interview

[ronnielee67 2]

Ilyana arrived in moscow this morning. Medical Tuesday, interview Friday. We got the apartment from moscow Rick. 560 dollars for 4 nights 100 for train station pick up and early arrival. 5:30 a.m. Includes computer and internet.

What should she expect to pay for the DHL. It varies right. She lives in stavropol.

Her 15 year old daughter is with her. All suggestions welcome.

Thanks

[russ 1]

560 is okay for 4 nights.

DHL is a ripoff (about $35), since they will be taking it across the street for you. Having it held in Moscow is ideal. It was about $50 last year to Липецк.

Ilyana arrived in moscow this morning. Medical Tuesday, interview Friday. We got the apartment from moscow Rick. 560 dollars for 4 nights 100 for train station pick up and early arrival. 5:30 a.m. Includes computer and internet.

What should she expect to pay for the DHL. It varies right. She lives in stavropol.

Her 15 year old daughter is with her. All suggestions welcome.

Thanks

[MaydayDas 1]

Good luck at the interview

[1HappyGuy 45]

Did you check the embassy web site about fees for express mail? I know that in Ukraine the embassy charges $8 - $10 for express mail which needs to be paid at the time of the interview. At this point, you just want to pay whatever it costs. It is well worth the effort.

Good luck at the interview.

[slim 1,514]

The DHL fee is something like $40 depending on where it's going. My wife's went all the way to Vladivostok, about as far away as you can get from Moscow, and her's was around $40. Closer should be less money and quicker delivery.

Good luck!!!

[BelwinMills 0]

All the best on your interview

[ronnielee67 2]

Mannnn!

We thought it was over 100 bucks.

No. Way there is something that is only 30-40 dollars. Well, it's more than the subway, but less than cab fare anywhere.

I found plane tickets through kayak for 1000 dollars per person to Atlanta. But, it's over 3000 per person to charlotte! Do I have to drive to Atlanta to save 4000 dollars?

Originating in moscow of course.

[Satellite 1]

Ilyana arrived in moscow this morning. Medical Tuesday, interview Friday. We got the apartment from moscow Rick. 560 dollars for 4 nights 100 for train station pick up and early arrival. 5:30 a.m. Includes computer and internet.

What should she expect to pay for the DHL. It varies right. She lives in stavropol.

Her 15 year old daughter is with her. All suggestions welcome.

Thanks

Last time I checked the Metro is right next to the train station, goes for 15 rubles ($0.50), starts running at 5:00am until 1:00am, reaches most places in Moscow, much faster and way cheaper than any overland transportation, and used by most average earning Russians livings in Moscow. $100 for personal service, I’d spend my money somewhere else.

Also, why did you go with such a large gap between medical and interview? You could have done the medical through MOM for $85 on Thursday, had results that same day, and off to the Embassy on Friday, visa delivered to place of residence via DHL (900 RUR), same price as in office delivery, and had to fork over only one night in Moscow! You had the best interview time. We got screwed with a Monday interview time, forcing us to spend at least Friday through Monday in Moscow.

[Turboguy 6]

Did you check the embassy web site about fees for express mail? I know that in Ukraine the embassy charges $8 - $10 for express mail which needs to be paid at the time of the interview. At this point, you just want to pay whatever it costs. It is well worth the effort.

Good luck at the interview.

DHL is the only option for Moscow. Kiev is FedEx only and you can buy the prepaid mailer at a desk in the Embassy. For those that need to get the DHL office there are two DHL offices in Moscow. One is right next to the north entrance of the Embassy where you go for the interview. There is a shopping center to the right, sitting back a bit with a DHL sign on the side of the building. DHL is in there on the lower level in the back. Pick up is only at the other office but you can get the mailer there.

[akdiver 3]

Ilyana arrived in moscow this morning. Medical Tuesday, interview Friday. We got the apartment from moscow Rick. 560 dollars for 4 nights 100 for train station pick up and early arrival. 5:30 a.m. Includes computer and internet. What should she expect to pay for the DHL. It varies right. She lives in stavropol. Her 15 year old daughter is with her. All suggestions welcome. Thanks

Last time I checked the Metro is right next to the train station, goes for 15 rubles ($0.50), starts running at 5:00am until 1:00am, reaches most places in Moscow, much faster and way cheaper than any overland transportation, and used by most average earning Russians livings in Moscow. $100 for personal service, I’d spend my money somewhere else. Also, why did you go with such a large gap between medical and interview? You could have done the medical through MOM for $85 on Thursday, had results that same day, and off to the Embassy on Friday, visa delivered to place of residence via DHL (900 RUR), same price as in office delivery, and had to fork over only one night in Moscow! You had the best interview time. We got screwed with a Monday interview time, forcing us to spend at least Friday through Monday in Moscow.

