Dima_April

7 hours ago, pukka said:

-can us citizen attend k1 interview with fiance in russia? Is it allowed?
--how does an american get into russia? I think i will need a tourist visa. Can i say i am going to go to the us embassy for a visa interview?

Yes, the US citizen may attend the k1 interview with their fiance - I did and there was no problem.  They actually welcome this.
You will need to apply for a tourist visa and you must also prove you have health insurance, enough money that you will return to your own country and hotel accommodations.

7 hours ago, pukka said:

--do american credit cards work in russia?

Yes, american credit cards work in Russia.  I used both my Master card and Visa.

My now husband, arrived on a K1 in July; we waited two weeks and then I drove him to the nearest social security office and he filled out the paper work there.  You need a copy of your I-94 and passport.  It was very simple, although his name was to long to fit into the dialog box and they had to shorten it and then send a request to Department of Homeland Security (that delayed things just a tad).  As for the driver license, it varies by state.  Make sure you check with the county sheriffs office, local police and DMV, as they all have different opinions.  For example - our county sheriff, said my husband could not drive on an International license, the local police said it was fine, but he also needed to carry with him, his Russian drivers license as the International looked to much like a passport.  When I went to the DMV, they said that Michigan did not recognize Russia, as being a country that was legally allowed to drive in Michigan.  After another DMV worker questioned this, they looked things up and found out that Michigan, recognizes Russia.  I had my husband carry a copy of this paper from DMV with him, as well as his International, Russian license and a copy of our marriage certificate.  It made us feel secure to provide proof, should any accident happen. Make sure you are added to the insurance policy.
One thing to keep in mind, at least if living in Michigan - when you apply for a drivers license, you have to make sure you do so with your SSN card, proof of address and proof of insurance, as well as an UNEXPIRED VISA (if your state allows you to apply before the EAD is issued). We had everything, but by the time we got around to applying for a MI license, the visa had expired (his photo ID) and this caused a huge delay in obtaining a MI license.  The state workers would not let him apply until he had a valid photo ID - the EAD card!  Just our experience, I hope it helps someone else avoid delays. 

We married in mid September, 2016 and will be interview early April 2017.  My husband has been working at a factory for about a month and a half, but hasn't been able to bring his money from Russia to the states (was lost and returned to Russia, twice).  I added him to my credit card, but since he has no credit history, he only is shown as an active user on my account.  Two weeks ago, we filed taxes jointly and on the same day, opened a joint checking and savings account with just $5.00 - the federal and state tax return, will go into our joint savings; does it look funny that: 1.) We opened it with a small amount and have nothing in the savings as of yet?  2.) We opened it just prior to our interview?  We have joint debit cards for this account.  I named him as beneficiary for my life insurance and pension.  He pays for the cable bill, but our names are not on the bill jointly.  The cable company said, they don't do that anymore, but instead list the spouse as a person they may speak with about the bill.  The same basically goes for my lights and gas bill - he can't be added because he is not on the deed of the house.  I tried over and over to add him at the city office, but they refused.  Should I get a letter from them stating their policy?  I haven't added him to the deed yet, for several reasons: 1.) I don't know what USCIS is going to do, can they send him back?  2.)  I read something about adding a non-permanent alien, can cause tax problems and the IRS can view this addition as a gift.  3.) I've owned it partially since 1996 and completely since 2014 and we've only been married 7 months.  He still owns his house in Russia and I'm not on that.  4.) We're thinking about buying one together after we get immigration taken care of and we might move to a different state when we do (not sure yet).  In light of all this, I have seen a lawyer, as of today and she is drafting a Will, which I can sign next week.  I have left my husband everything, with the exception of a family ring, which was given to me and my mother asked me to pass it on to my nephew and a kitchen hutch which is going to a niece.  Other than that, he gets it all.  I sit on the title of his truck, since he could not buy it without me at the time (no state license) - he decided to keep me on the title and when I pay for my plates next week, I'm adding him to the title of my car.  I've also had him on my car insurance back in July, before getting married, so he could drive on his International safely.  Do you think I have enough proof to prove our marriage....am I missing anything?  Thanks guys.

