dmdaisey

Just got approved the other day, and we hadn't seen each other in 2 years. The consulate was shocked we waited so long, but as long as you have evidence that you met and communicate a lot, there are no problems.

She was approved!! Thank you all so much for your support!!

Well, she's on her train to Moscow. She has her medical tomorrow, and her interview is early Wednesday morning, my time.... So, cross your fingers for us, if you could!

I thought it was supposed to be followed with a "Woo woo" on your way past her.

This thread has really cracked me up. It's always fun to hear and remember all the things that we've experienced over the years and how similar they are.

Hang in there dmdaisey, it will get better once you are past this first step and into round two. Commit some of the comments to memory and you won't be too surprised when it happens to you. Good luck on your trip. Don't forget some small gifts for the in-laws, preferably something personal for each. But clear them with your fiancee first, you don't want to commit some cultural faux pas.

Good tip. I ran the idea by her and she was in high agreement. Only 5 more days until the interview... Thanks to all of you, I'm feeling much more confident!

No reason to be there for the interview. There's really no reason to visit after the interview either unless you're going to meet her family or something.

That's the very reason I'm going. To meet my future in-laws. I thought that would be a good thing to do, to show they can trust me and know I'm not stealing their daughter away.

It's because you're "frying" it. FOOOO!

You'll be just fine.

See hoop. Jump through hoop.

Unless you're 60 and she's 20, I wouldn't sweat it at all.

Don't waste your money.

Awesome! I'm visiting the week after the interview.. soo It's a little late to get a visa and ticket to go a week earlier anyways..

Not to nit-pick, but don't you have to have seen each other in the last two years to apply for a K-1? Or how did that work out?

We met 2008 Between July and August.As long as we applied for the visa within two years, we should be ok.

No worries. It goes without saying you do not want her to "turn into an American" why else would you marry an FSU girl? American women are a dime a dozen around here. You get what you pay for!

Absolutely. I've dated far too many American girls... And eh.. there's so much about the culture here that makes them materialistic zombies.. I've been working with Russians/Ukranians for a few years, and I've always gotten along a lot better with the girls from there. I can't really explain it.. But Marina (that's my fiance's name) is just so supportive and grounded and realistic. But has one of the biggest hearts I know.

I'm a singer/songwriter, and while I've had some success getting music in tv shows and such, It's the kind of career I can't sit around waiting for things to happen. A lot of previous girlfriends just weren't supportive enough, and always wondering when I'd get a "real job", when I went to school for this. I've won awards and such. After I met Marina (in person, at an old job of mine) she jumped right in and started helping. She got some of my music played on a few radio stations in Russia and the Ukraine. She promoted and did everything in her power to help me. We're even moving to one of the large music centers (LA, NYC, or Nashville) so that I can be where I need to be. She's a translator, so a big city is perfect for her as well. But it's so rare to find someone who would give up everything to come and be with you.

She has a good job and she LOVES Saint Petersburg. She tried to get me to move there for the last year, but I couldn't have a music career there. I did, however, tell her if she doesn't get approved, then I will do my best to move there. If she's willing to give it all up, I got to be willing as well...

I'm just happy we're almost there!

She likes the American way. The "Old fashioned way" in Russia would mean her father would tell her who she was marrying and she would do so. There would be no rings. And the choice would likely be made as to what was most favorable for her father, not for her. And he wouldn't choose an American.

Do not expect her preference for old fashioned American diamond rings to extend to food, drink, air conditioning, wearing shoes in the house or various noises emitting from your body.

Oh no... We've discussed all that a thousand times over. I don't want to turn her into "American". I want her to be who she is, and bring her culture with her. When ever we have kids, I really want to instill the cultural differences and all that good stuff.

She's not a materialist, and the simple things in life make her the happiest. Besides.. I could learn a thing or two about eating healthy once she gets here. I've learned how to make a couple fresh vegetable stews while she was on the phone with me

Haha, I will keep all that in mind. She told me she wants me to propose on one knee. She likes the "old fashioned way". I already bought the ring, (which she liked.. I had to show a picture.. I have no idea how my tastes are in jewelry) She knows I'll officially do it in Russia, she just doesn't know where, and I thought, why not catch her off guard right from the get-go.

I appreciate your input! I'm being positive. She bought a refundable ticket (in case she's denied) to fly back with me October 8th.. 16 days after her interview. We're anxiously waiting for the approval. We'll be able to relax for a couple weeks after the approval...Then yes.. getting married, and preparing for the other paperwork. It's the beginning of the end of the first process... But thank you so much for the support. You can imagine how after all this time, it all comes down to this!

My paperwork got to my fiance', so she's 100% ready for her interview September 22nd at Moscow. I want to get a feel for what you all think on the situation and if you think we'll get approved.

She applied for a J-1 visa back in December and January. She had an internship job set up but unfortunately she got denied. The internship was a big deal, but we also were hoping we'd date during that time.. Unfortunately she wasn't approved.

I proposed in March because I really just couldn't bare waiting any longer. We sent in our paperwork and all that stuff. I've sent her my I-134 (Last years income, I made plenty for poverty, but this year I was in college so I only made about 18k.) I had a co-sponsor sign (she owns 4 franchise stores) So I'm sure her income should suffice, got my employer letter, pay stubs, ALL the skype IMs over the last 2 years, bank stuff, etc. I sent it all. She has all her stuff, and she's had a pre-med check up and she's fine. She speaks English VERY well, as we've talked on skype by video for over a year and a half almost daily, so there is no barrier in communication. She knows EVERYTHING about me, that they could possibly know or ask. I haven't been able to be with her since 2 years... College and lack of money kept me from traveling. I'm visiting a week after her interview to meet her parents and such. We're bringing my plane tickets, a copy of my visa for coming, the hotel confirmation, so it proves I WILL be going.