Just listening to all of this, I am so glad we are done with all this #######. Next stop for us is naturalization. Thank god.

Cheers!

AKDiver

[ronnielee67 2]

What?! Why did I go with such a large gap? The instructions came to me through Ilyana. I guess I should have asked about it before I bought the train tickets. I was too involved in getting the i-134 straight. Check this out. 1040 for 2006 was 33,000. Well, I quit that job jan, 07 and started contracting. Ok, when I saw that business about self employment and commercial rating concern on the i-134, I took a full time job with a local company in April at 14 bucks an hour. 29,000 a year. Much easier. A letter from the employer and my first pay stub, right? The poverty guideline is 21,000 for 3 people in the house hold. I think. Also, I sent copies of my business liscence, general liability and workmans comp policies to show that I also have a business. But, I did not send any proof of income for it. Should she even include that at the interview, or throw it away. Am I making this too hard on myself?

[akdiver 3]

What?! Why did I go with such a large gap? The instructions came to me through Ilyana. I guess I should have asked about it before I bought the train tickets. I was too involved in getting the i-134 straight. Check this out. 1040 for 2006 was 33,000. Well, I quit that job jan, 07 and started contracting. Ok, when I saw that business about self employment and commercial rating concern on the i-134, I took a full time job with a local company in April at 14 bucks an hour. 29,000 a year. Much easier. A letter from the employer and my first pay stub, right? The poverty guideline is 21,000 for 3 people in the house hold. I think. Also, I sent copies of my business liscence, general liability and workmans comp policies to show that I also have a business. But, I did not send any proof of income for it. Should she even include that at the interview, or throw it away. Am I making this too hard on myself?

Yes. The more paperwork you give, the more you give them to question. Stick to the guidelines. If you can show you make at least the minimums without a bunch of other BS, then do it.

Cheers!

AKDiver

[slim 1,514]

What?! Why did I go with such a large gap? The instructions came to me through Ilyana. I guess I should have asked about it before I bought the train tickets. I was too involved in getting the i-134 straight. Check this out. 1040 for 2006 was 33,000. Well, I quit that job jan, 07 and started contracting. Ok, when I saw that business about self employment and commercial rating concern on the i-134, I took a full time job with a local company in April at 14 bucks an hour. 29,000 a year. Much easier. A letter from the employer and my first pay stub, right? The poverty guideline is 21,000 for 3 people in the house hold. I think. Also, I sent copies of my business liscence, general liability and workmans comp policies to show that I also have a business. But, I did not send any proof of income for it. Should she even include that at the interview, or throw it away. Am I making this too hard on myself?

Short answer.... Yes. You're making it too hard on yourself. Ensure the paperwork she carries to the embassy matches up with the paperwork you submitted. If you earn over the poverty level, don't worry about your "other jobs". Just make sure you have at least one job that proves to the embassy that you make enough money.

A great way to save some money, as Satellite said, is to take the Metro around Moscow. All of these contracted "shuttle" services and taxis charge way too much. You can ride the subway and save yourself $40+ each time. Also, your tickets from Atlanta to Charlotte are grossly overpriced! Check around, you shouldn't have to pay more than $100/ticket.

[russ 1]

I found plane tickets through kayak for 1000 dollars per person to Atlanta. But, it's over 3000 per person to charlotte! Do I have to drive to Atlanta to save 4000 dollars?

Originating in moscow of course.

Book the two flights separately. Get the cheapest flight from Moscow to the US, then the cheapest flight in the US to charlotte. Moscow -> NYC is usually the cheapest.

The drive to Atlanta may even be worth it, since it is a non-stop.

[Milenka 0]

560 is okay for 4 nights.

DHL is a ripoff (about $35), since they will be taking it across the street for you. Having it held in Moscow is ideal. It was about $50 last year to Липецк.

Ilyana arrived in moscow this morning. Medical Tuesday, interview Friday. We got the apartment from moscow Rick. 560 dollars for 4 nights 100 for train station pick up and early arrival. 5:30 a.m. Includes computer and internet.

What should she expect to pay for the DHL. It varies right. She lives in stavropol.

Her 15 year old daughter is with her. All suggestions welcome.

Thanks

Russ, are you saying, if you live in Moscow, or nearby you are allowed to pick it up at the embassy? Would be nice not to be ripped of by DHL, I am not a big fan of DHL in general, but that is a long story...Best of luck at the interview!

Edited May 15, 2007 by Milenka