So we have our AOS interview coming up in April and on the letter is written the address for the Detroit Field Office and just below that is written in caps "TEAM STEWART."  I'm sorry, but curiosity is just killing this cat and I have no clue what this means, if anything.  Anyone know?

Also, those that have been to this field office, where is a good hotel to stay at, close by?

On 3/7/2017 at 5:56 PM, talile said:

I served in the Israeli army and attached a letter stating the dates of my service and explaining that was compulsory service

From other people I've heard that is not a problem as long as you were not part of weapon trading / undercover warfare in a western country

Thank you!  That's a very good suggestion.

I'm not overly concerned about these yes/no questions, as my husband is pretty easy going and basically a sweetheart.  However there are two question that pertain to him:
1. Police Unit
2. Weapons training
He can answer and did answer yest to both on the I-485.  All Russian men, are required to serve and he was trained as a military police officer.  Could that be a potential problem?  It's not like he wanted this for his life, it even interrupted his education.  Basically, in my point of view, it's the same as if we had a draft here in the states and some of our people had to serve because of war.

I don't know if this helps, but I hope so.  Our lawyer suggested my husband use these three services to evaluate his transcripts/credentials:

http://www.trustfortecorp.com/fee_schedule.html

I went through something similar in March of 2015.  I applied for a tourist visa to visit my  fiance in Moscow, so I could attend the K-1 visa interview at the US Embassy.  Dmitrii, made a hotel reservation at http://www.sherston.ru/ and then told the clerk that I needed a voucher to prove I had a host to stay with.  The hotel then sent a link to my personal email and I paid online with a credit card for a digital transcript to carry with me during my travels in Russia.  The hotel, informed the Russian authorities/police of my intended stay. You should check with the hotel you plan to stay at, as some do not offer this service.  Also, the voucher is only good for the hotel you originally booked, you cannot use it to stay at a different location.  In July of 2016, I traveled back to Russia, but this time I stayed with my fiance, in his home.  He simply went to the local police station and filled out a form that told the authorities where I was staying (his address), and that he would bare all responsibility for me while there.  That was it - very easy.
As someone mentioned in an earlier reply, Russia, does not care of your impending K-1; travel to Russia, as much as you please.  If your fiance intends to travel to the US, while your petition is pending, then there could be potential problems.  If someone wants to turn him back at the airport they may do so, thinking that it is an effort on both your parts to negate the entire K-1 process.  This could either result in a waste of time and money or even result in a 10 year ban from re-entering the US (according to our lawyer).  Good luck and safe travels.  All will be fine in the end - we have been married since September 15, 2016.

Happy Holidays everyone!

My husband completed his biometrics in November and he is waiting for his EAD.  On the myUSCIS Case Status site, I read the following:

Case Is Ready To Be Scheduled For An Interview

As of December 5, 2016, we are ready to schedule your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status, Receipt Number MSC*****************, for an interview. We will schedule your interview and send you a notice. Please follow any instructions in the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

* Is this a general message that appears as the case is being updated or will we actually have to attend an interview?  K1 visa holder.

 

Hello! Yes, he uses Sberbank. It's turned out to be a huge mess. His aunt, went to the bank and managed to reverse the transfer, but the bank has changed twice and nothing was accomplished. Someone from the group here, sent me a private message and told us to try PayPal. I called the company this morning and they said, they can transfer money between Russia and the US at 1% a transfer rate.

Key to all of this is a PayPal account has to be made in each country, under different emails, as the PayPal site reads physical IP addresses.

My husband is boiling mad, so I hope he doesn't just give up.

