bobb

I spoke with my attorney, and even he thought our 28 day turn-around was about the quickest he had seen. He did mention that sometimes they will stack up the attorney-filed applications and process them first, since they are pretty sure there won't be any surprises in the paperwork.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I'm sorry I just find this comment a little humorous after reading so many comments from this board on how their attorneys have been so inept. Even if that was true that should not be any basis for why they look at a newer application as opposed to older ones.

and the visa journey site just provide datas and dateline according to waht we, users, we give, in any case it can be taken into account by ,any US gov/ it's not bc visajourney make estimation that it has to be relevant or offers any guarantee for the delays. please don't mix carotts and bananas.

I understand all what you say but timelines here at VJ, I believe, are indicative of what one should expect. Yes, many drop out and don't update their timelines, but I don't feel there are enough of these cases to account for all the people still waiting. From my understanding they are supposed to go back to the warehouse and pull out your file, with no preconceived notions. If they find something in your file that warrants an RFE then they send one out. Then they go on to the next file until your RFE is returned. It's not rocket science.

I am really curious as to why CSC has approved so many people from Dec - Feb, with still many from Sept - Nov with no touches and no NOA2. It was my understanding they are supposed to go in order. I have nothing against anyone who has received their NOA2 who have filed later than me.

All these fast approvals are really throwing out of whack any reasonable estimate of approval dates when looking at a personal timeline. My latest shows:

Based on timeline data, your I129f may be adjudicated between February 11, 2009 and March 8, 2009*.

So, it is still less than the official 6 months estimate at the CSC processing timeline site. A suggestion in the personal timeline box says:

If this date range has passed or your application is past due per USCIS processing times then you should consider calling the USCIS to inquire on your petition.

OK, so if I was to call what do you say to the CALL CENTER employee who has no way to really give you any information. It is still within the 6 month guidelines for CSC processing times for K-1's. About the only thing I can think of is to write my congressman and ask him why so many people are getting approved who have filed after many others?

With everyone's timeline estimates of when the K-1 might be adjudicated being affected will this now encourage many people from Jan-Feb to call.

If you doubt what I say you can look at Igor's list to see how many from Sept - Nov are still waiting for NOA2 and even earlier.

If you have setup a timeline and you check it regularly you might have noticed the following:

Based on timeline data, your I129f may be adjudicated between March 22, 2009 and April 26, 2009*.

You might also be observant enough to notice the two dates are constantly changing. For instance a week ago, or maybe it was earlier this week when I last looked, the dates for this area of my timeline showed April 4, 2009 and May13, 2009. Today it shows what you see above.

Even this can be misleading because it is only based on reported timelines here at VJ. Although it is somewhat of a guide. I'm hopeful but I'm not going to hold my breath if I don't see it adjudicated by March 22nd.

Not everyone before January has received an NOA2. I filed in mid-November and am still waiting. When I check the Immigration Timelines and filings similar to mine it shows 9 of 11 have received their NOA2. Upon closer examination of the 'similar' list it shows some with NOA1 back in September and October.

I reconciled myself long ago to just be patient. Who knows why some receive a NOA2 quickly and others don't. I am as anxious as the next person to receive my NOA2. But, I have no control over when it will occur and do not wish to become upset with anything I have no control over. Patience is a very important quality to have in this endeavor. I probably could be expected to be more impatient than others as I am 60 and my fiance is 57. We won't have nearly as many years together as many of you. But, I wager we will have many, many wonderful years together with far fewer problems than some will experience.

Just my two cents worth.

If I understood your question correctly, on the DS-156, you would put her international passport number.

Item 14 asks for National Identification Number. I have always assumed this is a Russians domestic passport number. Well, unless someone who has specifically filled this out decides to answer I will just use all the numbers for each that I've been provided.

Domestic passport number looks like this: NN NN NNNNNN

Int'l passport: NN NNNNNNN

So, for the DS-156 are all 8 numbers applicable for domestic and all 9 for International?

Try this hotel. It has very reasonable rates.

Click Here!

I know the new I-134 does not even have a place for notarizing on the new form. But, a notary can always add their form saying you signed this in front of them.

I ask because at the USEM website Here! Item 12, at the bottom, still shows the I-134 needs to be notarized. Yes, I know it only says not required but may be requested. Has anyone actually had their fiancee use the new I-134 with no notary and have no problems?

