SeanAndNatalia

Thanks much for the quick responses to my questions.

'payxibka' - I am assuming a 'Congratulations' is in order - my brilliant detective abilities deduces that Sveta is pregnant?

Jkmac - I see you are in Janesville - I have been through that town dozens of times. - My uncles lives outside of Chicago (St. Charles), so I head there quite often, and an old girl-friend of mine lived in Crystal Lake, IL, and so I always took the 14 shortcut via the Janesville exit - and always stopped for food and gas there.

Cheers..

Sean

Hello everyone - couple of hopefully easy last minute questions before Interview.

First - some encouraging news for anyone getting ready to schedule interview.

We were finally able to schedule our interview on Wednesday (Oct 22) - and got an Interview Date of November 7 - just 2 weeks and 2 days out!!

(6 months and 1 day from submission of petition - not too bad I guess..)

Okay, questions.

1. Stupid question here - but just to confirm - the interview is held at the 'Consular section of the embassy, yes?

Consular Section

U.S. Embassy to Ukraine

vul. Mykoly Pymonenka 6

Kyiv 01901 Ukraine.

2. Has anyone been required to show the original petition, or an updated 'Letter of Intent to marry' or a copy of the 'NOA2' at the interview?

(I've seen somewhere that suggests bringing these things to the interview.)

3. I asked this question before awhile back, but I am still freaking out about it.

-The spelling of my Fiancee's name on her petition is different than her international passport

(I used the petition spelling when scheduling her interview as well.)

Petition/interview = Natalia Udovichenko

Passport = Nataliia Udovychenko

-I was told that I shouldn't worry about it, but I am still worrying - would they maybe be stupid and not even let her in, since they will check

her passport against who is scheduled for interviews for the day??

- should I call and change the spelling I gave when scheduling the interview - or is too late for this?

(I emailed the embassy and asked if this might cause any problems, but have not heard back yet.)

For her DS156 - if I have her fill out in English, I will spell her name to match the passport, or I will probably have her fill out in Ukrainian

(any opinions here??)

4. Arriving in USA for first time - Port of Entry

-Probably another stupid question - but, do we need to enter USA via a specific Airport (like JFK) - or will whatever airport we enter via serve

as her Port Of Entry? (I live in Minnesota, and we would be coming in via the Minneapolis/St. Paul internation airport if it is okay)

(our flight would probably be Kiev to Amesterdam to Minneapolis)

Also - (I am assuming 'No'), but if we had an overnight in Amsterdam, would she be able to leave the airport, and go out into the city?

That's it - thanks much for any help - This has been an incredibly long journey, good luck to everyone out there, I don't post here alot, but I do read all the posts.

Oh, another note that might help others - her petition seemed to be taking forever to get entered at the embassy - it was sent from NVC on Oct 6th, and it still wasn't entered as of Friday, Oct 17th - so I sent an email to the embassy on Sunday, the 19th (saying that I was concerned...yada, yada.) - and I received a reply on Tuesday, saying that 'be assured that her information would be entered within 2 days, and that I could schedule her interview in 2 days.) - So did they go out of the way to enter it, or would it have been entered anyway - I don't know - but this could help someone else in future.

-Payxibka (FWAGuy) - hopefully we can all get together for a drink after Natalia arrives??

Thank again!!

Sean (and Natalia)

Slight difference in name spelling - Petition versus Passport - This cause a problem?

Hello all, wondering if anyone can help.

My Natalia just got her international passport today.

-They spelled her first Name in English as: 'NATALIIA' - with 2 letter 'I's

-For the petition, I spelled her name with just one 'I' - 'NATALIA'

(I don't understand where they got the 2 'I's from..)

Her first name in Russian is spelled 'Наталья'

-What is also strange - they spelled her name in Russian on the passport as 'HATAЛIЯ '

Also, for her last name, they used a 'Y' for one letter where I put an 'I'

Her last name in Russian is 'Удовиченко'

-I spelled in English as 'UDOVICHENKO'

-They spelled on the passport as 'UDOVYCHENKO'

Does anyone know if this will create any problems with obtaining her Visa?