Hello, my husband is from Russia and he currently has his soc. sec. # and holds to bank accounts in the US now. The problem is, his bank in Russia, blocked his debit card and transferred money to the wrong bank in the US. The money has been returned to the Russian bank, but he only has $160 to his name here and he is upset. I'm concerned as well. How do we go about transferring money from Russia to the US? It seems to be a huge problem and it's starting to cause some fights between us. He feels like a bum here, although I support him well.

Hey Lowens8! Try not to worry to much, something similar happened to us. Our interview was mid-March and we were also placed in AP. I worried like crazy and stayed up many nights racking my brains out trying to figure out what to do. From what I understand, a Congressman or Senator, can do little...but worth a try. Typically they ask you wait 90 days before contacting the Embassy. I started early on, however after thye requested additional evidence - emails, pictures and Skype logs - they approved us without me even sending them anything. Basically, it took about a month and a half for them to do additional background checks. We were approved April 29th and I did not even realize it until May 5th. Stay calm and think positive. It is a very good sign that they kept his passport. I think you will be okay.

Thank you everyone - it was very stressful and I'm glad that part of our journey is over. I'll be back in Russia, in July - this time, the Far East.

Hi guys, yes lots of news. At first they placed us in AP, then eventually they sent email saying that they wanted more evidence and to send it via email. It made me upset, because I had that with us and no 221 was issued before we left. Our case sat from March 15 to April 14, then updated; also updated April 15. Then came the request for more documents/pictures. I was getting that all ready electronically, placing our case number/passport on everything. I stayed up all night one night getting it ready (lots of material). The next day, I was trying to stay awake in class and when the students left, I looked at the CEAC site and it updated the 28th and 29th, they issued the visa, without me sending the additional documents in! I only noticed this May 4th and Dima, had his visa delivered that same day. Sorry, I haven't wrote back. I rested for many days.

We had my fiance's interview in Moscow, March 15, 2016. The appointment time at 9:30 am and seen around 2:30 pm. The interview was brief and cold at best; lasting approximately 5 to 10 minutes. I took a week off work, so I could attend; make him feel at ease. I also wanted to be by his side again. The last time I saw him, was July.

I would strongly advise you go to see him and not the other way around. We were told not to visit, unless I went to his country; there is a possibility they would view it as a means to by pass immigration laws and he could be barred from entering the US for a very long time. The question they asked me: Do you have the kind of money it would take to fix that problem? I do not; so we cancelled our engagement party. Remember if you marry him there, you still have to go through AP. If you marry and fly home, you don't have to necessarily prove domicile; but can you really demonstrate the validity of your relationship if you are still living apart? It's a catch 22. Believe me, I feel your pain.

I'm sorry you are going through this, my fiance and I are as well. Our interview was in Russia, March 15, 2016. I realized that I didn't provide some documents at the first window and tried to give them to the CO; she was as cold as ice and would not accept them. We never received a 221 (g) and were told that the case had to go additional processing and to watch the website. They did keep his passport, but the CEAC never updates. I've wrote the embassy and called DOS. They simply tell me that the case is neither denied or approved, but that we are in AP.
From what I understand, a Congressman or Senator, rarely gets any different answers than the petitioner. It's frustrating.

I still have no word; sight never updates; never touched. I'm finding out just how much I've come to love him. It's killing me - I can't even imagine what could be so bad. I've read were others have called DOS and asked at least why they are in this situation; some get told it's visa Mantis, Donkey...whatever the other ones are! Some paperwork gets shelved. I am getting more depressed everyday. I watch people get accepted the same day or move out of AP quickly. I was told that I could file a "Freedom of Information"? That seems unlikely, b/c this is to protect the country; I get it. Others tell me to have a Senator call and ask for daily updates; then I hear that doesn't do any good. What's the longest running time in this group, that a Russian has been placed on hold?

I knew that I lit that fuse!!! Sri, but we've seen over the years where delays were incurred for very strange reasons.

You've provided enough info that satisfies that concern.

I wonder if you guys had the same female CO that my wife had back in Nov, 2009? Was she smiling all the time?

Our relationship was faster than yours and we got approved. Since they kept the passport, everything should be fine.

