ramzis51

I am overjoyed, Sasha had her interview in Kyiv today and was approved for her Visa!!!! :dance: :dance:

So, in the interest of science, here is how it happened.

She arrived at the embassy about 45 minutes early and waited outside with everyone else. Once she was let in a lady in the processing window took her paper work and asked her:

"What does he do?"

Sasha said "He's a Technical Trainer"

"How did you meet?"

Sasha said "In Nags Head last July"

She was asked to be seated and the head interview person asked her to come in.

Sasha "Hi!"

Head interview person "Oh thank god, you speak english"

Sasha "Yes, yes I do"

Head interview person "Well, congratulations"

Sasha "No questions?"

Head interview person "No, everything is in order. You'll get your Visa in a week. Oh, you went to school in downtown, any good places to eat down there?"

Sasha "Yes, quite a few......"

Head interview person "Great! thank you"

That was that. I mean really, that was it, nothing more, she walked out got her information processed, paid the FedEx man and she'll be here in a week.

So on that note. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Sounds like the wonderful ending to the fairy tale we are all dreaming about!!! Congratulations

Take a look at this thread to try to track your DHL package. It's not foolproof, but it might help. Let us know how it goes!

Thanks, Mox. I have that information. There are 3 packages. One shipped on 12/18, one shipped 12/21 and one shipped 12/28. All signed for at the embassy. It's got to be in one of them.

I've been told by NVC and DOS that our documents were definitely shipped dhl on 12/21. NOBODY could give me a dhl tracking #. As of yesterday, the embassy emailed me saying they have not received them yet. I'm hoping that really means they just haven't been through the backlog of mail since the Christmas and New Year holidays. Any suggestions from anyone?

I've been told by NVC and DOS that our documents were definitely shipped dhl on 12/21. NOBODY could give me a dhl tracking #. As of yesterday, the embassy emailed me saying they have not received them yet. I'm hoping that really means they just haven't been through the backlog of mail since the Christmas and New Year holidays. Any suggestions from anyone?

Hello May filers! Just want to update myself here. Had my interview today at 9:00pm. I was stressed during my interview loads of questions being asked, consul was not really that "great" yet I ws approved! I am glad I made it afterall the grilling they made on me.

Good luck to the rest of us!!!

Congratulations!!!

It is wonderful to be finally hearing all of this great news after "our" long wait. Our case is at the Embassy in Moscow (it was closed for a whole week for new year's celebration), but hopefully we will learn our interview date very soon now, always the patient one, Alane & Ramzis

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year!

I'm frustrated with how slow this next step is going. We received our NOA2 approval from California (CSC) on December 3rd. and as of January 7th we are still waiting for it to arrive at the NVC. Anyone with a similar experience? At what point do we wonder if it's lost somewhere? I guess CSC is slow with these things compared to other service centers, but this is really delaying. grr.

Any ideas?

Janny

From my horrifying experience with CSC, I URGE you to call them everyday! I finally had to call a supervisor after I had been told that our documents had gone to the NVC only to learn they had been sitting under someone's coffee cup as CSC for 1 MONTH!!!! When the supervisor got it it was DHL'd that day! My motto is "if it's to be, it's up to me" With what little control we have during this process----you have to take charge of it everyday, because no one else cares. Don't let them bully you by telling you that you are calling too much. It is your right to call as much as you want.

avoid making the return trip to his city. Just like to know, thanks again for the good report

It is possible to pick up the visa directly from the DHL office in Moscow on the 2nd or 3rd day after the interview. When you pay for DHL just tell them you want to pick it up in the city office and they'll list their address as the delivery point. They should call you when it's ready, usually takes a couple days (3 days standard), and you can pick it up and leave right then.

Thanks, Slim----this is just the information I was hoping for!

Well we did it! Got back 8/31. Married 10/26. Sending her AOS papers next week. I took a break from the whole visajourney thing. Needed a break from all the forms, worrying, the whole visa process, everything. etc.!! I'll give a brief summary of our experience. Hope it relieves some nerves for the people in the process. I'll start from the NOA2 approval.

All in all so far, everything went as smooth as possible.

- I found out 5/22 that we got approved. I was leaving May 31 to Aug 31 to stay with her and hopefully we would come home together.

