Zoothie

My spouse is planning to enter the US on a CR-1 visa soon. When filling out documents at NVC stage, we checked the box to send the SS card automatically. Anybody recently went through this? How quickly did it arrive for you? Thanks!

The backlog went to 8-9 mos when they transferred Moscow load to Warsaw, which happened about Nov-Dec last year. All their IR/DV-visa applicants were in the limbo since May, when Moscow stopped issuing most visas, and all that backlog just went to Warsaw. DV/IR - all of them, with DQ dates from deep last year, and hence standing ahead of "normal" processing in the queue. But I can see the wait is back to normal now.

WOW. Warsaw clearly cleared their backlog. We waited for 8 months for our interview and I see the wait is back to 2 mos. Enjoy!

Use the embassy @Warsaw resources for the interview prep: https://pl.usembassy.gov/visas/family-based-immigration/ Where you need to register is TravelDocs. I cannot trouble shoot it for you, but they way I did it was to make sure the profile is geared all about the wife's data and then when I go "New Appliation" I see "Step 1" and 2 choices: Nonimmigrant Visa Immigrant Visa Oh, I forgot to mention. BRING A MASK!!! They only allow in if the person has a mask.

1. She must; everybody must - they will not let her in without it (We were there a month ago, wife's from Belarus, but plenty of Russians there as well). The only difference for non-Polish citizens is that the only choice is to get the passport picked up at Mailboxes. 2. Create the profile at the link and follow the steps. There will be an option for Mailboxes, it's in the center of Warsaw (more or less). 3. Yes, pick the "NVC scheduled appointment" option in the combo box, fill in the case #, passport, etc. You will get a QR code in the end with Name/date/passport details. Print, bring it. That's what they ask for at the door.

Why? Two reasons, of which one is that we believe vaccines work )) The second is that it made things much easier to travel at the time: 1. She got SputnikV and it made Turkey accessible without any hurdles. 2. She got Vero Cell because we were prepping for an interview and it opened the US. 3. Lastly she got Pfizer as we wanted to go to Paris and Turkey issues EU certificates. As to the “requirements”… 1. She did her medical in Minsk in October and they asked for a covid vaccination! In fact, they even required a flu shot! 2. You will find here a plurality of cases where what the rules say does not work! For example: a. Warsaw embassy web (and that of NVC) site says police certificates are valid for 2 years. Yet, just two months ago a couple went through hell while in Warsaw as they said anything beyond a year is invalid for RU certificates. b. Same couple also ran into a problem with their AS evidence, as the officer requested a tax transcript while the rules say the fax return + W2 is also enough! c. Warsaw web site says citizens of Belarus do not need to register to get their passport back (says it right now!). And yet, as I discovered on other forums it’s not so - no one will be allowed inside without the QR code! And I confirm that after our interview. Make sure you register! So…hard work never killed anyone, but why take the chance?! ))

I can confirm Turkey does it - my wife got it there (Pfizer), took 2 trips. It costs some money (like $30 per shot). I do not think they do J&J (they did not in the sprint for sure). One thing I would recommend is that at least Belarus has Sinopharm [Vero Cell], and it's WHO approved, and should be OK for the US entry requirement. It's 2 trips as well, but much easier/cheaper...