Here is a good link to a webpage at the U.S. embassy website in Moscow. This page can also be selected to be viewed in Russian. I am in Izhevsk right now and have been going over this with my SO.

Click here!

It is interesting when you view the Russian Version. The numbered items at the bottom of this page do not match 1 for 1. For instance, Item 6 on English page is Item 7 or 8 on the Russian translated page. But it is all there in Russian, which makes it much easier for my SO to fully understand what will be required to bring to the interview.

There are frames on the left where you can select many other options for looking at other Visa item information.

I disagree with slim's assessment your work is basically done at this point. If you SO is like mine, with a limited knowledge of English, she will need help completing the DS 230, DS 156, etc.. Heck, even with a good knowledge of English I think she would need help to decipher some of the questions. It has been invaluable for me to be here and go over the forms with her. Warning - It can try your patience when attempting to find out information from your SO to fill out any forms. You may have to ask the same question a different way until she fully understands what is being asked. It has to do more with different cultural backgrounds than anything else I feel.

We have been going over the forms and I have been asking her questions, and re-asking the same question in a slightly different manner. I've written the answers down. We were able to print the forms at a friend of hers home, but her son does not have a printer with his computer at her house. When back home I will complete the DS 230 and send to her. I will also print out a copy of the DS 156 and fill in the information to send to her, so she can then fill this out online as required.

You do not have long to wait now!

If you check the November 08 filers thread here at VJ for CSC, there are three that have received their NOA2's in the past week.

Assuming your ex-wife is back in the Phils, you do file a copy of your annulment with your petition. If the first K-1 is two years ago or less, you also write a letter explaining the situation and request a waiver under IMBRA. Better make darned sure that you present plenty of evidence that this new relationship is very real and that it has not just come up in the last few months. I wonder what your past and future in-laws think about all this?

Uh...I think you have it confused. Doesn't IMBRA have to do with other issues. In the instructions the following addresses a previous K-1 being issued, but is not related to IMBRA. IMBRA refers to having meet through a marriage broker, and other issues that are not related to having filed before.

He will have to provide information but it is not because of IMBRA.

2. Filing Limitations on K Nonimmigrant Petitioners.

If you have filed two or more K-1 visa petitions at any time in the past or previously had a K-1 visa petition approved within two years prior to the filing of this petition, you must apply for a waiver. To request a waiver you must submit a written request with this petition accompanied by documentation of your claim to the waiver.

If you have committed a violent offense against a person or persons, USCIS may not grant such a waiver unless you can demonstrate that extraordinary circumstances exist. For details regarding those circumstances, see Item 7.B. of these instructions.

Those filing restrictions are part of IMBRA.

I really don't want to seem I am nitpicking. But in the Instructions:

Step 2. General requirements

1. Compliance with the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA)........

2. Filing Limitations on K Nonimmigrant Petitioners.....

I am curious as to how 'Under General' requirements you feel 2 is part of 1?

My initial response was to rebut a statement someone said he would need to comply with IMBRA issues because he had a previous K-1 approved in the past two years. Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but I don't feel this issue relates to IMBRA at all.

Assuming your ex-wife is back in the Phils, you do file a copy of your annulment with your petition. If the first K-1 is two years ago or less, you also write a letter explaining the situation and request a waiver under IMBRA. Better make darned sure that you present plenty of evidence that this new relationship is very real and that it has not just come up in the last few months. I wonder what your past and future in-laws think about all this?

Uh...I think you have it confused. Doesn't IMBRA have to do with other issues. In the instructions the following addresses a previous K-1 being issued, but is not related to IMBRA. IMBRA refers to having meet through a marriage broker, and other issues that are not related to having filed before.

He will have to provide information but it is not because of IMBRA.

2. Filing Limitations on K Nonimmigrant Petitioners.

If you have filed two or more K-1 visa petitions at any time in the past or previously had a K-1 visa petition approved within two years prior to the filing of this petition, you must apply for a waiver. To request a waiver you must submit a written request with this petition accompanied by documentation of your claim to the waiver.

If you have committed a violent offense against a person or persons, USCIS may not grant such a waiver unless you can demonstrate that extraordinary circumstances exist. For details regarding those circumstances, see Item 7.B. of these instructions.