- Around 6/10 I found out by calling the NVC that our interview was 8/22. The Embassy website does not update every weeek like it claims. Call the visa center and they will tell you the interview date. As for Russia, apparently the NVC sets the interview date not the Embassy. I dont know about other countries. I knew the date before the embassy site was updated.

- For me, this 3 week gap of not knowing the interview date was the most trying. Looking at other timelines it looked like on average it took about 3 months from NOA2 to the interview. I had to leave Aug 31 regardless, so everyday was crucial. I had already changed my tickets from 5/14 to 8/14 hoping the extra 17 days was going to be just enough time to squeak in the interview in and allow a week for her to get her passport back. In addition, the seats on the return flight were filling fast so we took a gamble and bought her ticket before knowing the interview date. Needless to say, I was elated to find out the interview was Aug 22 (hmm, exactly 3 months, kind of spooky!). I was a litte nervous about only having 8 days to receive her passport. I believe DHL delivered her passport on Tuesday the 28th. We left friday.

For us the medical went smoother than I ever could of hoped.

- We went to the IOM in Moscow. We made our appointment and arrived an 1/2 hour before they opened. They let all the people with appointments in first. We got our documents then went to another location for the medical. Both sites were close to the Metro, not too far apart, very convienent. At the clininc she did 3 exams in 3 rooms. she got 3 vaccinations. It was all over in a little over an hour. I've read on other posts about girls getting naked or rude behvavior by the doctors. This was not the case at all for us, she was in a gown(had her underwear on) for 1 exam. A nurse was present the whole time, every thing was very professional. No problems at all.

- After the exams were complete we were told we could pick up the results at the 1st building at 3-30pm(same day, very convienent). We did. we were done in 15 minutes. The lady said all the results were good. We recieved a sealed envelope and her xrays. As you probably know, dont open the enevlope. You dont need to bring the xray with you to the interview. In addition you get the vaccine document, I dont know the form # off hand, but you will definitely need it along with the xray in the states.

The interiew: Piece of cake!!!!!!

- I went with her to the embassy. For all that think being there at the embassy will help. It wont. At least in my case. I sat outside for about 3.5 hours. They a different entrance for U.S. citizens on the end of the embassy.

- She was the last one in the embassy of 19 . She was 12th in line for the interview. The interview lasted about 4 minutes.

Heres the exact questions (in order) they asked. I'll give her answers

" How did you meet?" ---- "internet"

" How many times has your fiance been to Russia?" -----"3"

" Does your fiance know Russia?"---- "No" " Do you know english?"------ " Yes, a little"

" Were you married before? ----"Yes" "Your fiance?" ----"No"

" What kind of job do want in the USA?" ----"Teacher or translator"

" Do you have some pictures" ------" Yes"

She said the consulate was very nice. After she said "yes" to speaking english the consulate starting speaking english. My wife said he was extremely pleased she knew english and at this point immediately started stamping documents and told her "you will have your visa/passport in 1 week" "congradulations".

As a side note, I had about 80 pictures in a little mini-album. Of those 80, maybe 10 or 12 were of us together, the rest were of her mom, grandma, cats, summer house, etc. . She just brought the whole album instead of picking out pics of us only. I thought this was more natural. The consulate looked at everyone, asked questions, he even showed another consulate the pics of her cat. This took up about 3 of the 4 minutes of the interview. So my point is: bring lots of pics, it kills time and is more convincing as well as I think they liked the wide range of pics that a normal photo album would have.

So basically the interview was 4 to 5 minutes, 3 to 4 were looking at pictures and 1 minute was asking 9 questions. Piece of cake!!!!!

POE:

POE was JFK. It took about 45 minutes!! No hassles, no problems!!! Thay said, "congrads!, you have 90 days to marry"

We married Oct 26. We will send AOS docs out next week. !!!

I hope this helps someone!!! If someone as a questions let me know!! I feel like a weathered pro now!!!1 I am sooooooooooooooooo happy this part is over!!!!! Good luck all!!!!

Awesome report----thanks---Question: Is there any option to wait a day or two in Moscow and get the visa sooner? My fiance lives about 600 mi. from Moscow and we want him to get his visa ASAP to avoid making the return trip to his city. Just like to know, thanks again for the good report

Waiting, waiting........ Alane & Ramzis

YAY I called the NVC today and our papers were sent to the consulate in Sweden on the 28th!!!!!!!! The consulate does not have the papers yet, but they FINALLY after 6 weeks got SENT! YAY! Great news to end the year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!!!!!

