Bobalouie

Got the approval notification today. Looks like VSC takes about 6 weeks after you send in a RFE.

California Service Center (43 applicants, 36 approved 84%)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics.......Approved....Local DO

Merrill.............10/29/10..........11/01/10.......01/10/11........03/09/11.... (RFE rcvd 3/1, GC rcvd 3/12)

pam&josh............10/29/10..........11/02/10.......12/08/10........02/01/11....

TL&IS...............10/30/10..........11/01/10.......01/11/11........02/28/11.... (card received 3/4)

Kasiraman...........11/01/10..........11/09/10.......12/07/10........01/31/11.... (Early Bio 11/29)

BAN.................11/02/10..........11/03/10.......01/06/11........03/01/11....

LYNNANDAHMED........11/02/10..........11/04/10.......12/02/10........02/11/11....

BFORBARREE..........11/02/10..........11/??/10.......11/26/10........01/25/11.... RFE rcvd 12/09, responded 1/19 GC rcvd 1/28

Nineta..............11/03/10..........11/11/10.......12/22/10........02/08/11.... (Early Bio 12/15)

Yasi................11/04/10..........12/03/10.......12/29/10........03/18/11.... (RFE received 3/05, responded 3/08)(card received 3/24)

Debbylyn............11/05/10..........11/08/10.......12/20/10........02/09/11.... (card redeived 2/14)

saradanielle........11/05/10..........11/12/10.......12/14/10........02/12/11.... (card received 2/14)

visabird............11/06/10..........11/??/10.......12/17/10........--/--/11.... (RFE received 2/10, responded 3/28)

linda123............11/07/10..........11/14/10.......12/30/10........02/17/11.... (card received 2/25)

Justagirl24.........11/08/10..........11/09/10.......01/20/11........02/28/11.... (card received 03/05)

Geostefan...........11/08/10..........11/--/10.......01/31/11........--/--/11.... (RFE received 3/11)

my-angel............11/08/10..........11/12/10.......01/14/11........02/28/11.... (card received 3/05)

me262...............11/08/10..........11/10/10.......12/15/10........02/08/11.... 02/14/11...Rcvd GC

SMB x2..............11/08/10..........11/10/10.......12/22/10........03/03/11.... (Late Bio 1/12/11)

Jeff&Sylvia.........11/09/10..........11/12/10.......12/09/10........03/23/11.... (Late Bio 12/10) (Re-take Bio 12/30) (Re-take Bio 2/11)

jimcat..............11/10/10..........11/12/10.......12/20/10........02/11/11.... (card received 2/22)

Xochitl18...........11/12/10..........11/15/10.......01/28/11........03/04/11.... (card received 3/10)

hum tum.............11/12/10..........11/15/10.......12/23/10........02/23/11.... (card received 2/28)

Merlot..............11/13/10..........11/15/10.......01/12/11........03/01/11....

PattyS_Husband......11/13/10..........11/15/10.......--/--/10........--/--/11....

BRI1973.............11/??/10..........11/15/10.......12/23/10........01/26/11....

DisneyLovers........11/15/10..........11/17/10.......12/28/10........02/16/11.... (card received 2/23)

briana10............11/15/10..........11/16/10.......12/29/10........--/--/11....

mbdesousa...........11/15/10..........11/??/10.......01/03/11........02/28/11.... (card received 3/05)

Vsfansfans..........11/16/10..........11/17/10.......12/23/10........--/--/11....

Jupiter07...........11/16/10..........11/18/10.......12/21/10........03/29/11.... (card received 4/04)

caligurl............11/16/10..........11/??/10.......12/23/10........--/--/11....

KJC.................11/17/10..........11/18/10.......12/29/10........03/04/11....

SonoranSongbird.....11/18/10..........11/19/10.......12/21/10........02/16/11....

bmtrrbt.............11/??/10..........11/19/10.......12/29/10........02/17/11....

FaustlnAK...........11/18/10..........11/22/10.......02/03/11........02/16/11.... (card received 2/24)

CHRISMATT84.........11/19/10..........11/22/10.......12/21/10........02/22/11.... (card received 3/02)

Abranch.............11/19/10..........--/--/10.......12/22/10........02/10/11.... (Never received NOA1)

timcass_12..........11/19/10..........11/22/10.......12/22/10........02/09/11.... (card received 2/10)

wizardfitz..........11/22/10..........11/30/10.......12/21/10........02/15/11.... (card received 2/19)

patriciaofoz........11/24/10..........11/??/10.......01/07/11........02/23/11.... (card received 2/28)

flipilychee820......11/24/10..........11/26/10.......01/14/11........03/01/11.... (card received 3/05)

Kang Lang...........11/26/10..........11/29/10.......02/01/11........--/--/11.... (Early Bio 01/07)

Stardust72..........11/27/10..........1-/--/10.......01/07/11........04/14/11.... (RFE received 3/05, responded 4/02)(card received 4/20)

Vermont Service Center (45 applicants, 31 Approved 68%)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics.......Approved....Local DO

Rheiys..............10/29/10..........11/01/10.......12/16/10........03/18/11.... (card received 3/21)

R and F.............10/30/10..........11/02/10.......12/10/10........03/23/11....

AlHayatZween........10/30/10..........11/03/10.......12/30/10........03/29/11.... (card received 4/2)

David & Amy.........11/01/10..........11/08/10.......01/20/11........03/09/11.... (card received 3/14)

Robyn-n-Kris........11/03/10..........11/08/10.......12/20/10........??/??/11.... (card received 4/06)

Sam and Metodi......11/03/10..........11/05/10.......12/08/10........03/18/11.... (card received 3/25?)

w1331...............11/04/10..........11/08/10.......12/17/11........03/07/11....

windycity...........11/04/10..........11/08/10.......01/25/11........03/29/11.... (Early Bio 01/12), Alexandria, VA

Daniele & Jen.......11/04/10..........11/05/10.......12/21/10........02/28/11.... Elizabeth, NJ

Jeriii..............11/04/10..........11/08/10.......12/14/10........03/29/11.... (Early Bio 12/01),(card received 3/31)

B_Weeks.............11/05/10..........11/08/10.......12/22/10........03/03/11.... (card received 3/08)

kingtmac............11/06/10..........11/09/10.......01/18/11........--/--/11....

gemindsims..........11/06/10..........11/08/10.......01/18/10........--/--/11....

grahamandmegan......11/06/10..........11/09/10.......12/22/10........03/03/11.... (Early Bio 12/07)

Lucille.............11/06/10..........11/??/10.......01/25/11........03/30/11.... (card received 4/02)

emerce..............11/10/10..........11/12/10.......12/28/10........--/--/11....

Bobalouie...........11/10/10..........11/12/10.......12/22/10........05/10/11.... RFE Recieved 3-19 Retunred 3-28

rugbydude05.........11/10/10..........11/15/10.......12/28/10........03/29/11.... Elizabeth, NJ

DI&JR...............11/12/10..........11/15/10.......12/27/10........04/28/11.... (card received 05/04)

BLEECKER............11/12/10..........11/15/10.......12/28/10........--/--/11....

charm/Cal...........11/12/10..........11/15/10.......01/25/11........04/14/11....

DON2008.............11/12/10..........11/16/10.......12/30/10........04/01/11.... (card received 4/06) Houston TX

TigerTeddyBear......11/13/10..........11/16/10.......12/17/10........--/--/11....

yingying27410.......11/16/10..........11/17/10.......01/25/11........03/31/11....

darbyoshea..........11/12/10..........11/19/10.......12/21/10........--/--/11.... Cambridge, MA (Early Bio 12/10), RFE received 4/4, ugh.

