Packet 3 never recieved? But interview already scheduled!

[Man of Hope 0]

Hello everyone!!!

Its a pleasure to talk to such a lively and responsive community as VJ. Me and my fiancee have a small dillemma here. She's from Russia, so the embassy is in Moscow. There's a section of the embassy's site through which you can check to see if you have already an interview scheduled or not. Our case is already scheduled!!! WOohoo. But then should be happy, although we didn't recieve packet 3 that everyone I see receieves here? I heard from some people that in Russia they don't send packet 3 at all, then others tell me it doesn't even matter - those packets basically tell you when to come to interview and what forms to fill out. But you can get all this info on the embassy's website - it is true that everything you need for the interview is clearly stated on the Moscow's Embassy site. We passed without any RFE's (got approved for K1), meaning they have all the papers they need I'd supppose, so - do we really need this Packet 3 or is it just a formal letter of invitation and is not a requirement at the interview (doesn't say it anywhere on the site).?

So please help me out guys.

Question 1: Should we be worried or should we wait longer (our NVS sent out the package around 02/25/2008, which is already a month almost)?

Question 2: Should we call and ask whats going on with this and or should we just let it go and go to the interview with all the documentation on hand.

Question 3: Anyone from Russia, who's going to be going through Moscow's embassy - would you tell me please when (*how long*) it takes until you get your visa - is it the same day or do they mail it to you by DHL (which of course we have to buy . We really want to know how that works since we would like to look into buying the tickets soon and we should know all this stuff I think before doing that

Sorry for all these questions. Any help whatsoever will be appreciated guys! We will be extremely grateful for any advice/ or any past experiences especially that people went through so we can be sure what to expect.

Thanks very much,

Your friends,

Igor & Olesya

P.S. God bless you all!!! We're all in this together and the world is ours no matter how fast it spins!!!

I might have posted this in a wrong thread by accident . I am still a newbie to all these forums and stuff,,,so forgive me if I did.

[mox 298]

But then should be happy, although we didn't recieve packet 3 that everyone I see receieves here? I heard from some people that in Russia they don't send packet 3 at all, then others tell me it doesn't even matter - those packets basically tell you when to come to interview and what forms to fill out. But you can get all this info on the embassy's website - it is true that everything you need for the interview is clearly stated on the Moscow's Embassy site.

Here's the skinny on Moscow: They do not send out a packet 3. They do, however, send out a packet 4. They send this via normal Russian posta, so it's entirely possible that yours got lost in the mail. Ours was sent out on March 14, and she hasn't received it yet either. In any case, packet 4 contains instructions in Russian, and a list of authorized clinics for her medical exam. In case she doesn't get her packet, here's basically what's in the packet, minus a few forms that you or her will have to print yourself:

K-1 instructions in Russian.

K-1 instructions in English. (probably not in the packet but I include them here for your reference)

Medical clinics (pdf format).

NOTE: If your fiancee is internet savvy, make sure she fills out the electronic DS-156 located here. If not, you'll want to do it yourself and send the resulting printout to her. Also make sure the Russian version DS-156K (here (pdf)) gets filled out.

Question 1: Should we be worried or should we wait longer (our NVS sent out the package around 02/25/2008, which is already a month almost)?

I would assume it's been lost, and if it ever does show up you can consider it a bonus. I'd get to work on the links I posted above.

Question 2: Should we call and ask whats going on with this and or should we just let it go and go to the interview with all the documentation on hand.

You can ask, but everyone whose posted that they asked the embassy to send out another packet 4 has been turned down. The big things she needs to get done are all on the instructions above. If she hasn't started on her police reports yet, she needs to get it done asap. They can take up to 30 days.

Question 3: Anyone from Russia, who's going to be going through Moscow's embassy - would you tell me please when (*how long*) it takes until you get your visa - is it the same day or do they mail it to you by DHL (which of course we have to buy . We really want to know how that works since we would like to look into buying the tickets soon and we should know all this stuff I think before doing that

It seems to be taking around a week. However, DO NOT buy plane tickets or make any plans you can't afford to undo based on that date. Take a look at this thread for what can possibly happen when the embassy decides to play games.

