Planning my 3rd trip to Russia since January

[1HappyGuy 45]

Go by all means. We don't think very logically when we are in love, sometimes. Slim was astute about the costs and savings, but what can you do when you heart says go.

Is it too hard to get multiple visit tourist visas now? I know that it has saved me a bunch of hassle and money traveling to Ukraine. Of course, Ukraine is not Russia.

Have a great time and let her family know how good you will care for Sasha. She will be stuck here for a while after arriving so it could be a while. My wife was very anxious to return to Kyiv and see her mother and friends after being gone for 1 1/2 years.

But, she was very happy to return to her home in America.

[dmhweb 0]

...

Is it too hard to get multiple visit tourist visas now? I know that it has saved me a bunch of hassle and money traveling to Ukraine. Of course, Ukraine is not Russia.

...

Correct me if I'm wrong but US Passport is all that's needed to enter Ukraine now. No Visa required. Or should I say no pre-entry visa required. I guess the stamp in your passport becomes your visa.

Edited August 8, 2007 by dmhweb

[Milenka 0]

It's true to go to Ukraine you don't need a visa, as long as you aren't staying longer than 90 days:

http://www.mfa.gov.ua/usa/en/1609.htm

Obviously you couldn't work or anything But it sure makes it easier to visit, than having to apply for a Russian visa...

[payxibka 10,045]

...

Is it too hard to get multiple visit tourist visas now? I know that it has saved me a bunch of hassle and money traveling to Ukraine. Of course, Ukraine is not Russia.

...

Correct me if I'm wrong but US Passport is all that's needed to enter Ukraine now. No Visa required. Or should I say no pre-entry visa required. I guess the stamp in your passport becomes your visa.

A visa is essentially a document that gives you permission to formally request permission to enter the country. For now, as it relates to Ukraine, your US passport alone can act like such a document. Your US passport will allow you to request one authorized 90 day stay every 6 months. If you wish to travel more frequently than this, then a visa will need to be requested.

The stamp in the passport is your indication that you have been granted permission to enter.

[slim 1,523]

By all means, if you have the money..... go!

And seriously, if I were you, I would consider moving there instead of her moving here! Colonial Williamsburg (right Williamsburg?) is cool and all, but Modern Moscow is the $#!T!!!! If you guys could have a nice life there... do it!!!

[slim 1,523]

Petroleum engineers, emerging market investment banking, state dept, journalism, aviation, and specialized engineering disciplines are examples of people who are frequently working overseas. If it is something you want to do, it isn't that hard.

Those jobs all suck once you're married. They're awesome for a single guy (especially one in Russia.... ah, to be single and in Russia!) but for a "family man" they're horrible.

If you're looking for a good single guy job (or a high-paying married guy job) you can jump on Monster or CareerBuilder or a like site and enter the keyword "IRAQ". There's a whole bunch of opportunity for growth there. (The wife probably won't go for that one though!)

[russ 1]

The question was how to travel a lot, not a good job for being married. And that is a trick question, as there is no good job for being married. In that case, you either won't make enough, or be home enough.

Those jobs all suck once you're married. They're awesome for a single guy (especially one in Russia.... ah, to be single and in Russia!) but for a "family man" they're horrible.

[Jason-Sasha 1]

By all means, if you have the money..... go!

And seriously, if I were you, I would consider moving there instead of her moving here! Colonial Williamsburg (right Williamsburg?) is cool and all, but Modern Moscow is the $#!T!!!! If you guys could have a nice life there... do it!!!

slim, you're too funny, man. I would love it if we weren't planning to have children. I'd just rather raise them here, not in Williamsburg. I love Williamsburg. if you're a resident you know all the "other" things to do around here. I spend so much time at the beach. Williamsburg is just a cash cow for me now. Its very easy to earn lots of money in this city. Its just one big resort. We plan to move west after we're married. But not for 3 years! Ughh. And no, I dont think she would go for me taking a job in Iraq. Not going that route. Been there, done that. Long long time ago. Well, not really Iraq. Kuwait, immediately following the Gulf War. I wouldnt return to that region unless I had to for some reason.

[1HappyGuy 45]

Regarding visas for Ukraine, the Ukrainian government has only allowed Americans to enter without a visa for just over two years now. They relaxed the requirement when the country hosted Euro Vision in May 2005. Prior to that time you needed a visa to enter each time.

[Scott2007 0]

How funny, your worried about too many trips to Russia to see your SO. I'm worried for only seeing mine once, which will be exactly one year ago from our interview date. We didn't even meet in Russia. We both wanted to go some where romantic and were we had enough things to keep us busy, so we decided on Hungary, Budapest. Turned out to be the best thing I ever did in my life, well ok second best thing, the first is yet to come when we are side by side and getting married.

[Jason-Sasha 1]

How funny, your worried about too many trips to Russia to see your SO. I'm worried for only seeing mine once, which will be exactly one year ago from our interview date. We didn't even meet in Russia. We both wanted to go some where romantic and were we had enough things to keep us busy, so we decided on Hungary, Budapest. Turned out to be the best thing I ever did in my life, well ok second best thing, the first is yet to come when we are side by side and getting married.

That's got to be tough. I dont know how you can go a year without seeing her. The longest sasha and I were ever apart was 8 months and we vowed never to go that long again. So now we try to be together every few months at least. We got so spoiled living together for two consecutive summers. I'll keep going even if this process takes longer than expected. I'm already planning my next trip for the holidays. When we filed, we thought there was a chance she could be here by then. But in the last few weeks we've seen a real slow down with the processing. So, we're already planning for New year's in Moscow. well, Times Square will just have to wait until 2008!

[mendeleev 68]

I am more fortunate than most, my former job took me on business to Novosibirsk, my wife's city, rather frequently -- in fact that's how I met her. And it looks like my current job will do the same, although perhaps not as often.

So, I'm planning my 15th or so trip to Russia in the last 5 years. I got my next multiple entry visa yesterday, and leave for the first business stops (in the Netherlands) on 31 August. I will spend a week with my wife in Moscow at the time of her interview.

So, three trips in a year seems not excessive to me, as long as the financial drain is tolerable and sustainable.

[Jason-Sasha 1]

I liked Novosibirsk. Was there for only one day, but it was a nice city. Cold as hell in January though.

[slim 1,523]

And that is a trick question, as there is no good job for being married.

You're right about that, just being married is a hard enough job!

I dont know how you can go a year without seeing her. The longest sasha and I were ever apart was 8 months

My wife and I went five years without seeing each other, then over a year during the visa process. Now I see her every day.... (I'm not gonna lie though, there are times that I wish I didn't see her for 8 months!)

All I can say with this is enjoy your "singleness" now. You won't have much "me time" when she gets here.

I am more fortunate than most, my former job took me on business to Novosibirsk, my wife's city, rather frequently -- in fact that's how I met her. And it looks like my current job will do the same, although perhaps not as often.

Is your wife worried about you being all alone in Novosibirsk after you're married? "Oh, you met me there.... maybe on your next trip you'll be looking to meet someone else?"

[Chuckles 0]

My job includes trips to Moscow, Isreal, Ireland, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico. But when I go it never really feels like a trip or vacation, so I don't count it.