Dima_April

Thank you TBoneTX!
I'll ask him, if he'd like to join the group and if so, I'll change my member name to reflect both of us.
I keep calling the NVC, but all I get is, we're busy call back later. Is it always like that? I was trying to get our case number and see if they have sent anything to the embassy.

So, it's been a wild ride so far and I'll never be at ease until we are married and have everything squared away. Until then, I've decided to buy stock in the Rolaids company! Seriously, I think I'm getting an ulcer!
Our petition was approved on Dec. 1 st 2015 and I received the I-179 in the mail on Dec. 7. Today, I tried to call the NVC, but couldn't get through - they don't even put you on hold! Instead, a little voice comes online and tells you try again later. I think, I would rather wait patiently on the phone.
As you may know from a previous post, just a day after our approval, my fiance gets a call from someone in Vladivostock, requesting him to return there for a re interview. The person that called and sent the email, didn't explain anything, just told him not to travel to the US. Funny thing is, when they provided the phone number for the Embassy, they added an extra zero. One lawyer, says that he should call, even travel there and find out what is going on; so not to hurt the visa process later. Another, says don't go, his interview will be in Moscow only. I'm so afraid, that something bad is going to happen.
The female lawyer, wants to prepare him, says that they look at males seeking to immigrate, more harshly, at least in Russia. Is that true?

Thank you! I hope he didn't see what I bought him for New Years!
Maybe now, he should join the site, as we have the second Notice of Action!

Sorry for spelling mistakes (was writing quickly); also don't get why my an affectionate word was crossed out with ###### ~ but whatever. Still need help taking that down. Why can't you delete your own post? Seems silly.

Hello, I'm starting this thread because I had found a similar one, that has since been put to rest, do to the fact it was really outdated.

I'm engaged to a lovable, yet typically stubborn Russian man. I'm known to him as the little CIA agent (I checked him out before meeting, during and after). I would call him my KGB sweetie, but he wouldn't like that. Instead, I've nicknamed him Yul, after Yul Brynner. In case you need clarification, Yul Brynner, was a Russian, born actor that starred in the Ten Commandments, he played the roll of Ramses. In the movie, one of his most famous sayings was, "So let it be written, so let it be done"! Truly, I think only a Russian, could pull that line off with such command. My guy, always says "So be it"! Short and direct; overly blunt or just a Russian, being a Russian?

Whatever it is Russian men, tend to be alpha males. The juxtaposition to this is, American females, are often painted in a harsh light, as being bossy and overly barring; almost non-feminine. Yet, some of us bossy American women, bend to a degree, when finding our top dog and the top dog, sometimes realizes that he may be the head of the house, but the women really are the neck! Gender role, is alive and well in Russia, but not always the case in the USA. Therefore, how do we make our new partner feel at home, without compromising ones self?

Granted all this talk, is simply stereotyping, but there are definite cultural difference. I hope this thread, can open up some comic relief and be a place to get acquainted with new members from Russia, the Ukraine and Belarus. A thread to share your jokes, recipes, what your visa process was like, what life is like living together as a couple.

Hope to hear from those just starting out and those that have been in the trenches for sometime.

Did you get that NOA2 in just over a month?

Yes, the NOA2 was granted in just over a month. The petition was sent to the wrong lock box on October 29th and forwarded to the CSC. By Dec.1, our case was approved. I still don't have a hard copy, but viewed online.

As said above -- Russian copy has no grammar mistakes.

The tone of the email suggests that is most likely connected to current visa (not the upcoming K1... but it may effect the upcoming visa process too).

Unfortunately the email itself doesn't say much useful. I bet that earlier phone conversation had the "meat".

Well, now it is Google translate after all ! You must expect mistakes in grammar ! I once used it to tell him, I love you and got the wrong gender !!!

I sent the email on to two different attorneys (one Russian/Ukrainian) and both said they thought it was a scam. A friend had posted to our FB page, congratulating us on the approval. They made it a public post. The attorney's think someone is just playing a malicious game. They advised we ignore this.

As for the "meat" I think there was a lot in the phone conversation. He just got home and is tired. Myself, I worried all night long. We agreed to call each other later or tomorrow after being well rested. I'll ask him for more details then. Maybe I'll even share with you guys, just in case something weird like this comes up for someone else.

I told my fiance, not to answer anymore calls or emails, as that's what two attorneys suggested. I hope they are right !

