Finally Interview date

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

np. So 3 days should be enough to pick up her passport from Kiev's Fedex office?

usually, but not always, it is there the 2nd business day after the interview. There is a fair to middlin' chance it will be there on Wednesday.

Provided YOU bring everything you need and they do not ask for anything else. If you have everything on their list, you should be OK. Kiev is not known for making things up or asking for lots more evidence if you give them something reasonable. And despite what anyone may say, I think it DOES make a difference that you are there. That is pretty good "evidence" and I think it helps. I will admit, most are approved without the USC being present.

Edited August 20, 2010 by Gary and Alla

[JVF 0]

Yes. Hey, whatever works for you, really. Just be prepared for a plan B. Always have a plan B in this process. After a very smooth process with Alla and Pasha, it seems that Sergey's process was just a nightmare once he got here and it seems that everyone is incapable of doing their job nad I am getting sick of training government clerks on how to issue SSN's, drivers licenses, etc. Now Alla had a problem where her university office "lost" a full 10 credits of her education and tried to tell HER she must be mistaken. Kind of like telling a woman "our records show you do not have two children" I think she remembers this! After going through several levels of surpervisors..."Ooops, our mistake" No kidding. Plus last week they sent her a notice that because she had not paid for her classes she was not enrolled for her fall classes, despite the receipt showing it was paid in cash and her class schedule and registration which we have. "Oooops...our mistake"

They LOST your petition en route to NVC....you KNOW what can happen. Just be prepared for the idiots!

But congratulations, you will get through it and it is all worth it.

Thank you Gary. I know exactly what you mean. Been there...

[Islapaz 41]

Cool, maybe we will meet Are you coming for the interview?

Thank you. Good luck to you too.

Thanks. What about you? You should be scheduling your interview any day.

My fiance will schedule interview next week. Maybe we will be there for around the same dates. We plan to be in Kiev for some days then head down to Odessa for some more time with family. This time my father is also going with me to meet Yevgen's family. After, my fiance will be heading to Puerto Rico but in December as his contract in France is until the end of the year.

My best wishes!!

[JVF 0]

My fiance will schedule interview next week. Maybe we will be there for around the same dates. We plan to be in Kiev for some days then head down to Odessa for some more time with family. This time my father is also going with me to meet Yevgen's family. After, my fiance will be heading to Puerto Rico but in December as his contract in France is until the end of the year.

My best wishes!!

I decided to go to Odessa on October 1st. That give us 4 days business days after the interview to receive visa.

[1HappyGuy 45]

How about this scenario. Interview on September 27th, which is Monday. If we don't get to pick up her passport on Thursday September 30th from local fedex office in Kiev, we travel to Odessa to pack up. Then I call Fedex on Monday and if they have our passport I purchase ticket for her, we travel back to Kiev on October 4th, which is Monday and fly to New York on Tuesday October 5th.

Does that sound reasonable?

Yes, that does sound reasonable. What we are saying is just that tight time lines based upon the embassy doing their job quickly has disappointed many. The chance to pick up the visa at FedEx is still possible, but make sure that someone at that office knows your plans in case it is not available when your train departs. Remember, she is leaving her family and friends for a potentially long time (through AOS) and will be relying upon you for all her needs, emotionally and physically. So, give her some quality time to say good bye. She is taking a big step, so be prepared for lots of emotions.

[baron555 934]

I decided to go to Odessa on October 1st. That give us 4 days business days after the interview to receive visa.

You can always just pick it up on your way back to Kiev for the flight; minor detour but do-able.

[JVF 0]

You can always just pick it up on your way back to Kiev for the flight; minor detour but do-able.

Yes, that's the plan B

[JVF 0]

My fiancee will be going for her medical 3 weeks prior our interview? Does anyone know any good hotels around that area?

Thanks.

[JVF 0]

never mind. I found really good agency that rent apartments around that area. Can't go wrong with $45 per day

[1HappyGuy 45]

That sounds like a pretty good rate too. Hopefully it is close to public transportation and other useful things like stores, restaurants, etc.

I'm actually surprised that the rate is that low with the economy and the change in the hrivna to the dollar, that sounds pretty good.

[JVF 0]

This is how much it should cost. It's about 10 min from medical center and all "useful things" are walking distance. I used this agency in the past while traveling to Kiev. I guess the reason they are not charging me much, because I speak the language (Russian) and never tell them where I am from. It seems like Old Soviet Union cities tend to oooooooovercharge foreigners.

I just rented another flat when I will come to Kiev for the interview. It's $50 per night and about 10 min walk from American Embassy.

Not sure about now, but back in the days during Soviet Union Era, hotels had a different rate for foreigners and locals.

Foreigners would end up paying 5x the cost then locals.

[1HappyGuy 45]

Things haven't changed much. There is one rate for foreigners and another lower rate for citizens.

[JVF 0]

Yes. Let me know if you ever need contact for that agency. They have nice apartments in Kiev and not that expensive.