mikeandjaney

Haha, thanks for asking the question i've been wanting to ask for so long ?

Use to get really worked up on the wait time, but I have learned to go with the flow and appreciate the time given to prepare for marriage. I actually see it as a blessing and not a hindrance. Waiting stinks for sure, but in the end it will all be worth the wait as it test your perseverance and patience. Allow yourselves to grow toward each other more even though it hurts to be away. I am in the same boat as the rest on here--waiting--been over 3 months, but that is okay. The wait has allowed my fiancee and I to get to know each other more, appreciate each other more, and love each other more. It has allowed us to learn commitment better and trust much more than we have before. Waiting allows you to grow your friendship, the long talks over skype and facebook, the exchange of love letters and notes between each other, surprising each other, fasting, and so much more-all of these things are priceless and beautiful in every way. I may not like the wait, but thankful for the time spent to grow stronger and closer to one another. These are things that each and everyone of us that wait can take advantage of and appreciate during our wait for approval.

A discrepancy this massive, between two processing centers, frankly makes no sense to me. One Petitioner on this very thread received his NOA2 in less than three weeks, while others are expected to wait up to six months? It just makes no sense to me. I know "life isn't fair," but that's just beyond reasonable.
I hope it works our for all the Texas petitioners.

Getting a Russian visa is much easier than it used to be. In September 2012 (as I recall) Russia and the USA entered into a reciprocal tourist visa agreement. The terms are 3 years (36 months), unlimited entries, maximum of 6 months in a calendar year. This agreement makes it easier for citizens of both countries to obtain the visa. I got mine in November 2012, so next year I'll need to re-apply. Elena also has a tourist visa and has come here to visit me (in person) 3 times. Thus she's seen my life, my home, my everything. And that's a good thing IMHO.
So yeah, apply for the 3-year visa and you'll be set for quite a while. I forget the cost now, but plan on a couple hundred, roughly.

I received the email on the same day, December 4th and got TSC and haven't gotten the letter yet. I think we are right in that 7-10 business days time frame though. I am not sure Saturday for U.S. mail counts as a business day. If it doesn't then 10 business days will be this coming Thursday. If it does count then it should have arrived yesterday or today. Which for me didn't happen.
I wish there was a way to find out how many applicants are in front of you