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Hello all,
I just wanted to post the latest "happenings" at the American consolate in Moscow.  This may be of interest for those very near the interview process...

My lady had her interview July 31 (Wednesday).  We had everything we needed of course, we were pretty sure she would get her visa, and then be on a plane to the US, Friday.  Well surprise, surprise....

I had heard there were some changes in when the visa is issued.  In the PAST, the visa was issued the afternoon of the interview (if it was successful).

Well, my RW was approved for the visa.  Man, huge sigh of relief!!!  But then they said they DO NOT issue the visa the same day anymore.  

[I am not going to go into how I feel about the sudden change, because I do not think those thoughts would add anything to this post, and I like to stay positive]

The Embassy told her they would issue the visa in 2 weeks to 2 MONTHS.

And just call the embassy using the pay per call number in a few weeks to see if it was ready.....

Of course they could not give an exact date.  We had already bought plane tickets far in advance for her to fly out Friday (because flights are pretty hard to come by now, without paying a HUGE amount).  Soooo, we had to change tickets, for a month later, pay the change fee, and hope she will get the visa before this time.

I am only sharing this so others may know what is happening now, and maybe save some people some grief, and save from buying plane tickets, because it won't do any good until you know for sure she has visa in hand....

I hope this helps...

Yes, I am really bummed out, but know there is nothing I can do about it, so now i just go back to the waiting game...

be good all,
Dennis

... in response to Visa issue change at US embassy(Moscow) ..., posted by zebrazeb on Aug 1, 2002

OK, here is todays "facts"
I had E-mailed the embassy (they say on their web-site it is the preferred method of communication, so I try to follow the "rules").  Today I received an E-mail back, with their response to my question of "When will the visa be issued?"

In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks against New York, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania, visa application are subject to greater scrutiny.  This may lead to significant delays in visa issuance.  You may be assured, however, that every effort is being made to process all visa applications as expeditiously as possible, consistent with all relevant security concerns.  

Due to recent changes in processing requirements, we are required to perform additional administrative processing on this case following the interview.  We are not able to offer visa issuance on the same day.  This additional administrative processing is mandatory and we cannot issue the visa until it has been completed.  Due to the complexity of the procedure and the volume of cases, it is not possible to predict when this particular case will be completed. For further information regarding the status of this case, please contact our visa information center by telephone at +7 095 258 2525 or 1 866 4US VISA from the United States.  

We apologize for the delay in finalizing this visa case.

Sincerely,
U. S. Embassy
Consular Section
Customer Service Unit

Some one on another message board said they had heard that this was due to the machine being broken, but somehow I cannot believe that...I do not know if there is any truth in that statement.

Anyway, just wanted to share the latest news I had.

Be good all,
Dennis

... in response to Visa issue change at US embassy(Moscow) ..., posted by zebrazeb on Aug 1, 2002

Hello Dennis, I feel for you. What a total un-expected twist. I can imagine your feelings. It goes to show you how quickly things can change at any time when you are dealing with many of the countries of the FSU. So now I guess you wait and hope she get's the approval with-in the next month, or before the current airline ticket expires.

How are you doing on the west coast?

... in response to Re: Visa issue change at US embassy(Mosc..., posted by Jack on Aug 2, 2002

Hi Jack,
I am doing fine, and enjoying CA.  I am thoroughy loving the new job, so the day goes by quick, and helps with this VERY LONG waiting...

The ticket was actually for today, so she HAD to go to the travel agent yesterday, and get the ticket changed.  She moved it out several weeks, and hopefully far enough out for them to issue the visa...we shall see...

Good thing for message boards though.  It seems the best way to find out "current" info on what is happening.  The sad part of all this, is it is the US that is making it hard.  The US embassy is the one who changed plans all of a sudden.  I thought maybe you might have a good source to know for sure what is hapening...

be good,
Dennis

... in response to Re: Re: Visa issue change at US embassy(..., posted by zebrazeb on Aug 2, 2002

SEE my STATE DEPARTMENT post!!

