Wouter

Final update: my Russian wife had the interview on Monday, October 4th and all went well and we could pick up her passport with the CR1 visa at the embassy in Warsaw yesterday, October 5th. Most other applicants we talked to also got fairly short notice of their interview appointment, only about 20 days ahead of time, so like us everyone had to scramble to arrange their travel to Poland and to get the medical exam done.
Everyone with an interview that day got invited for the interview at 8:30 or 9:00 AM and then everyone was kept in the waiting area in the embassy until their turn. For my wife it took about 2.5 hours of waiting. (Very interesting: during the waiting the applicants all get pamphlets to read about human trafficking, protection against abuse from their spouse, and their rights in the US. I think this is really great that they actually inform and protect the immigrants and not just see them as a number that is approved or refused.)
The actual interview was very short, perhaps 2 minutes. Questions were:
- how did you meet your husband?
- where does he live?
- when was the last time you saw your husband in person?
- you have been to the US for studies? (She has had an F-1 visa in the past)
Before the interview at a check-in window they looked at the original birth certificate, marriage certificate, police report, sealed envelope with medical records, and they took in the passport photos. During the interview they did not look at any documents (so they didn't look at the original I-864 or any proof of the relationship we brought)
She was told she was approved right away at the end of the interview and that she could pick up her passport with the visa the next day at 12.
She was out at about noon so the whole thing took about 3 hours.
The next day it was very quick to pick up the passport with the visa. Interestingly: there is no sealed envelope (IV packet) with immigration documents anymore. Apparently, they have switched (since 2018) to an online system to collect, review, and process the required documents previously contained in the IV packet. So we did not get the famous 'sealed envelope' but her visa says at the bottom "IV Docs in CCD".
 

Final update: my Russian wife had the interview on Monday, October 4th and all went well and we could pick up her passport with the CR1 visa at the embassy in Warsaw yesterday, October 5th. Most other applicants we talked to also got fairly short notice of their interview appointment, only about 20 days ahead of time, so like us everyone had to scramble to arrange their travel to Poland and to get the medical exam done.
Everyone with an interview that day got invited for the interview at 8:30 or 9:00 AM and then everyone was kept in the waiting area in the embassy until their turn. For my wife it took about 2.5 hours of waiting. (Very interesting: during the waiting the applicants all get pamphlets to read about human trafficking, protection against abuse from their spouse, and their rights in the US. I think this is really great that they actually inform and protect the immigrants and not just see them as a number that is approved or refused.)
The actual interview was very short, perhaps 2 minutes. Questions were:
- how did you meet your husband?
- where does he live?
- when was the last time you saw your husband in person?
- you have been to the US for studies? (She has had an F-1 visa in the past)
Before the interview at a check-in window they looked at the original birth certificate, marriage certificate, police report, sealed envelope with medical records, and they took in the passport photos. During the interview they did not look at any documents (so they didn't look at the original I-864 or any proof of the relationship we brought)
She was told she was approved right away at the end of the interview and that she could pick up her passport with the visa the next day at 12.
She was out at about noon so the whole thing took about 3 hours.
The next day it was very quick to pick up the passport with the visa. Interestingly: there is no sealed envelope (IV packet) with immigration documents anymore. Apparently, they have switched (since 2018) to an online system to collect, review, and process the required documents previously contained in the IV packet. So we did not get the famous 'sealed envelope' but her visa says at the bottom "IV Docs in CCD".
 

Final update: my Russian wife had the interview on Monday, October 4th and all went well and we could pick up her passport with the CR1 visa at the embassy in Warsaw yesterday, October 5th. Most other applicants we talked to also got fairly short notice of their interview appointment, only about 20 days ahead of time, so like us everyone had to scramble to arrange their travel to Poland and to get the medical exam done.
Everyone with an interview that day got invited for the interview at 8:30 or 9:00 AM and then everyone was kept in the waiting area in the embassy until their turn. For my wife it took about 2.5 hours of waiting. (Very interesting: during the waiting the applicants all get pamphlets to read about human trafficking, protection against abuse from their spouse, and their rights in the US. I think this is really great that they actually inform and protect the immigrants and not just see them as a number that is approved or refused.)
The actual interview was very short, perhaps 2 minutes. Questions were:
- how did you meet your husband?
- where does he live?
- when was the last time you saw your husband in person?
- you have been to the US for studies? (She has had an F-1 visa in the past)
Before the interview at a check-in window they looked at the original birth certificate, marriage certificate, police report, sealed envelope with medical records, and they took in the passport photos. During the interview they did not look at any documents (so they didn't look at the original I-864 or any proof of the relationship we brought)
She was told she was approved right away at the end of the interview and that she could pick up her passport with the visa the next day at 12.
She was out at about noon so the whole thing took about 3 hours.
The next day it was very quick to pick up the passport with the visa. Interestingly: there is no sealed envelope (IV packet) with immigration documents anymore. Apparently, they have switched (since 2018) to an online system to collect, review, and process the required documents previously contained in the IV packet. So we did not get the famous 'sealed envelope' but her visa says at the bottom "IV Docs in CCD".
 