I am curious if it is really accurate for the user Neva (Natalia + William) to have received NOA2. I am sure others have noticed the timeline. NOA1 - 11-06-08. 62 days to NOA2? If true, I am really curious as to how it could be so fast.

Click here!

I'm off to Izhevsk in mid-Janaury.

Back in 2007 I filed a K-1 and K-3. Three and 1/2 months later I wrote and had them withdrawn. So for question 10 do I put my current fiance first and my former wife 2nd, and say it was for 'Former' wife and not just wife?

Question 10 makes no sense. You could not have filed for a K1 and K3 for the same person at the same time. Please clarify.

Yes, you're right. Question 10 asks if you've previously filed a visa application for anyone. I filed a K-3 and the corresponding I-129F (not officially a K-1) for my wife. It's just so easy to associate the I-129F with a K-1 in one's mind, which is not always the case. I don't know why they say corresponding when each had its own fees. At least in Spring of 2007 they did. I think I read you don't get hit twice now.

how far did you get in the process

Like I said - "I withdrew the peititons 3 and 1/2 months after filing them." I had only received an NOA1

Back in 2007 I filed a K-1 and K-3. Three and 1/2 months later I wrote and had them withdrawn. So for question 10 do I put my current fiance first and my former wife 2nd, and say it was for 'Former' wife and not just wife?

I would suggest you consider waiting until Feb before looking for a flight. With the way gas prices are plummeting, and still not at bottom, flight costs aren't going to go up between now and then.

I'm going to fly from SFO to Moscow and back in mid-May. The lowest prices I've seen so far are 1320 from Lufthansa. I'm not even going to consider buying the ticket until February.

I've begun the wait also as you can see from my timeline. I'm all set up at USCIS to receive automatic emails.

I believe in being prepared. I received an email from my SO today. She is waiting for her processing of the renewal of her International passport. She says they are changing how they treat certain Russian letters translation into English:

I have found out, that in OVIR there is a new standard fillings of the passport. And names are written now in view of the new standard. Where there are such letters " Э, Ю, Я ".

Her name in Russian has Ю. With all translations provided with my K-1 application her name in English is Lju... If the ju changes when and with who will we need to make this change known, on the documents provided with the K-1? Would the divorce translation have to be done again? If she has had her birth certificate translated already, would this also need to be re-translated? Would a maiden name with the Ю, as is the case with her, also need to be re-translated? Some of these weren't even necessary to include with the K-1. My first thought is to wait until my visit in January and see what her new passport looks like. After my return I would then call the U.S. Embassy in Moscow for answers to my questions then. I say this because of some comments made on other posts having to do with errors in spelling of names.

Anyone have any concrete thoughts to add to my analysis, based on experience and not speculation? Maybe that's a little too harsh. Re-phrasing my question - Anyone have any thoughts based on experience or 'sound/intelligent' speculation?

I have a different take on this issue.

If one doesn't receive an RFE they are further ahead. If they do, have they really lost any time? Considering the time waiting for the form with original signature. If it's only going to take a few days to a week, maybe wait. If it takes longer why not send in without signature of beneficiary?

I'm not going to say I have it figured out...finally. I will just think this thought.

For the purposes of possibly helping someone in the future I will try to be as concise as possible...just remember I used the words try and possible if you slog through this entire post.

There was one additional doc I had not put up for you to view, but it is really irrelevant. On the back of the Udmurt Divorce decree is the Russian version.

After my last post I went to Wikipedia and did a search for Udmurt Language. Udmurt and Russian are co-official languages in the Udmurt Republic. The article says it has 5 more Cyrillic characters, but I could only count 4. They are Ӝ , Ӥ, Ӧ, and Ӵ. All Russian Cyrillic characters with the diaeresis added, like the Ӟ in both Russian and Udmurt. After reading the article and seeing how 'Welcome' is expressed in both languages it is obvious a Russian would not necessarily be able to read Udmurt. They showed a photo of an establishment in Izhevsk. I will have to search for this when I am there in January. Sure, they could probably guess at words as I'm sure many are very similar. From the Wiki article:

Based on the style, about 10 to 30 percent of the Udmurt lexicon are loanwords. Many loanwords are from the Tatar language, as well as phonetics, the syntax and so on. Words related to technology, science and politics have been borrowed from Russian.