Gypsyangel..........11/16/10..........11/19/10.......12/29/10........--/--/11.... (Early Bio 12/21), Mount Laurel, NJ

Gelato..............11/16/10..........11/19/10.......12/28/10........04/26/11.... (card received 4/29)

LSMA................11/17/10..........11/22/10.......01/25/11........04/17/11....

new2009.............11/17/10..........11/22/10.......01/25/11........04/25/11.... (Early Bio 01/19, Alexandria VA)

GlynandKathy........11/17/10..........11/26/10.......12/21/10........04/04/11.... Bedford, NH (card received 4/09)

"rylee".............11/18/10..........11/22/10.......01/04/11........04/20/11....

tanyaru.............11/18/10..........11/22/10.......01/27/11........--/--/11.... (Early Bio 01/07), Fairfax,VA

Zee Bee.............11/19/10..........11/22/10.......12/23/10........04/20/11.... Dover, DE (Early Bio 12/16; card received 4/26)

babybigpig..........11/19/10..........--/--/--.......02/25/11........04/15/11.... (Never received NOA and got I-551 stamped)

Bigley..............11/19/10..........11/22/10.......12/28/10........04/18/11....

brnie80.............11/19/10..........11/22/10.......01/07/11........--/--/11.... (Interview letter received 4/09 for 5/05)

didiladi9...........11/19/10..........11/22/10.......01/03/11........--/--/11....

E-MIGRA ............11/20/10..........11/22/10.......01/27/11........04/07/11.... (Early Bio01/21, Alex.VA, card rec. 4/11)

drl.................11/20/10..........11/22/10.......12/29/10........04/04/11.... (card received 4/07)

EastMeetWest........11/20/10..........11/22/10.......01/03/11........--/--/11....

Nani................11/21/10..........11/22/10.......01/05/11........04/19/11.... (card received 4/22)

ARRTA...............11/27/10..........11/30/10.......01/07/11........--/--/11.... Lawrence, MA (RFE received 4/16)

JB_VJ...............11/29/10..........12/01/10.......01/31/11........--/--/11....

keivn...............11/30/10..........--/--/--.......12/17/10........--/--/11.... (never received NOA)

Sandrila............11/??/10..........??/??/10.......12/09/10........02/16/11.... (filed in the 3rd week of Nov)

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(adding card received date)

For what it's worth, we didn't have any touches or status changes from the NOA date to the date we received the approval email.

Fingers crossed for the remaining filers!

Adding my returned RFE date...I sent them over 200 pages of documents! Like others, I had to wait for some stuff in the mail. They got it on 3-28, so hopefully it wont be too long until I get picked up again.

California Service Center (42 applicants, 35 approved 83%)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics.......Approved....Local DO

Merrill.............10/29/10..........11/01/10.......01/10/11........03/09/11.... (RFE rcvd 3/1, GC rcvd 3/12)

pam&josh............10/29/10..........11/02/10.......12/08/10........02/01/11....

TL&IS...............10/30/10..........11/01/10.......01/11/11........02/28/11.... (card received 3/4)

Kasiraman...........11/01/10..........11/09/10.......12/07/10........01/31/11.... (Early Bio 11/29)

BAN.................11/02/10..........11/03/10.......01/06/11........03/01/11....

LYNNANDAHMED........11/02/10..........11/04/10.......12/02/10........02/11/11....

BFORBARREE..........11/02/10..........11/??/10.......11/26/10........01/25/11.... RFE rcvd 12/09, responded 1/19 GC rcvd 1/28

Nineta..............11/03/10..........11/11/10.......12/22/10........02/08/11.... (Early Bio 12/15)

Yasi................11/04/10..........12/03/10.......12/29/10........03/18/11.... (RFE received 3/05, responded 3/08)(card received 3/24)

Debbylyn............11/05/10..........11/08/10.......12/20/10........02/09/11.... (card redeived 2/14)

saradanielle........11/05/10..........11/12/10.......12/14/10........02/12/11.... (card received 2/14)

linda123............11/07/10..........11/14/10.......12/30/10........02/17/11.... (card received 2/25)

Justagirl24.........11/08/10..........11/09/10.......01/20/11........02/28/11.... (card received 03/05)

Geostefan...........11/08/10..........11/--/10.......01/31/11........--/--/11.... (RFE received 3/11)

my-angel............11/08/10..........11/12/10.......01/14/11........02/28/11.... (card received 3/05)

me262...............11/08/10..........11/10/10.......12/15/10........02/08/11.... 02/14/11...Rcvd GC

SMB x2..............11/08/10..........11/10/10.......12/22/10........03/03/11.... (Late Bio 1/12/11)

Jeff&Sylvia.........11/09/10..........11/12/10.......12/09/10........03/23/11.... (Late Bio 12/10) (Re-take Bio 12/30) (Re-take Bio 2/11)

jimcat..............11/10/10..........11/12/10.......12/20/10........02/11/11.... (card received 2/22)

Xochitl18...........11/12/10..........11/15/10.......01/28/11........03/04/11.... (card received 3/10)

hum tum.............11/12/10..........11/15/10.......12/23/10........02/23/11.... (card received 2/28)

Merlot..............11/13/10..........11/15/10.......01/12/11........03/01/11....

PattyS_Husband......11/13/10..........11/15/10.......--/--/10........--/--/11....

BRI1973.............11/??/10..........11/15/10.......12/23/10........01/26/11....

DisneyLovers........11/15/10..........11/17/10.......12/28/10........02/16/11.... (card received 2/23)

briana10............11/15/10..........11/16/10.......12/29/10........--/--/11....

mbdesousa...........11/15/10..........11/??/10.......01/03/11........02/28/11.... (card received 3/05)

Vsfansfans..........11/16/10..........11/17/10.......12/23/10........--/--/11....

Jupiter07...........11/16/10..........11/18/10.......12/21/10........03/29/11.... (card received 4/04)

caligurl............11/16/10..........11/??/10.......12/23/10........--/--/11....

KJC.................11/17/10..........11/18/10.......12/29/10........03/04/11....

SonoranSongbird.....11/18/10..........11/19/10.......12/21/10........02/16/11....

bmtrrbt.............11/??/10..........11/19/10.......12/29/10........02/17/11....

FaustlnAK...........11/18/10..........11/22/10.......02/03/11........02/16/11.... (card received 2/24)

CHRISMATT84.........11/19/10..........11/22/10.......12/21/10........02/22/11.... (card received 3/02)

Abranch.............11/19/10..........--/--/10.......12/22/10........02/10/11.... (Never received NOA1)

timcass_12..........11/19/10..........11/22/10.......12/22/10........02/09/11.... (card received 2/10)

wizardfitz..........11/22/10..........11/30/10.......12/21/10........02/15/11.... (card received 2/19)

patriciaofoz........11/24/10..........11/??/10.......01/07/11........02/23/11.... (card received 2/28)

flipilychee820......11/24/10..........11/26/10.......01/14/11........03/01/11.... (card received 3/05)

Kang Lang...........11/26/10..........11/29/10.......02/01/11........--/--/11.... (Early Bio 01/07)

Stardust72..........11/27/10..........1-/--/10.......01/07/11........--/--/11.... (RFE received 3/05, responded 4/02)

Vermont Service Center (44 applicants, 18 Approved 41%)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics.......Approved....Local DO

Rheiys..............10/29/10..........11/01/10.......12/16/10........03/18/11.... (card received 3/21)

R and F.............10/30/10..........11/02/10.......12/10/10........03/23/11....

