? lol just had to check. In other news... CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! Safe flight, happy reunion, and lovely wedding to you both.

We received his visa five days after the interview. He did have to go pick it up from the Pony Express because that is how he arranged it.

We married in February and are now filing AOS for my husband. We live with my father until my husband's EAD is approved and he gets work. I am the petitioner and have already filled out the I-864. But I do not have enough income. SO I asked my dad to be the joint sponsor. He agrees and wants to know which form he needs to fill out as the only joint sponsor. The I-864 or the I-864a? Thank you. Hope everyone has a great week!

Yes.

Aw, thanks for your support! (By the way, congrats on your wedding!)

He landed in Moscow, and we're now in the under 48 hour waiting time period, which is amazing, but also nerve-wracking, as you know. I've also heard many good things about the Moscow embassy, but you still always just worry about that little possibility that something might go wrong...

I don't think I'll stop worrying until he's actually here, haha.

Did they mail the visa right to you? Zhenya said he selected some option where he can pick it up back in Ekaterinburg. Did you all do something similar? How did you know when it was ready? =)

~ Samantha

Thanks for the congrats! It was a small and simple ordeal and I loved it that way! We went to Galveston and Downtown Houston for our honeymoon (later we'll go to New York when things settle) and it was a blast! We even got "caught it the rain" which added to the romance.

Be strong! It'll go well, I'm sure. We'll all be celebrating with you soon! Does Zhenya by any chance speak English?

They mailed the visa to the Pony Express office nearest him. That is probably what Zhenya is talking about. He will be able to check his status here https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?eQs=o/iS8zDpeAKjMWCuebHqOw==

By the way, if you'd like you can read my review of the Moscow Embassy experience. http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=149189 Pardon the spelling errors. I was so excited while typing it and I haven't had time to edit it.

Thank you so much for your support! I am a nervous wreck, haha, even though I know the outcome is totally out of my control. Also he scheduled the medical for the day right before, which I wish he would have scheduled it like you did... hopefully everything goes well!

After your visa was approved, how long did it take you to receive the visa in hand?

Also any idea what will happen if we are not approved? ugh I will be so heartbroken if that happens.

He received it five days after his interview. Your fiance should be able to get the medical results on the same day. I wouldn't even think about not being approved! Unless there's something seriously wrong with your documents, or you don't have enough finances to support him (and don't have a sponsor) then, I'd say 9 times out of 10 you will be approved. Just read all the reviews of people who went to Moscow. I read them before my husband's interview and it made me feel so much better to see all these good reviews. I don't remember reading any bad reviews, everyone seemed to rate their experience 5 stars. That gave me a lot of confidence.

...I was with my fiance when the CO said "You're approved" and pretty much neither of us heard what he said after that. It was like a tsunami sized tidal wave of pure relief washed over us and flattened us on the floor! I'm sure it'll happen for you. Keep smiling like in your pic!

They can ask the petitioner questions. As to what type of questions, that all depends on what she/he sees in your documents you are bringing.

It was nerve-wrecking! We just stayed inside mostly because it was terribly cold weather. But the first day we arrived in Moscow, we went straight to get his medical done. That took ALL day. We got food and went back to the hotel room to rest. The next day we just walked around but stayed inside mostly because the weather was still teeth-chattering cold. The next day was his interview and we were up early and in and out in no time at all. Approved and happy! Actually everyone who were petitioning for immigrant visas were approved. Good luck to you!

The city of birth was written Volgograd, but he was born in Novyy Rogachik which is actually 25 miles round-a-bout from Volgograd. Does it need to be changed to Novyy Rogachik?

We stayed at the Mercure Arbat hotel once when we took a side-trip to Moscow and it was excellent. Prices can be good if there is a sale and it's a weekend and can be eye-poppingly expensive on popular weekdays. For her interview my wife stayed at the Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya near the train station of the same name and loved it. She also liked it because while it was not close to the embassy it was right by her train station which means she didn't have to lug her luggage through the metro which she absolutely hates (something that anyone should think of in deciding where to stay as it really is a pain).

Or just pack light.

I never tried to put down anybody's opinion in this topic or to tell that anybody is wrong. I only added my opinion about difference in Russian/American humor from point of view of Russian person (based on my experience), like you did the same from point of view of US person, that's it.

Yes, that statement wasn't related to anything you wrote, I just mentioned it to describe Russian sense of humor a little better.

I didn't say you were putting down my opinion. I was just saying that as a fact.

Good, I'm glad we're on the same page.

Of course it's somewhat different, but I wouldn't tell vastly. Do you consider personal sense of humor difference? Not every Russian will find the same thing funny and not every American either. People in Russia typically like US comedies and most of the people actually find them funny. The biggest difference I see is that US humor is always extremely politcorrect. Russian humor is often sarcastic and not PC because most of the Russians do not care about political correctness. To make more specific example - I find George Carlin hilarious and I love many of his jokes but I've heard from many Americans that they think he is a very mean person. Many of the common Russian anecdotes I know would make average US born person to never speak to me again. Also I noticed that Americans do not like to laugh and joke about themselves (like a nation, country, I don't mean just individuals). Russians do not have problem with it - we easily make jokes about ourselves and put our country or nation in anecdotes making fun of it. We even have a serie of comedies "National aspects of..." where actors making a lot of fun about drinking and other stereotypical (and not necessary) aspects of Russian life. And believe me, people in Russia LOVE these comedies. But we really hate when people from OTHER countries/nations making fun of us as of nation/country.

If you want some REALLY vastly different humor from Russian - it's English/British humor. It's a very few comedies from there Russians might kinda like, but most of English anecdotes/jokes will make average Russian to raise eyebrows and ask: "After which word was I supposed to laugh and why?" because we simply don't understand it and don't find it funny, no matter how good we speak English.

