BlakeandOlha

they do respond to e-mails but the turn time is 2-3 days

Thanks...I'll remember to keep breathing.

I just read the thread, and wanted to see if you had any success with the embassy. If they continue to turn you down, I wonder in congressional help would be in order. I believe that Congressmen and Senators can have a great deal of influence in State Department discretionary matters.

Thanks for your suggestion. It's not so much that the embassy declines at this point, it is the fact that they DO NOT RESPOND TO E-MAILS (at least not yet). Arrrrgh!

Kiev is 8 hours ahead of where I live and I was up to 2:00am trying to get through the embassy switchboard. Their recording says to call the same number I had just called. Kiev appears to be stuck in a loop.

I did receive a auto reply generated by the embassy indicating that they had received my e-mail and suggested that I call a number, which they do not answer. I thought I was going to be done with the embassy in Kiev 6 mos ago........

Hi! I went through the same situation. My visa expired and I wasn`t able to use it.

I wrote to the embassy explaining why I wasn`t able to use it and they sent me a letter on what to do.

I surrendered my visa and visa packet to the embassy in person and they scheduled me for another medical and interview.

I was issued another visa good for six months again.

Did they require the whole documentary evidence thing again? I've discovered Skype, which has been saving me tons of money over the last 5 months, but it doesn't leave a very good trail (like a phone bill does). There are of course hundreds of e-mails and the like. Presents, and my visits. Neither of us expected this to happen and we're both pretty freaked out about it. My fiancee is ready to head off to Kiev tomorrow night on the train with letters from doctors and transcripts from the school, but if it is as simple as scheduling a new interview and taking the medical again, then we can take a deep breath.

But I don't dare breath too deeply until my fiancee or I talk to someone at the embassy beyond the scheduling worker.

So how long was it from when your visa expired until they scheduled another interview and medical?

Just as a side note,

Thank you all for your quick response and constructive comments. I appreciate this very much!

They only asked me to prepare documents that had already expired since my last interview like NBI clearance and medical report. Though I also prepared some evidences of continuous relationship but they didn`t ask for it in my case.

My visa expired August 29, 2008 but I didn`t know then it was possible to renew it. I lost hope and was thinking that maybe we should refile, but I still tried to send email, fax a letter and even snail mail on Nov. 24 to the US embassy here in manila. I was happy they answered. Then I was scheduled for interview last Jan. 28 only. Just had to pay the same fees I paid before.

I've sent the e-mail off the the consulate in Kiev and will contact them directly tomorrow morning in Kiev (looks like a late night))) I understand completely that renewal is at the discretion of the consular officials, and that circumstances and attitudes will be different from embassy to embassy. But this is the best play I have at the moment, since other options are falling away quickly.

Yes, and when you do, simply explain the issue and request instructions for extending the validity or reissuing the visa. I would use email rather than fax.

Very good, I am doing this now. Thanks.

Hi! I went through the same situation. My visa expired and I wasn`t able to use it.

I wrote to the embassy explaining why I wasn`t able to use it and they sent me a letter on what to do.

I surrendered my visa and visa packet to the embassy in person and they scheduled me for another medical and interview.

I was issued another visa good for six months again.

Did they require the whole documentary evidence thing again? I've discovered Skype, which has been saving me tons of money over the last 5 months, but it doesn't leave a very good trail (like a phone bill does). There are of course hundreds of e-mails and the like. Presents, and my visits. Neither of us expected this to happen and we're both pretty freaked out about it. My fiancee is ready to head off to Kiev tomorrow night on the train with letters from doctors and transcripts from the school, but if it is as simple as scheduling a new interview and taking the medical again, then we can take a deep breath.

But I don't dare breath too deeply until my fiancee or I talk to someone at the embassy beyond the scheduling worker.

So how long was it from when your visa expired until they scheduled another interview and medical?

Just as a side note,

Thank you all for your quick response and constructive comments. I appreciate this very much!

In Colombia they have to go in person but contact the US embassy to see what they recommend.

Diana

Thanks.

The problem we're having is getting past the gatekeepers at the Kiev embassy. It is required to buy a PIN number which allows you to call the embassy staff. My fiancee spoke to a Ukrainian woman who seemed to delight in saying no. Must be having a bad day. We'll try to get past this person to talk to a consular official. Perhaps they might be able to give better direction.