AlHayatZween........10/30/10..........11/03/10.......12/30/10........03/29/11.... (card received 4/2)

David & Amy.........11/01/10..........11/08/10.......01/20/11........03/09/11.... (card received 3/14)

Robyn-n-Kris........11/03/10..........11/08/10.......12/20/10........??/??/11.... (card received 4/06)

Sam and Metodi......11/03/10..........11/05/10.......12/08/10........03/18/11.... (card received 3/25?)

w1331...............11/04/10..........11/08/10.......12/17/11........03/07/11....

windycity...........11/04/10..........11/08/10.......01/25/11........03/29/11.... (Early Bio 01/12), Alexandria, VA

Daniele & Jen.......11/04/10..........11/05/10.......12/21/10........02/28/11.... Elizabeth, NJ

Jeriii..............11/04/10..........11/08/10.......12/14/10........03/29/11.... (Early Bio 12/01),(card received 3/31)

B_Weeks.............11/05/10..........11/08/10.......12/22/10........03/03/11.... (card received 3/08)

kingtmac............11/06/10..........11/09/10.......01/18/11........--/--/11....

gemindsims..........11/06/10..........11/08/10.......01/18/10........--/--/11....

grahamandmegan......11/06/10..........11/09/10.......12/22/10........03/03/11.... (Early Bio 12/07)

Lucille.............11/06/10..........11/??/10.......01/25/11........03/30/11.... (card received 4/02)

emerce..............11/10/10..........11/12/10.......12/28/10........--/--/11....

Bobalouie...........11/10/10..........11/12/10.......12/22/10........--/--/11.... RFE Recieved 3-19 Retunred 3-28

rugbydude05.........11/10/10..........11/15/10.......12/28/10........03/29/11.... Elizabeth, NJ

JR&DI...............11/12/10..........11/15/10.......12/27/10........--/--/11....

BLEECKER............11/12/10..........11/15/10.......12/28/10........--/--/11....

charm/Cal...........11/12/10..........11/15/10.......01/25/11........--/--/11....

DON2008.............11/12/10..........11/16/10.......12/30/10........04/01/11.... Houston TX

TigerTeddyBear......11/13/10..........11/16/10.......12/17/10........--/--/11....

yingying27410.......11/16/10..........11/17/10.......01/25/11........03/31/11....

darbyoshea..........11/12/10..........11/19/10.......12/21/10........--/--/11.... Cambridge, MA (Early Bio 12/10), RFE received 4/4, ugh.

Gypsyangel..........11/16/10..........11/19/10.......12/29/10........--/--/11.... (Early Bio 12/21), Mount Laurel, NJ

Gelato..............11/16/10..........11/19/10.......12/28/10........--/--/11....

LSMA................11/17/10..........11/22/10.......01/25/11........--/--/11....

new2009.............11/17/10..........11/22/10.......01/25/11........--/--/11.... (Early Bio 01/19, Alexandria VA)

GlynandKathy........11/17/10..........11/26/10.......12/21/10........04/04/11.... Bedford, NH

"rylee".............11/18/10..........11/22/10.......01/04/11........--/--/11....

tanyaru.............11/18/10..........11/22/10.......01/27/11........--/--/11.... (Early Bio 01/07), Fairfax,VA

Zee Bee.............11/19/10..........11/22/10.......12/23/10........--/--/11.... (Early Bio 12/16)

babybigpig..........11/19/10..........--/--/--.......02/25/11........--/--/11.... (Never received NOA and got I-551 stamped)

Bigley..............11/19/10..........11/22/10.......12/28/10........--/--/11....

brnie80.............11/19/10..........11/22/10.......01/07/11........--/--/11....

didiladi9...........11/19/10..........11/22/10.......01/03/11........--/--/11....

E-MIGRA ............11/20/10..........11/22/10.......01/27/11........--/--/11.... (Early Bio 01/21, Alexandria, VA)

drl.................11/20/10..........11/22/10.......12/29/10........--/--/11....

EastMeetWest........11/20/10..........11/22/10.......01/03/11........--/--/11....

Nani................11/21/10..........11/22/10.......01/05/11........--/--/11....

ARRTA...............11/27/10..........11/30/10.......01/07/11........--/--/11.... Lawrence, MA

JB_VJ...............11/29/10..........12/01/10.......01/31/11........--/--/11....

Sandrila............11/??/10..........??/??/10.......12/09/10........02/16/11.... (filed in the 3rd week of Nov)

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Bobalouie and Gypsyangel, sorry you got RFE'd. How did you find out about it? Your online status changed or you got it in the mail? Thanks & good luck.

We found out about it thru an infopass appt last friday and got the letter on saturday. We were trying to get the I-551 stamp in the passport because we were worried with how long it is takeing and my wife and I will be traveling back to Russia here in a couple of months. I didnt get an email notification at all, so I checked my online status and it hasnt changed.

For those asking about evidence, yes, they want more, and it is my fault. When we got married, I checked around about adding my wife as co owner of our house, and everyone told me I would have to refinance to do that (this includes title company people), and I was not going to pay closing costs again just to get her name on the document to satisfy USCIS. Turns out, you dont have to refi to do it. I found out today that you can file a Quit Claim deed with Joint Tenancy and she can be added. So, I spent a couple hours in the courthouse today getting all that done. Hopefully they dont freak about the date (being today) that she was added. I am also going to include all the titles for our autos and such, which I didnt do before hand since I included documentation about her being the sole beneficiary for all my life insurance, 401K, etc, as well as tax statements showing that she and I have a joint checking account. Lesson learned...

I am also thinking of includeing the bank statements, which I didnt include in the original submittal. I really dont understand how bank statements showing withdrawls for the entire period of our marriage shows that we are in a good faith marriage and continue to share a life together. You cant see who made the withdrawl on a statement, and the USCIS really doesnt need to know what/where we spend our money. But if they want an additional 200 or so pages of bank statements, then so be it.

Got RFE'd....Dang it!

California Service Center (42 applicants, 32 approved 76%)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics.......Approved....Local DO

Merrill.............10/29/10..........11/01/10.......01/10/10........03/09/11.... (RFE rcvd 3/1, GC rcvd 3/12)

pam&josh............10/29/10..........11/02/10.......12/08/10........02/01/11....

TL&IS...............10/30/10..........11/01/10.......01/11/11........02/28/11.... (card received 3/4)

Kasiraman...........11/01/10..........11/09/10.......12/07/10........01/31/11.... (Early Bio 11/29)

BAN.................11/02/10..........11/03/10.......01/06/11........03/01/11....

LYNNANDAHMED........11/02/10..........11/04/10.......12/02/10........02/11/11....

BFORBARREE..........11/02/10..........11/??/10.......11/26/10........01/25/11.... RFE rcvd 12/09, responded 1/19 GC rcvd 1/28

Nineta..............11/03/10..........11/11/10.......12/22/10........02/08/11.... (Early Bio 12/15)

Yasi................11/04/10..........12/03/10.......12/29/10........--/--/11.... (RFE received 3/05)

Debbylyn............11/05/10..........11/08/10.......12/20/10........02/09/11.... (card redeived 2/14)

saradanielle........11/05/10..........11/12/10.......12/14/10........02/12/11.... (card received 2/14)

linda123............11/07/10..........11/14/10.......12/30/10........02/17/11.... (card received 2/25)

Justagirl24.........11/08/10..........11/09/10.......01/20/11........02/28/11.... (card received 03/05)

Geostefan...........11/08/10..........11/--/10.......01/31/11........--/--/11.... (RFE received 3/11)

my-angel............11/08/10..........11/12/10.......01/14/11........02/28/11.... (card received 3/05)

me262...............11/08/10..........11/10/10.......12/15/10........02/08/11.... 02/14/11...Rcvd GC

SMB x2..............11/08/10..........11/10/10.......12/22/10........03/03/11.... (Late Bio 1/12/11)

Jeff&Sylvia.........11/09/10..........11/12/10.......12/09/10........--/--/11.... (Late Bio 12/10) (Re-take Bio 12/30)

jimcat..............11/10/10..........11/12/10.......12/20/10........02/11/11.... (card received 2/22)

Xochitl18...........11/12/10..........11/15/10.......01/28/11........03/04/11.... (card received 3/10)

hum tum.............11/12/10..........11/15/10.......12/23/10........02/23/11.... (card received 2/28)

Merlot..............11/13/10..........11/15/10.......01/12/11........03/01/11....