A Russian's guess at some Udmurt words might even be as accurate as some of our guesses as we learn Russian.

Last night I called Yevgeniya to discuss with her, her conversation with Luba. Then I did what I should have done Wednesday evening after having received all documents. I sent an email back to Luba asking specifically what I had been sent and how they all related. Her response was waiting for me this morning. I even did one more thing last night while I was waiting for the response from Luba. I did a search at Google and came across a very interesting site. Not really applicable for us going through this process, but it addressed my question about the accuracy of there not being such a thing as a marriage certificate being available after a divorce in Russia. I was still hung up with the impression I needed an original Marriage Certificate and certified translation to submit the I-129F. I'll come back to this point after I finish my search result discussion.

This site answers questions about Divorce related issues with a Russian from a lawyer. If you are interested in seeing more specifics or if you know of anyone in the position of divorcing a Russian this might be a good link to investigate:

Click here!

Anyway, I clicked Ask Lawyer and asked if it was true there is no such thing as a Marriage Certificate being available after divorce in Russia. She confirmed this in an email to me shortly after I posted the question. What can be requested, which I was sent, is what she called certificate on change of maiden name, which my document title shows as Conclusion of Marriage Statement. I explained to her I thought I understand now what I had and thanked her. This morning I received another email from her asking me if I sent her scanned copies she could confirm my analysis. Why not? So I did this with a fuller explanation of what I felt I had.

Now, a new light bulb went off, I re-read Item 6 - C. of the instruction for Form I-129F:

If either you or the person you are filing for is using a name other than that shown on the relevant documents, you must give USCIS copies of the legal documents that made the change, such as a marriage certificate, adoption decree or court order.

Italics and bold added by me. For some reason, and I would guess others have done the same, I did not make this important distinction. She is not using this name currently. Just because here maiden name appears on the G-325a I felt this required the need for a Marriage Certificate or other document proving her maiden name. With my new 'enhanced' reading of instruction I don't feel this is necessary.

I have everything I need regarding this final item - The divorce decree in Udmurt with a notarization at bottom and the English translation. I suppose I 'could' include the maiden name change docs but I think it might be confusing to the USCIS Adjuticator trying to say something that is titled Dissolution of Marriage Certificate is actually just proving a maiden name, so why should I? Some say err on the side of caution. For this sole reason, instead of going down to the post office as soon as I finish this post and sending the petition off to the CSC, I'll wait until Monday.

From the beginning of the topic I've obviously been thinking a great deal. Some might say too much. I will add that some of my ideas on what to do next popped into my mind at 3:30am, or during work. I'll let you decide if I was successful in having a peaceful sleep after some of these 'revelations'! I don't want anyone to think these were light bulbs popping off in front of my eyes exactly when I needed.

I apologize for the length of this post. Oops...short break I need to call Luba - 12 hours difference... ... ... ... Let's see where was I...I think I'm done and I think I'll just be enjoying this very unseasonably warm weather here in Northern California the rest of the weekend. BTW the link to the documents is no longer active. I've removed them. Their purpose has expired and is not necessary any longer. I feel my explanations are enough for anyone in the future exploring this Topic.

Oh...one final comment for Mox's benefit. This was a comment Luba sent in her last email.

Robert, Thanks you for such warm and the remarkable letter. It has calmed me and has pleased to me. It has pleased, because you with such care and understanding have considered me.

Now I will very soon be joining all of the others in WAIT mode. Back to my studying of Russian and my daily emails and phone calls to Luba.

For some reason I completely missed that it was being translated from another language besides Russian, even though we were talking about

that exact thing...

I understand. I've done that myself.

Regarding the language issue...search the forum, plenty of others have run into difficulties too, and have found unique ways around them. The best online translator I've found so far (and it's not perfect) is translate.google.com. If she writes to you in Russian, you can usually copy/paste it into Google Translate and get a good idea of what she's saying. You can also write a letter to her, and then translate from English -> Russian. BUT! Translate it twice and massage it until it comes out right. I.e., Write the English version, translate to Russian, then translate the Russian output back into English, and see what got mangled. Fix until it comes out reasonably well. It still won't be perfect, she'll probably get a couple laughs, but at least she'll be able to read it. Also, get a Russian tutor. After you're married you'll be going back with some frequency. The more Russian you know, the more impressed your in-laws will be.