Praise God!!!

Well, the US Embassy in Moscow is closed this entire week until Jan. 8 for the New Year holiday.........waiting patiently, Alane & Ramzis

Sasha'a interview date is set for Feb.22!! We're very excited. And finally...after several years we have a definite date to look forward to. The light is getting brighter! And with that......Merry Christmas everyone, and good luck!!

Jason: congrats!!! I learned our documents were received at the embassy on Dec. 21. I am still praying for a Feb. interview. How did you find out Feb. 22? It looks like on the interview schedule they have them listed only through the 20th? The patient one, Alane & Ramzis (I'm sure your pretty busy right now!!!) Have a great visit in Moscow.

Interviewed at US embassy in Moscow today. Visa approved!

She said the man was very kind and only asked a few questions about herself and me and then wished her good luck in America.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to my fellow May filers and I hope all those still stuck in some bureaucratic backwater will be processed out soon.

Hi Jlogajan: It appears you got your interview pretty quick after the embassy received your documents. We are still hoping for a Feb. interview. I'm so happy for you-----anything else you can share I would love to hear about the interview. The patient one, Alane & Ramzis

The patient one is checking in at VJ. Since my frustrations of two weeks ago things have picked up speed. After crying and finally getting a supervisor on our case at CSC, our documents arrived at NVC on 12/17/07 left NVC on 12/18/07 and arrived at the Moscow Embassy this morning 12/21/07!!! I couldn't be happier. I know I had the best night sleep last night that I have had in months.

:dance: :dance:

APPROVED!!!

:dance: :dance:

Great news

VISA APPROVED!!!!!!!!!

What a blessing!!!! I wish you both the best!!!

The ever patient one is now back among the living on Visa Journey. I have a DHL tracking number that CONFIRMS that our packet arrived at NVC this morning (Dec. 17)!!! At last the horror of USCIS is over!!!!

Hopefully our documents will be on their way to Moscow very shortly!!! I am hoping (optimistically) that Ramzis can be here yet in February!!! The patient one, Alane & Ramzis

I called NVC this evening and got an automated service. I entered my receipt no. when asked and it said there is no records of that receipt no. What the heck is going on? Should I be really worried now? It's been over 30 days. Has anyone experience the same problem? I have noticed people got approved 2 weeks after I did and they got the interview date already? ####### with that?

Well-----let me tell you about my week! I was PROMISED by CSC that our petition was going out to NVC no later than Nov. 30 (approval date Nov. 6). I called CSC yesterday (Dec. 13) AND IT IS STILL IN CALIFORNIA!!!!. (Dejavu U2rsobad).....I had a melt down, began to cry and insisted on speaking with a supervisor. I finally got one and they are tracking our petition down and will DHL it to NVC today or Monday. I had called CSC again on Dec. 6 and was assured the package had been mailed to NVC. Like you, I have been calling NVC since about Dec. 2 and I was getting a little panicky about where our documents were. The supervisor said she will call me Monday (Dec. 17) with the DHL tracking number. MY ADVICE TO EVERYBODY IS TO KEEP CALLING DAILY WHEREEVER YOU ARE IN THIS SILLY SYSTEM!!!! Prayerfully our petition will be at NVC this coming week. Anybody who would pray for the patient one, I will really appreciate it,,,, thanks, Alane & Ramzis

Hi everyone Couldn´t decide in which thread to put the info first cuz people wanna hear about it at different threads so I decided to write this and then tell them about it

So I gathered all the needed stuff and i had a 5kg backpack with me and a 5kg bag that contained such a huge scrapbook lol. (10kg = 22lbs )

Got to the Embassy half an hour earlier than I was supposed to. There was noone else waiting there though so they started doing me. The prescreener lady took all the necessary documents from me. The ones they mentioned in Packet 3 - 2x DS-156, OF-156K, medical, my intent to marry, payment receipt, copy of my birth certificate, criminal records and I-134. I think that´s about it. She didn´t ask for all the 10kg lol And I went to sit down and was sitting there alone for like 20-30mins while they were checking it I guess. Then the Conzul called me. She asked if I spoke English and took my fingerprints. Then started asking about how we met, how or where we met in person, asked about when different things happened, asked about Scott´s job, asked questions about co-sponsor, how many times I visited him in USA and for how long and what I did there, etc. She always asked some additional questions cuz she was interested in more details. She was very nice and then she said we get the visa but I should come back for it the following day so they can print it out. So I said thank you and left

I think the interview itself took about another 20 mins or so cuz I spent an hour at the Embassy.