PattyS_Husband......11/13/10..........11/15/10.......--/--/10........--/--/11....

BRI1973.............11/??/10..........11/15/10.......12/23/10........01/26/11....

DisneyLovers........11/15/10..........11/17/10.......12/28/10........02/16/11.... (card received 2/23)

briana10............11/15/10..........11/16/10.......12/29/10........--/--/11....

mbdesousa...........11/15/10..........11/??/10.......01/03/11........02/28/11.... (card received 3/05)

Vsfansfans..........11/16/10..........11/17/10.......12/23/10........--/--/11....

Jupiter07...........11/16/10..........11/18/10.......12/21/10........--/--/11.... Columbus, OH

caligurl............11/16/10..........11/??/10.......12/23/10........--/--/11....

KJC.................11/17/10..........11/18/10.......12/29/10........03/04/11....

SonoranSongbird.....11/18/10..........11/19/10.......12/21/10........02/16/11....

bmtrrbt.............11/??/10..........11/19/10.......12/29/10........02/17/11....

FaustlnAK...........11/18/10..........11/22/10.......02/03/11........02/16/11.... (card received 2/24)

CHRISMATT84.........11/19/10..........11/22/10.......12/21/10........02/22/11.... (card received 3/02)

Abranch.............11/19/10..........--/--/10.......12/22/10........02/10/11.... (Never received NOA1)

timcass_12..........11/19/10..........11/22/10.......12/22/10........02/09/11.... (card received 2/10)

wizardfitz..........11/22/10..........11/30/10.......12/21/10........02/15/11.... (card received 2/19)

patriciaofoz........11/24/10..........11/??/10.......01/07/11........02/23/11.... (card received 2/28)

flipilychee820......11/24/10..........11/26/10.......01/14/11........03/01/11.... (card received 3/05)

Kang Lang...........11/26/10..........11/29/10.......02/01/11........--/--/11.... (Early Bio 01/07)

Stardust72..........11/27/10..........1-/--/10.......01/07/11........--/--/11.... (RFE received 3/05)

Vermont Service Center (40 applicants, 7 Approved 18%)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics.......Approved....Local DO

Rheiys..............10/29/10..........11/01/10.......12/16/10........03/18/11....

R and F.............10/30/10..........11/02/10.......12/10/10........--/--/11....

AlHayatZween........10/30/10..........11/03/10.......12/30/10........--/--/11....

David & Amy.........11/01/10..........11/08/10.......01/20/11........03/09/11.... (card received 3/14)

Robyn-n-Kris........11/03/10..........11/08/10.......12/20/10........--/--/11....

Sam and Metodi......11/03/10..........11/05/10.......12/08/10........--/--/11....

w1331...............11/04/10..........11/08/10.......12/17/11........03/07/11....

windycity...........11/04/10..........11/08/10.......01/25/11........--/--/11.... (Early Bio 01/12), Alexandria, VA

Daniele & Jen.......11/04/10..........11/05/10.......12/21/10........02/28/11.... Elizabeth, NJ

Jeriii..............11/04/10..........11/08/10.......12/14/10........--/--/11.... (Early Bio 12/01)

B_Weeks.............11/05/10..........11/08/10.......12/22/10........03/03/11.... (card received 3/08)

kingtmac............11/06/10..........11/09/10.......01/18/11........--/--/11....

gemindsims..........11/06/10..........11/08/10.......01/18/10........--/--/11....

grahamandmegan......11/06/10..........11/09/10.......12/22/10........03/03/11.... (Early Bio 12/07)

emerce..............11/10/10..........11/12/10.......12/28/10........--/--/11....

Bobalouie...........11/10/10..........11/12/10.......12/22/10........--/--/11.... RFE Recieved 3-19-11, Dated 3-15-11

rugbydude05.........11/10/10..........11/15/10.......12/28/10........--/--/11....

JR&DI...............11/12/10..........11/15/10.......12/27/10........--/--/11....

BLEECKER............11/12/10..........11/15/10.......12/28/10........--/--/11....

DON2008.............11/12/10..........11/16/10.......12/30/10........--/--/11....

TigerTeddyBear......11/13/10..........11/16/10.......12/17/10........--/--/11....

Gypsyangel..........11/16/10..........11/19/10.......12/29/10........--/--/11.... (Early Bio 12/21), Mount Laurel, NJ

Gelato..............11/16/10..........11/19/10.......12/28/10........--/--/11....

LSMA................11/17/10..........11/22/10.......01/25/10........--/--/11....

new2009.............11/17/10..........11/22/10.......01/25/11........--/--/11.... (Early Bio 01/19, Alexandria VA)

GlynandKathy........11/17/10..........11/26/10.......12/21/10........--/--/11.... Bedford, NH

"rylee".............11/18/10..........11/22/10.......01/04/11........--/--/11....

tanyaru.............11/18/10..........11/22/10.......01/27/11........--/--/11.... (Early Bio 01/07), Fairfax,VA

Zee Bee.............11/19/10..........11/22/10.......12/23/10........--/--/11.... (Early Bio 12/16)

babybigpig..........11/19/10..........--/--/--.......02/25/11........--/--/11.... (Never received NOA and got I-551 stamped)

Bigley..............11/19/10..........11/22/10.......12/28/10........--/--/11....

brnie80.............11/19/10..........11/22/10.......01/07/11........--/--/11....

didiladi9...........11/19/10..........11/22/10.......01/03/11........--/--/11....

E-MIGRA ............11/20/10..........11/22/10.......01/27/11........--/--/11.... (Early Bio 01/21, Alexandria, VA)

drl.................11/20/10..........11/22/10.......12/29/10........--/--/11....

EastMeetWest........11/20/10..........11/22/10.......01/03/11........--/--/11....

Nani................11/21/10..........11/22/10.......01/05/11........--/--/11....

ARRTA...............11/27/10..........11/30/10.......01/07/10........--/--/11.... Lawrence, MA

JB_VJ...............11/29/10..........12/01/10.......01/31/10........--/--/11....

Sandrila............11/??/10..........??/??/10.......12/09/10........02/16/11.... (filed in the 3rd week of Nov)

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Updating for Biometrics

California Service Center (30 applicants)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics.......Approved....

Merrill.............10/29/10..........11/01/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

pam&josh............10/29/10..........11/02/10.......12/08/10........--/--/10....

Kasiraman...........11/01/10..........11/09/10.......12/07/10........--/--/10.... (Early Bio 11/29)

BAN.................11/02/10..........11/03/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Nineta..............11/03/10..........11/11/10.......12/22/10........--/--/10....

Debbylyn............11/05/10..........11/08/10.......12/20/10........--/--/10....

saradanielle........11/05/10..........11/12/10.......12/14/10........--/--/10....

