visaveteran

I'm retired military and want to get my wife her ID card asap. Does she need an SSN to get id or just marriage certificate? I want to get her quickly under the military umbrella.

Many people who frequent this forum over the years have said that the interview was done in Russian, and they passed. There has been some rumors that doing the interview in English, and not being very good with English, is a negative.

So she not even attempt to speak English?? I merely told her to answer the Yes/No and easy questions in English, and for the more detailed answers attempt English then confirm answer in Russian so there are no misunderstandings....Does that sound like a decent method?

My wife spoke mainly Russian...unless your fiance can speak decent English I'd go with Russian. My wife used a few English words but mostly Russian. Don't think it matters.

Hey all!! I know I am starting to be annoying, but one more question if ya please. Does the interview HAVE to be in English or can it be conducted in Russian? I know not everybody speaks perfect English at their interviews, and am curious if there is anything Lada can say to the CO to let them know she is more comfortable speaking in Russian. We are almost there!! Thanks Everybody!!

Can be in Russia or English.

Thanks to those who offered kind words and congratulations. I've seen many "visa approved" posts on this and other forums for awhile and thought our time would never come...but it did! So it's great to have our brief moment of celebration.

Next stop...the POE adventure.

Wishing all goes well for you and your fiance at the dreaded interview.

We just went through the process today...so we're interview comrades for this week.

My wife called me at 5:11 am today with the news I've waited for many months to hear...visa approved!

My wife is now heading to her home and will come to the USA later in the summer. After some folks had to wait many weeks for the visa to arrive, we decided to give it plenty of time. And, of course, we'll be nervous until it arrives...always the chance of AP/AR delays. Then there's the possible POE drama ahead...seems this adventure never ends.

My motto for this visa journey has been "nothing is easy!" I think that sums it up.

My wife called me at 5:11 am today with the news I've waited for many months to hear...visa approved! Given my fears about earlier hassles at the med clinic...the news was doubly sweet.

Don't have many interview details except they asked about a phone number on a form (maybe a typo?) but it was nothing major. Also asked what she planned to do in the USA. The officer made some friendly jokes and it was over. That's all I know.

The only problem was the earlier med exam at AOM. The exam was ok but when she arrived the next day to pick up her results, the doctor made her go to a university for more tests. It made for a very tough two days for my wife. Tuesday she was not done with the extra tests until late evening. All the tests were normal and the university staff wondered why the doctor made her get them. Who knows...bad lab work...random bad luck...money...or to show the embassy they were thoroughly screening people.

The main problem was time...or the lack thereof...she had to show up at 7 am today at the clinic to get the AOM doctor to give her the official paperwork for the embassy. Then she had to runoff for her 8 am embassy appt. That's cutting it very close. I'm sure she was very nervous...it's bad enough just going for the interview without all the last minute clinic drama.

The other problem was communication...her mobile phone stopped working at some point, so I kept calling to find out about the interview without success...growing ever more concerned. She had to call me from a post office to give me the great news. Needless to say, I had a tough night because I was very afraid the clinic issue might mess up her interview. I was really fearful that she might have to come back to Moscow again...the worst case scenario for sure.

But alls well that ends well.

My wife is now heading to her home and will come to the USA later in the summer. After some folks had to wait many weeks for the visa to arrive, we decided to give it plenty of time. And, of course, we'll be nervous until it arrives...always the chance of AP/AR delays. Then there's the possible POE drama ahead...seems this adventure never ends.

My motto for this visa journey has been "nothing is easy!" I think that sums it up.

My wife went on Monday for her med exam. Went back Tuesday for results. Was told she needs more blood tests and makes her go to a university for more tests. Turns out nothing is wrong. Why did this happen? Scam? Crazy doctor?

Now she has to get up early on Wed and go to the clinic to get her final packet before her 8 am appt. at embassy on the same day. She and I are afraid that if she shows up late (like 8:30 am) they might not let her in.

Any thoughts or experiences with this situation? Will she get in for her interview?

My wife went to AO Mediosina on Monday for her med exam. Went back Tuesday for results. Was told she needs more blood tests and makes her go to a university for more tests. Turns out nothing is wrong. Why did this happen? Scam? Crazy doctor?

Now she has to get up early on Wed and go to the clinic to get her final packet before her 8 am appt. at embassy on the same day. She and I are afraid that if she shows up late (like 8:30 am) they might not let her in.

Any thoughts or experiences with this situation? Will she get in for her interview?

My lady's Russian ex husband, his wife and his two kids all got tourist visas to visit his sister who lives in the USA (with a Russian husband). So it looks like it's easy for Russians to come and visit relatives here. And the kicker is the visas are good for 6 months versus the 30 day Russian tourist visas we have to deal with.

A few American movies with some "good" Russian characters:

Reds

Dr. Zhivago

Red Heat (Arnold as Russian cop)

Hunt for Red October (Sean Connery as Russian hero)

Anna Karenina

Also, famous ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov has been on Sex in the City and some other TV and movies. Alexander Godunov, another famous ballet dancer who, like Baryshnikov, defected to the west was featured in Witness and other films before his death from alcoholism and hepatitis. Both actors played "good" Russians.

Interesting links:

http://badrussians.com/

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/wendys-c...heme/2583647379

I forgot to mention a very good movie with "good" Russian characters..."Gorky Park."

A few American movies with some "good" Russian characters:

Reds

Dr. Zhivago

Red Heat (Arnold as Russian cop)

Hunt for Red October (Sean Connery as Russian hero)

Anna Karenina

Also, famous ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov has been on Sex in the City and some other TV and movies. Alexander Godunov, another famous ballet dancer who, like Baryshnikov, defected to the west was featured in Witness and other films before his death from alcoholism and hepatitis. Both actors played "good" Russians.

Interesting links:

http://badrussians.com/

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/wendys-c...heme/2583647379

Irish...did you see it coming? Any lessons you care to share with us?

I can see the K-1 visa route has its risks. While it's the quickest and simplest visa to get, I can see it may, at times, result in last minute "cold feet" or unplanned "scams of opportunity."

I won't add more "I'm sorries" but let me commend you for your courage and heart to get out there and take some chances and risks. Take a few months to let the wounds heal...then go out and find the lady that's waiting, this very minute, for you to appear in her life.

Right from the best source... US Embassy • Moscow

Your link is for K-1 visa. OP is going CR-1 from the timeline. She needs to take her passport, photos for medical exam and also for visa, any documents NOT already sent to the NVC, and proof of marriage (photos, plane tickets, emails, phone receipts, etc.).

Check VJ guides or embassy web site for more.

Thanks for all the replies.

As Blues Fairy suggests, maybe my lady can get the local school clinic to make her a new shot record. Can't hurt to try.

My lady does not have any childhood records of her vaccinations...there was a fire that destroyed records.

My questions is should she get the vaccinations needed for immigration in her home city or at the medical exam in Moscow? Which is likely to be cheaper? I think she'll be going to AO MEDITSINA for the exam.

Also, I'm a bit concerned about her getting so many shots. Anyone know the health issues getting all the vaccinations...especially if she may have already had some of them when she was young?

My lady does not have any childhood records of her vaccinations...there was a fire that destroyed records.

My questions is should she get the vaccinations needed for immigration in her city or at the medical exam in Moscow? Which is likely to be cheaper? I think she'll be going to AO MEDITSINA for the exam.

Also, I'm a bit concerned about her getting so many shots. Anyone know the health issues getting all the vaccinations...especially if she may have already had some of them when she was young?