Final update: my Russian wife had the interview on Monday, October 4th and all went well and we could pick up her passport with the CR1 visa at the embassy in Warsaw yesterday, October 5th. Most other applicants we talked to also got fairly short notice of their interview appointment, only about 20 days ahead of time, so like us everyone had to scramble to arrange their travel to Poland and to get the medical exam done.
Everyone with an interview that day got invited for the interview at 8:30 or 9:00 AM and then everyone was kept in the waiting area in the embassy until their turn. For my wife it took about 2.5 hours of waiting. (Very interesting: during the waiting the applicants all get pamphlets to read about human trafficking, protection against abuse from their spouse, and their rights in the US. I think this is really great that they actually inform and protect the immigrants and not just see them as a number that is approved or refused.)
The actual interview was very short, perhaps 2 minutes. Questions were:
- how did you meet your husband?
- where does he live?
- when was the last time you saw your husband in person?
- you have been to the US for studies? (She has had an F-1 visa in the past)
Before the interview at a check-in window they looked at the original birth certificate, marriage certificate, police report, sealed envelope with medical records, and they took in the passport photos. During the interview they did not look at any documents (so they didn't look at the original I-864 or any proof of the relationship we brought)
She was told she was approved right away at the end of the interview and that she could pick up her passport with the visa the next day at 12.
She was out at about noon so the whole thing took about 3 hours.
The next day it was very quick to pick up the passport with the visa. Interestingly: there is no sealed envelope (IV packet) with immigration documents anymore. Apparently, they have switched (since 2018) to an online system to collect, review, and process the required documents previously contained in the IV packet. So we did not get the famous 'sealed envelope' but her visa says at the bottom "IV Docs in CCD".
 

Hello everyone, my Russian wife and I are currently in Poland preparing for the visa interview in Warsaw on Oct 4th and I thought it may be useful to hear some of our experiences so far.
We first travel to Zurich because my wife still has a multi-entry Schengen  visa from Switzerland from a previous trip. We arrived on 9/24.
On 9/25 she did a Covid Rapid Test in Zurich (my wife is not vaccinated)
On 9/26 we flew from Zurich to Warsaw. At the check-in they wanted to see my wife's negative covid test and the Schengen visa in her passport (even though this was a flight between two Schengen countries). Upon arrival in Warsaw there were border control officers standing in the corridor checking everyone's passport and negative covid test or vaccination record. There was no mention of a quarantine requirement.
The same day we flew to Krakow for the medical exam (there were no timely slots available for the medical exam in Warsaw).
On 9/27 my wife had appointments for blood test at 1 pm, x-ray at 2 pm, and to see the doctor at 7 pm. We showed up at the iMed24 medical center early at 11 am and it was no problem to do the blood test and x-ray earlier. We could pay for the tests by credit card. They only took one tube of blood sample and urine sample was no longer required (apparently this has changed) and then the x-ray. We were done by noon and were told to come back at 6:30 PM to collect a CD-ROM with the digital X-ray and wait for the doctor.
At 6:30 PM we picked up the CD-ROM and at about 7:00 the doctor could see my wife. It was a very simple exam which mostly involved answering questions.
My wife needed two vaccination shots: DTP and measles which were administered by the nurse right there.
We had to pay the doctor 300 polish zloty (cash only, no Euros or USD) and then pay for the vaccinations separately which could be done by credit card.
The nurse prepared all the medical documents right there for my wife and put them in a sealed envelope which we are to bring to the interview in Warsaw.
We also got to take the CD with the X-ray data with us.
I asked the doctor about the requirement for Covid vaccination after October 1st and he said that there were no updated instructions yet and since the medical exam was done in September he would sign off based on the current vaccination rules that do not require covid vaccination,  and that when it comes to the medical exam the decision of the doctor is final and that the consular officer does not have the authority to overrule or question that decision, so that this would not be a problem.
Now we are going to Warsaw and prepare for the interview next Monday, October 4th.
Some of my conclusions:
- entering Poland from another Schengen country is not a problem for a Russian if you have a Schengen visa and a recent negative Covid test. Be prepared to have your documents checked several times.
- doing the medical exam in Krakow is a hassle because of the traveling but it works and they are pretty efficient in getting it done. It is nice to get the envelope with the medical documents in a sealed envelope the same day so you can hand it over at the interview. Because of this, in hindsight, it was not necessary to have 7 days between the medical exam and the interview.
- if you do the medical exam in Krakow make sure to have 300 polish zloty in cash with you for the doctor.
 