Justagirl24.........11/08/10..........11/09/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Geostefan...........11/08/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

my-angel............11/08/10..........11/12/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

me262...............11/08/10..........11/10/10.......12/15/10........--/--/10....

SMB x2..............11/08/10..........11/10/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Jeff&Sylvia.........11/09/10..........11/12/10.......12/09/10........--/--/10....

Xochitl18...........11/12/10..........11/15/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

hum tum.............11/12/10..........11/15/10.......12/23/10........--/--/10....

Merlot..............11/13/10..........11/15/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

PattyS_Husband......11/13/10..........11/15/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

DisneyLovers........11/15/10..........11/17/10.......12/28/10........--/--/10....

briana10............11/15/10..........11/16/10.......12/29/10........--/--/10....

Vsfansfans..........11/16/10..........11/17/10.......12/23/10........--/--/10....

Jupiter07...........11/16/10..........11/18/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

caligurl............11/16/10..........11/??/10.......12/23/10........--/--/10....

KJC.................11/17/10..........11/18/10.......12/29/10........--/--/10....

SonoranSongbird.....11/18/10..........11/19/10.......12/21/10........--/--/10....

FaustlnAK...........11/18/10..........11/22/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

CHRISMATT84.........11/19/10..........11/22/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Abranch.............11/19/10..........--/--/10.......12/22/10........--/--/10....

timcass_12..........11/19/10..........11/22/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Kang Lang...........11/26/10..........11/29/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Stardust72..........11/27/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Vermont Service Center (31 applicants)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics.......Approved....

Rheiys..............10/29/10..........11/01/10.......12/16/10........--/--/10....

R and F.............10/30/10..........11/02/10.......12/10/10........--/--/10....

AlHayatZween........10/30/10..........11/03/10.......12/30/10........--/--/10....

Robyn-n-Kris........11/03/10..........11/08/10.......12/20/10........--/--/10....

Sam and Metodi......11/03/10..........11/05/10.......12/08/10........--/--/10....

windycity...........11/04/10..........11/08/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Daniele & Jen.......11/04/10..........11/05/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Jeriii..............11/04/10..........11/08/10.......12/14/10........--/--/10.... (Early Bio 12/01)

kingtmac............11/06/10..........11/09/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

gemindsims..........11/06/10..........11/08/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

grahamandmegan......11/06/10..........11/09/10.......12/22/10........--/--/10.... (Early Bio 12/07)

emerce..............11/10/10..........11/12/10.......12/28/10........--/--/10....

Bobalouie...........11/10/10..........11/12/10.......12/22/10........--/--/10....

rugbydude05.........11/10/10..........11/15/10.......12/28/10........--/--/10....

JR&DI...............11/12/10..........11/15/10.......12/27/10........--/--/10....

DON2008.............11/12/10..........11/16/10.......12/30/10........--/--/10....

TigerTeddyBear......11/13/10..........11/16/10.......12/17/10........--/--/10....

Gypsyangel..........11/16/10..........11/19/10.......12/29/10........--/--/10....

Gelato..............11/16/10..........11/19/10.......12/28/10........--/--/10....

LSMA................11/17/10..........11/22/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

new2009.............11/17/10..........11/22/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

"rylee".............11/18/10..........11/22/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

tanyaru.............11/18/10..........11/22/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Zee Bee.............11/19/10..........11/22/10.......12/23/10........--/--/10....

Bigley..............11/19/10..........11/22/10.......12/28/10........--/--/10....

brnie80.............11/19/10..........11/22/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

E-MIGRA ............11/20/10..........11/22/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

drl.................11/20/10..........11/22/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

EastMeetWest........11/20/10..........11/22/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Nani................11/21/10..........11/22/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

JB_VJ...............11/29/10..........12/01/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

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Well, I am back too. Nice to see some old faces still around!

[California Service Center (20 applicants)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

pam&josh............10/29/10..........11/02/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Kasiraman...........11/01/10..........11/09/10.......12/07/10........--/--/10....

Nineta..............11/03/10..........11/11/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Debbylyn............11/05/10..........11/08/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

saradanielle........11/05/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Justagirl24.........11/08/10..........11/09/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Geostefan...........11/08/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

my-angel............11/08/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

me262...............11/08/10..........11/10/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

SMB x2..............11/08/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Jeff&Sylvia.........11/09/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Xochitl18...........11/12/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

hum tum.............11/12/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

DisneyLovers........11/15/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Vsfansfans..........11/16/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Jupiter07...........11/16/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

KJC.................11/17/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

SonoranSongbird.....11/18/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Kang Lang...........11/18/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

CHRISMATT84.........11/19/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Vermont Service Center (23 applicants)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics.......Approved....

R and F.............10/30/10..........11/02/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

AlHayatZween........10/30/10..........11/03/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Robyn-n-Kris........11/03/10..........11/08/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Sam and Metodi......11/03/10..........11/05/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

windycity...........11/04/10..........11/08/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Daniele & Jen.......11/04/10..........11/05/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

kingtmac............11/06/10..........11/09/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

gemindsims..........11/06/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

grahamandmegan......11/06/10..........11/09/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

emerce..............11/10/10..........11/12/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Bobalouie...........11/10/10..........11/12/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

rugbydude05.........11/10/10..........11/15/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

JR&DI...............11/12/10..........11/15/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

TigerTeddyBear......11/13/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Gypsyangel..........11/16/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Gelato..............11/16/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

LSMA................11/17/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

new2009.............11/17/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

"rylee".............11/18/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Zee Bee.............11/19/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

Bigley..............11/19/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

E-MIGRA ............11/20/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

drl.................11/20/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

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Handled nicely above....

Just to add - Protests at military funerals are disrespectful, but protected. That's exactly what those Marines fought to protect. Folks have the right to protest govt. actions and the sad state of affairs we're in now guarantees them extra press coverage if they do it at a funeral. In times past they would've been "escorted out" but now the media is there before the funeral and those Americans with respect for the dead who would've "escorted" the disrespectful people out in times past can no longer do so.

Either way though, protest is protected speech.

Just as a side note, we recently had a pretty big military funeral here. (Matt Maupin - Army MIA for a few years, returned home a few months ago) and there were some protests scheduled along the route. One of the veterans groups, the POW/MIA guys with big Harleys, rode along with the procession and every time there were protesters along the route they'd stop in front of them and rev their engines and the flags they carried would block the protesters from view. So, in effect the protesters still had the right to protest, but the vets still had the right to keep the funeral procession respectable. They did a very good job and still everyone kept their rights.

To address the other thing - If I had a dollar for every time someone called my wife a mail-order bride or Russian ####### or something like that I wouldn't be rich, but I'd certainly have more money than what I have today. But, if I would take action against them (KA-POW!) each time, I'd be poor because lawyers cost more than several dollars. Sure, technically their speech isn't protected but I'd be hard pressed to find a judge that would rule my right to feed them their teeth oversteps their right to say bad words.

See, I believe that it becomes a "do unto others" type of situation. I would never debase anyones funeral, military or otherwise, and I expect the same treatment. If I did do something like that, I would fully expect to have my teeth fed to me as a response. While I would not go to jail over words about my wife, I would go to jail because of someone defiling a funeral of a friend or loved one. There are lines, permitted by free speech laws that still should not be crossed. I dont think that the right to free speech should in anyway allow a person to turn off their decency switch and engage their mouths. Thats not what the constitutianal right to free speech protects.