-We will now fill in the DS-156 with the passport spelling, but this will be slightly different than what is on the petition.

Also (this might be a stupid question) - would we need to stick with this spelling that is on the passport once she gets to America?

Thanks much,

Sean

You are confusing Russian & Ukrainian languages. Official language in Ukraine is Ukrainian, thus the passport spelling is Ukrainian, not Russian. Hence the different name spelling in English. When filing for petition you used Russian translit, while in the passport translit is done from Ukrainian language. In the petition, u did have to put her name and addy in "native alphabet", which would be Ukrainian. If you used Russian, do not worry, since she will have her birth certificate with Russian spelling, since up to 1991 they were filled out in Russian.

Try to stick with passport spelling for the future, though. On my very first trip to the US (back in 2001), my program sponsor (US Department of State) urged me and fellow program participants to memorize the passport spelling and use it in all official forms in America.

Also, advice Nataliia to use the passport spelling when her docs are translated for the embassy. When first arriving to the US her passport will be her ID and that spelling will be transcribed onto her SS, driver's license and so on.

Thanks, everyone, for the replies and feedback.

Ana - you are absolutely right - I was mixing Russian and Ukraine language. And I did put her name and address in Russian on the petition (not Ukrainian) - Actually I just copied and pasted what my Natlia emailed me, but she emailed me in Russian, not Ukrainian.

-I knew Russian and Ukranian were different languages, and had different words, but I thought they used the same alphabet..

I guess she will just forever be stuck with 'Nataliia'. (That was cute - you spelling her name 'Nataliia'...)

Sean

Slight difference in name spelling - Petition versus Passport - This cause a problem?

Hello all, wondering if anyone can help.

My Natalia just got her international passport today.

-They spelled her first Name in English as: 'NATALIIA' - with 2 letter 'I's

-For the petition, I spelled her name with just one 'I' - 'NATALIA'

(I don't understand where they got the 2 'I's from..)

Her first name in Russian is spelled 'Наталья'

-What is also strange - they spelled her name in Russian on the passport as 'HATAЛIЯ '

Also, for her last name, they used a 'Y' for one letter where I put an 'I'

Her last name in Russian is 'Удовиченко'

-I spelled in English as 'UDOVICHENKO'

-They spelled on the passport as 'UDOVYCHENKO'

Does anyone know if this will create any problems with obtaining her Visa?

-We will now fill in the DS-156 with the passport spelling, but this will be slightly different than what is on the petition.

Also (this might be a stupid question) - would we need to stick with this spelling that is on the passport once she gets to America?

Thanks much,

Sean

Sean,

sorry for the delayed response. Had not been on this thread for a while. But, to answer your questions:

Yes, you can call or email the embassy. Calling is difficult as they in about 75% of the time, do not answer the call and it goes into a voice mail system that says that they are busy and you need to call back. I figured after five rings and they did not answer, I hung up to avoid paying for the call. However, I did get through four times to a person. The first man was very nice and told me the case was not in the system. I called the next day and a woman put me on hold and after 5 minutes, I hung up. I called the following day and a man answered, he said he would check and came back on the line and told me the case was not in the system. The next day I called and a woman answered and said that they are not allowed to give that information over the phone. She said to send an email and they would answer it in 10 business days.

So, I paid $12 for a pin and called once to the call center, response was "not in system". Then I made the mistake of asking my lady to call the call center since I was having a difficult time getting through from America. Well, she/her friend called twice and had same result - not in system. But when I went to call, they had used up about 7 of the 8 minutes. They were asking questions about when/what/ etc and burned through the minutes.

I called on July 4th, not in system. I paid another $12 on the morning of the 7th, called spoke to Thomas and the case was in the system and I scheduled an interview. So, case was received somewhere around June 20th in Kiev from the NVC and it was logged into the Embassy computer system on July 7th. I did finally get a response to my email from the Embassy on July 7th stating that the case was in the system.

So, yes in answer to your second question, you can call the call center to see if the case is in the system, but you're paying $1.50 a minute plus the cost of the call to the Ukraine phone number if the 800 number does not work.