Sorry for all these questions. Any help whatsoever will be appreciated guys! We will be extremely grateful for any advice/ or any past experiences especially that people went through so we can be sure what to expect.

Never apologize for asking questions, it helps a lot of people!

I might have posted this in a wrong thread by accident . I am still a newbie to all these forums and stuff,,,so forgive me if I did.

Igor, drop on over to the Russia regional forum. Lotta people like yours truly going through the same thing, and you'll get tons of Russia-specific advice. Plus we can always use fresh meat new friendly faces! And congrats on the interview!

Edited March 24, 2008 by mox

[Man of Hope 0]

Here's the skinny on Moscow: They do not send out a packet 3. They do, however, send out a packet 4. They send this via normal Russian posta, so it's entirely possible that yours got lost in the mail. Ours was sent out on March 14, and she hasn't received it yet either. In any case, packet 4 contains instructions in Russian, and a list of authorized clinics for her medical exam. In case she doesn't get her packet, here's basically what's in the packet, minus a few forms that you or her will have to print yourself:

K-1 instructions in Russian.

K-1 instructions in English. (probably not in the packet but I include them here for your reference)

Medical clinics (pdf format).

NOTE: If your fiancee is internet savvy, make sure she fills out the electronic DS-156 located here. If not, you'll want to do it yourself and send the resulting printout to her. Also make sure the Russian version DS-156K (here (pdf)) gets filled out.

Question 1: Should we be worried or should we wait longer (our NVS sent out the package around 02/25/2008, which is already a month almost)?

I would assume it's been lost, and if it ever does show up you can consider it a bonus. I'd get to work on the links I posted above.

Question 2: Should we call and ask whats going on with this and or should we just let it go and go to the interview with all the documentation on hand.

You can ask, but everyone whose posted that they asked the embassy to send out another packet 4 has been turned down. The big things she needs to get done are all on the instructions above. If she hasn't started on her police reports yet, she needs to get it done asap. They can take up to 30 days.

Question 3: Anyone from Russia, who's going to be going through Moscow's embassy - would you tell me please when (*how long*) it takes until you get your visa - is it the same day or do they mail it to you by DHL (which of course we have to buy . We really want to know how that works since we would like to look into buying the tickets soon and we should know all this stuff I think before doing that

It seems to be taking around a week. However, DO NOT buy plane tickets or make any plans you can't afford to undo based on that date. Take a look at this thread for what can possibly happen when the embassy decides to play games. .

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THIS IS ALL EXTREMELY HELPFUL AND YOU ANSWERED ALL OF MY QUESTIONS "MOX". THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT!!!

I'm glad we can get all the info ourselves. And don't need any docs from the embassy to have for the interview. We will surely fill out all the needed documentation from the embassy pages (links you included - the DS-156 and DS-156K + other docs).

Also one more question - does she need to bring all the information we send originally to the NSCIS? Like the photographs together, proof of us knowing each other, my ability to support her (whats that form 134 somemthing?) Do we need all these docs once again?

[mox 298]

THIS IS ALL EXTREMELY HELPFUL AND YOU ANSWERED ALL OF MY QUESTIONS "MOX". THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT!!!

I'm glad we can get all the info ourselves. And don't need any docs from the embassy to have for the interview. We will surely fill out all the needed documentation from the embassy pages (links you included - the DS-156 and DS-156K + other docs).

Also one more question - does she need to bring all the information we send originally to the NSCIS? Like the photographs together, proof of us knowing each other, my ability to support her (whats that form 134 somemthing?) Do we need all these docs once again?

Glad to help.

You do need the I-134. Read the consulate instructions I linked above, it tells you exactly what you need to bring, including the I-134. Don't forget to have the I-134 notarized.

It is helpful to bring a copy of the packet you filed at USCIS, but not strictly required. The requirement for evidence this time is not that you have met, but that you have an ongoing relationship.

One more thing: Here's a link to the approved clinics straight from the embassy website, and this one has addresses. Make sure she schedules her appointment well in advance.

Edited March 25, 2008 by mox