What do you think? You think we have a legitimate shot? I know it's up to the embassy, but we covered every base we could think of, and I really do love her. I bought her engagement ring.n I had to propose online.. but first thing I do when I see her in the airport, I will drop to one knee and do the whole "in person proposal".

Well thank you all for the info! Wish I would have asked before I sent it. For whatever reasons, UPS and Fed Ex were giving me problems, and I was worried because on the DHL website, they said something about not being able to deliver to personal addresses.. Only businesses.. or something. Well, I'll hope it gets there soon! Thank you!

I sent my bank papers, w2s, i-134 and all the to Saint Petersburg last Friday via Usps Global Express. It cost 128 dollars, but she said it would get there by Monday (of earlier this week.) Thus far, the tracking hasn't given me any info except that it was sorted at my home city. My fiance' hasn't received it yet. How long does it usually take? Our Co-sponsor sent it priority and it took 3 and a half weeks. I spent a 100 dollars more, so I'm hoping it gets there a bit quicker than that (because her interview is September 22nd). Thoughts?

I mailed my i-134 documents and other bank stuff to my fiance' in St. Petersburg, Russia on Friday, via Global Express Guaranteed, It cost me 128 dollars and they said it would be there monday. It's now tuesday, and it has said nothing through the tracking about leaving the states. How long does it typically take. My cosponsor mailed hers priority and it took 3 and a half weeks.. My fiance's interview is less than a month, so I paid for quicker shipping.. Thoughts? Experience?

Another question regarding the i 134. I don't have any pay stubs from my job at the college. I'll be getting one In August, and on it shows what I've made through them. I'll also have a letter from my employer. Would this be sufficient? Or can they give me something else that shows I've worked and have been paid by them?

I received my NOA2 on July 9th, and it was received the 14th by the NVC, to be mailed off July 19th, and it JUST arrived to Moscow. So it's been a very quick process for us.

Good luck!!

You should not receive any packets, she would be the one receiving them. You should receive a letter from the NVC when they've forwarded your case on to the embassy/consulate, but some people report not receiving a letter from them, so if you don't, don't worry too much. It's not necessary for the process so long as you have your case number, which you can get over the phone.

Most K1 visas only spend about 2-3 days at the NVC unless you're one of the unlucky, random 10% who are pulled for additional Administrative Processing. AP has no timeframe, and could take 2 days or 2 months or longer. More than likely, your case is at the NVC (possibly logged in) and about to make its way to the embassy or consulate.

Have you already sent your betrothed your original I-134 and supporting docs? If not, you should do so now. I just sent mine off to my husband-to-be and it's taking about 4 business days for him to receive them sent through USPS International Express Mail. (I sent a HUGE file for $47, so if you keep it to the bare minimum you can save some cash.)

Congrats on getting this far, and good luck!!

I have been gathering all that info. Our co-sponsor sent their paperwork monday. NVC sent our stuff to Moscow two days ago, and it shall arrive sometime in the next few hours (via DHL). I should have all my stuff together from the banks and employers by early next week.

Thank you so much! I'm so excited. When she gets the visa (knock on wood), I'll be flying out to meet her parents and all that. Life is about to get "real" here, real quick!

You should give the estimated salary you will earn for the 12 months of Calendar 2010. Your tax forms or tax transcripts will verify your income for any previous years or parts of years.

Good luck.

Thank you much!

On the question, "I derive an annual income of xxx" Would I put what I made over the last 12 months? Or the estimate of what I will make in the year 2010? I made 25k+ from July of last year to July of this year.

So, I know alone, I don't make the poverty line at the moment (just got out of college, so finding the the job of choice has been difficult.) I do work teaching guitar. We have a sponsor lined up who owns 5 stores and used to be both of our employers. So, as long as I turn in all my financial info and I have that sponsor, there shouldn't be any problems? (We're going through the US Embassy in Moscow.)

Hey everyone. First time poster...Really wish I found this site back when I was doing research. Very useful and friendly users from what I see!

Anyways, so in March i proposed to my distant girlfriend, who is Russia. We've known each other for a couple years (we met when she worked in America for a summer) and since, we've stayed in heavy touch, documenting conversations on Skype, video chatting daily, and all the stuff the technology has made possible.

In May, we applied for the i129f Fiance' visa. We both were worried in the beginning, because she applied twice to come here on an internship visa, but got denied because she was too young (23). We were both most worried about that, and we only had one picture together. I sent in the one picture, and over 100 pages of conversations from Skype, letters from our old employer and a very romantic, though determined letter of intent to marry.

Well, we got approved last Friday (which I found out yesterday..) Exciting stuff! Now, from reading on here, I suppose it's being sent to the NVC (via the letter) which I will call tomorrow to check up on. Should I be expecting any packets? I'm sure I'll get confirmation letters saying they received my stuff and mailed it off. Just curious if there's any other large things I should be expecting, or if they will send it to my fiance'.

Also, do you think our chances of being approved are much high, now that we passed the USCIS? I know the whole spy thing might be a touchy subject since she's Russian, but she's no criminal.. Clean record, I've got a clean record. We have every intention to marry. We've been/will be 100% honest with everyone involved. I will be getting a co-sponsor to bring her here. She's taken care of her medical stuff. So we're pretty on top of everything. Anyone have thoughts what our chances may be? And when do you think she'll likely get the visa?

Thanks