She didn´t wanna see any of the evidence or anything else I had with me. But better take 10kg with me and be safe than sorry

So today I went back to pick up the secret brown (yellow) envelope that I can´t open and the passport. They told me the K1 visa was valid for 6 months and it´s for 1 entry and we have to get married within 3 months.

Also got a small surprise lol. Well at least it was a surprise for me cuz I haven´t heard of it here on vj before so I dunno if it´s normal. But they cancelled my tourist visa lol. Placed a stamp over it. On one hand it makes sense cuz when you have K1 you are expected to go there and use it and get married, but then on the other hand the K1 IS valid for 6 months so if someone has some other plans and is planning to get married later than sooner and still wants to visit their SO before going to stay for good then they can´t. Or is it just me or is that a standard procedure?

Anyways We are very happy that we got it and also cuz we don´t have to postpone our wedding date so things are looking good right now

Thanks to everyone who has been supportive and good luck to all of you

Congratulations bolwhoi xorowho!!!!! The patient ones, Alane & Ramzis

Hey everybody, we finally received our interview date. It will be on January 14th. I will leave for Thailand on January 6th. I cannot believe this part of this crazy process is almost over. Good luck everybody.

Afterforever: I am so happy for you. The patient ones still seem to be in limbo land somewhere between NVC and the embassy. We are not in NVC's system yet. I'm calling everyday. Wow----a January interview----what a glorious gift! alane & Ramzis

approved! got the email five minutes ago

and the password is 'cheesemonger'; no wonder none of us could get it

Congratulations----you are on your way!!!!

I Just wanted to take a minute and thank everybody for their prayers when Leidy was going through her tough ordeal in the hospital...Its not like i wasnt worried when it was happening but today for some reason it hit me like a ton of bricks to realize how close i came to losing her...I love her very much and all your prayers mean the world to me.

THANK YOU!!!

Keep the faith buddy----you have friends at VJ --- the always patient Alane & Ramzis

I'm doing ok, Byron! Been thinking of you guys a lot hoping Leidy is feeling better. We have our interview Friday at 1PM Dublin time, 5AM my time. and yes, I am mildly freaking out I will keep you posted.

Thinking of you guys and mildly freaking out about our interview

Annette

Annette---Your May filer thread buddies are all praying for you this week for a successful interview---the patient ones, Alane & Ramzis

Just received an email from the USCIS that my fiancee and I received our NOA 2 today and that the letter has been mailed to my address!!! I had been so worried, but now the ball is rolling!!!

I couldn't help but share the good news!!! Of course we still have the rest of the process to go through...but that's ok!

it makes me smile BIG to hear everyone's happy news today!!! The patient ones, Alane & Ramzis

APPROVED!!!!!!!!!

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

The last processing action taken on your case

Receipt Number: EACxxxxxxxxx

Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On November 29, 2007, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.

I just cannot believe it has finally happened!! I arrived at work to find this unexpected gift in my email! I am shaking and crying and am just soo soo happy!!! Its hard to express how happy I feel! :joy:

Thanks to all my buds on VJ who have been supporting me throughout the wait!

The best!!!!!

If you read carefuly the documentation that an employer needs to see to verify employment authorization in form I-9 instructions it says.

Per form I-9 used by employers.

LIST A Documents that Establish Both Identity and Employment Eligibility

5. An unexpired foreign passport with an unexpired Arrival-Departure Record, Form I-94, bearing the same name as the passport and containing an endorsement of the alien's nonimmigrant status, if that status authorizes the alien to work for the employer

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf

The employer needs to know that K-1 is work authorized for the 90 days of the I-94, after that EAD card or green-card is required to work.

This has come up recently:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=97730&hl=

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=96923&hl=

He already has a SS# and he has a job waiting for him here at the university.

I here conflicting reports: 1) you have to ASK for a work permit at JFK or 2) your k-1 authorizes you to work for 90 days. The information is very confusing --- HELP, thanks,