Is Russia considered a high fraud consulate?

[Grahm&Sarah 0]

Hi everyone, I am new here. I assume Russia is considered this but not sure...have the interviews been particularly tough in Russia? Thanks for any info you can give a newbie. :-)

Grahm&Sarah

[Mike&Luda 0]

Hi everyone, I am new here. I assume Russia is considered this but not sure...have the interviews been particularly tough in Russia? Thanks for any info you can give a newbie. :-)

Grahm&Sarah

On the contrary, my wifes K-1 interview was so easy it was a complete joke. No tough questions at all... just asking her easy questions that he already knew the answers to... apparently to check for slip-ups and to make sure it was a real relationship. She took a bound volume of proof that was never even touched. Her friend recently had an interview just as easy.

[mox 298]

In the time I've been on VJ (about 18 months total), I've yet to see anyone denied at the Moscow consulate. I'm sure denials happen, but VJ'ers tend to be in real relationships and they also tend to be very informed and prepared, or at least RU members are. Preparation is the key. If all of your paperwork is complete and accurate and you have the required documentation, you will have no problems.

You're lucky. The people in the RU forum are really well informed, and we've got more than a few still hanging around who have gone completely through the process. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even if you think it's trivial.

And welcome!!

[Jasman0717 9]

I think there has been a few denials over the four years I have been a VJ member but nothing compared to some embassies like Viet Nam and China.

[Grahm&Sarah 0]

Hi guys! Thanks! My big red flag is that I was still married when I met my fiancee. However, I keep reading that this happens quite frequently. I filed my petition right after I got the divorce decree in the mail! That and I don't have a spot-free background, so far people say this won't cause a denial, but we'll see.

I wonder why some consulates are so difficult compared to others, especially when I would guess there is fraud that goes on at ALL OF THEM at some point or another. hmmmm. Anyway, glad to hear Moscow isn't one of them. WHEW.

Grahm&Sarah

[KGSodie 0]

Natasha's interview at the Moscow consulate was a breeze. More time spent waiting around than being interviewed. Vika (Natasha's K-2 daughter) got more questions than Natasha did, and she only got maybe 5 or 6. Took us 3 weeks to actually receive the visa, but the interview was a snap.

Good luck!

[KGSodie 0]

As long as your 'non-spot-free background' doesn't include stuff that would be considered an IMBRA violation, that shouldn't be a problem. I too met Natasha while still legally married, but this didn't even garner a question at the interview. During the AOS interview, We were asked about my prior spouse and why I met Natasha while still legally married, and about Natasha's prior K-1. The feeling I got was they were trying to gauge each other's reaction to see if we both knew these background bits about each other(we did, of course).

[mox 298]

Yeah, as KG says, they don't care if you were married when you met. Despite what a lot of people on VJ will try to lead you to believe, the ONLY requirements for filing a K1 are that you have met within the last 2 years and that you were free to marry when you filed. Feel free to discuss your background if you want, but like KG says, it's only a problem if it's an IMBRA violation.

I think consulates are more fraud aware depending on what kinds of visa fraud violations are detected stateside. If they see a lot of GC marriages from Ecuador, for example, the consulate is going to crack down a lot harder on interviews through Ecuador. I don't know why Russia isn't seen as a high fraud rate country, it seems like it should be. But I don't look that gift horse in the mouth.

[slim 1,514]

I don't know why Russia isn't seen as a high fraud rate country, it seems like it should be. But I don't look that gift horse in the mouth.

It was a few years ago, not so much anymore.

Graham, welcome to VJ. As said above, you have nothing to worry about provided you're prepared and follow the instructions. Now.... dish! What's your story, where you/Sarah from, etc., etc., etc.

[mendeleev 68]

Hi guys! Thanks! My big red flag is that I was still married when I met my fiancee. However, I keep reading that this happens quite frequently.

You aren't the only one. The fact never came up in any of our interviews (her K1, her K3, her AOS). Mainly because we weren't in such a hurry, we didn't get around to filing the initial I129F until the ink on the divorce decree was five months old. But if you two are well prepared, burdened with plenty of documentary evidence, you shouldn't have any problems.

[Corey-Mariya 14]

Hi everyone, I am new here. I assume Russia is considered this but not sure...have the interviews been particularly tough in Russia? Thanks for any info you can give a newbie. :-)

Grahm&Sarah

The majority of K1 visas get approved. The main reason for denials are not bringing all the requested documents, failure of medical, or do not meet the financial guidelines. When Mariya went for her visa interview there were only about 2 or 3 that did not get their visas approved, and that was due to missing documents. How easy the interview is, depends on the uscis official and their mood. At Mariyas interview their were three different Uscis officials conducting interviews. Two of the interviewing officials approved most people in under five minutes, however Mariya got assigned to the third Uscis official and her interview was over a half an hour. He checked every document but the end result was great, Visa approved. So as long as the medical is passed, the financial guidelines are met, and all the documents are there, you have nothing to worry about.

[mox 298]

And to clarify, missing documents won't get you an outright denial. They'll hold the visa until you can mail them the document. And if you don't meet the poverty guidelines, I remember reading at least one case where they held onto the visa until the petitioner submitted documentation for a co-sponsor. It's difficult to outright be denied. Medical or police record are about the only sure-fire way to be denied at the interview. Everything else, and you'll probably still get to keep your foot in the door long enough to rectify the situation.