Perry/Elena

Absolutely nothing prevented the two of them from staying in the USA and your simple legal marriage to fulfil the terms of the visa. The health problem did not require leaving the USA. It will appear that the truth is the relationship had not progressed to the point where the marriage and being together was the priority it was stated to be in your letters of intent. If things are different now, you may need to convince the Consular Officer of that. Fortunately Kiev is a pretty easy Consulate.

The truth is... When life throws you one of these curve balls... it is very difficult to be under pressure to make additional life commitments under a timeline... hindsight is always 20/20. We did have every intent to marry in Vegas during the dates her daughter was in the hospital... I'm not perfect... I freaked a little... damn me for that?... should I have done things differently? Hell yes...

I guess... I think the best thing to do ... is send my letter now... if it gets shot down... at least I can include that the next time we go through this Visa hell again...

If by some act of human nature versus the black and white of cold government rule... she does get a new visa, we can immediately wed and thank the Lord for watching over us.

As to the relationship bona fides.... we had been together 4 times for over 1 week each time before filling, and once more while it was being acted on.

For a K1 revalidation, it is only within the authority of the consulate if the revalidation occurs within 90 days of the original entry. On the rare occassion that they do revalidate a K1, the term of the authorized stay on the new entry is shortened to 90 days after the first entry.

Ouch.... If this is correct.

Have no problem with the timeframe being shortened... but magical days are rather silly...

Guess she should have just over stayed the 90 days and got married later....

It is possible to have the K-1 Visa revalidated if the Embassy/Consulate sees reason to do so (it is under their authority to do so, or not) and it'd certainly be worth a try, but I would not be terribly hopeful (unfortunately).

Thank-you for this.... I realize this may be a long shot, but if they have the power to do it...

We have to try, maybe we will get someone with a family member with child diabetes and they know how shoking it is...

it is still in the 6 month window of to travel on the first one... maybe that will help a little too.

So not even worth a try?

Elena was granted her K1 in mid September. She came here immediately.

We had plans to wait until near the 90 days to be sure life together for life was right for both of us.

20 days before her Visa was to expire. We all went to WDW, her 5 yo daughter was drinking water all the time, her skin was feeling funny.

When we got back home after our 7 day vacation, we took her to the clinic.

She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and immediately hospitalized.

After getting out of the hospital, Elena was stressed, I was stressed, life would never be the same...

Her visa was about to expire... our plans for our wedding all messed up. She returned home within the 90 days.

Now we are miserable...

Is there ANYWAY, to have a visa reissued? Are there any real people out there?

I'm thinking about writing the embassy and telling our story with the hospital bills and praying.

Any ideas?

Perry and Elena.

OK... final update to this thread for anyone who would end up reading it via a search in the future.

Called Fedex Friday morning no via yet... but the woman who answers between 11:00 and 1800 said she could come after 1800 and that is when the embassy brings the documents and if it comes she could get it.

So Elena went at 1800... several other people did as well.

her VISA AND TWO SEALED ENV. arrived when the car from the embassy got there.

Bought tickets for Saturday morning... Saturday night we were together after missing flights because of a hour late departure from Paris.

CRAZY weekend.

Today's update... dropping off the police report...

Well Elena returned to the security gate this morning around 11:00 am to avoid the morning rush...

She told them she had some questions and they had her use the security phone.

A man answered and Elena told him that I wanted to know the names of the woman who had collected the documents and the consulate she had spoken to.

He said one moment and put her on hold then the woman who had acted as an interpreter to the consolutate came on the phone.

They had a lengthy conversation, in which Elena was told if I had any issues with the way they had been handling this, I needed to send an email and that would STOP her visa until my concerns were addressed. (Nice) Needless to say... we didn't turn in my email at this time.

Also said... "Why does your fiance want their names... I heard your interview and everything went really well. I can't give you her name because it is 'secret'" Knowing full well, that if I logged a formal complaint it would be easier to direct my complaint to a specific individual. Or if I have my contacts in the political circles calling them.

