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Hello all! I thought I did a good job studying the ways to get my fiancee from Kiev to the US. Now I hear a little voice (getting bigger) in the back of my head yelling "STOP THE BOAT - for a minute!!" I am able to spend a month or two in Ukraine.

Would someone please enumerate the steps of marrying in Ukraine, and bringing a spouse back? What must one go through to get married, first. And then what's the DCF process?

Would this be substantially faster than waiting out the I-129f filed with TSC October 5?

Thanks for input...
Lance

... in response to DCF path out of Ukraine, posted by LTB on Dec 18, 2001

I know this sounds crazy, but the k-1 is safer for you in the first place. ( no that's not the crazy part ) Here is the crazy idea. Move to a state in Vermont service area, hell I hear they process k-1 applications in 2 or 3 weeks ! Hey who knows ??? you may enjoy a month of skiing in Pa, or somewhere ????

... in response to DCF path out of Ukraine, posted by LTB on Dec 18, 2001

I do not know how accurate this information is. The first guy is replying to the second guy.  I deleted some of the junk from the email.  Bubba

You need certification of your divorce from your clerk of superior court, secretary of state, and US secretary of state. The residency in Kiev is not a big deal and is easily overlooked. You're supposed to live there for 30 days but believe me, it is not a problem and very very small issue. There is a lot of paperwork involved before and after the marriage and you can file directly in Kiev and get instant approval and have the paperwork forwarded to Warsaw for the interview. Total time to get her here would be 2 months, maybe a week give or take.

Larry

It used to be that marrying over there WAS faster than the K-1 process, because Warsaw (the embassy that processes these kinds of visas, KIEV DOES NOT) would permit you to make the filing (the form name is I-130) directly in Warsaw or Kiev (which forwards it on to Warsaw for processing) instead of the USA. This is called a direct consular filing and it often took only a month or two for the entire process. Since 9/11 Warsaw has reversed its policy, and no longer accepts DCL for the I-130 except for Americans who have established residency over there. So you lose any time advantage. It actually will take up to a year to bring her
over after marriage, after  filing the I-130 in the states--the INS is just not as efficient as the consulates are. One caveat: Because the I-130 was taking so long to process, Congress provided for a K-3 visa. Its the same filing process as the K-1, and they get the visa via the same process as the K-1 (file with the INS, then have the  interview) but when you file for the K-3, you have to give proof of your marriage AND proof that you have already filed the I-130. In other words, its guaranteed longer than the K-1. The only reason to ever think about getting married over there now, is if you actually live over there for a while.

Hope this is helpful. It should be more palatable with your girl to explain that marriage over there is no longer an option due to a Warsaw rule change,than to tell her you are doing it out of caution.

Jay

... in response to I found this on another board for what i..., posted by BubbaGump on Dec 18, 2001

I read another email that said you should start the K1 before you marry her in Ukraine or it could slow things down.  And there's some kind of effect on her internal status in Ukraine and I don't remember what that was.  I don't know if this has been helpful or not.  Need somebody else to fill in now.

... in response to DCF path out of Ukraine, posted by LTB on Dec 18, 2001

If you filed your petition 10/5 it "should be" approved very soon (unless it fell off behind somebody's desk :)

I think Oatmeal filed the week before you and his was approved about 10 days ago. Don't panic just yet. Believe me, I know what you are going through but just hold tight  for a couple more weeks.

I'd check with Oatmeal and see where he stands with his situation. I know that he has asked Warsaw to open a provisional file for him already.

I also agree with DR. Don't confuse the INS or they will shut you down.

Keep the Faith, Bro. You are almost knock, knock, knocking on Heaven's door.

... in response to Hang in there!, posted by Rags on Dec 18, 2001

Hey it is your old comrade in arms Keith...  Hows it going?? Hope things are going great with you and your sweetie... on my side of the fence things are going great with only a few bumps along the road... wedding is in a few weeks... all the best,
Keith

... in response to Hows it going ???, posted by keith on Dec 18, 2001

Thanks Keith. Same to ya'! Life is GOOD. I'm still working on a wedding date.