Yes, the fuse was lit! Sorry, not directed at you in anyway, just the situation. At the end of the day, what it boils down to, is a good man. I don't know what other info would calm their minds. We told the truth and again, that's more than what some do.

The CO we had, was probably mid 20s to early 30s? She was pleasant, but never cracked a smile; thin and sandy brown hair. A pretty young lady and professional in demeanor.

I think she did not like the fact that he came to see me on the tourist visa and as I told her, I would have never met an American guy in a private place until I knew him well. I had thought about meeting him in South Korea, but that would have been insane. Safety first. As it is, he turned out to have a gentle personality.

I hope she moves the case along; we're middle age and we have time ahead of us....just not as much as she has.

Just keep waiting. They are conducting extra checks. Does he have relatives in the US? Was he married before?....and if so do you know if that ex has moved to the US?

The CO gave you some clues, based on your interview statements, that may be the subjects they are checking on.....why leave a great job in Russia for whatever job in the US?

Why the "suddenness" of the engagement?

First of all, thank you everyone; trying to be patient.

Dima, does not have any relatives in the US and he has never been married, nor does he have any children. His father passed away when he was 14 years old and he kind of became the man of the house. He helped take care of his grandmother and later his mother, when she developed cancer.

You know, perhaps the engagement may be viewed as quick, but in all honesty that doesn't matter. My father, saw my mother at a basketball game, never spoke to her and wouldn't shut up about her. His friends drove him back to town so they could find her; never did. Then, a few weeks later he saw her, they went out and 6 months later he married her. They were married 65 years. I dated my ex husband for 6 years and divorced him after 4, with separations. I never shared anything with him, because he didn't want to. With Dima, he wrote me and we started talking right away. Within a couple weeks, he left for the oil rig and I had Christmas break. I would email him in more less chat sessions throughout the evenings. I would also get up around 3 am, which is 6 pm (after his work), and talk with him. It just went on this way and we hit off. The day he stepped off the train, I was drawn to him. I had the best romantic adventure of my life and I'l always remember it...no one can take that away. The same happened when I went to Russia, for the interview. I was in tears because no one would speak to me in English and I didn't know where to go. After pushing through some doors, there he was...twisting the paper in his hands, nervously waiting for me. I loved him just as much as the day I first saw him; probably more. He always looks out after me, ask me how my day has been, tells me when he's leaving for work, when he arrives, when he's returning home.

I have no doubt that he loves me and I love him, so he's leaving the great job in Russia, to be with me. He sacrifices a lot. You can base love on a time frame. If you could, then I'd still be married. You base love on a feeling and a desire to be together, even when your partner isn't always perfect. I am nervous about moving to Russia and I know he fits better here, than I do there. It's the language issue. He speaks perfect English (it was his course of study). I speak zero Russian and when I try, I slaughter the language. One thing I am good at, is making friends and we had dinner with a couple and another woman (all teachers), that I met over the net. They are willing to help us if this fails. Dima, gives up a good job and even though I'm afraid, I guess I'll have to give up my home because life with out him is no longer an option.

What started out as a "fast engagement" has turned into a year long wait. I would have married him in July, he wanted to have honor and do what our government required. He came, he stayed 5 weeks and he went home. He could have stayed until Nov. 23rd, but did not. One thing about him, he's as upright and honorable as they come. It wasn't like he was trying to get into the country and stay without permission. I would have filed earlier, but needed to do something about that income tax. I took off work 3 years to care for not just one, but two parents on hospice. I landed the new job and all though it doesn't pay as well as a full time teacher, it was acceptable. I own a home, no mortgage, a larger bank account. I finally decided I had enough in assets to support us. Today, the school district granted us health insurance. I thought I was laying the road out before us. I love him and I wouldn't have him here, if I wasn't sure I could support him. I knew we were fine.

