tanderson64

Hi everyone.  Sorry I haven't posted on this thread sooner.  April filer, going crazy waiting.  Wishing everyone the quickest approval.

Do you mean NOA2 approval?

Yes the beneficiary must complete the interview by 8/18/17, but I believe you can file for an extension with the embassy.

I do not know if you can do the exam early so the results are ready for the interview.

Maybe call one of the clinics the embassy uses for the medical exams and talk to them and ask if you can do the TB test early.

But the test is not required for everyone.

No TB test is not required for everyone, it is up to the doctor doing the exam.

4 hours ago, Fallingstar12 said:

PLUS a very credible clear and informative employer letter

I don't understand what this means?  For the employment letter all you need is: company letterhead, date employment started, monthly and/or annual salary, whether the position is permanent or temporary, and signed by company representative.

I would not add too much to the letter.  They are just interested if you are employed and meet the income standards.

Yes that is correct, for I-129f only US petitioner needs to send in birth certificate.

It is best to have the documents translated and notarized by a professional.

There is no requirement to meet your fiance's family.  Only requirement is you have met in the last 2 years, and proof of ongoing relationship at the interview.  

My fiance is from Russia, and her family is in Norilsk, which is in Siberia.  This city is closed to foreigners and I can't visit them. 

Just submit the required documents and you will be fine.

You should be fine. But technically an annulment means you were not married. Worst case, you may need to submit a letter of explanation.

Submitting the G-325A with the new I-129F form is not required.  The G-325A information was added to the new I-129F form so now there is only one form to complete.

If you are in doubt, just submit the old I-129F with the G-325A (which you can still do), or submit the new form with the G-325A.

You can also call USCIS.

Good Luck

If you use the new I-129F form, you do not need to submit the G-325A.

I know the checklist still states to submit the G-325A, but USCIS has not updated the checklist yet.

20 hours ago, Jazzi said:

Question on the new form, asks parents' names.  For the mother's family name, would that still be her maiden name? 

"Item Numbers 27.a. - 36.b. Information About Your Parents. Provide each of your parents’ full names, dates of birth, places of birth, and current cities/town/villages and countries of residence."

Yes you use the mother's maiden name.

The new form includes the G-325A biographical information.  The idea is to have one form.  USCIS has not updated the website, but the intention is to not need the G-325A in the future and have everything on the new I-129F.  

They are still transitioning to the new form so give them some time to update everything.

What is good with new I-129F, is you don't need your beneficiary to sign the G-325A form, which can be a hassle for many of us where our fiance lives on the other side of the world!

If you've filled out the old forms, just send them in.  If you are just starting the process, then use the new form, and you don't need to fill out the G-325A.

If in doubt you can always call USCIS at the number in the instructions and ask.

12 hours ago, Michael and Ganna said:

I just entered the Russian military control area of Moldova. They asked why I was entering...To visit relatives. How to pronounce my name.

They put a sticky note in my passport to give OVIR....It was a temporary pass good for 10 hours. Once at my destination, my uncle made a few calls and we were off to OVIR a short walk away. He used his local papers and my passport to register me at his home.....Very easy.

About three days into my stay, the government visited my uncles house to do a "bed check" on me. No stamps were placed in my passport, it was all done on the sticky note, which the boarder guards collected when I left

That must have been an interesting trip.  You must have been a little nervous?

If you are going to major cities like Moscow or St. Pete's, you don't have to go through this.  No one ever asked me any questions.

When you apply for a visa to Russia for first time you will need a tourist letter for visit. I booked my hotel in Moscow for my stay, and they emailed me the paperwork for my visit.  When you apply for visa, get the 3 year visa, and after your first visit, you no longer need the letter.

Here is thread where I explain the process: 

BTW, when you enter Russia, getting through customs is easy.  They didn't ask me anything or check anything.  They will give you a piece of paper that you need to keep with you in your passport/visa.  And make sure you have your passport with you at all times.

Yes I agree.  This site is awesome. 

BTW, I see you are in Oregon area, me Camas, WA.

Congrats on the approval.

You had interview when I was in Moscow!

That is what I figured.  We will get everything translated.  Just submitted petition, so we have plenty of time.

Thanks for the feedback!

I am confused about translating standard documents for embassy interview.  The US Embassy website states that standard documents such as birth certificate, passport and police report do not need to be translated if they are in Russian of English.  

Reviewing interview follow-ups on this site, some folks have these documents translated, others did not.  If someone has done interview recently, did they request the translations, or did you get them translated just to be "safe"?

We will get these documents translated, I am just curious if this is really required, or just a precaution.  I also intend to contact the embassy and ask the question.

The Russian visa process is easy.  I booked the hotel, received the required letters from the hotel the next day via email. Filled out the visa application form found on the Russian consulate site http://seattle.mid.ru/web/seattle-en/visas (this is for consulate in Seattle, but form link on site is same for every where).  I used the ILS Visa center in Seattle to help with the application http://www.ils-usa.com . They have centers near the Russian consulate in the cities listed on the site.  I was fortunate that I live a couple of hours from Seattle - I went to the center, gave them the application, and the staff made corrections to the application with me (they have direct access to the database), I paid the fee and they said come back in a week to pick up your visa.

When the visa was ready, they sent me a text, I returned to the center and picked up my visa.  Review the visa carefully to make sure the information is correct.  I can read Russian (self-taught, and it does not take long to learn), so that is helpful, but the staff will go over it with you if you cannot.

They will recommend getting the 3 year visa, as does the Russian consulate.  With this visa, I can visit Russia when I want, and can stay for up to 6 months.  You don't need to re-apply for a new visa every time you visit, and if you plan on mutliple visits, it saves money.

It is only $30 dollars for the Visa center to process the visa, so use them.  If you don't live near one of the cities, you can do the visa by mail, but that will cost $85 to cover return shipping when you visa is ready.

They don't care about medical insurance.  US citizens are not required to have it.

I hope this helps.