Coincidentally, my girl received the information packet from the Embassy in the mail on Tuesday, July 15th. She is up in the Carpathian mountains in Western Ukraine in a small village, so in this case, the Ukrainian Postal service did in fact deliver the package in a relatively timely fashion - about 3 weeks from when it was recevied from the NVC into Kiev.

John

Hey John, no problem on delayed response - I'm still a couple of months away from this step anyway.

Thanks much for the info - it will help when I am at this step.

Sean

Called the Call Center again this morning. 800 number not able to go into English. Called the "in Ukraine" number and again spoke to Thomas. He said yes, in fact our petiton was logged into the computer and we could schedule an interview. The first available date was August 19th and they had only one slot left for that day.

So, we are on for August 19th in Kiev.....

John

Congrats on the Interview, John.

Quick question - you got confirmation from the 'Call Center' that you were logged into their system, right?

So, (just to confirm) - There are 2 options for determining if Petition is logged into their system?

1. Call or email the embassy

-This is free, but harder to get through, or harder to get someone to give you an answer?

(still need to call the 'Call Center' after confirmation to actually set up interview.)

2. Call the Call Center

-Easier to get through (usually) - but need to pay for the Pin, and use the Pin to call?

(can also set up the interview right away after confirmation.)

Thanks much, Sean

hey 'muddy' - glad to hear you finally got through, and for the warning aoubt Karina/Galina..

Was August 13 the earliest date you could get an interview, or just the date you chose?

Also - how did you (or anyone) get your timeline to show on the bottom of your responses.

thanks,

Sean

1-I did not choose the date, it was the earliest date

2-mariapoe is correct about the the timeline and signature

Thanks 'mariapoe' and 'muddy'

(and the ever wise 'fwaguy' for instructions on inserting a picture..)

-That was simple - I was thinking a timeline summary should somehow automatically insert from the 'Timeline' section.

Sean

Can anyone tell me how many digits the PIN code is. I called this morning from the US and had extremely bad connections, but succeeding in paying for and obtaining a PIN. I then called to try and see if the case could be scheduled for an interview, but the connection is very poor and once I enter 6 or 7 digits, the reponse is that I have entered an incorrect pin, then i try again and the line goes dead - tried twice already. The PIN code I received is 12 digits long.

Also, I called the embassy in Kiev on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, had a terrible time getting someone to pick up the phone each time, but all three times the individual answering the phone appeared to actually look in the computer & tell me the case was not logged in yet. I call today, a women answers the phone, I ask the same question - she says they cannot answer that question over the phone, send an email. When I said they did it the last three days for me, she said someone had broken the rules and they are not allowed to asnwer that question over the phone........

Thanks

Hello

All was great today, not like last week

The 800 number is working fine

I tried the 12 digit PIN that the female operator gave me last week, the PIN that did not work last week, the PIN worked today believe or not

A very nice man not the female operator answered the phone and I scheduled the interview for August 13

Stay away from the female operator name Karina or Galina, I cant believe she told me the information regarding downloading the information packet is incorrect and that my fiancee must wait until she gets the packet in the mail and all the documents before she can call the embassy and schedule the interview.

hey 'muddy' - glad to hear you finally got through, and for the warning aoubt Karina/Galina..

Was August 13 the earliest date you could get an interview, or just the date you chose?

Also - how did you (or anyone) get your timeline to show on the bottom of your responses.

thanks,

Sean

Masha and '1 happy guy' - thank you very much for the information and also the validation of what I do know.

-I really appreciate it.

Regarding the 'Police Report'

-We just talked about this yesterdady, and I just told her to talk to a local police office, and ask them where she should apply for the 'Police Report'.

-I am assuming they can tell her - but Masha, if you know where to go in Kherson, it would really help us out.

-'fwaguy' - we seem to have a lot in common, both in Twin Cities area, and both with ladies from Kherson.

(granted, if the age you have listed on your profile is right - we are just slightly different in our ages...)

-Do you think 'Mrs. fwaguy' would be interested in talking with my Natalia once she gets here?