Hi,
The transfer definitely doesn't go automatically.
You will have to email to US embassies that are likely to accept your request for a transfer. In theory any embassy can accept your request but in practice only certain embassies have been willing to take on Russian cases: Warsaw, Kazakhstan, Kiev, (anyone any other?); typically countries that have a connection with Russia and border on Russia.
For transfer to Warsaw or other EU countries the applicant has to have a Schengen visa.
I emailed US embassies in Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Czech Republic, but none were willing to take our case, only Warsaw approved the request.
Then next I wrote to the NVC through the Public Inquiry to tell them I wanted to transfer the case to Warsaw and included the approval email from the Warsaw embassy.
 
 

Hello everyone, my Russian wife and I are currently in Poland preparing for the visa interview in Warsaw on Oct 4th and I thought it may be useful to hear some of our experiences so far.
We first travel to Zurich because my wife still has a multi-entry Schengen  visa from Switzerland from a previous trip. We arrived on 9/24.
On 9/25 she did a Covid Rapid Test in Zurich (my wife is not vaccinated)
On 9/26 we flew from Zurich to Warsaw. At the check-in they wanted to see my wife's negative covid test and the Schengen visa in her passport (even though this was a flight between two Schengen countries). Upon arrival in Warsaw there were border control officers standing in the corridor checking everyone's passport and negative covid test or vaccination record. There was no mention of a quarantine requirement.
The same day we flew to Krakow for the medical exam (there were no timely slots available for the medical exam in Warsaw).
On 9/27 my wife had appointments for blood test at 1 pm, x-ray at 2 pm, and to see the doctor at 7 pm. We showed up at the iMed24 medical center early at 11 am and it was no problem to do the blood test and x-ray earlier. We could pay for the tests by credit card. They only took one tube of blood sample and urine sample was no longer required (apparently this has changed) and then the x-ray. We were done by noon and were told to come back at 6:30 PM to collect a CD-ROM with the digital X-ray and wait for the doctor.
At 6:30 PM we picked up the CD-ROM and at about 7:00 the doctor could see my wife. It was a very simple exam which mostly involved answering questions.
My wife needed two vaccination shots: DTP and measles which were administered by the nurse right there.
We had to pay the doctor 300 polish zloty (cash only, no Euros or USD) and then pay for the vaccinations separately which could be done by credit card.
The nurse prepared all the medical documents right there for my wife and put them in a sealed envelope which we are to bring to the interview in Warsaw.
We also got to take the CD with the X-ray data with us.
I asked the doctor about the requirement for Covid vaccination after October 1st and he said that there were no updated instructions yet and since the medical exam was done in September he would sign off based on the current vaccination rules that do not require covid vaccination,  and that when it comes to the medical exam the decision of the doctor is final and that the consular officer does not have the authority to overrule or question that decision, so that this would not be a problem.
Now we are going to Warsaw and prepare for the interview next Monday, October 4th.
Some of my conclusions:
- entering Poland from another Schengen country is not a problem for a Russian if you have a Schengen visa and a recent negative Covid test. Be prepared to have your documents checked several times.
- doing the medical exam in Krakow is a hassle because of the traveling but it works and they are pretty efficient in getting it done. It is nice to get the envelope with the medical documents in a sealed envelope the same day so you can hand it over at the interview. Because of this, in hindsight, it was not necessary to have 7 days between the medical exam and the interview.
- if you do the medical exam in Krakow make sure to have 300 polish zloty in cash with you for the doctor.
 