No, NVC didnt set up my interview. I was a K1, so my case was adjudicated by the Vermont service center and sent to NVC. Your case was adjucdicated by the NVC since you are a CR-1. But, to my understanding, the NVC does not set up the interview appt. The consulate sets up the interview according to their schedule. I have always heard that Moscow gives you about 3 months to get your ducks in a row. In my case it was 2.5 months, but the interviews are set way in advance, and they only do about 10-12 a day. There will be a bunch of people ahead of you in line already.

hey my case was just completed at NVC how long does it take to setup up interview in moscow?

About 3 months.

3 MONTHS? Are you ###### kidding me?

It doesnt matter K1 vs CR-1?

I dont think I am, I could be wrong, but VJ has Moscow at an average of 189 days from NOA2 to Interview. NOA2 would be when they approved your I-130 on 8-28-08. So you are about 50 days into your 189 average for Moscow. That leaves you with about 140 days of waiting, or about 4.5 months. But, I could be reading it wrong. I have never been too happy with the way VJ lables their data. My K1 was 2.5 months from the time it left NVC to the interview.

hey my case was just completed at NVC how long does it take to setup up interview in moscow?

About 3 months.

I actually cut and pasted about twelve posts from Blues... but each time... mox pretty well summed up my answers. Great job mox, and by the way, it's definitely time for you to get some marksmanship and heritage training as well. APPLESEED!!!!

I've been to the range about 3 times with my new pistol and am really enjoying it. First time I went it felt awkward in my hands, but by the end of that day it felt pretty natural. By the third time it just felt like a natural extension of my hand. It's a great little gun!

You really shouldn't continue this conversation until after you've read the Bill of Rights.

Very much agreed on this, especially (addressing Blues here) since you're relatively new to the country and probably don't have a solid understanding of the foundations of our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Although sadly enough I think most Americans don't have even a rudimentary understanding of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

To be fair, I understand that your opinions are your opinions and you're not trying to ground them in Constitutional law, but just expressing your particular viewpoint. That's fair I guess, but then please state your views clearly and stop with the name-calling. If you think people who support the Bill of Rights are "extreme liberals," then you should probably know that the country you now call home was founded by "extreme liberals."

I find it simply amazing that people are so willing to give up their own rights, rights that were fought for and folks died to give us. Rights that we've come to ignore in the last couple of years simply because it was inconvenient to watch others exercise them or we found it "popular" to jump on the bandwagon of their erosion because that's what everyone else was doing.

I'll sum up very simply and plainly - If we don't protect the rights of those we disagree with, then we lose our right to voice our own oppinion.

Martin Niemoller's poem "First they came" should be required reading of all Americans:

When the Nazis came for the communists,

I remained silent;

I was not a communist.

When they locked up the social democrats,

I remained silent;

I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists,

I did not speak out;

I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews,

I remained silent;

I was not a Jew.

When they came for me,

there was no one left to speak out.

I think the point that Blues is trying to make is that freedom of speach doesnt mean that if you say something offensive, in public, that you will not get your a$$ kicked. Those people had every right to dance in the streets here in America and show their solidarity for their people back home. No one should have told them that they cant. However, a warning of "you do it at your own peril" should have been included.

Changing the subject will not excuse your lame attempt to point fingers. There are plenty of directions to point. The reasons are many. But IMO, the two biggest reason this happened was because people are greedy and the regulations that were in place to keep this from happening were removed. Greed took over and new and innovative ways were found to bleed us of every penny. Unfortunately for all, the path that was taken to accomplish this was very risky and when it collapsed, it did so in a very big way. It is sort of like running around for a few days writing checks on an empty account. It works for a little while but then it catches up to you. I can guarantee you that Uncle Sam will not be there to make deposits into your checking account because you wanted to get rich quick.

Can you tell us what regulations were removed? As I recall, the regulations put into effect in 1977 (CRA) and strengthend in 1995, then the Sarbanes-Oxley accounting requirements are what caused this mess. Looks like we have quite a few regs to me. The cause of this problem, while the intent was admirable (removing racisim from the banking industry), was government involvement in business that forced businesses to do risky, potentially unprofitable things in order to avoid government inditement.

If Serbs had attacked US peacekeepers in Bosnia and killed even one, it wouldn't have been an airwar against Belgrade. The USA would have occupied it, of that we can be sure.

From that perspective, the Russians even look a bit restrained: they didn't conquer all of Georgia.

Thats BS and you know it. The US lets its people get killed all the time all across the world with a limited response. The recent embassy bombings a few years ago got nearly no response. We didnt occupy Yemen after the USS Cole was blown up killing quite a few people.

I remember George bush and John Mcain condeming Russia for driving tanks into a different country? What did we do in Iraq? Why does George W. Bush and the Usa think they are responsible for what happens everywhere esle in the world and trying to be like police?

Did the Georgian leader massively torture and kill his own people like Saddam did? How can you even compare what Russia's doing to what USA did in Iraq? That's another gross distortion that Obama's electorate is so easily succeptible to.

Plus, don't forget that Iraq war was approved by the Congress, whereas Putin is hardly accountable to anyone in his decisions.

Also, did you hear what Obama answered to the question about USA having moral responsibility to respond to "what happens everywhere esle in the world"? He says the same big words as McCain does, only McCain is actually capable of following through, while Obama will go and shake hands with every little Fuhrer who decides to wage a genocide against a neighbor country or his own people. Go, vote for him, sure, he's so big on keeping his promises.

The Georgian President killed 2000 innocent russians mostly women and children that were russian. (they had passports ect.) That is called ethnic cleansing! This is what Georgia did! Russia responded! Sadam was hung for those cimes. When Russia invaded Georgia this was on russian news the georgian leader tried to commit suicide. His advisors stopped him! he is a radicalist. We wanted to go to Iraq before 9/11! The main reason oil! How do you justify that? They used 9/11 and the term terrrorist to scare people here saying we had to do it! People inside the bush administration have admitted this! So I see two similarites! In my opinion and its my opinion I thnk Russia was alot more justified invading Georgia then we were Iraq!

Man you are so far behind what has actually happened over there it is funny. You are using an argument that was refuted about a month ago. You need to read some more. Hell, the Russians arent even disputing the fact anymore that they were actually in Georgia a day before Georgia actually started shelling.

Same story here. My wife bought her flat in Sochi about 2 years ago and renovated it. Before she came over to the US, it was worth about $190K, but there is no telling with the real estate boom that has happened due to the 2014 Olympics since she left. Coincedentally, that is the same price as our new 2100 sq ft home. Her flat would fit easily, balcony and all into our living room.

She got the money from the sale of her Grandfather's 2 bedroom flat after he died. He got it when all flats were privatized back in the early '90s I think. She got half the money and her sister got half, and they both bought flats and now rent them out. Her father, uncles, grandparents all built a house a little ways out of town on family land 30 years ago which is where her family lives now.

I seriously do not anticipate any problems.

If she has all her ducks in a row, I wouldn't anticipate any problems either. But it's always good to be prepared.

You said that her having a visa in hand, does little more than just give her the chance to stand in front of an immigration officer at the airport is not true.

Department of State issues the visa. DoHS controls the border. They are 2 different departments, and just because DoS issues the visa doesn't obligate DoHS to accept it. Do some reading in the other forums, you will begin to understand how this process really works, as opposed to how it should work.

A visa is access into a country, unless there is some outstanding circumstance not known at the time that would prevent someone access at the POE.

Not true. A visa is a de facto invitation, not access. You are not guaranteed entry. In fact, they don't even have to give you a reason why you are being denied entry.