So would she have to physically go to the embassy (which is a 12 hour train ride) or can she accomplish this through express mail?

Thanks for the advice.

Here's the situation in a nutshell.

My fiancee's visa was approved in Mid September in Kiev. For a number of reasons we decided that she should finish her graduate school courses for the fall semester and take her January examinations before she flew over to the US to marry. Unfortunately in January a number of unanticipated events took place, not the least among them was the sudden and serious illness suffered by her father, who she has been nursing back to health.

I do not want my fiancee to abandon her ailing father to come to me because of the 6 month lifespan on the k-1 visa and k-2 for her son. This would start our marriage in a great deal of stress and unhappiness. I had read here before that the process to extend the visa is a relatively simple one, and that at the discretion of the consulate, of course, they may extend the visa validity for a number of additional months (I've read 3, 4, and 6 months).

At the same time I've seen some posts from long time writers who are knowledgeable that the consulate will not extend the visa validity period.

We plan on marrying immediately after her arrival, I am just trying to get her to me with a clear concience.

Please help!!!!! The clock is ticking and on her first call to the embassy she was just told "No" the visa period cannot be extended under any circumstance. Thanks.

Thank you all for your congratulations! And no Blake, I won't be dancing while driving! I still don't feel confident enough to be driving here at winter time, so I am only taking the wheels when the roads are dry, with no snow!!

By the way, it is getting freaking cold here in Minnesota!!

Oh Lucie! I am so sorry to see that you didn't receive you EAD card!! It is not fair seeing you filed before me, and still you are waiting for the most important paper!!

I am hoping that your info pass is going to move things along!!

They sais it should take 2 to 3 weeks to receive my DL!

Thanks for the good wishes Pam!

Indeed I heard that Minnesota winters were quite harsh! How do you go to work since you don't like driving in the winter? Do you carpool?

I'm lucky I'm in Colorado but it's always sunny and dry here in Fort Collins. We have the montains on the west side that blocks everything. Fort COllins is the most sunniest city in the US! even in front of Phoenix, Arizona! Yeah ayy! (but not the hottest place though, hehe)

Minnesota is supposed to get a -47 windchill today (yikes) I agree with the comments about Colorado. I lived in Boulder (actually sunnier than Ft. Collins ) for almost 20 years and the sun is so warm it can be below freezing and you feel comfortable in a t-shirt. Also, the snow doesn't really melt there as much as evaporate. I'm in Chicago now and it's below zero...... perhaps a move back to Colorado is called for.

Hi guys!

I passed my driving test yesterday.....and successfully passed!!!!

Congratulations Pam! Just don't dance while driving.....

Thank you for e-mailing Blake, Cecile!

I am always hugging Alex; I know that no matter what happens, we are together, and I am VERY grateful for that.

There you go Rachel. I know the unemployment situation is rough, however, with you two supporting each other I am sure that good things will come. I know money has always been a concern so I am really hopeful the situation turns around in a positive way soon.

Sunny, you rock girl!

We'll all be ok, no matter what. As long as we remember to keep breathing.....

Thank you so much, all of you guys. This has been very confusing and very difficult. I don't know what has happened and can only really speculate at this point. There is not much I can do but wait for some answer some day. Olga is not "flighty" or capricious, nor have I ever seen any action at all on her part that would lead me to think she is in any way manipulative. So a disapearance is bizarre and not like her. The fact is that she lives with her father and he is not at the apartment either, and hasn't been for weeks now.

I have more questions than answers, I do not understand anything. The children start school tomorrow in the Ukraine and if no one is at the apartment then I cannot help to think that she is gone and not coming back. But I don't know anything, like I said.

We all started this journey a year ago, and at no step of the way was this easy. I am so happy that everyone has been successful in at least getting together. My journey still has a ways to go, I'm thinking, and although I'm not sure how it is going to end, I know I'll keep moving. You give your spouses an extra hug tonight, cherish each of your moments. Love you all.

Blake

Wow, lots of great news on the thread. Congrats to all. Olga and I are doing great but we're keeping a bit of a low profile at this point. I'll fill everyone in on Friday. Hugs and Kisses to all B)

Have a safe flight Jeroen!