Hello everyone, my Russian wife and I are currently in Poland preparing for the visa interview in Warsaw on Oct 4th and I thought it may be useful to hear some of our experiences so far.
We first travel to Zurich because my wife still has a multi-entry Schengen  visa from Switzerland from a previous trip. We arrived on 9/24.
On 9/25 she did a Covid Rapid Test in Zurich (my wife is not vaccinated)
On 9/26 we flew from Zurich to Warsaw. At the check-in they wanted to see my wife's negative covid test and the Schengen visa in her passport (even though this was a flight between two Schengen countries). Upon arrival in Warsaw there were border control officers standing in the corridor checking everyone's passport and negative covid test or vaccination record. There was no mention of a quarantine requirement.
The same day we flew to Krakow for the medical exam (there were no timely slots available for the medical exam in Warsaw).
On 9/27 my wife had appointments for blood test at 1 pm, x-ray at 2 pm, and to see the doctor at 7 pm. We showed up at the iMed24 medical center early at 11 am and it was no problem to do the blood test and x-ray earlier. We could pay for the tests by credit card. They only took one tube of blood sample and urine sample was no longer required (apparently this has changed) and then the x-ray. We were done by noon and were told to come back at 6:30 PM to collect a CD-ROM with the digital X-ray and wait for the doctor.
At 6:30 PM we picked up the CD-ROM and at about 7:00 the doctor could see my wife. It was a very simple exam which mostly involved answering questions.
My wife needed two vaccination shots: DTP and measles which were administered by the nurse right there.
We had to pay the doctor 300 polish zloty (cash only, no Euros or USD) and then pay for the vaccinations separately which could be done by credit card.
The nurse prepared all the medical documents right there for my wife and put them in a sealed envelope which we are to bring to the interview in Warsaw.
We also got to take the CD with the X-ray data with us.
I asked the doctor about the requirement for Covid vaccination after October 1st and he said that there were no updated instructions yet and since the medical exam was done in September he would sign off based on the current vaccination rules that do not require covid vaccination,  and that when it comes to the medical exam the decision of the doctor is final and that the consular officer does not have the authority to overrule or question that decision, so that this would not be a problem.
Now we are going to Warsaw and prepare for the interview next Monday, October 4th.
Some of my conclusions:
- entering Poland from another Schengen country is not a problem for a Russian if you have a Schengen visa and a recent negative Covid test. Be prepared to have your documents checked several times.
- doing the medical exam in Krakow is a hassle because of the traveling but it works and they are pretty efficient in getting it done. It is nice to get the envelope with the medical documents in a sealed envelope the same day so you can hand it over at the interview. Because of this, in hindsight, it was not necessary to have 7 days between the medical exam and the interview.
- if you do the medical exam in Krakow make sure to have 300 polish zloty in cash with you for the doctor.
 

You can find the information under family based immigration--->the interview-->click drop down for required documents and click "this link" under medical examinations.

If you enter Poland directly from outside the EU, like Russia, you do indeed have to quarantine upon arrival which would be a problem. But if you arrive from another Schengen country to Poland you do not have to quarantine so that is how everyone does it. Most fly to Greece first and then through to Poland: no quarantine required.
You can also show a negative Covid test (no more than 48h old) instead of vaccination record for Poland. And you need a Schengen visa of course. 
 

I am reading that there is (yet another) government shutdown looming.
Hopefully Congress will act and it won't come to this, but if there is a shutdown on October 1st would it affect visa interviews at US Embassies/Consulates?
(My wife is having her CR1 visa interview on October 4th and the last thing we need is for her to be turned away because of this shutdown)
Since there have been shutdowns before in previous years I am wondering if there is any previous experience on this among the VisaJourneyers?
 
 

Thanks everyone for the comments. I actually went to the Post Office where I have the passport appointments and talked to the lady there who does the applications.
- First time passport applications for children after naturalization of parent HAS to be done in person. You can't do it through the mail. (That wasn't my plan anyway but just thought I'd mention it)
- Each application needs its own set of documents, and you do need to submit the original Naturalization Certificate of the parent. This original certificate will be sent away along will all the other papers and you will get it back through the mail later. (This is why I thought that I may have to apply for the two kids sequentially)
- HOWEVER, if you book the passport appointments for both kids together, back-to-back, then it is actually possible for them to put both applications in one envelope with only ONE original Naturalization Certificate and they include a note that one original applies to both applications. (You do need a full set of all other documents so two photocopies of the Naturalization Certificate need to be included.)
 
Let's see how it goes...
 