Thanks much,

Sean (and Natalia)

Here is the link (it's in Ukrainian only.) In the bottom of the page you'll find "ADDRESSES OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES... ("АДРЕСИ ИНФОРМЦИОННЫХ СЛУЖБ...."). Click on it and the list of regional offices will pop up. They have one in Kherson.

If it won't work - the phone number in Kherson is (0552)22 31 36.

http://dit.centrmia.gov.ua/pos.htm

Good luck !

masha

Masha, my fiancee is from a city in the Odessa reion called Belgorod -Dnestrovskiy

Do you have any idea where she must go to get her Police Report? I dont see it here http://dit.centrmia.gov.ua/deps/regions.htm

Sean,

I guess you're right. Just let her call Odessa and make sure that is where Natalia will need to apply for a police certificate. I'm afraid she'll have to travel to Odessa because they require a national passport.

masha

hi Masha - That was user 'Muddy' (not me) asking about his fiancee in the 'Odessa Region called Belgorod - Dnestrovskiy'

-Natalia was able to order her police report in Kherson with no problem - she lives in Kherson.

(at least that is my understanding of what she told me - we do have communication problems quite often....)

thanks much,

Sean

hey Scott - great information - I will definitely use your tactics when my time comes.

I noticed that 'Latest News' on the 'US Embassy in Kiev' web site as well - but if you look right under where it says 'Latest News'

- it says 'Special Information for Belarusian Applicants' - so I am guessing/hoping that the news only refers to

'Belarusian visa applicants' - and not all applicants?

And, I feel your pain for the airline ticket prices - I flew to Kiev from Minneapolis/St. Paul in late March for $650, and I am going back to Kiev in September - already bought my tickets - $1270... - nice!!

(really hoping the prices come down when I go again to bring my fiancee back in November/December.)

Good luck with interview - hopefully no problems.

Sean

Where did you find that price? I paid $1500 (MSP-ODS) for July....

Pretty much every web-site - Orbitz, NWA.com, Expedia, etc.

-Flying Northwest/KLM the whole way - connect in Amsterdam.

When I was looking, July was definitely more expensive then September, and Odessa was always at least a couple hundred dollars more than Kiev (KBP), so that is why I fly into Kiev, and drive to Kherson from there.

So, it doesn't surprise me you had to pay $1500 to fly to Odessa for July.

Sean

hey Scott - great information - I will definitely use your tactics when my time comes.

I noticed that 'Latest News' on the 'US Embassy in Kiev' web site as well - but if you look right under where it says 'Latest News'

- it says 'Special Information for Belarusian Applicants' - so I am guessing/hoping that the news only refers to

'Belarusian visa applicants' - and not all applicants?

And, I feel your pain for the airline ticket prices - I flew to Kiev from Minneapolis/St. Paul in late March for $650, and I am going back to Kiev in September - already bought my tickets - $1270... - nice!!

(really hoping the prices come down when I go again to bring my fiancee back in November/December.)

Good luck with interview - hopefully no problems.

Sean

I received my NOA2 on May 30th. I noticed (like many do) that my case was touched again the following day, so I knew they mailed my petition to the NVC on the 31st. I waited 2 days to start calling the NVC. You can not use their automated system, because the NVC does not track K-1 petitions and they are not entered into their automated tracking system. So, you must talk to a live Operator, and this can be very difficult, as the lines are always full. You must be very patient, and call back often. I had the most luck very late at night, just before they close at 11PM Eastern. Sure enough, on June 3rd they told me they had received it, and they gave me my "KEV" case number. They will give you some BS about how it takes 2 to 4 weeks to process, but with a K-1 it is always processed in a matter of days. I continued to call back, and only 2 days later, they told me it was mailed to the Embassy (on June 5th).

OK, so now it's time for the "DSL tracking trick"! Once you know the date the NVC sent it out, you can track it via the DSL website. For instance, the shipment reference for me is EXP 05 JUN 2008A. Sure enough, DSL picked up the package on the 6th, and off it went. They will only send one package to Kiev per shipment. My package was 7 pounds, so that's a lot of petitions! I even signed up for email notifications as the package is tracked. Anyway... because it was picked up on a Friday (today), I went back to look at prior Friday shipments. So now I even know that the package will arrive on the morning of Tuesday, June 10th, and I even know the name of the guy who will sign for it!