And Blake, I hope to hear good news from you soon!

I finally sent all the AOS paperwork to immigration last Tuesday. I hope to get a NOA soon, so I can start taking driving classes and be able to go wherever I want by myself!

Thanks, flights are being rebooked and a new wedding date is being set. I don't want to go into too much detail as this channel may be monitored. When Olga is safely here I will tell the long version.

Thank you for your thoughts Sunny.

Everything is coming together. I will update everyone when I can as I am just back in the US and very busy and very tired. It'll all be ok, of that I am confident.

Jeroen - congratulations man, I'm so happy for you. JUST DON'T MISS YOUR FLIGHT

Blake, I hope this problem will be solved soon! I'll keep you in my thoughts.

Thank you, and thanks for the PM's. I'm more concerned about Olga at this point and hope she has been able to calm herself and reach some clarity. We were just together a couple of weeks ago for the interview so I know this isn't about a change of heart, it's about a change in home. I am positive that all will work out fine, and I've been able to keep my frustrations in check.

Whether it be tomorrow or next week or the week after, she will come and we will be together. I will probably move the wedding back, however, as it is just getting to be too much for me to deal with alone at this point and my focus should be here instead. We've had enough stress around these parts as it is.

Blake and Olga (and her son) will be reunited in a few hours!!! I'm crossing my fingers for you Have a safe trip and please let us know how things went.

I am sitting here in Kiev and wondering if Moses had the same thoughts. #######!!! I received an e-mail from Olga (through her sister). She is in the country at her aunt's house (no cell coverage) saying that she has a "problem" and cannot make her flight. I told her to go to her aunts because of her ex's appearance on the scean again. This was last Thursday. I received word from Olga on Weds that she was essentially freaking out. I am still in Kiev, this is sunday, and I honestly don't know what to do. I cannot talk to her nor receive real e-mails - just disjointed words. She said she will be back on Monday/Tuesday, but I can only stay so long. I moved my tickets to Tuesday when she said she would be back from her Aunts. After all this time, worry and effort.....time to go get a beer I think.

Anyway, I am addressing this with patience, hope, and love. The same things that got me through the last nine months. Cecile, Rachel, Chantal and evey one who's ever had to leave their homes, families and friends to journey to a new land knows that this is not an easy thing to do. Patience, love and hope. My new mantra, along with pass the nuts.....

Knock, knock. Please may I come in?

Your prayers and wishes are all appreciated.

Hi everybody!

Well, I thought I would share some pictures I have from the family. Still waiting the ones from the photographer.

You look wonderful Pam, how wonderful. Thanks for the well wishes.

I'm in England right now and will be leaving for the Ukraine on Friday morning. Theoretically, Olga arrives on Saturday and we fly out together at noon on saturday. I say theoretically because nasty ex has been spotted lurking about. I wouldn't have any concern about that, however, the border guards can disallow Olga from taking her son accross the border with her at their own discretion, even if the father has no legal rights by court order and all documentation is correct. He's probably looking for some cash, but I'm getting worried. I want the drama over, with and Olga and her son with me and safe. and I'm friggin stuck here in England for two more days before I can get over there. Aarrrrrggggghhhhh!

Say prayers, cross fingers and toes, count beads or whatever - Man, I hate drama.

Hello,

Just want to know if it's possible to arrange a DHL delivery of passport from a US embassy in Kiev. As I understand DHL is the quickest mail and therefore if provide Kiev address then it can be quick. Say the interview is on Friday and if everything turns great I would have the passport on Monday. What do you think??? Is it possible??? Please, can anybody give a distinct answer? Thank you.

Alex

Alex, you've got to use the system in place, there is no option on that. You can not arrange DHL delivery of your ticket. Do not book a return flight too quickly or you may have problems. If you have an interview on Friday, I doubt very seriously you would have your passport on Monday - a virtual impossibility. Sorry, but the process does not move that fast.

Well I'm off in a few hours to go to London, Prague and Kiev. When I return I will have Olga and her son with me. I am so excited I think I'll be a blur for the board meetings , so I hope they don't expect me to be very intelligent. Wish me luck and I'll write when we are all safely back home.

Everything will work out for ya lady!!! I wouldn't think July would be too hot there? It doesn't get that hot here really until August and even August days are hit or miss haha.