From what I understand, the petition goes to the NVC. In a couple weeks, I should be able to call and ask for a new case number starting with the letters MOS followed by either 2015 or 2016, followed by other numbers?

The one attorney said, and help me with this someone....there is only one Embassy that deals with K1 visas in Russia and that is Moscow. Is that true?

Did you translate that, or was the email sent like that? The bad English sounds like a scam to me.

I used Google Translate, because it was in Russian and my fiance, was boarding a plane - flying back home from his job.

Here is what it said in Russian:

Subject: Ваша виза

Sent: Dec 3, 2015 12:24

From: "Sokolova, Yelena" <SokolovaY@state.gov>

Уважаемый господин Ковалевский,

В продолжение нашего телефонного разговора, сообщаю Вам номер телефона, по которому вы можете связаться с Генеральным консульством США во Владивостоке относительно повторного собеседования:

(423) 23000070

Это телефон оператора. Вам нужно связаться с визовым отделом.

Напоминаю Вам, что до повторного собеседования мы не рекомендуем вам въезжать в США по действующей сейчас визе.

С уважением,

Визовый отдел

As of Dec 1st - our case was approved. Therefore, should be on it's way to the NVC.
Interview should be in Moscow.
Fiance sends text last night Dec. 2. and forwards strange email.
Woman calls from the Embassy in Vladivostok and talks with him. Not sure what phone conversation completely about. Fiance boarding plane to return home, from his work.
He Forwards this message, which is from an individual by the name of,Yelena Sokolova, press secretary to the late Sergei Yushenkov (critic of Putin). You can find more information about her, at http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/214191.pdf

Subject line : Your Visa
Body:

Dear Mr. Kovalevsky,

Following our telephone conversation , I inform you the phone number to which you can contact the US Consulate General in Vladivostok on the re- interview
(423) 23000070
This is a phone operator . You need to contact the visa department.
I remind you that before the second interview , we do not recommend that you enter the US on a visa valid today .

Yours faithfully,

Visa department

Our case, should just be going to the NVC. They wouldn't have even had time to check us out. He's not a criminal, he didn't overstay his visa. He didn't tell them that he was going to visit me, when he obtained the tourist visa. I had a friend that didn't like the fact that he was coming and she tracked down one of his old female friends he had thought about marrying on Facebook. She said, she was going to turn him in for attempting to immigrate (talked with to many other women about coming here).
In his defense, we both were on a dating site. We both talked with other people. Both spoke about dating, and marriage with others. Heck, that's what a dating site is about.
I'm just wondering if the looney tune ex friend, could have sent old messages to the embassy and made it look like he was attempting to immigrate. We are required to meet, so why would it be a problem. We didn't marry, we tried to do everything legal.

Why would anyone be calling and emailing him, telling him to return to Vladivostok?

Again, our case is just going to the NVC. He's had no medical exam and doesn't even have my papers for the I-134, bank statements, letter from employer...nothing!

Alibaba is a Chinese site though and it might take more than a month to get shipped to Russia. You can just buy something here and use a courier service like Meest (http://www.meest.us) to ship it by air and avoid the post office and it should get there in about 2 weeks, but will cost you around $50 to ship even a small package.

Disclaimer: I never used Meest to ship anything to Russia, but did ship to Ukraine multiple times and it always got there without any issues. By air to Ukraine took about a week and a half and by sea about 5 weeks.

Thank you, for this information. I'd never heard of this before. I'll definitely look into this. This way, I know what I buying and shipping too.

Hello,
I'm thinking about Christmas shopping and since, my fiance won't be coming here for Christmas, after all - I need some suggestions.
1.) Is there any online stores that ship to Russia or a good online site in Russia, where I can purchase something and they send it to his house. I'd like it to be there by Christmas or at least New Years, since that seems to be the major holiday celebrated there.

2.) What do you think a Russian man, might like? When we thought he was going to visit, I asked him and all he wanted was me. How sweet is he?

Thanks

Hi Hi, Natalie from Louisiana,

I'm April, from Michigan. While not yet married to my Russian guy, I certainly can relate to some things you speak of and I would like to become friends. It is true, that is seems most on here are men, that married Russian women, so we are in the minority. I'm also close to your age, so that may help.