So, I plan to call them on Wednesday, to make sure they have entered it into their system! Once they confirm, I will have Iryna call them immediately to setup the earliest possible interview, as we also downloaded the info packet and have all our paperwork ready to go. I have NO IDEA when the earliest interview will be, I hope we do not have to wait much longer! The web site for the Embassy concerns me, because on the Visa page, they have a large box entitled "Latest News", and it states "Currently, all the appointment slots for the nearest weeks are booked and, unfortunately, we are not able to add additional appointments at this time." However, there is no date posted for when this "Latest News" bulletin was added, so for all I know, it has stated this for a year...

When the interview appointment is set, I will begin to make my travel plans. Iryna will travel to Kiev the day before the appointment to have her medical exam. After the interview she will return home and wait for the visa. Meanwhile, I will fly out to help her pack up her stuff, and I will return to the States with her. That is the plan, I hope it all works out...

Unfortunately, because of the run-up in fuel costs, I decided to look at the prices for airfare... very depressing! I just returned home from my last visit a little over 3 weeks ago. Those tickets cost me $820 round-trip (Boston->Kiev). Now I need two sets of tickets to bring her back with me, and they are now $1400 each!!!! It's enough to make a grown man (me) cry!

Oh well... you can't put a price on love...

Good luck!

- Scott

Masha

-Thank you so much for the information on where to get Police Report.

-I will pass this on to my Natalia - she will really appreciate it.

fwaguy

-ok, maybe a little more than 'slightly different' - was only like 40 years.

-ya know - I was going to be very impressed if that was your real age - to have the energy to go through this process at 79 would have been quite impressive..

-I will shoot you a 'personal message' as we get closer to Natalia getting here to Minnesota.

thanks again,

Sean (and Natalia)

Masha and '1 happy guy' - thank you very much for the information and also the validation of what I do know.

-I really appreciate it.

Regarding the 'Police Report'

-We just talked about this yesterdady, and I just told her to talk to a local police office, and ask them where she should apply for the 'Police Report'.

-I am assuming they can tell her - but Masha, if you know where to go in Kherson, it would really help us out.

-'fwaguy' - we seem to have a lot in common, both in Twin Cities area, and both with ladies from Kherson.

(granted, if the age you have listed on your profile is right - we are just slightly different in our ages...)

-Do you think 'Mrs. fwaguy' would be interested in talking with my Natalia once she gets here?

Thanks much,

Sean (and Natalia)

First of all - anyone know how to delete a 'New Topic'

(I managed to first post this to the 'New Topic' section, not to the 'Kyiv Beat' section..)

Hello fellow Ukraine fiance's/fiancee's (husbands/wives)!!

-Newbie here - well, have been a member for a week or so, but took me a week to read through all 39 pages of discussions. (enjoyed reading everyone's stories and comments..)

Anyway, just submitted my I-129f about 2 weeks ago, and I am starting to work on the embassy/interview stuff.

(Even though I am probably a good 4 months away from our petition approval - gotta love the CSC..)

What I know.

-After approval, petition is sent to NVC and hangs out there a while (week to a month)

-When done at NVC - I get notified, and also get the Case Number ('KEV' number)

-Then gets sent to US Embassy in Kiev

-Embassy enters into their system, and sends packet to my Fiancee

(my understanding is that this is very slow)

Interview:

-From what I read, Cannot set up an interview until Embassy receives packet, and enters into their system.

(Although, it sounds like some people have somehow set up even before they get it into their system.)

Now - to know when they have in their system - can either:

-Wait for the packet from embassy to be delivered to my Fiancee. (Even the website suggests this is very slow and to not wait for the packet.)

Or

-Can send like weekly emails to 'kyiviv@state.gov' - asking if they have entered the info into their system

Or,

-Can do the 'PIN' thingy, and pay the $12, and call once a week or so to see if they have the info entered into their system

Question - am I right with my 2 options to speed things up?

