To Mike re: Russian gossip

[KenC]

Mike,
I decided to post a reply to your post up here so it won't get lost.  Lena was very much into her Russian information sources before she got here.  If you think about the lack of trust Russians have with any official sources, this mentality is understandable.  I would get some pretty weird questions directed my way because of misinformation that Lena got from her Russian buds regarding her visa.  This is not the case any more.  My Mother-in-law came to visit us last summer.  Lena never questioned my information about her Mom's visa.  I am sure that she had to put out some fires of misinformation that was coming from her Mom too.  LOL.
KenC

[Mike]

... in response to To Mike re: Russian gossip, posted by KenC on Apr 10, 2002

My wife and I are just now taking the first steps at bringing momma here. So far Inna and I are learning how this is done together, but don't be surprised if I ask you a question or two later on! Inna and I get along pretty good when we investigate info together.( I really don't know everything in the world but I don't want her to know this - wink)It's the American system and how it works is when I get double checked. Back to the visa. We sent her a letter from me promising she'll return and so on, we sent her photos of us enjoying life, and gave her the info on where to go get an application and how to fill it out, and I suspect the real worries will be when they require an interview. She's married, leaving behind property in Moscow, and she has documentation of a good Job and income that she will need to return to. So our next step is just waiting on the Embassies response. I've read stories of sooooo many mothers being denied visas from Russia to come here to visit. How hard was it for your mother-in-law?
Mike

[SteveM]

... in response to God help me, I'm about to go down that s..., posted by Mike on Apr 10, 2002

Hi Folks,

KenC, please be careful when you say it was a snap--because for most people in this situation, it most definitely is not.  My MIL, for example, was denied last year, and was able to visit now only with serious Congressional assistance.  At the interview this year when she was approved, most everyone there was denied.

Based on my tracking of people's experiences and the two Embassy interviews (one good, one bad), here is what helps:

good job/income
married, leaving spouse behind
having other children in Russia

Property, bank accounts and other responsibilities that show close ties should count for more than they do.  In our case we needed Congressional help to get them to consider my MIL's living with, and daily care for, her 89-year old mother, as well as her owning an apartment and dacha.  The problems in the first interview arose because she is retired, unmarried, and has no other children in Russia.

The trump card is prior foreign travel, particularly to the US or Western Europe.  It makes it much harder for the Embassy official to deny a visa on the grounds that she/he is not likely to return if they have previously done so.

My not-worth-very-much advice is to go ahead and apply if these factors seem to fall in your favor, but to contact the relevant Congressional offices before applying if they don't auger well for your chances without help.

Good luck,

Steve M.

[KenC]

... in response to Mother in Law Visas, posted by SteveM on Apr 12, 2002

Steve,
I certainly did not want to mislead anyone with my post, but it was a "snap" for my MIL because of her situation.  Her circumstances may be much different than others.  She has a very good job in the city government, has a husband, owns an apartment and a dacha, has left and returned to Russia more than once with one of the trips to France.  She was also offered a trip to Sacramento, CA through her job last year.  It was part of a cultural exchange involving municipal government.  She had to decline the offer though.
KenC

[KenC]

... in response to God help me, I'm about to go down that s..., posted by Mike on Apr 10, 2002

Mike,
Lena's Mom had no problems in getting a visa for a 21 day visit.  She too had property and a hubby back home in Russia.  She had also had a few visits to other countries under her belt too.  I don't know how much these other visits (and returns) effected her getting a visa to America, but I am sure it didn't hurt her chances.  Good luck to you.
KenC

[Mike]

... in response to it was a snap!, posted by KenC on Apr 10, 2002

n/t

[Quasimoto]

... in response to To Mike re: Russian gossip, posted by KenC on Apr 10, 2002

Interesting point! I never thought about their heritage of mistrust.

Steve

[Mike]

... in response to Re: To Mike re: Russian gossip, posted by Quasimoto on Apr 10, 2002

It's there that's for sure, but some are likely worse then others but I can understand why. I mean, there (EE) it is so common to be on your toes when just trying to survive everyday things, and I suspect this habit of going to those that are more like themselves is just a natural reflex. To be honest we've gotten most of our bugs worked out. The big things are behind us, visa procedures, building credit, banking,taxes, car insurance. It's nothing to worry about but it can't hurt to be ready and excepting if she wants to hear it from an American Russian. I'm sure it just gives them more comfort, and it also gives them ammo for helping others RW's that are getting wrong information, or advice from the gossip forums.
Mike