AdamA

Hey folks,

We have been sending small amounts of money to my MIL on a Walmart/GreenDot money card. It's a 'student pack' so there are two cards with the same #. It has worked well for the last 3 years.

Now it won't work since the US blocked a Russian bank. Not sure if it's Russia retaliating or other banks being careful, but they won't let her withdraw money. They can see balance, and charge for the privilege, but she can't withdraw. Called GreenDot and all they said was ty other banks. Did that and it didn't work.

Any ideas that are still easy? Western Union would probably work, but it's a hassle since neither of us have a convenient Western Union.

Thanks!

Adam

We received basically the same RFE for my wife's permanent green card. Want additional proof of joint indebtedness. Had been on extension, so we hadn't included most recent tax returns. We have one account together but house was mine previously and we have mostly separate accounts. Just because my wife brought money from Russia and I have a business, other assets etc. before our marriage.

I sent in a 1" notebook with tax returns, bills in both names, bank statements, paychecks showing I paid over $10,000 for her heath insurance since marriage, tuition paid by me, additional pictures, car title together(sent before). House loan is our only debt and we aren't big credit card users, so not much there.

They asked about children, which hurt my wife's feelings since we had a miscarriage. Even included proof of that although it's really personal.

They just received it today, so I don't know if it's enough. Hopefully is is because I don't know what else to send!

If I understand what you are asking, you might do a combination. A B-2 tourist visa would be the fastest way to get her here for awhile. The B-2 my MIL has is a five year, multi-entry visa. She can spend six months at a time here.

1) Get the B-2 if possible, to remove MIL from the apartment where safety is an issue.

2) Maybe rent her a place to stay when she has to go back.

3) Wife sponsors her immigration ASAP.

The offer of property to the abusive son might also help. My understanding of property law there suggests that both MIL and her son, and maybe your wife, have an ownership interest in the flat where they live. If that is the case, have them tell the son that if he takes care of mama until she can immigrate, he will get 100% of the flat free and clear. That is a huge incentive for him that costs your wife nothing, assuming the apartment was transferred from the state and not purchased.

The threat is that if mama is scared or hurt, your wife can make it impossible for him to ever sell the flat. She can also maybe sublet her portion to some one else. He won't want that. All of this would take loads of effort from your wife, but he probably doesn't understand that either.

Good suggestions, thanks.

Parents purchased the flat, after her death my wife gets it, BUT her brother has rights to live there. Basically she has to pay and he lives there free So, losing this flat may not be that bad option.

My wife doesn't want her to come on a tourist visa, since she may not have anything left when she returns. Maybe renting her a place there is an option.

Thanks and all other suggestions welcome!

Read the MIL Visa threads located two spots down on the RUB forum.

Should have explained that I did read the post...

Looking for other ideas, since her home situation is unstable. Thinking of permanent options, as opposed to tourist visa...any ideas?

I do understand that my wife can sponsor her once she can become a USC. Just worried about MIL's safety until that time.

Thanks,

Adam

I am familiar with the visa options, so am hoping someone has an idea

I am a USC and my wife has a GC. MIL has issues with alcoholic/abusive son. Owns a flat, but struggles since son lives there too.

I know we could apply for a tourist visa, but am asking about other ideas. Would like her to come for a visit, but am also open to a longer term options.

Thanks!

Adam

My wife was a teacher in Russia and is interested in teaching in the US. The company that does the degree evaluations wants her diploma's with Apostile, from the Russian dept of Education. In checking their site they say you can send the original documents in, along with a notarized copy. (or bring them in personally of course) They don't list fee's for sending them back and companies that my wife has contacted won't ship sensitive documents like passports or official diploma's.

Anyone have any experience with getting an apostile for education doc's once you are in the US?

Thanks,

Adam

My wife has been here 14 months. We are married, she has her two year green card, so all is OK with us.

We are interested in having her Mom come here. What is the best approach?

My wife is not a USC. Her Mom has a flat in Russia and other ties to the country.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Adam

Registering at OVIR is no big deal. My fiancee did it for me twice. Quick and inexpensive, sorry I don't remember the amount, but it wasn't much. Office was out of the way and we had to go get additional copies once. Might find a copy place close since they seemed to add copy requirements. I would copy your passport, visa, invite letter etc. before going. Forms were only in Russian as well.

Just want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Mike. I FedEx'd my info to him in Iowa and he handled the logistics for delivery in Moscow.

I can't thank you and Luda enough!!

Natalia's interview was about 30 minutes, but she said he seemed to want to chat, interspersed with a 'sly' question...and she was approved!

Thanks again!

Adam & Natalia

Russia didn't have a state/province either so I just left it blank. Sailed right through.

My package with 134, tax returns etc. seems to be stuck in Customs. Interview 7/23. It may be out in time, but am looking for options. I could FedEx a copy to anyone going to Moscow this week.

Long shot I know, but looking for options

Good lesson learned...the promised ship date is just to Russia, not too recipient

I flew Aeroflot twice last year and all was great. New planes, good service, friendly. No problems with baggage etc. Food was OK, basic airline food

I have never heard of such a thing, or related requirement, but my fiancee stopped by the marriage office in Russia and they said they can give her a paper saying she has never been married and is not currently registered to be married in Russia. She said it isn't expensive, but the notarized copy is expensive.

Ever heard of such a thing? I told her why not get the non-notarized copy, but she is afraid it's useless if not notarized. Her interview is July 23rd in Moscow and she is worrying herself to death I think!

???

Thanks!

I made a typo on my 129F. My fiancee's address is 293, and he Mom's is 291. Same street, building and floor...just different flats. She received the package from the embassy and will receive any mail, but the address the embassy has is different than her passport.

Her interview is July 23rd in Moscow.

Suggestions for this 'Careless American!'?

Thanks!

Judging from our experience, your interview date will likely be in mid to late July.

Thanks all. They replied to my email and her interview is July 20th.

I am looking here: http://moscow.usembassy.gov/ivinterv.html and then using the browser search function, searching for (private number) as it instructs. Not finding anything. Even searching for just MOS finds only the samples they give, so maybe they aren't posted?

My letter from April 29th says it is approved and will be sent to Moscow Embassy within a week. Adding a week for DHL gets us to mid-May, so I thought something would be posted by now.

I emailed the embassy, but haven't heard back other than the automated response directing me to the aforementioned web site.

Ideas? Suggestions where to look?

Thanks!

Adam

Interviews on or after 4 June 2010 will cost $350 ..............

I see the new fee...was it $131 before? Old fee still on the Moscow Embassy site, but new fee on State Dept. website.

Hi, all. Thanks for all the help. Our K1 sailed through and is on it's way to Moscow embassy.

Here's my question. In looking at flights from Moscow to Portland, Oregon some go through third countries. Options include Frankfurt, London, Kiev and of course Moscow to JFK or Washington DC.

Is it possible for her to transit through another country? Some of these countries it would be very hard to get a visa (Great Britain, Germany), while Ukraine I guess is pretty easy for Russians. Not sure on the cost, procedure for Ukraine.

Thoughts? Is this a bad idea?

Thanks!

Adam

Ant, with the reform bill that has been signed into law, the pre-existing denials for insurance are no longer allowable by law.

Of course we are all still hearing the details of the new law, but I read that the ban on pre-existing conditions doesn't kick in for 4 years...