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Title: Wife just got back... Post by: Stevo on January 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM tonight from Moscow on Delta, landing at JFK. This was the first time she re-entered the country using her 'green' card. The other three times she travelled to Moscow was using advance parole. This time was much simpler/quicker. As a holder of a green card, she was able to use the same line as US citizens. THe INS barely looked at her card and just waived her on...what a country!
Every time my wife returns from Russia she thinks things are getting worse and worse. Of course it is probably just time and distance that makes it seem so. She commented on how everyone is drunk all the time...at least it seemed that way to her. When she first came here, she didn't really see drinking to be such a big problem in Russia (it was normal), now after 2 years here and 4 trips back, she sees things quite differently. And every time she goes, it gets harder and harder for her to fit in, since all her friends and family think that almost any occasion is a reason to tie one on...especially a visitor from America! She also commented this time about how all Russians look extremely thin and wasted (of course, that's after 2 years of seeing quite the opposite here in America). I guess her frame of reference has also changed with time. On the return flight she met a guy from Mississippi who was returning from St. Petersburg (had been there for about 4 weeks, I think). He was inquiring about the process to get a K1 visa for his fiancee. Apparently he had attempted to get a visitor visa for her but was denied (as is typical), so now he is planning on going the traditional route. He is 31 and his fiancee is 24....a good age spread, don't you think? I'll have him check out this list if he contacts me. I'm sure he'll get any questions he has answered here. While visiting, my wife went to a night club in a small town close to her hometown. She went there with a close girlfriend, the girlfriend's boyfriend, and the brother of the boyfriend with his girlfriend. This was the typical all-purpose Russian nightclub...3 clubs rolled into one (dance club, billiards parlor, exotic dancers). I guess that it's a lot more affordable to have all your entertainment pleasure in one location. This is one reason why Russian girls aren't too upset about visiting strip clubs here in the USA, since it is part and parcel of many regular nightclubs in Russia. First thing she said to me on getting off the plane was that she wasn't planning on going back to Russia for at least a couple of years. She's just tired of the whole thing...lousy food, lousy attitudes, too much drinking, no cars for transportation, etc., etc. I told her she'll probably change her mind after being here for a few months, but she said she wouldn't (we'll see). Next time she wants her friends/family to visit us instead (I'm all for that). We'll that's all for the moment. Stevo Title: Very encouraging thoughts and experience..Thanx! n/t Post by: BrianN on January 16, 2002, 05:00:00 AM Title: How will you arrange that? Post by: MarkInTx on January 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Wife just got back..., posted by Stevo on Jan 15, 2002
First off, thanks for the post. Nice to hear yet another RW who has slowly warmed up to the "bankrupt" american culture... Give me hope! About having her friends and family come here... Can you do that? Isn't it virtually impossible for all of them to get Visas? Title: Re: How will you arrange that? Post by: RW on January 16, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to How will you arrange that?, posted by MarkInTx on Jan 15, 2002
Friend of mine is still trying to bring her Mom for just a visit. It's been very difficult as she is the only daughter and her Mom is single. That is almost impossible. As for friends, it happens, but it is a very high risk and I am sure there are many more other factors considered - family members, kids, real estate, good job left behind. It always helps to have supporting organizations and individuals, but everything has to be well thought and prepared BEFORE first interview and have as much supporting documents as possible. Otherwise, rejected once will most likely end in rejecting twice. Then it will raise questions when she applies for K-1 visa. You don't want to gamble with that.
Title: Achtung RW! Post by: WmGo on January 16, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: How will you arrange that?, posted by RW on Jan 16, 2002
RW, Please comment on the use of the following words and phrases that sometimes appear in a FSUW's bio: Wants the man to be "generous" Wants the man to be "financially secure" Wants the man to be "well to do" Thanks. WmGO Title: Nicht verstehen Post by: RW on January 17, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Achtung RW!, posted by WmGo on Jan 16, 2002
Somebody who has $$$? Somebody who is doing well in life and as a result is financially secure and is generous to spend money on other things in life? To be honest, I am not even sure. Though I can not think of any other meanings of these words. You have to be careful because all these bios usually look the same and girls might copy one description from another. Or it can be done by the same interpretor who does not care about the deep-deep meaning. I think that will be a good idea to ask girl what she meant herself.