I have never, read any member here, ever, writing that they or there SO walked into the POE, visa in hand.. and customs said, "Oh, your a single woman? From Russia? Hmmmm... nope... don't trust you. Go back to russia"

I don't recall ever reading a VJ post about a single FSU woman obtaining a tourist visa at all, especially to visit her boyfriend. But I have read many posts about women from other countries, even Western countries, being denied entry into the US, and she and/or the boyfriend had the distinct impression it was because she was single and visiting her boyfriend, and the PoE officers were not convinced that her visit was temporary. I've seen other posts where the contents of the luggage gave the officer a reasonable suspicion that the visitor was entering for reasons other than tourism, such as more than a couple weeks worth of clothes or a wedding dress. A tourist visa held by a young, single lady is going to come under more scrutiny, especially if she is from a FSU or other high fraud country.

I'm not saying that you should resign yourself to her being denied. But you also need to be realistic in your understanding of the process. You seem to be under the impression that her visa is guaranteed admission. I'm saying there's nothing guaranteed about it, and there's a TON of evidence on this site alone to back me up on that. Just be prepared is all.

I am not implying it is guaranteed. What I am implying is that the chances of customs stoping someone, who is visiting for less than a month, has just gotten their visa from the consulate, has no prior history of violating a visa in past, etc, are slim to none.

Customs and Consulate are two different departments. But Customs also knows when someone walks up to their little desk with there new little visa, that the consulate already interviewed and established that this person has strong ties to their country, and will be returning. Because if this person could not prove that to the consulate..... guess what? They would not be standing there with a visa in hand.

The Customs steps up more on people who try to re-enter the USA.

Now, I agree with you. If my SO had a wedding dress in her luggage, or she had 3 weeks of clothes... and a bunch of family pictures etc, they she may send off a red flag.

But than again, so would someone who was carrying contraband on them.

The problem with Single russian women.. not being granted access to the USA that you read about so many times from members here.. is that they NEVER even get the visa from the consulate to begin with. Those who did get their visa for the first time from the consulate, typically enter the USA just fine, as a previous poster (Slim) stated.

I think you are a little naive about this process. There are 3 places where you can get denied. 2 are when dealing with the USCIS and one at the DOS. USCIS looks at your stuff and if they deem that you meet/dont meet the filing requirements you are approved/denied the chance to appear at a consulate for further scruitiny. Then DOS looks at your stuff at the consulate and determines, in their estimation if you are being forthright in your application. They then approve or deny your actual visa. If, while under further scruitiny at the POE, the USCIS determines that you are not being forthright, then you are denined entry to the country.

Will they single her out? Whos to say, because like Mox, I cant remember a single instance of a tourist visa being granted to a person's girlfriend. Family members, yes, girlfriends, no. It would not surprise me to hear that she gets increased scruitiny at the POE. If not, great!

Ok, I talked to the Lady in Vladivostok today and showed her NVC letter that clearly states that I need to come to the interview on the date of Oct 14th to the US Embassy and etc. She said it is not the letter she needs, she claims that I have to have an Invitation letter from the US Embassy itself. Are they going to send it to me. I have emailed them about it two days ago but they haven't responded.

She still gave me a list of things that I need to do, but it seems like that she is not going to give me her conclusion until I show her that Da.. letter

Did you guys get one? Who can I contact about this at the Embassy?

It should have come with the packet from the embassy. We didnt get ours either. If you didnt get it, the embassy told me that you didnt need that letter to go to the doctor or to be admitted to the embassy on the day of the interview.

Mox - Water is wet, don't you agree? Sheesh!

Best Bill Clinton impression: Well it depends on what the definition of "wet" is.

Wet like a warm apple PIE

Ohio's been good to me so far... but it's getting old. Or, maybe I'm getting older and starting to see it for what it is.

Time to move on.

Oh - well, in that case, there is always California.

I don't know if I could take California.... maybe Texas?

Straight shooters are always welcome in these parts slim.

Kick the bear (not poke the bear) is the ticket. Obama-esque dialogue will NEVER be taken seriously by Russia. They respect only strength. They threaten to point nukes at Warsaw? We will point nukes at Moscow. Aim missiles at Prague? Good, we were looking for a reason to aim at Novgorod. They won't like it, but they will listen after that.

History doesn't back you up on this. Ronald Reagan is given a lot of credit for taking down the Soviet Union, but the strongest words he ever used with them was his "take down this wall" speech. But that was after 2 very historic summits wherein Reagan and Gorbechev simply sat down and talked to each other. Granted the USSR was headed towards collapse anyway, but those 2 summits did more for world peace than just about anything else.

Russia really doesn't want war, but they're not about to allow NATO to completely surround them. And honestly, can you blame them? The US has been acting like a colonial power for the last 8 years. If I were Russian, I would not trust the US or NATO at all. So it's only natural that they're going to posture. The trick for the US then is going to be to convince the Russians that we really are their friends, and that can only be done through dialogue.

For this group, it shouldn't be hard to understand this. When you need something from your Russian girl, what works best...a direct confrontation, or something a little more subtle? The Russian character responds much better to subtlety.

Yeah what did you get from her? Her knocked from another guy.

Russians admire power and strength. They think the west is weak and always will back down. Australia has decided that they cease exports of Uranium to Russia. Canada will do the same soon. Russia will have to kiss Kazakhstan's bum to get resources. Every Russian elite have spoken to, thinks the world needs Russia more than they need tthem. They have only 17 more years of oil left based on present reserves. They have hyper inflation and fragile banking system and housing bubble that is going to make the sub prime look small. The west have to unite and be strong. They are expecting us to be weak and can freeze us out.

Your sources are of the wall. Just using common sense, by looking at the map you'd figure 70% of Russia is still untouched, alot of new Oil reserves have been found. 17 Years might be left without any new development of land, but they are always finding new reserves. One in Siberia that BP is infrastructuring, and plus just few weeks ago on the bottom of Lake Baikal, they might have found the biggest oil reserve ever found. Plus Russia is on good terms with Kazakhstan, but even if they werent they mine about 10% of world's Uranium. Which is enough to support all of their Nuclear stations and weapons enrichment. But Canada and Aussies do have the biggest reserves.

Yea, they have reserves, but they are NOT looking for new ones like they should. The 17 years is a vaild number that has been reported in various circles even here in the oil industry (where I work). That 17 year figure is based on current proven reserves AND the rate at which they are finding new ones. The simple fact is that they are not looking hard enough or fast enough. They can if they want to, but they are not doing it now.

I was able to track it. Just have her give you the number from her reciept for the prepaid waybill. I wasnt able to track any intermediate scans that were made, but I was able to see when it arrived in her home town.

Thanks for the info. I have the tracking number. Were you able to see when it was picked up from the embassy? That's the only date that I'm really interested in.

As I recall, no, it didnt show that, but its been a few months, and the process was so quick that I really dont remember. Figure 2 days to process and two days to receive. That was what it was for us, and she lived in Sochi. Yours will probably be the same.

Thanks everyone! We are both very excited!! Tania is still trying to determine how long it will take to get everything done that she needs to get done before she leaves. Once she knows the earliest date that she'll be ready, then I can get some flight reservations made. That's the next challenge for us. Flights from Tomsk are getting difficult to book on short notice and more and more expensive in general. But, if things work out, she should be here in about two weeks, give or take.

On a side note, I had been thinking that we could track the pick-up and shipment of her visa by DHL tracking, but DHL told her that they don't enter tracking info for visa shipments. I'm not sure that I understand why, but I guess that's why I've never read about anyone doing this.

I was able to track it. Just have her give you the number from her reciept for the prepaid waybill. I wasnt able to track any intermediate scans that were made, but I was able to see when it arrived in her home town.

Wow, I guess depends on the situation and the property.

