Newbie - questions about Kiev Embassy Intervew/Info Packet

[SeanAndNatalia 0]

Hello fellow Ukraine fiance's/fiancee's (husbands/wives)!!

-Newbie here - well, have been a member for a week or so, but took me a week to read through all 39 pages of discussions.

(enjoyed reading everyone's stories and comments..)

Anyway, just submitted my I-129f about 2 weeks ago, and I am starting to work on the embassy/interview stuff.

(Even though I am probably a good 4 months away from our petition approval - gotta love the CSC..)

What I know.

-After approval, petition is sent to NVC and hangs out there a while (week to a month)

-When done at NVC - I get notified, and also get the Case Number ('KEV' number)

-Then gets sent to US Embassy in Kiev

-Embassy enters into their system, and sends packet to my Fiancee

(my understanding is that this is very slow)

Interview:

-From what I read, Cannot set up an interview until Embassy receives packet, and enters into their system.

(Although, it sounds like some people have somehow set up even before they get it into their system.)

Now - to know when they have in their system - can either:

-Wait for the packet from embassy to be delivered to my Fiancee. (Even the website suggests this is very slow and to not wait for the packet.)

Or

-Can send like weekly emails to 'kyiviv@state.gov' - asking if they have entered the info into their system

Or,

-Can do the 'PIN' thingy, and pay the $12, and call once a week or so to see if they have the info entered into their system

Question - am I right with my 2 options to speed things up?

Also

Everything I read says that we can just do the 'Download packet' thing - instead of waiting for the packet.

http://kiev.usembassy.gov/visa_K1K2_eng.html - 'Download information packet HERE.'

Question

-Does this download thing contain the EXACT same forms and information that thing they send?

(I know the website says it is, just kind of hoping for confirmation from someone who has actually seen both)

-If so, it doesn't matter that the forms are EXPIRED? (Do they send 'expired' forms as well?)

-If so, I could then just print, and fill out the DS-156 and DS-156K forms at any time right?

(Is there ANYTHING in the packet they send that is needed at the interview that is not in the downloadable packet?)

-I am heading back to Ukraine this summer, and I want to bring her as much stuff as I can.

(I want to bring the filled out DS-156 forms, my Financial information, copy of original petition, etc.)

Thanks much for any help!!

-Good luck to anyone still in the process,

-and Congrats to everyone who has finished the process.

Also, I noticed someone on here was from Minnesota

-I would like to get in contact with any guys from MN who now have (or will have) Russian speaking wives.

-I hear it is easier for the women to move here and adjust to living here if they can hang out with and talk with other Russian speaking women who have gone through the same thing.

(I live in the Cities - and my email is yyz26@hotmail.com)

Sean (Fiancee is Natalia - from Kherson, Ukraine)

[Whatznext 2]

Hi it seems like you have found and read everything you need and yes the mail is very very slow if it ever gets there my husband is yet to receive any mail from NVC and our case is scheduled for interview 7/15 My suggestion to you is just make sure everything is submitted correctly Good Luck

[mariapoe 0]

Sean hi,

Nice to hear that another Ukrainian girl has found a love of her life ! I hope you'll get a fast approval. We had to wait five months back in Fall but it seems that everything moves much faster now.

You got everything right. Yes, as soon as your petition approved, it'll be mailed to NVC but they process them very fast. I'm sure that the Embassy will receive it not later than three-four weeks after the approval date. They will send you two letters in mail - one after they receive it and one after they'll send it to the Embassy. I started calling the Embassy after two weeks; I figured, if they charge me $12/8min, it's all on me, so I kept calling once a week and asking if my petition had reached them. I'd advice you to do the same thing. But it's still a bit to far.

If you go to visit your fiancee in summer, you'll have to bring her filled and notarized form I-134, Affidavit of Support plus all supporting evidence you can. She'll need it for the interview. On a top of it, my then-fiance sent me detailed phone bills and copies of his plane tickets and boarding passes when he's visiting Ukraine (in our case he also sent me my bank statements with the address on it showing that we'd lived together for about a year before I left to Ukraine to wait for K1). Your fiancee will need to obtain a police certificate and to do the medical. People who are not from Kiev usually schedule the medical a day prior to the interview but if your fiancee's willing to travel to Kiev before that, she can do it too. The instructions say that she'll need to have a NVC # to schedule the medical but they don't really require that. If you need the info about where to apply for police certificate in Donentsk, I can email it to you (she'll also to need to obtain police certificates from all countries where she lived 6 months or longer from the age of 16.) Also, the birth certificate needs to be translated and notorized.

Mostly important for Natalia to start gathering the documents way before the interview. Police certificates are valid for one year. I'd do the medical closer to the interview anyway but it's still not a problem. You've found a right Information Packet; use it. It's an exact copy of what the Embassy will send you via regular mail after getting you case from the NVC. Just keep checking for updates; the fee may change or how you pay for the interview, but the list of required docs will remain the same. To fill DS-156/K is the last and the easiest step. To gather everything else is what requires more time .