Elena explained I wanted the name of the woman who had called her a liar and she had brought additional documents (college diploma, records, etc.) to show to this woman that what she had said was the truth. Elena was told... "Nobody called you a lair! And no we do not want additional documents. You can't come in." (Yet this woman was not present when Elena was speaking to the document woman)

BUT, if I was there I could have gone in.

Basicly they went round and round... "If the counsulate is 'busy' it could take up to 8 to 10 days to get the visa... but usually it takes two to three days or maybe even today..."

Elena left only her passport and the police certificate and was told her sealed envelope would be sent via Fedex as well.

Basicly even though 2 weeks have passed everyone still remembered Elena...

In summary... We will see if they use their power for good or evil now... Don't beleive people who say Kyiv is easy and you don't need to go...

the woman collecting the documents is a pointy headed power hungry B. Who at least when the consulate is not in the building can act very unprofessional and condescending to the point of making people cry.

I am not gonna give all the specifics, on a public forum... Just I really regret not being there for Elena as I had originally promised her.

Will post one last time to wrap this up on how quickly the visa comes, which will have a big bearing on desire to start running this up the flagpole.

She can bring it in, but since they deemed a PC from the UK a required document, she has not "officially" had the visa approved (sounds like it was approved pending receipt of the PC)... therefore to have expected the visa/brown envelope at any time during the period from the interview to the day she handed in the required document simply was not going to happen. Also, needless to say the chances of the giving it to her today will probably not happen... If I am not mistaken, the consulate "prints" visas only one or two days each week....

I also do not see where she was not treated with "respect" unless there is more to the story.....

UPDATE got the PC... deal with the embassy tomorrow.

There is more to the story... The woman who collected the documents did everything short of calling her a liar over and over again. The next Ukrainian guy who came to drill Elena... treatened her many times with "if any part of this is not true you will never get a visa to the US." When he was drilling her about specific dates, that they had her visas and passport and had the ability to reference and expected Elena to have all these dates in her head. The consulate was respectful but the staff to me went way over their "powers".

Wrote a letter that I'm sending to her via email as a cover letter when she turns this in... Thought I would share it..

*********************

Please find the Police Certificate for the UK you had requested during Olena's interview on September 3, 2009. I do not believe this was necessary given she never resided in the UK or was anything other than a visitor. Securing this document was very difficult.

It is my understanding she has already paid to have her visa delivered to her, but has not received the required packet that she will need for customs upon entering the US. Please give her this today as she drops off this letter and police certificate, or give her specific details for her to get this the next business day.

I trust immediate approval action will be taken on her case, as our Fall plans have been greatly delayed by this unnecessary request. If her visa will not be issued immediately I request that I be phone immediately at 218.***.***** day or night, with a detailed explanation of any further delays. I believe we are owed this courtesy and I am within my rights.

I did not travel to the Ukraine for her interview as I believed she would be treated fairly and with respect. I do not believe that has been the case, which is very unfortunate.

Again, we have had great excitement to finally be together, and this delay has caused us both great hardships. Please do all you can to expedite our being together.

Respectfully;

Perry....

if she stayed for less than 6 months in the UK - why did the US embassy asked for hte Police report at the first place?

In total she stayed well over six months because of 5 trips, but never over 6 months on any one trip... I am trying to find how the law actually reads. Can someone help me with this?

I can not tell if they had a right to do this or not.

It sure is heartbreaking though... went on a bike ride yesterday with friends... and so wanted her to be with me... things are so beautiful in the lakes area of Minnesota right now... in a few weeks it will be too cold for warm bike rides and everything will be harvested...

Can't she just go back to the embassy and hand it in?

Or, if she can't go back there in person, how about sending a copy to the interviewing officer with a big cover sheet? Didn't the 221G or whatever it was have instructions on it?

Yes she plans on going in person. The instructions say to turn the report in with the instruction sheet... but that was to the guard shack... she is gonna try her best to try to talk to someone that day... but they work so hard to make life as difficult as possible and add delays... we are worried.

Is there anything that governments do right anymore? I am so tired of good intentions...