Although I haven't made it all the way through the comments on this post, I'm enjoying them. I've been worried about the whole process of our K1 visa and I suppose I won't stop until he gets here. Then, I'm sure I'll worry about knew things - maybe you can guide me?

In regards to traditional roles and who wears the pants in the family, I'm more traditional myself and Dmitrii, is as well. However, from the five weeks we spent together, I can see where there could be some cultural issues. I'm not sure he likes my cooking. He says, I cook very well, but I think his nose is growing. On more than one occasion, I would come home from work, ready to prepare dinner and he wasn't hungry. He had walked to Burger King. I'm not sure if he just likes burgers, or that was the best option, because I had no beet dishes? That's okay, the thought of herring, under a fur coat, freaks me out!

Driving? Do Russian men drive? My guy, owns a truck and he learned how to drive in 2008 (he's 44 yo now). I thought I would be kind and let him drive, while here. I realize that Russian men, like to be somewhat the head of the house. I like that - I've had to run things on my own for a long time. I'm ready to let someone in the drivers seat (pun on words). God forbid, I ever decided to put my car keys in his hands. I live in a small town; our main road has one turn lane on the main drag. Anytime, I wanted him to turn into a store, I would give him a heads up. What I heard was, "over there"? Yes. "Over there" (finger pointing)? Yes. "Now"? Yes. "Right now"? Yes! As we roll pass the entrance, he not only gives me whip lash, but my head slams into the dash, as he slams on the breaks. I don't know how many times he shifted my automatic transition and I heard the gears grind!

One time, I took over driving and was speeding along, when a deer started to jump out at us. You should have heard us scream! On that day, Russian and American, voices where united in one! Then, he turns to me in his thick Russian accent and says "crazy, stubborn, American driver!" We both laughed later and we're both stubborn. I wouldn't trade him in for the world, because even during these times when there are differences, there are good differences as well. He teaches me patience, and he forgives me when I'm quick to anger. These are fine traits, that a lot of American's have forgotten. We live in a fast pace society. He's lived where he's had to walk a good portion of his life, wait in long lines, not always have the things one wants. I think, Russians know how to share and know the value of family. All this, can make up for what they have to learn about being in Rome. When the days get rough and the cultural differences great, remember why you married him in the first place. Try to laugh some of it off and what you can't talk it over, don't sweep it under the rug. Being in Rome, means sometimes you have to act like a Roman, but always try to keep the Slavic culture alive to a degree, it's fantastic and we could stand to go back to some of these values they hold. You're child, will be greatly blessed by having parents with different views. When you find a good Russian man, family will be everything to him.

Would love to chat with you sometime, share some recipes with me. The thought of eating at Burger King, the rest of my life, well.....it's more than I can think of right now!
Thanks for the serious and yet possibly fun topic!

Boiler, I just looked at your profile. You are 15 years old? Why are you commenting on topics that regard marriage? In all do respect, this is probably an area of immigration you should not comment on, b/c you have no idea what it is about. You are not of legal age.

You were asking about visiting and now seem to have moved on.

I have seen nothing t suggest that it is difficult going through Russia due to political reasons, Ukraine is hardly new.

Others can also no doubt comment.

Not sure what the ratio is for Russia, certainly get the impression most are male USC's. I do not know your full case, are you significantly older?

Not sure how to pick out a quote on this site, so sorry about quoting the entire message.

In regards to age, we are both in our 40s and I am 4 years older than he. Although, I don't see what that has to do with anything.

1. Nobody is guaranteed entry.

2. So? Even if it is true which I doubt.

#2 So? I feel like we are going to be judged poorly and I worry. Simple as that.

I've been told that they look at women who try to bring a foreign fiance over more harshly, that we are being taken advantage of. Could not be more wrong! He's never asked for anything and honestly, he has the better job.

I've been told that they US government looks at Russia, in a harsh light because of the sanctions and what's going on with the Ukraine, at the moment.

I don't make the poverty guidelines exactly, but I've been told by every lawyer under the sun, that they think I have enough with what is in my bank account and the fact that I own my home, no mortgage..but there's still a chance I might need a co sponsor b/c the new job doesn't pay high enough. There's a lot of discrepancy - which way to turn.

Yes, he has a visitor visa, good for 3 years. When he came here in the spring, he could have stayed until late November. Of course, he has a good job, which he doesn't want to lose, so he returned.