- Victor from Russia

You find it one way, I find it another. No one is wrong and no opinion is more valid than the other. I based my opinion on experience: the experience of having a Russian husband, who also has Russian relatives whom I lived with for six months and got to know very well. A lot of "get-to-gethers" (big dinners and drinking), meant getting to know their friends as well. Thus, my comment about my husband being one of the happier Russian's I've met. I don't think I was making fun of Russia or Russian people. I guess you were just stating that "But we really hate when people from OTHER countries/nations making fun of us as of nation/country." as a fact... Honestly, I do have fun at my country sometimes...the president(s), our politics, the way our gov operates, the people (especially from specific regions)... I don't have a problem with it. As an American, I joke about this nation's flaws, etc. Jokes aren't supposed to be taken seriously, but I suppose some do take certain jokes too seriously because they are based around serious topics. Obesity in America is a problem and getting bigger and bigger everyday (no pun intended ...) But many Americans joke about it. I did notice however, that joking about "fat Americans" seems to be popular for Russian people. Some people might get offended but, I just don't. However, I think we could all learn to smile and laugh a little more. We're all gonna die one day. Why not make life RIGHT NOW more enjoyable while we can? Plus laughing uses a lot of muscles so it's kind of a work-out for us fatso Americans.

I would think you'd need to read up on Refugee Status, but there I am not expert. I wish you well and I hope they stay safe!

Russian humor and American humor is vastly different. For example: my fiance understands and speaks English very well, but if we are watching an American comedy, and something is blatantly funny to me, often times he won't think it's funny, or not THAT funny. As far as smiling when simply feeling happy...yeah, I don't understand why some people are always or usually smiling. There can't possibly be THAT much to be happy about. Although, I will admit, after my fiance's interview and we knew he was getting his visa (no problem), I was smiling ear to ear and I just couldn't stop! :) :) But I will say, my fiance is one of the "happier" Russians I've met. hehe

Very helpful guys, thank you.

Can't find where it has information on the expire date for the EAD card. If I apply for it separate from my AOS package, does the doc last only a few months? I want to apply for it now and AOS later.

If you're savvy with public transportation, you can book a hotel anywhere not just on the same street or district as the U.S. embassy.

I've been to Moscow a couple times. Once I spent the night in my rental car (not reccomended). The two other times I and my fiance spent in hotels.

The first hotel was called "Cosmos". (By car, from hotel to embassy is about 20 min usually) (By public transit, 40 min usually) It was priced decently and we got a room high up so the view was wonderful. The heating was great. The bathroom was clean as well as the bedding. The con for me was, the whole hotel stank of cigarrettes but we did get a non-smoking room and it only smelled slightly of cigs.

The second hotel was called "Best Western Vega Hotel and Convention Center". (By car, from hotel to embassy 25 min usually) (By public transit, 30 min usually) It was also priced fair. I think, maybe even cheaper. And in my opinion, better. Smaller, but better.

Those are my only two suggestions based on experience.

However, if my fiance and I hadn't been pinching pennies, we might have stayed at The Ritz Carlton located in the Red Square or Lotte Hotel right near the embassy.

This is from the guides above, http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

1.A copy of the entire I-129f package (that you made when you sent the petition in) and a copy of information that you sent back due to an RFE (if you received one). Your fiance(e) should review this information in advance of the interview (the embassy will have copies of this as well).

2.Send copies of the documentary proof that you submitted with the I-129F for your fiance(e) to have on hand for their interview at the embassy. Your fiance(e) should review this information in advance of the interview (the embassy will have copies of this as well).

3.Send an original letter affirming your desire to marry your fiance(e) and your continued support of the K-1 Visa. Sign and date the form. This will be similar to the letter you provided with the I-129F, but dated much closer to the interview (it will have most likely been several months since you submitted your I-129F).

4.I-134 Affidavit of Support form. Ensure it is signed, with all required supporting evidence. Begin collecting the required information ahead of time, as it can often take several weeks to collect it all.

5.You will need several items (for the above form). Gather duplicate evidence of income and resources as appropriate:

(A) Statement from an officer of the bank/financial institution with your deposits, identifying the following: 1. date account opened; 2. total amount deposited for the past year; 3. present balance

(B) Statement(s) from your employer on business stationary showing: 1. Date and nature of employment; 2. salary paid; 3. whether position is temporary or permanent (also include copies of your last two pay stubs and your previous W-2 for the associated employer if available)

© If Self Employed: 1. Copy of last income tax return filed (or IRS transcripts); or 2. report of commercial rating concern

(D) List containing serial numbers and denominations of bonds and name of record owner(s).

Begin collecting these ASAP after your NOA2 arrives. See this FAQ for more tips and useful information on the Affidavit of Support Form.

6.A copy of the NOA2 that you received in the mail. (backup information; the embassy will have copies of this as well)

7.Proof of your ongoing relationship. This needs to be taken to the interview! Include photos, travel documents, emails, online chat logs (pick several over the prior few months), etc.. from between the time you filed and present (NOA1 until date-now).

Examples: Copies of land line and cell phone bills, appropriate emails and letters you have sent including the stamps on envelopes (to document the date they were sent), and other written documentary proof. Provide a reasonable amount; two to four of each type. Pick a range of dates up to and including the present. You can also include a copy of engagement ring receipt (this is something that is a big optional - do not worry if you do not have a ring yet!)

Even if the CO does not ask for it, at least you will have it anyway. Take everything on that list above. And good luck!

Congratulations!

It varies. That link only gives estimated times.