P.S. Their mother, my ex, will not come along so I also need two copies of the notarized DS-3053 form
 
 

I am having this exact same situation (my wife's medical is on 9/27 and her interview on 10/4).
To be honest, I think we all don't really know and are just guessing here.
So my guess is that the whole point of the medical exam is that a medical professional does the assessment and signs off on whether an applicant meets the criteria set by the US DoS/Embassy. While a Consular Officer has final decision making authority they are not qualified to make medical assessments (e.g. is this person immunocompromised and therefore not able to receive a specific vaccine?) So I expect that if the medical exam is before Oct 1st the doctor will apply the criteria for that day, which does not require Covid vaccination, and sign off on the form that will go the embassy, and the CO will simply see if the medical form has been signed off. I could be wrong, but I can't imagine a CO second-guessing or overruling a medical doctor, assigned by the embassy for this purpose, who gave his/her OK on the appropriate form and signed on it that the applicant meets the medical requirements.
 

Yes, another great point. The instructions do say you need a scheduled interview to be able to make a medical exam appointment but I heard from several people that in reality they do allow you to make the appointment without having an interview scheduled. Especially when you are DQ'd. (After all, they are getting paid for doing it and if you do it too early and the medical exam expires it is your problem and you have to go and pay again). So I would definitely call the IOM in Moscow and ask them if you can already make the appointment now, it's worth a try.
 

I just found out that for Russian applicants who have had their case transferred to Warsaw, since Sept 8th you can get the medical examination done in Moscow.
https://pl.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/medical-examination/ (details at the bottom of the page)
This means you can get your exam done in Moscow well ahead of your interview so you don't have to travel to Warsaw a week early anymore to have the medical exam there.
 

We transferred our case before we were DQ'd (you can request a transfer as soon as you have your MOS Case ID number). The transfer was in July, and our DQ was on August 5th.
 

I just found out that for Russian applicants who have had their case transferred to Warsaw, since Sept 8th you can get the medical examination done in Moscow.
https://pl.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/medical-examination/ (details at the bottom of the page)
This means you can get your exam done in Moscow well ahead of your interview so you don't have to travel to Warsaw a week early anymore to have the medical exam there.
 

Just got an email from the NVC that my wife's interview is scheduled in Warsaw on October 4th!
(DQ was on August 5th, CR1 visa)
(That is only 19 days from now so we will have to hurry, but I am not complaining)
Next challenge is to get an appointment for the medical exam before that date....
 
 

I just found out that for Russian applicants who have had their case transferred to Warsaw, since Sept 8th you can get the medical examination done in Moscow.
https://pl.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/medical-examination/ (details at the bottom of the page)
This means you can get your exam done in Moscow well ahead of your interview so you don't have to travel to Warsaw a week early anymore to have the medical exam there.
 

I just found out that for Russian applicants who have had their case transferred to Warsaw, since Sept 8th you can get the medical examination done in Moscow.
https://pl.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/medical-examination/ (details at the bottom of the page)
This means you can get your exam done in Moscow well ahead of your interview so you don't have to travel to Warsaw a week early anymore to have the medical exam there.
 

That is correct.  

*2-2-2022 (or after) to enter with the Immigrant Visa results in 10-year GC.
 
Before 2-2-2022 results in 2-year GC; see INA 216(h)(1) for section regarding conditional (2-year) GC:

If you enter the USA after the two year anniversary, you are supposed to be sent a 10 year GC from the USCIS but in some cases this is missed; if this happens you can file a free I-90 to replace the green card due to a USCIS / DHS error. 

Thanks everyone for the comments. I actually went to the Post Office where I have the passport appointments and talked to the lady there who does the applications.
- First time passport applications for children after naturalization of parent HAS to be done in person. You can't do it through the mail. (That wasn't my plan anyway but just thought I'd mention it)
- Each application needs its own set of documents, and you do need to submit the original Naturalization Certificate of the parent. This original certificate will be sent away along will all the other papers and you will get it back through the mail later. (This is why I thought that I may have to apply for the two kids sequentially)
- HOWEVER, if you book the passport appointments for both kids together, back-to-back, then it is actually possible for them to put both applications in one envelope with only ONE original Naturalization Certificate and they include a note that one original applies to both applications. (You do need a full set of all other documents so two photocopies of the Naturalization Certificate need to be included.)
 
Let's see how it goes...
 
P.S. Their mother, my ex, will not come along so I also need two copies of the notarized DS-3053 form
 
 

Come to think of it, they are actually not LPR anymore. They formally became USCs the moment I naturalized, so I guess the GC is not really needed anymore for anything other than the passport application.