The lawyer I spoke with is Ukrainian and her husband is Russian. They are both immigration attorneys, living in Detroit, Michigan. They said, two things that worry me:
1.) If he does visit he could be denied or bared. Worse case scenarios They did say, there was a chance he could enter. However, they would air on the side of caution.

2.) They told me that as of right now, the US Embassy was looking at every one from Russia, in a harsh light.

Thank you both. Maybe it is better, just to wait.

I was denied entry twice before my visa was issued. It was, however, issued without incident.

But yes, it can be more troublesome depending on the circumstances of the crossing into the US. Nothing is a guarantee.

Good luck

Thank you.

One more question, if you don't mind or perhaps someone else will know. Did you only meet once and the CO was okay with this? We met once in the spring, for 5 weeks. There is no way for me to travel, until June.

Hello,
My fiance, was going to visit me for Christmas. We had complications with a lawyer, who is now terminated. I was looking for a new lawyer (undecided about that, after the last one), and in the process, one warned me about a visit during a pending K1 visa. She said, that there was a possibility, that they would send him right back home and a denial would be stamped in his passport. Even worse, if someone wanted to be a jerk, they could not only deny him, but bar him from the country for x number of years.

I can't make it to him, b/c of work and finances. My question is, has anyone heard of someone being denied and then later having trouble or even the worse case scenario?

Also, I don't have a passport. Will this be a problem for the CO, when it comes time for the interview?

Yes, the Moscow US Embassy accepts cosponsors, if they look a the financial stuff at all.

Why would the US Embassy not look at financial stuff? I thought that one had to provide the last three years tax statements, pay stubs, letter from employer, letters from the bank showing savings and any other assets you intend to use?

That brings me to yet another question. If my fiance, shows this and the Embassy is not happy, will they tell him then and there? If so, can he have something from the co sponsor to whip out and present? Can he schedule his interview for a time when he is on shore and am I allowed to be at the interview or is it best for me to stay away?

Lol ! You never know, with me!

I hope you don't mind my piggy backing on this post, but I worry about the same. I took care of family for 3 years; basically stopped working. I picked up a new job in February of 2015. I estimate my Gross income to be just under $17,000 for the year. I own a home appraised at $70,000, with no mortgage. I have in the bank $76,000, in savings. I ask various people, including attorneys when they give free advice, if I have enough and they say, I should. Call me paranoid, but I've asked a friend to co sponsor and he said he would. Now, I may use him and I may not, but he is a back up. Recently on a Facebook group, I heard co sponsors are not always accepted. Here I find they may be. My fiance is from Russia. We received our I-797 in the mail around 11/8/2015, so we are just beginning. Do you think I have enough to sponsor? I've kept my job, even though it doesn't pay well, b/c I am vested with the schools. This means I have secured health insurance at a group rate for he and I, when we retire. Since it was locked in as of last spring, I'm just waiting for my fiance to get here and then we will move on to a location where he can find work on an oil rig.

I'm also, a little afraid, because someone told me that the embassy views all applicants as a fraud case. What kind of questions will he be asked and will he be basically raked over the coals? So sorry for pessimistic views, but I love him and I try to look at the harsher side, to be better prepared.

MorganandMichael, please excuse my last post. That was a stupid response I gave you. I just looked at it again. It's fair to say, I'm overly stressed!

The poverty guideline, states $19,928 for a household of two. He has no children and neither do I. The job I picked up, was in February of last year. Prior to that, I worked for another company in January. The January job I grossed $1,000 and for the new job, I've grossed $13,125 year to date. Summers are off, and my fiance and I met and traveled this last summer. This was so we could fulfill the requirement of meeting one another. By the end of December, I hope to bring my gross earnings to $15 or $16, plus the other $1,000 from the previous employer.
How are you coming up with $25,000?

Hello, I met a gentleman from Russia and we've communicated for exactly one year. He came to see me in the spring of 2015 and stayed with me for 5 weeks. For three years, I took care of elderly parents, so my income was nothing. Since they passed away, I got a job working in the schools, but I'm going to fall short on the poverty guideline by about $5,000. I had planned on using my assets (house appraised at $70,000 and savings at $76,000), if needed I have a co sponsor. Thing is, I've just read that they do not have to accept a co sponsor for a K1 visa. Is this true and if so, how likely are they to deny? I'm terrified, I'm going to lose the best man I have ever met.

Minmenzel