Also

Everything I read says that we can just do the 'Download packet' thing - instead of waiting for the packet.

http://kiev.usembassy.gov/visa_K1K2_eng.html - 'Download information packet HERE.'

Question

-Does this download thing contain the EXACT same forms and information that thing they send?

(I know the website says it is, just kind of hoping for confirmation from someone who has actually seen both)

-If so, it doesn't matter that the forms are EXPIRED? (Do they send 'expired' forms as well?)

-If so, I could then just print, and fill out the DS-156 and DS-156K forms at any time right?

(Is there ANYTHING in the packet they send that is needed at the interview that is not in the downloadable packet?)

-I am heading back to Ukraine this summer, and I want to bring her as much stuff as I can.

(I want to bring the filled out DS-156 forms, my Financial information, copy of original petition, etc.)

Thanks much for any help!!

-Good luck to anyone still in the process,

-and Congrats to everyone who has finished the process.

Also, I noticed someone on here was from Minnesota

-I would like to get in contact with any guys from MN who now have (or will have) Russian speaking wives.

-I hear it is easier for the women to move here and adjust to living here if they can hang out with and talk with other Russian speaking women who have gone through the same thing.

(I live in the Cities - and my email is yyz26@hotmail.com)

Sean (Fiancee is Natalia - from Kherson, Ukraine)

Hello fellow Ukraine fiance's/fiancee's (husbands/wives)!!

-Newbie here - well, have been a member for a week or so, but took me a week to read through all 39 pages of discussions.

(enjoyed reading everyone's stories and comments..)

Anyway, just submitted my I-129f about 2 weeks ago, and I am starting to work on the embassy/interview stuff.

(Even though I am probably a good 4 months away from our petition approval - gotta love the CSC..)

What I know.

-After approval, petition is sent to NVC and hangs out there a while (week to a month)

-When done at NVC - I get notified, and also get the Case Number ('KEV' number)

-Then gets sent to US Embassy in Kiev

-Embassy enters into their system, and sends packet to my Fiancee

(my understanding is that this is very slow)

Interview:

-From what I read, Cannot set up an interview until Embassy receives packet, and enters into their system.

(Although, it sounds like some people have somehow set up even before they get it into their system.)

Now - to know when they have in their system - can either:

-Wait for the packet from embassy to be delivered to my Fiancee. (Even the website suggests this is very slow and to not wait for the packet.)

Or

-Can send like weekly emails to 'kyiviv@state.gov' - asking if they have entered the info into their system

Or,

-Can do the 'PIN' thingy, and pay the $12, and call once a week or so to see if they have the info entered into their system

Question - am I right with my 2 options to speed things up?

Also

Everything I read says that we can just do the 'Download packet' thing - instead of waiting for the packet.

http://kiev.usembassy.gov/visa_K1K2_eng.html - 'Download information packet HERE.'

Question

-Does this download thing contain the EXACT same forms and information that thing they send?

(I know the website says it is, just kind of hoping for confirmation from someone who has actually seen both)

-If so, it doesn't matter that the forms are EXPIRED? (Do they send 'expired' forms as well?)

-If so, I could then just print, and fill out the DS-156 and DS-156K forms at any time right?

(Is there ANYTHING in the packet they send that is needed at the interview that is not in the downloadable packet?)

-I am heading back to Ukraine this summer, and I want to bring her as much stuff as I can.

(I want to bring the filled out DS-156 forms, my Financial information, copy of original petition, etc.)

Thanks much for any help!!

-Good luck to anyone still in the process,

-and Congrats to everyone who has finished the process.

Also, I noticed someone on here was from Minnesota

-I would like to get in contact with any guys from MN who now have (or will have) Russian speaking wives.

-I hear it is easier for the women to move here and adjust to living here if they can hang out with and talk with other Russian speaking women who have gone through the same thing.

(I live in the Cities - and my email is yyz26@hotmail.com)

Sean (Fiancee is Natalia - from Kherson, Ukraine)