fariasgio3

Yay! Someone who has been to Sochi! I'm really excited. Can't wait. Andrey says they're very accommodating to Americans right now because they just hosted the Olypics. I'll let you know how Abkhazia is! He's shown me pictures and told of places we should visit. From my understanding, you just apply for the visa via email and they send you a confirmation letter you use to get in. Then you have so many days to take the letter and your passport to their office so they can give you the official one.

Andrey is right, they're very accommodating. Not only to Americans but to foreigners in general. My first trip was in 2011 and the people i have met or came across have always been nice and welcoming, even more so after hosting the Olympics. About Abkhazia you're right, the tour guide we spoke to didn't know his stuff so we booked other tours instead and then by the time we figured out how easy it was to get the visa we didnt have time to fit it into our schedule. Hope you have fun on your trip and take lots of pics!!

My fiancé and I last visited Turkey in March. It was such a culture shock! But it was quite amazing. The food was delicious and the history was rich. I can't wait to go back! I'm heading over to Russia next month as long as I get a visa. Can't wait for that, either! I'm excited to see Sochi and Abkhazia!

Sochi is amazing, there's a lot to see and do and the weather is great. I still remember the first time i went a few family members were worried that i was going all the way to Russia and that i should dress warm because i was gonna "freeze my butt off" but then were surprised to see the black sea beach and palm trees of Sochi! My wife is currently living there while we do the whole visa process. Last time i was there was 3/2014 i had been there exactly one year earlier and couldn't believe how much it had changed in just one year. Putin invested a lot of money into Sochi's infrastructure and the result is absolutely amazing. We also wanted to visit Abkhazia but the tour company warned us that i might have trouble since i am US citizen. I later did some research and found out it is not at all difficult for USC to go there so maybe next time.

Congrats!!

My PD is the same as yours...praying for some good news soon too!!!

Thanks! Good luck, hopefully you will get some good news soon!!

Our I-130 was approved yesterday 06/17/2014!!! Now waiting for NOA2 to arrive in mail and getting ready for NVC stage!!!

I suggest you buy the money order at the post office, no reference number needed i just filled it out and included it with my application. However, if you already purchased the money order at western union then just write down all the info you think is necessary for them to cash it and include a copy of the receipt containing the reference number just to be safe. Don't worry you'll be fine, cashing that fee is the only thing USCIS does fast!

Hi,

We filed in December and on the cover letter I wrote "I-130 filing fee of $420.00 in the form of USPS money order." Everything went fine and we received our NOA1 shortly after.

Hi everyone!!

We sent in our I-130 on Dec. 20 and it was delivered by usps on Dec 24. On Dec.29 we received e-notification with receipt number and it was available online about a week after that indicating Initial Review. On Jan.3 we received NOA1 with a Dec.26 priority date and we got the Nebraska service center. I am the USC living in New York and my wife is Russian living in Russia. Not only the distance but also the time difference is very difficult to endure, hopefully processing will speed up and we can all get approvals soon! Good luck everybody!!