... in response to Hang in there!, posted by Rags on Dec 18, 2001

Yeah. I saw that info. I think Oatmeal was standing in the road when the driver of the Mac Truck of Good Luck fell asleep behind the wheel...

According to other info, only July is getting approved now, and some other info is saying it's taking 2-3 months for the files to get from here to Warsaw. The provisional is no problem, but my understanding is they won't schedule the interview without the paper file in hand.

But don't worry guys, unless the DCF path is CLEAR CUT, AND my Senator's office swears on the grave that it won't derail us, we will stick it out for the I-129f.

-LTB

... in response to DCF path out of Ukraine, posted by LTB on Dec 18, 2001

There is a work around. Have your Fiance send you the ZAGS marriage application. You will need two. Fill one out in English and sign it. The second, just sign and have your Fiance fill it out in Russian. Oh, the one you fill out in English will need to be translated and notorized. Also, when you send her the applications send a photocopy of your passport as well. She can then file the application with ZAGS and your 30 day wait period will begin. Hmmmm, well,
in Russia there is a 30 day wait period. I'm not sure about Ukraine. Anyway, ZAGS can then set a marriage date that is in line with your arrival. Once you are married, well, read the post below from DR and I. Just go to the nearest consulate and file your paperwork. From this point she could be in the States in as little as 3 to 4 weeks. Basically you just wait for the State Department to do your name check which takes 10 to 15 working days. And that's it!! Very easy process. It really is.

John

... in response to You do not need to spend a month there....., posted by johnE on Dec 18, 2001

Aaargh! "I'm not sure about Ukraine." You guys are killing me. (Laughing). I leave for a month in 11 days! As soon as I clean the slobber off my face, I think I'm headed to www.*.ukr for the next 12 hours or so...

Do you have w3 address for DCF info?

Thanks guys. Really!

... in response to Re: You do not need to spend a month the..., posted by LTB on Dec 18, 2001

I think DR and Rags are giving you good advice. At this point I wouldn't want to confuse the INS either. God only knows they do this quite well on thier own!! :) If you search the archives you can find good information regarding DCF. Also check www.ins.gov and Doc Steen's. I can't remember Steen's URL but it's in the archives. Or do a search via www.google.com. Good luck!!!

John

... in response to Re: You do not need to spend a month the..., posted by LTB on Dec 18, 2001

Where in Ukraine will you be?  I'll be in Lugansk from 01/08/02 - 01/16/02.  Just curious.

Cheers...
DR

... in response to An aside..., posted by DR on Dec 18, 2001

Current plans are only in Kiev. But I've heard that there is some skiing to be had in the Carpathians. I don't yet know enough about it for it to be an option yet, but we have decided to play things by ear.

... in response to DCF path out of Ukraine, posted by LTB on Dec 18, 2001

I may be mistaken but I think once you file with TSC (ie. your Service Center) you are along for the ride...unless you write TSC/INS and have them stop K-1 visa processing.  I think there's some law on the books preventing such 'double-dipping'.  You might want to check on this before you decide to take matters into your own hands.

Cheers...
DR

... in response to Hmm..., posted by DR on Dec 18, 2001

Who would you bank on getting an accurate answer from first?

1. INS
2. Senator's immigration liason
3. Lawyer from the yellow pages
4. Magic 8 ball.

I'm more than happy to do the work, make the calls, and write the letters. I just don't know who to really trust.
Besides, with TSC, I stand a decent chance of having my I-129f dissappear or stop motion all by itself...

All kidding (pessimism) aside, who do you think can really answer that one?

Lance

ps. I still don't understand the DCF deal yet, so the whole idea remains a pot at the end of the rainbow. The I-129f has at least some basis in fact ;-)

... in response to Hmm..., posted by DR on Dec 18, 2001

n/t.