Mark

... in response to Visa issue change at US embassy(Moscow) ..., posted by zebrazeb on Aug 1, 2002


Did anyone get advance notice of the Moscow change? Or do they change it in secret, and then simply tell you when you show up?

I can't even imagine having to go through what ZebraZeb did.

BTW, Zeb -- when did you leave Texas? I thought you had just bought a place on Eagle Mountain Lake???

... in response to Anyone know if Warsaw is changing policy..., posted by MarkInTx on Aug 2, 2002

Hi Mark,

I am doing good.  Well other then the latest Moscow switch.  I heard from someone else a few days before our interview, so I was able to let my lady know, so she wasn't totally shocked.  There is NO fore-warning...I will post the message I received from the consulate in my response to E-mailing them asking when the visa will be issued.

I moved out to CA in January...and loving it..

Take care,
Dennis

... in response to Re: nothing said ahead of time., posted by zebrazeb on Aug 2, 2002


BTW... is this the same lady who you brought to Texas?

... in response to Re: Re: nothing said ahead of time., posted by MarkInTx on Aug 3, 2002

Dennis, don't disappear on us now, we know you are out there.  I am curious to know also, your fiancee, is this the lady who visited you previously?

... in response to Dennis, don't disappear on us!, posted by Jack on Aug 4, 2002

Hi Mark and Jack...

I hope everything is good back in Texas.  I do miss the hot weather, as I am on the cool coast of CA now.  NOt very far to go though to feel some good hot weather here, AND without the humidity.

Jack, I will try not to disappear....I will make sure to throw away my magicians hat...lol

And for those wondering, yes, it is the same lady.  This has been a crazy journey...but definitly adding some excitement to our lives...

Take care,
Dennis

... in response to Re: Dennis, don't disappear on us!, posted by zebrazeb on Aug 4, 2002

Dennis,

Glad to hear it worked out for you!

I always thought that you acted very honorably, and that you did the right thing.

I'm glad to hear the story has a happy ending and for once a "nice guy finished first!"

Congrats to you both!

... in response to Re: Dennis, don't disappear on us!, posted by zebrazeb on Aug 4, 2002

Dennis,

 Now is probably not the time, but maybe in a year from now I think that your story would be most interesting, informative and educational to share with the new guys who are looking for a Russian bride.

... in response to Visa issue change at US embassy(Moscow) ..., posted by zebrazeb on Aug 1, 2002

oh for gods sake. A 5 to 8 month wait was not enough. Now we have to be approved and still wait possibly up to 2 months? Anyone find any official info on this? (no offense, I just want to be able to cut and paste the info for my lady..kind of break it to her gently...)

dex

... in response to Re: Visa issue change at US embassy(Mosc..., posted by dexion on Aug 2, 2002

It's true dex, it's happening and with very little notice.

There are many people effected by this. There are guys who 1 month ago, 3 weeks ago that bought tickets for there fiancee to leave the day after the interview,.... it's not happening!

A few ladies and couple's have been lucky and received visa's the next day and 1-day later, but many are now waiting a week and longer.

Many ladies are making long trips back home, to Omsk, Novosibirsk, Volgograd with there belongings because they don't know when they will leave now and money in Moscow runs out quickly.

... in response to Re: Re: Visa issue change at US embassy(..., posted by Jack on Aug 2, 2002

Man, we are just in the planning stages (haven't been approved yet still waiting for paperwork to worm its way along..) But we were planning on doing the get interviewed, fly to the US thing.. Now.. back to vladivostok for 2 weeks? Man. Sorry to all those who are affected.
dex

... in response to Visa issue change at US embassy(Moscow) ..., posted by zebrazeb on Aug 1, 2002

I am not surprised at these "changes/modifications" to your processes, guess who will be next? Yep, Down Under.

Don't be discouraged by the Hidden Agenda, it is to be expected, especially in today's world of Globalisation, Trade, Power and Conformity.Whose conformity?

Guess who instigated the "Procedures/Requirements" in your Embassy?  By the way, you are only allowed one guess.