I'm sorry, but I don't see the problem. I think he had honor and I don't view us as people that are going to be a public charge. So what if he leaves a good job. A man that pushes a broom, pays his bills and is clean, is just as good as a man in a suit - maybe even better if the rich man has a bad heart. In time, I'm sure Dmitrii, would find a good job. He has experience as a safety adviser, military police officer (unfortunately all Russian man have to serve), interpreter and teacher. I'm sure a hard working guy from another country, can find a good job here. Sometimes, immigrants work harder than those of us born here.

Rant over.

I wrote the embassy and email last Friday, after looking at several post on various forums. Most people said that calling basically got you know where. You reach a secretary and they tell you nothing. Is there anyone out there, that has got through and provided with answers? As for the email, I received a response and they simply told me that the case was under administrative processing and no decision had been made as of yet. Also, that I should check back with them at a later date. Well, duh....I already knew it was under AP, tell me something I don't know. Give me peace of mind!

I gave them what they asked for the I 134 and tax document. I tried to give the letter of employment and bank information. The CO refused to take it; said it wasn't needed for this type of visa. Dmitrii, had everything translated correctly.

I thought about moving to Russia and marrying him there...but how do we get back here? What do I do next?

I'm starting to worry. We had our K1 interview in Moscow, March 15, 2016. The CO said to watch the site and kept his passport. I've watched the site everyday and nothing has been updated. It simply remains AP, w. Mar. 15, date. They took his fingerprints electronically and therefore, all that information should be in the system almost instantly.

How long can they keep his passport?
What is the typical time frame for AP?
Would they deny you the visa, after having kept the passport?

I don't know what went wrong.

Thank you everyone. We are still waiting to hear something back. The interview was on March 15 and we are still in AP!
Someone told me to compose an email and thank the CO and ask what the next procedure would be, just to bring the case back to their attention. I'm not sure if I should do that or not. Will it make them angry that I am not patient? Dima, is beginning to look at apartments in Moscow. This whole process is upsetting me. I thought we would have the visa by now.

Sorry if I misspoke about keeping his "visa" I meant to say passport. I'm texting from Dima's phone and the screen is small. They kept his passport and simply told us toshe wanted to look at the emails and we should continue looking online.

We are staying at the Sherston and I made a mistake and told her Sheraton. Dima, corrected me and that sent her into a tailspin. She asked if we were not staying together? Of course we are! Then she asked me why my email address was a Yandex account. Who bloody cares?

What really puzzles me is why she didn't look at the employment letter or bank accounts? She said non of that information was needed for this type of visa. If so, why ask for it on their website?

Again, meeting on a tourist visa, just how are people to meet? As I told her, we were going to meet in Korea, but I didn't know him or that country. I thought of my own safety and he was gentleman enough to elivate my fears (meeting on my home turf).

Sorry if I misspoke about keeping his "visa" I meant to say passport. I'm texting from Dima's phone and the screen is small. They kept his passport and simply told us toshe wanted to look at the emails and we should continue looking online.

We are staying at the Sherston and I made a mistake and told her Sheraton. Dima, corrected me and that sent her into a tailspin. She asked if we were not staying together? Of course we are! Then she asked me why my email address was a Yandex account. Who bloody cares?

What really puzzles me is why she didn't look at the employment letter or bank accounts? She said non of that information was needed for this type of visa. If so, why ask for it on their website?

Again, meeting on a tourist visa, just how are people to meet? As I told her, we were going to meet in Korea, but I didn't know him or that country. I thought of my own safety and he was gentleman enough to elivate my fears (meeting on my home turf).

Yes, he had the interview and I joined him. To that, she asked me if it was difficult to obtain a Russian visa and if it was my first time in Russia. I told her, no it was not difficult and I planned to return in the spring.

The closing statement was she would review our email and we should check the site were he applied for the visa.

Yes, he had the interview and I joined him. To that, she asked me if it was difficult to obtain a Russian visa and if it was my first time in Russia. I told her, no it was not difficult and I planned to return in the spring.

The closing statement was she would review our email and we should check the site were he applied for the visa.