Title: Re: How will you arrange that? Post by: tim360z on January 16, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to How will you arrange that?, posted by MarkInTx on Jan 15, 2002
My only experience is indirect. I have met many Russian families who have come here and live here. And I mean the whole extended family, mom and dad, the kids, grandma and grandpa, cousins, aunts and uncle...the whole deal. I was told it takes time, but is very possible. I recall one scenario went like this: The husband in Moscow had a job offer from a large corp in NYC, they got him a special work visa, next he came here and got his wife and kids here...all legally. Next came grandma and grandpa. And then slowly came everyone else. After a couple years though, the grandparents moved back to Moscow. Like any other immigrants, I beleive that once the breadwinner is here it is very easy to bring over blood relations. Title: Sorry, I was not clear on that, what Post by: tim360z on January 16, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: How will you arrange that?, posted by tim360z on Jan 16, 2002
I had meant was it seemed fairly easy, although took some time for Dad to be able to bring over the rest of the family on immigration visa's. He came here about 8 years ago and within a few years had the whole extended family here. Oh! And like others who have been here a few years---they have no intention of going back, except to visit. Title: Re: Re: How will you arrange that? Post by: KenC on January 16, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: How will you arrange that?, posted by tim360z on Jan 16, 2002
Tim, As Stevo says below, there are differences between visitor visas and immigration visas. It is my understanding that my In Laws would be able to obtain immigration visas once my wife becomes a US citizen, but not before. As for visitors visas, it is a much easier process as stated elsewhere in this thread. KenC Title: Don't confuse immigrant visas with visitor visas...n/t Post by: Stevo on January 16, 2002, 05:00:00 AM Title: ease back on the caffeine!!! Post by: KenC on January 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to How will you arrange that?, posted by MarkInTx on Jan 15, 2002
Mark, Lena's mom easily got a visitor's visa this summer. I know her dad could get one too. It is the young single women without ties to the homeland that have a difficult time. KenC Title: I hope you're right! Post by: Mike on January 16, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to ease back on the caffeine!!!, posted by KenC on Jan 15, 2002
From what I've heard many times it's hard for mother-in-laws to get a visitors visa. They are more often turned down then granted one. The perfect situation is a MIL with a good paying job, owns property, has other children there, and is married. Mike Title: well Post by: KenC on January 16, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to I hope you're right!, posted by Mike on Jan 16, 2002
Mike, My Mother in Law fit your profile exactly except for having other children back in Russia. She also had traveled outside of Russia before and returned. I have heard that the more visa stamps already in a passport, the better your chances. She had no problem getting a visitor visa. KenC Title: It ain't the caffeine... it's the cough syrup! n/t Post by: MarkInTx on January 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM Title: How will you arrange that? Post by: MarkInTx on January 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Wife just got back..., posted by Stevo on Jan 15, 2002
First off, thanks for the post. Nice to hear yet another RW who has slowly warmed up to the "bankrupt" american culture... Give me hope! About having her friends and family come here... Can you do that? Isn't it virtually impossible for all of them to get Visas? Title: How will you arrange that? Post by: MarkInTx on January 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Wife just got back..., posted by Stevo on Jan 15, 2002
First off, thanks for the post. Nice to hear yet another RW who has slowly warmed up to the "bankrupt" american culture... Give me hope! About having her friends and family come here... Can you do that? Isn't it virtually impossible for all of them to get Visas? Title: Why do you think so? Post by: Stevo on January 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to How will you arrange that?, posted by MarkInTx on Jan 15, 2002
Getting a tourist visa for a family member is rather routine (we're not talking about an immigration visa here). A little more effort for a friend, but still do-able. You just need to include a detailed letter of invitation outlining the things the State Department wants to see, such as length of stay, ties back home (job/family), who's paying for the trip, where she will stay. Furthermore, you should state that as a US citizen, you will assure that the law is followed and that the visitor will return when the visa is up. Stevo Title: something fishy. Post by: Mike on January 16, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Why do you think so?, posted by Stevo on Jan 15, 2002
I've been around the block a little when it comes to visa's and I know that to get a friend here on a tourist visa they not only must prove that they are planing to return, but must show a VERY good income in Russia, and also possibly leaving behind a husband and or child, and then they have a small chance. With the mofia the way it is I think they would much rather have a few fake friends here waiting then sneaking them in through Cuba, or Mexico. Title: I guess I always assumed Post by: MarkInTx on January 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Why do you think so?, posted by Stevo on Jan 15, 2002
You say that you can get a visa for a friend? Hmmm... what proof of friendship do they need? I mean... can Jack say that a lady from his site is a friend, and get her a Visa? (Or, could his wife sponser someone?) [no one get excited, I am merely using Jack as an example because he knows a lot of people over there, and his wife is from there...] That would be a very convenient loophole around having to go through the fiancee visa... wouldn't it? All you would need is a "friend" who could plasibly say the knew her? Not for the firt trip, of course... but after you've met someone, and wanted to spend some time here without having to file the K-1... Would that work? Title: Probably would, but... Post by: Stevo on January 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to I guess I always assumed, posted by MarkInTx on Jan 15, 2002
the lady better not get caught lying, because it could adversely affect her ability to get a K1 later on (if at all). So there is some risk. The other thing to remember is that you have to detail where the visitor is going to be staying... so is she going to be staying with you, or with 'Jack'? Besides, I have a friend who got visitor visas for 2 girls, without resorting to any trickery. Just followed the State Department requirements. Stevo Title: No kidding? Post by: MarkInTx on January 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Probably would, but..., posted by Stevo on Jan 15, 2002
Wow... I just thought that was impossible... How long did it take? Title: Re: No kidding? Post by: BarryM on January 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to No kidding?, posted by MarkInTx on Jan 15, 2002
A friend of mine's fiancee and her daughter are coming over on a medical visa. He plans to marry her soon after she arrives and is going to have an immigration attorney file for AOS. I'm not sure what the rules are concerning visitor or tourist visas, marriage in the states of foriegn nationals, and AOS, but my friend works for a law firm and has already done the research concerning his situation. You may want to ask some of visa vets if they can explain those rules. -blm Title: It's a popular myth...about 3 months or so...n/t Post by: Stevo on January 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM Title: Dang... button stuck. Sorry! n/t Post by: MarkInTx on January 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM Title: interesting Post by: KenC on January 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Wife just got back..., posted by Stevo on Jan 15, 2002
Stevo, Lena is in Russia right now for a couple of weeks. It is her first visit in almost 3 years. She wouldn't travel on her Advanced Parol. I am anxious to hear her new and improved opinion of her Motherland. Thanks for the insight. KenC |