We too have sinister motives for "Procedures/Requirements" in this country. By whom? Hmmmm ..... One day soon, Legislation, and who opposed or challenged THEIR "Logic" behind this? ? ?

Just Dig In, Grit your Teeth, and, Smile at the same time, but Never, Never give up until your Dead Horse Kicks You (to steal Tootsie's or R'W's quote from years back).

Just Do It !

Good Luck to All.
JohnL
P.S. If you don't understand the world of hidden agenda's, please don't waste Patrick's Hard Drive, he must be struggling to keep up now.

... in response to Gentlemen - Hidden Agenda's, posted by JohnL on Aug 2, 2002

You have been looking since 1976? Tell me how you are goin about it so I will know what not to do. LOL

Seriously though, what does that mean?

... in response to Hey John, posted by thesearch on Aug 2, 2002

Simply, it means that I am still single.

There is an old saying, "if it Fly's, Float's or Flirt's, dont buy it, hire it"!  Well, two of those 'suggestions' I have not become analogous too, however, the latter is not an option for me, as it may be for others. No, I do not practice celibacy, but why burden your life with something that has a high potential to seriously disrupt or shatter it?

But because I am still single, don't take the opposite tack to me or as you put it laughingly ".... so I will know what not to do... " because you will end up having a very boring and uneventful life! After all, my first 'peek' behind the IC was in the early 70's, not one that is forgotten easily.

I was attempting to visit a large copper mine in what was Poland; when I left Aus. During the visit and still in the hands of the Polish Mine Managers, we were suddenly ordered with the threat of a 'Pb headache', out! The Polish/USSR border had moved in the space of hours! I was now behind the IC, if only for hours, but every minute seemed hours too long.

I have some very fond memories of the region and its people, even to this day.I never give up looking in that part of the world. Why? Because my horse is still alive, and it has'nt kicked me, not yet.
Good luck
j

... in response to Re: Hey John, posted by JohnL on Aug 3, 2002

You remind me of LP in a deeper philosophical nature but not like LP in your posts LOL

But, what are you doing, thinking about relative to these women, what is your plan.

I am interested as you are clearly different from the majority of men here.

... in response to Visa issue change at US embassy(Moscow) ..., posted by zebrazeb on Aug 1, 2002

Figures.  Now I wonder if they mark off the time that the thing is valid from the approval date, or the actual issue date.

Thanks for the info...  but this sux because my fiance will have to fly back to novosibirsk and wait for siberia to freeze over again.

... in response to Re: Visa issue change at US embassy(Mosc..., posted by BrianN on Aug 2, 2002

Better to wait until Siberia freezes over than to have to wait until Hell does...

... in response to Re: Visa issue change at US embassy(Mosc..., posted by BrianN on Aug 2, 2002

n/t

... in response to Re: Visa issue change at US embassy(Mosc..., posted by BrianN on Aug 2, 2002

Brian, just tell her to grit the teeth once more Bro.

Of course, your Consulate are not going to inconvenience or make anything difficult for anyone, are they?
Just help keep them warm, pray for them, every day. It works, believe me !

Good health to you both.
John

... in response to Re: Re: Visa issue change at US embassy(..., posted by JohnL on Aug 2, 2002

Actually, my complaint is almost pointless, unless the delay between approval and issuance is more than 2-3 weeks.  She planned to return to Novosibirsk after the interview, finalize everything at work - (which will be an extensive task), say goodbye to relatives, and sign over papers on her house.  (Besides that, she's a little too superstitious to do all of it and then go to Mosocow, banking everything on a "supposed" visa approval).

(But I couldn't even THINK of having to go all the way back to VLAD for God's sake!  I would hope that the folks at the embassy would take something like that into consideration when they make up their bump to the back list)

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Visa issue change at US emba..., posted by BrianN on Aug 2, 2002

Ug, i know going back would be expensive and long.. She has a friend who lives very close to moscow that extended an invitation for a short stay..it may now become longer..
dex