We made 2 trips to the registry, first one with 1500 rub fee, second one 3 weeks later to pick up the docs. That's it.

That's what's known as "boots on the ground."

If you can actually go to these places in person there's a chance you may be able to get it done with relative ease. (But you're still taking the time to get there and then paying for the trip, any fees, etc.) Or, if you know someone there that can get it done for you, in person, it's possible it can be done with relative ease. The key here is having someone you know do it in person.

If you can't go or have someone you know do it, then it's going to either be very difficult and expensive or just not possible. It's highly unlikely that someone who works in the office is going to take your call or e-mail and make it happen for you for free.

But, anything is possible! Give it a shot and then follow it up with a trip over there.

It is definitely impossible to do via mail or e-mail. It does require power of attorney, in Russian, notarized. This can be issued at the Russian consulate, then mailed there for someone to do it. It's not easy, but not impossible or extremely hard.

I would warn strongly though to be careful, some of the difficulties and prohibitive costs might be due to someone trying to take advantage of the situation, of a foreigner trying get things done in a hurry, I would avoid any "law firms" there at all, no matter what they tell you! They will scam you and rip you off.

Your right, law firms will be of no help, and the cost is only going up because real estate costs are skyrocketing now due to the Olympics and all the additional stuff they are putting in to Sochi, thus the cost of not having your "documents in order" is going up as well.

Everyone is trying to take advantage of the situation. The people who work in the legalization office make 200-400 bucks a month, and they just got new bosses from Krasnodar who are making all the people in the office work 12 hours a day 7 days a week to try and keep up with the workload. Those people are going to be raising the "can you help me" rates due to the work overload. The only people who can fix documents for very low cost are the girls who work in the office, but it will still cost $3000 minimum for them to fix the smallest of problems for themselves using their "network".

It's going to take boots on the ground and lots of money to get it done. If you don't have either, see above.

Slim is 100% correct on that one. My wife was one of the lawyers who worked in the office in Sochi that does the leagalization of real estate documents for the government, which is the office your friend needs to visit. Before she left, she was trying to tidy up some of the docs on some of her family members' flats. She couldnt get it all done because even with her inside contacts it was still going to be $15-20K to get all the work done.

No one wants another cold war, but we may have to use that threat to get everyone to the table.

That threat ended up with Georgia loosing Ossetia and Abhazia.

Another threat will end up with some other former USSR republic ceasing to exist.

Or with "missile shield" on Cuba or Venezuela.

Same old ####. So do not say "no one wants cold war but... "

Same old US excuse, nobody wants war, but we will bomb Iraq and Afghanistan to oblivion, just to show that we can, etc.

It will only lead to loosening of standards, old story with same old ending. Everything did, does and will have a reaction from the either side.

At least until someone gets hurt. So I would say it's a good thing for now for Georgia to get hurt, neocons PNAC dudes played their little game there, it did not work out, at least it was not Poland or Hungary.

And I bet most Russians feel the same way: "but we may have to use that threat to get everyone to the table", but about kicking Georgia back under the table.

Diplomacy and international relations are always a matter of more than one opinion/side/country, so it is most helpful to be able to look at issues from other side too. Most in Europe or Asia understand this, unfortunately very few here do.

OK - so explain both sides to us. All I read here is one side coming from you, and a good amount of arrogance in accusing Americans of not understanding. So tell me about the non-Russian side of the discussion. If Russia is so concerned about its citizens, why not take them out of Georgia instead of occupying it. Russia has been known to move entire ethnic populations for convenience or punishment, so why not safety?

And for the record, I have consistently stated that the UN is tasked with policing borders. Not America, not Russia. Kosovo was a UN sanctioned exercise. S. Ossetia was not. That is the difference, in my mind. Same story with Iraq, the US has no need to spend a billion dollars a day to force democracy on an Iraqi populace that doesn't really seem to want it. Crossing the internationally recognized protected zones into Iraq was wrong - and building a coalition after the fact does not excuse it.

Please be so kind and give an example when RUSSIA has done that.

How about when the Crimean Tartars were deported en mass to Central Asia and other parts of the Soviet Union in 1944?

Or maybe the Terek Cossacks, who in 1920 were deported or killed so that their lands could be given to new autonomous republics of other minorites?

Then if we look at ONLY Stalin, he deported completely or partially: Koreans, Volga Germans, Crimean Tatars, Kalmyks, Karachays, Meskhetian Turks, Ukrainians, Poles, Finns, Bulgarians, Greeks, Latvians, Lithuanians, Estonians, Chechens, Ingush, Balkars and Jews. Large numbers of Kulaks, regardless of their nationality, were resettled to Siberia and Central Asia.

Yeah Bob thanks again, But I guess its really easy to confuse USSR with Russian Federation. So I ask again " Russia has been known to move entire ethnic populations for convenience or punishment?

Do I see Soviet Union anywhere in that statement?

Right Ilya - it is easy for we unsorted americans to confuse the USSR and the country that controlled it (I am not joking here - we even used the terms Russia and USSR interchangeably). Even if this view is incorrect, it is VERY easy to believe that Russia could move or just wipe out a population if necessary. It has been done in that part of the world before. If there is some radically different european reality, I really do want to hear it. When I ask the question, I only get insults, and I am now responding that way because I am so tired of it. You seem to be a staunch supporter of Putin, but also a rational person. Please tell us why Russia believes that only borders Russia wants to respect matter. Even if Russia defines the border, and then changes her mind later. I think it is completely wrong when any country does this.

I'll gladly explain to you what you want to hear. The problem might be that you just wont want to hear what I have to say.

First of all USSR regime and Russian Federation regime is very different. I really doubt in all of history of Russia there has been as much blood spilled as there has been since 1917 to 1960s. Soviet track record is very different than Russian, and thats the fact. Millions of Russians have suffered, at hands of their leaders during soviet rule. There was no such thing during Russian Fed.

And just because you believe that Russia could move or just wipe out a population if necessary is complete bull ####. And yes there is a difference between who controlled the land. Just like during Original thirteen colonies and the great migration, and who controlled the land before and after. You dont see me reaching back to French and Indian war or to Colonists vs Indian conflict where a nation, actually where a race was wiped out, mostly.

So there is no radically different European reality, but there is a different reality to what you are not accustomed to. In your reality you just prioritize on different topics than we do, and then you want your priorities to be like ours, but that just is impossible. We are different people so please learn to respect our beliefs just like we respect yours. And we do respect American beliefs because we live in America now. Just, because you cant understand why Russia does not think it is to blame, I really dont know any other way to explain in to you. Russians were outraged at what happened in Kosovo, were completely against the invasion of Iraq, and What did America do? They didnt really give two shits of what Russia had to say. Which doesnt mean America was wrong at what they did, maybe at the time it was a right decision, just like Russia thought at the time it was a right decision to strike and face the criticism/consequences. So you can stick to your view or you could just accept that most of us have strong opinions about things that is impossible (or very hard) to undersand.

And I am not really that big of a Putin fan to be honest. But the facts speak the truth, Putin has done more for Russia than any other leader in last 40 years. Soviet or Russian. Maybe Russia is wrong in the eyes of the west, but I believe they did the right thing, and there are millions like me, and these opinions are not based of propaganda either. And this conflict just like Kosovo, just like Iraq, will soon be forgotten and no more outrages claims or comparison to Nazis will be made.

And just because you are tired of something on these boards doesnt mean you should react to it. I dont agree with 70% of posters on these boards, be it at open forum or here, but I dont go crazy and call people names because I am tired of their ignorance and lack of knowledge.

Thats a pretty good post right there Ilya, and you make some very good points.