Any ideas/suggestions on how to turn in this report so she can get her packet of sealed papers?

My wife and I vacationed together in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic while waiting for her K3 visa. It was really incredible...one of the best resorts I've ever been to and I've done a lot of travelling. I'd highly recommend it if you are looking for a place on this side of the world.

We are not married yet as still in the K1 process but have to agree... I had been to the DR twice before... but Punta Cana was much nicer... VERY POPULAR with Ukrainians and Russians...

My girl could not get over the Russian men wearing gold rings the size of golf balls on the beach .... oh well...

Here is an update:

From what I (Perry) had gathered that this ACPO was the only way to go, we began preparing for this. (Elena also contacted the UK Embassy in Kyiv - that story to follow). The application and process is rather simple.... with one very big PITA. The application must be submitted with a bank check or personal check or money order in Pounds.... I searched and searched and could not find any easy way to get a check made out in pounds ... especially in the Ukraine where it appears checks are basicly non existent. Luckly Elena's has become friends with her ex's ex. This lady was willing to help us out... she had a Paypal account so I sent her 85 pounds via Paypal... we overnighted the letter to her... she wrote out the 75 pound check and is mailing it to them today... they should have it tomorrow. Two days to process and then WAIT for the airmail to come from UK back to Ukraine. I have no idea how one would do this without someone you could trust inside the UK. I had called the number on the application in the UK... the guy was nice enough.. but did not have any ideas other then the way we did it to get it work.

As to the UK Embassy.... Elena sent them an email they forwarded it around a few times... and am including it below...

Once we get this Police Cert and turn it in... we sure hope there are no longer further issues... ONE thing we have thought of was this....

Elena has paid $8 for her passport to be returned... BUT she never got the big yellow sealed env. to bring back... not sure how she is spose to get this....

Elena did call around to the UK Embassy as well... sounded like they all wanted $ to supply info... but given we already knew about the ACPO... one lady did talk to her... and said...

Normally we would collect money for this information, and after a couple months you would get a reply with the forms... (that you can download over the Internet)....

She also said be careful.... given Elena never stayed more then 6 months.... she said... they could say she never registered at an address as required by British law and they could just send back the application..... Now I PRAY this will not happen and they will take our money and return a NO TRACE report and that will be the end of it... If not... Not sure what we would do next...

Needless to say... this whole thing appears a little like the American woman at the US Embassy was just trying to make problems.... Elena felt the guy she interviewed with wanted to give her the visa that day and be done with it... but this woman... kept talking to him....

++++++++++++++++

The British Embassy is unable to obtain Police certificates on behalf of individuals overseas.

British Embassy

visa services

UK Border Agency

Kyiv

-----Original Message-----

From: Info on UK Visa in Ukraine [mailto:info@????.com]

Sent: 07 September 2009 15:57

To: British Embassy Kyiv Visa Section

Subject: FW:

Dear Colleagues,

We are forwarding this email for your consideration.

Best Regards,

UK VAC Information services

Email: info@?????.com

Call Centre: +38 9003028900

Website: www.ukvac-ua.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Elena [mailto:@hotmail.com]

Sent: Friday, September 04, 2009 12:23 PM

To: Info on UK Visa in Ukraine

Subject:

I, Olena S. have been requested by the US Embassy in Kyiv to provide them a Police Certificate from the UK, as I traveled to the UK and stayed up to 5 months several times a few years ago.

I have found this link

http://www.acpo.police.uk/Certificates/App...%20form%208.pdf

Does the UK embassy in Kyiv assist with getting this Police Certificate and if so how long does it take?

Where should I go for this.

This is the only item holding up my visa to the USA, so I am interested in expediting the process.

Thank-you for your prompt attention and reply.

Regards

Olena

Elena had her K-1 Visa interview today in Kyiv. Was a long 7 hour day... which ended in them requiring her to get a Police Report from the UK because she had visited there extended on several occations.

Does anyone know if the UK embassy assists with this or if we need to use snail mail and submit it to the ACPO?

http://www.acpo.police.uk/certificates.asp

She was told to contact the UK embassy... I found the above link on here.