No problem with our emails. She has a friend who translates them, and she can even read English good. She just can't speak it well. The emails I receive are excellent and no problem reading. Just the common grammer errors. We used google translate when in St Petersburg. On the computer at apartment I set up two windows side by side. One for Russian --> English and vice versa. You have to really be aware not use any slang at all. It worked very good to get across any complex issues and questions.

Right now she has purchased a book with a couple CD's to supplement her limited knowledge. When I am there in January we will go to her Language Department at University and have them suggest a program for her to begin until she leaves Russia. I am also currently studying Russian. I have been slacking a bit lately because of preparation for the application. I did learn some very basic Russian a couple years ago...I have reached that level again in some areas, and exceeded in others. I know it will be a continual learning experience for me. I find myself answering Da a lot of time to people in general and at work. Before my trip in January I will really concentrating on family type conversations to learn. It's surprising I can understand more and more when she lapses into a sentence or two in Russian when we talk. There is a lot of Ya panimayu...panila?...chu chu...nyet...karasho, etc.

I don't know what it did when I edited the previous post but here is the link:

Click here!

This is common in Russia, actually. Yoshkar-Ola is in the Mari El Republic, where they speak Mari and Russian. Kazan is in Tatarstan, where they speak two different languages PLUS Russian. Etc. But the only translations that are necessary are from whatever the document was written in, to English. No intermediates.

Does Yoshkar-Ola use Mari in their documents?

Don't waste your time trying to get it notarized. And actually you'd probably have a difficult time finding a notary who would be willing to notarize it, unless they spoke the language.

My current confusion is with the requirement for filing the I-129F, which is different from what she will need to bring to the Embassy in Moscow for the interview. Filing does not require notarization. For the interview, if the original is in a language other than Russian, it must be notarized. I can't imagine why the difference but it is there. The only obstacle, and it may not be an obstacle, is finding someone locally, or elsewhere who can read Udmurt. Looking at the Udmurt version it appears there are only a few letters that are different from Russian - An M instead of a T, the use of the letter u and maybe a few other minor differences.

This is VERY common, don't worry about it. And don't push the issue with her. For some reason it tends to be a sensitive one. Maybe one of the wives/fiancee's can speak up and shed more light.

I'm not pushing her. I have just tried to explain it might be better for her to talk to a Russian who can help. someone who knows exactly what is needed. I have sent this person the documents I've been sent so they would be able to have an 'intelligent' discussion. This morning there wasn't an email waiting for me when I awoke. When I called her, as I do every morning and night, after my morning post, she mentioned she did talk with Yevgeniya. We might each both know 200 words in each others language. At least 200 words or maybe more you would use in normal conversations. I'm not talking about knowing how to say chair, or cat, or refrigerator in Russian. So you can imagine the difficulty of trying to convey our thoughts concerning this issue on the phone. I quickly learned how to say Don't send by courier yet. I did learn she did call Yevgeniya. I will have to wait for her email tomorrow but she also said Yevgeniya said the documents she has will work. If that is the case I don't know what order to put them in. Not one of these documents sent to me had any explanation of what is what. I think I've figured out what is what but have no idea about the two signed notarization docs. I will have to wait until this evening to call Yevgeniya to see what she can tell me. From her last email to me she might be on the train for Moscow by now.

If anyone would like to go the a link I provide below (I have erased the names) to review what I have, and can then confirm these would be adequate for filing I would appreciate it. Or maybe these will only be good for the interview and I will still need to find someone who can read them and then translate and certify the Udmurt divorce decree. I would further need to know in what order to assemble them. The divorce decree in Udmurt is converted to 8-bit grayscale to reduce file size. The acutal printing of these from inkjet is very good.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/bbrandt3/Documents#" target="_blank">

View Docs sent here!

</a>

When this is resolved it should help with the Marriage certificate docs I'm still waiting for.

Thanks Mox. I'm breathing fine and just looking down the road when we will laugh about this whole thing. She taught me an expression when we were in St Petersburg - Yalky - Palky!