C@m

What's the consensus here? Photocopy or certified copy? I'm guessing to be safe submitting a certified copy is the way to go? Any reason they would reject a certified copy but accept a photocopy?

Thank you! I had no issues going into and out of Russia. I flew from IST->SVO->VVO on Aeroflot about 3 weeks ago. Customs in Moscow was the smoothest, quickest immigration entry I've ever been through (was nearly as quick as Global Entry!). There was absolutely no line, walked right up the immigration officer and gave her my IST and VVO tickets. She said nothing to me and I said nothing to her (aside from "hello" in Russian). She had me sign the migration card and then gave me my copy to hold on to. Leaving Russia was (strangely) slightly more difficult than entering. The immigration officer spent a lot of time looking at my passport, looking at me, back at my passport, using some sort of ruler thing to examine my passport, etc. After a while she stamped my passport she asked (in Russian) whether I was going directly onward to the USA from IST. That said, I don't have much to offer for advice for going to Russia other than make sure you have FRESH, CLEAN $100 USD bills (the bank spent about 30 minutes examining ever bill and rejected on with the small staple holes in it). Also, I'd advise exchanging a small amount at the airport itself and the rest elsewhere (better rates). I had a long layover in SVO before my VVO flight and forgot to exchange cash and the terminal itself (once you're through security) has no money exchange facilities so I was unable to purchase and food/drink. My fiance finally helped by talking to someone at a cafe in the terminal and transferring them money via some phone number/account number (I guess it's like Venmo for Russia). When going to Warsaw, make sure your fiance has the appointment confirmation and ds160 confirmation page handy to provide to the immigration officer.

My fiancé had a Greek Shengen visa that she got about a year ago.

It went well. We went from SVO-IST-WAW. At immigration in Warsaw they asked what my fiancé was doing in Poland and asked to see proof of our interview at the US Embassy. No issues after showing the ds160 confirmation page to them.

Pretty concerning news indeed, not due to the “Poland may stop issuing visas to Russians” part, but because this may cause difficulties with Russians entering Poland with valid Shengen visas. My fiancé and I are planning to go there in 2 weeks for her interview. We just hope we won’t have issues getting in now. Unbelievably bad timing

No it does not.

Not required for passing the interviewing and receiving the visa; required to get on a plane to the US. Look into getting Pfizer in Istanbul or Warsaw

Oh that sucks, sounds like a lot has changed in the last couple months. You used to be able to schedule an interview without a case number.

Unfortunately the timeframe has ballooned. The soonest availability interview date is currently January 30th. I would snag it while you can. Yes, I'd say ~4 months from NOA2 -> ready for interview is accurate. You'll get your case number once NVC receives your case. For whatever reason (they probably mail them in batches) it takes about a month from NOA2 for NVC to actually receive the physical NOA2. Just keep calling NVC after about 3 weeks of NOA2 and see if they received it. They'll know what it arrives at their facility, then it'll take another week or two for intake and case number.

Assuming for K1. If so: Check out similar timelines here: https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list.php?cfl=0&op1=5&op2=d&op3=1&op4=2&op5=5,6,8,10,11,13,14,15,16,17,18,20,21,22,25,26,27,28,108,110,111,208,210,211&op6=All&op66=All&op7=Russia&dfile=No&adv=0 Check out my timeline. For us the wait from NOA2->Warsaw was about 1.5 months. Another 2 months after that before the "instructions for interview" came (you're only eligible for your appointment when this comes)

The doctor in Warsaw didn’t care whether we had an interview scheduled or not. They asked for NVC number though. So, you can feel free to get the medical done anytime, but remember that the validity of the k1 visa is bounded by the validity of the medical exam (6 months). Also, I’ve heard that if you show up for your interview without having received the interview instructions email from the embassy, they will cancel your appointment.

Yeah, this is just US Travel Docs stating they've changed your location based on your request. They'll change it to whatever you ask them to change it to, but it doesn't mean that the Embassy in Kazakhstan will accept your k1 case.

Just to confirm: You received an email from the US Embassy in Nur-Sultan stating that they approved your request to transfer your K1 case from Warsaw to Nur-Sultan? Changing locations in ustraveldocs does not necessarily imply the former, and we haven't really heard of many success stories of people's k1 transfer requests being accepted in Kazakhstan so I'm just confirming. If that's the case, that's great news for you! What reasoning did you provide them to transfer your case?

Try: https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/?country=Poland&language=English

This is actually incorrect. Warsaw is a self-scheduling embassy when it comes to k1s. You’re free to schedule an appointment as soon as you pay the MRV fee. That said, you’re supposed to wait until the embassy tells you to schedule the appointment.