This is the last part of our journey and want to try to complete it as simply and quickly as possible.

Thanks for anyone with first hand info.

Well... at 4:00 PM Kyiv time I heard back from her.

She needs to try to get a police report from the UK now before they will issue the Visa... they took her money for delivering the passport back. So she is basicly approved pending turning in this clean police report with her passport. So more delays dealing with another countries' BS.

Uggh... oh well...

Our interview day is not going so well.

I am not there... as everyone said Kyiv is a breeze...

Her interview was set for 9:00 am.... got there early as requested.

She ended up being called to the window 4 times with questions being asked over and over again, about her trips to the UK and how long she stayed each time. She had trouble remembering exact dates which is what they wanted. Told them she never stayed over the 6 months her visitor visa was for. (She had a BF from the UK and ended up having a child by him). Threatened her many times, that if she was not telling the truth she would NEVER get a visa to the USA. They said she will need police reports from the UK (She responded how with they give me these when I never was more then a visitor there) They said they were gonna call the UK embassy... She said please do.

Turns out the consulate was not there yet, and is having traffic trouble.... At noon they let them leave for an hour (her 4 yo daughter was with her and needed to eat). That is when she called me and told me the above. She was in tears.... Said she just wanted to leave...

It is now 3:30 there and I still have not heard from her.

I told her to have them call me if they try to not give her a visa for some reason. As I will want to know specifics.

Not all states will do this on the marriage certificate so please check locally... a n if they don't then maybe a MN wedding should be considered

I am assuming you noticed we will be living in MN. I was aware this is the easy way to do this... but now the other comments have me all worried about if we should do this.

OK thanks for the replies. So in summary just leave it as spelled. Not that big of deal actually... Only place it will matter is on immigration, taxes and DMV stuff.

When you think about it... there are men who Only want to be called Bob or Rob or Robby or Robert when their name is Robert and others that can not stand one of the "nicks"... In daily life use whatever you want...

I am wondering what most are doing with Russian names?

My Fiance's English translation on her passport is Olena (which is the way all applications were turned in)... our closest way to pronounce it is Elena.

She is going for her interview, I would assume everything should be left as Olena for the visa.

Once she gets to the USA.... should she begin getting SSN, AOS, and drivers liciences in Elena or will this just make trouble in years to come.

My best bro is from Brazil and his name is Roque... pronounced Hockey... so I guess just leaving it is an option too.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts

Found this interesting as my girl will becoming soon as well... I went to the MN site and they had a link to this one for foreign Visitors to learn US driving rules.

http://www.americadrives.com/

NOTE: After posting this... I realize I was not on the ACTUAL MN DMV site... so may not be a great site after all... do not have any personal experience with this website.

Update on our progress...

Called the call center in the Ukraine today, and asked if they had our case number after a little "you should tell me your case number" and me explaining I never did get a letter from the NVC but had called them and they said it was forwarded to the embassy two weeks ago... Victoria looked up the case and was willing to schedule the interview on the 31st. I asked for the 3rd (which may have been a mistake with the 7th being a holiday).

So moving forward.

Have others gotten an email and/or letter from the NVC? We never did.

Good luck to all still waiting.

I got the email Friday afternoon the 24th. That the NOA2 was sent on the 23rd.

Online, it shows last touch on the 24th as well.

Have not gotten the hardcopy in the mail yet.

Where are these links for what to do next again?

I love watching Igor's list! I'm obsessed.

New people are still being added... so the "progress" is not as quick as one would hope... I realize this makes no difference as they are already in the system as well... just 5 approvals.. only go down 2... seems like a pattern.

it has slowed down way too much at csc also.......

No kidding... they are losing ground each and everyday.... As an April couple it is bad enough but think if you sent your application in recently... at this rate of a handful a week they are gonna get further and further behind each day.

Even ourselves with only a little over a month from ones currently being approved... 120 estimated in front of ours / 7 per week = 17 weeks... LOL hope they pick up the pace....