You can always tell a Michigander - they don't appreciate St. Louis weather . July is brutal, only surpassed by August. Very hot and humid, so if you plan to have your hair "up" or curled or whatever, I recommend you shoot towards May or first half of June.

Congratulations!!!

Cecile, if you message me your address I'll forward on to you a whole packet of stuff (vows, proceedings, etc.) that you can look through and basically craft the type of wedding you want - it has contemporary/non religious options also. Might be fun to look at. And thanks for the word on the sequence of events for me. I hope we don't run into any issues.

I leave tomorrow on my European excursion that will end with my returning to the US with Olga and her son. I am so excited about bringing her back I can barely concentrate on anything else. It will be amazing when the CIS agent says "Welcome to the US" - something I've been dreaming about for over a year. I think I've got everything tied down at this point, except the invitations. I am going to hand deliver them when I get back - that's what happens when a man plans a wedding.

Sunny, Congratulations on getting that interview time - Gareth will do fine. This waiting thing is almost over for you, I'm so happy for you both.

Court - Congratulations on the Wedding!!!!!! Victory at last

We are approved!!!!! Talked to NVC about 10:00pm last night and was told we were appoved. So now on to Kiev for medicals and interview!!!

Congrats, it won't be long now. Follow the paperwork requirements closely and call the embassy in about 4 weeks if you haven't received the information packet from them. It's pretty easy stuff once you get past the NVC. Good Luck!

WaitForever, I remember a few months ago while we were all waiting for our NOA2, I read some threads in the Canadian subforum, and everybody was waiting for an interview date. I thought that the embassy really sucked, that they should not make people wait that long. Even though we are kind of used to waiting with this process, every additional waiting time makes us suffer a little more. I am really sorry this is happening to you. As Blake said, if you need to vent, don't hesitate, this thread is here for that purpose. Stay strong, even though it takes some time, it WILL happen soon.

How's married life treating you so far Cecile? I haven't seen you here too much and that's a good sign. Have you done your AOS filing yet? I printed out all the forms last night, GAWD, I can't believe that I'm going right back to the CIS hopper again. At least this time I can get Olga's help on it.

So let me get this straight..... Marriage License.....Marriage with her changing last name.....social security card with her new last name. I can do this right?

LOL. Is there such a thing as Murphy's Law in reverse? Here I was just about to post another post thanking you all for your support and talking about how frustrated we felt and BOOM - Mary checked the mail and there it was. Interview is set for October 14th. YeeeHAH!

So thank you all for your support - we can finally see ourselves moving forward!!!!

HAHA That's the second time this exact thing has happened in the last few days. The Gods are just playing with us, I guess.

Been away from the group for a while. While I don't begrudge all of your happinesses, its depressing for us to read sometimes.

It's been great that most people who filed in January are getting their interviews, but there are still a few of us stragglers who were fated with the slowest center and now the slowest consulate. To make matters worse, they sped up like crazy through the summer, sending interview letters out in 20-35 days. We are at 60+ days and counting. They seem to have ground to a complete halt. Actually, there are a number of us waiting at Montreal for all kinds of interviews, and they are trickling out extremely slowly, if at all. Some people are getting letters now for IR/CR-1 interviews LATE October. It's almost like they have decided to stop doing K1 interviews as of August 2008. There have been none in September, and considering its already middle of September, and none of us have seen any appointment letters for October yet, we are wondering if they have decided to close down the processing of K1s through Montreal or something, kind of like what they did with TSC etc. So we are incredibly frustrated and have no idea what is going on over there.

So to those of you who said that the NOA2 approval was the longest stretch, and after the NOA2 things would be really fast, you were lucky enough to not have to go through the Montreal consulate. For us it was 130 days from NOA1 to NOA2, and as of today we are at 102 days from NOA2, and I doubt that we will have an interview within the next 30 days. So for us, our second half may turn out to be longer than our first half.

Sorry to vent but its depressing. I saw that there are others out there as well in the same boat.

I'm really sorry that this is happening to you. Honestly I really don't understand why the Montreal consulate is so messed up. It just doesn't seem right. I'm actually shocked with what you've had to go through. Vent as much as you want, no one will begrudge you the right. Again, I'm sorry.