Good luck!

Masha

[mariapoe 0]

Somehow I just realized that I've typed Donetsk instead of Kherson

[1HappyGuy 45]

You seem to have it all together pretty well. The suggestion to bring the financial documents along with the Affadavit of Support is a pretty good one. The process is relatively simple once the case number in Kiev has been assigned. She should take the time to get any other important documents translated also, such as school records, health records and organize her personal belongings she wishes to bring.

Remind her that electrical devices won't work here, so plan on buying new ones for her. The physical should be scheduled pretty close to the interview date since she will be in Kiev at that time. She needs to understand that the policy is to send the passport with visa by overnight delivery to her home. That process usually takes about a week after the interview, so if she doesn't live in Kiev, she should plan on going home. Assuming that everything goes well, she could probably leave within two to three weeks after the interview. (You need to give her time to say goodbye).

Depending upon when you receive the approval and the case is shipped to the embassy the final process can generally be fully completed in three weeks, which means you are looking into her beautiful eyes. The interview can sometimes be quite demeaning and harsh, but tell her to be upbeat and happy and it will be easy.

You need to remember that after her arrival, she will need time for her body clock to readjust. Two to three weeks is generally enough to get her sleeping normally but she will still feel a little out of sorts for some time. Also, there will be some homesickness. If you can, find some stores with Russian/Ukrainian goods and take her there when she starts showing signs of missing home. She'll love you for it.

Most of all, be patient. Take the time until approval to start preparing your home for her. Clean it good, maybe paint or get new carpeting and make room for her things in the closet and dresser.

Best of luck, this is going to be a great journey together.

[payxibka 10,045]

Also, I noticed someone on here was from Minnesota

-I would like to get in contact with any guys from MN who now have (or will have) Russian speaking wives.

-I hear it is easier for the women to move here and adjust to living here if they can hang out with and talk with other Russian speaking women who have gone through the same thing.

(I live in the Cities - and my email is yyz26@hotmail.com)

Sean (Fiancee is Natalia - from Kherson, Ukraine)

Fwaguy is from MN

Mrs. Fwaguy is from Kherson

[SeanAndNatalia 0]

Masha and '1 happy guy' - thank you very much for the information and also the validation of what I do know.

-I really appreciate it.

Regarding the 'Police Report'

-We just talked about this yesterdady, and I just told her to talk to a local police office, and ask them where she should apply for the 'Police Report'.

-I am assuming they can tell her - but Masha, if you know where to go in Kherson, it would really help us out.

-'fwaguy' - we seem to have a lot in common, both in Twin Cities area, and both with ladies from Kherson.

(granted, if the age you have listed on your profile is right - we are just slightly different in our ages...)

-Do you think 'Mrs. fwaguy' would be interested in talking with my Natalia once she gets here?

Thanks much,

Sean (and Natalia)

[payxibka 10,045]

Masha and '1 happy guy' - thank you very much for the information and also the validation of what I do know.

-I really appreciate it.

Regarding the 'Police Report'

-We just talked about this yesterdady, and I just told her to talk to a local police office, and ask them where she should apply for the 'Police Report'.

-I am assuming they can tell her - but Masha, if you know where to go in Kherson, it would really help us out.

-'fwaguy' - we seem to have a lot in common, both in Twin Cities area, and both with ladies from Kherson.

(granted, if the age you have listed on your profile is right - we are just slightly different in our ages...)

-Do you think 'Mrs. fwaguy' would be interested in talking with my Natalia once she gets here?

Thanks much,

Sean (and Natalia)

Slightly different? The DOB is not correct...

Mrs. Fwaguy would be happy to speak... she has a couple of former Khersonites she still speaks with...

[mariapoe 0]

Masha and '1 happy guy' - thank you very much for the information and also the validation of what I do know.

-I really appreciate it.

Regarding the 'Police Report'

-We just talked about this yesterdady, and I just told her to talk to a local police office, and ask them where she should apply for the 'Police Report'.

-I am assuming they can tell her - but Masha, if you know where to go in Kherson, it would really help us out.

-'fwaguy' - we seem to have a lot in common, both in Twin Cities area, and both with ladies from Kherson.

(granted, if the age you have listed on your profile is right - we are just slightly different in our ages...)

-Do you think 'Mrs. fwaguy' would be interested in talking with my Natalia once she gets here?

Thanks much,

Sean (and Natalia)

Here is the link (it's in Ukrainian only.) In the bottom of the page you'll find "ADDRESSES OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES... ("АДРЕСИ ИНФОРМЦИОННЫХ СЛУЖБ...."). Click on it and the list of regional offices will pop up. They have one in Kherson.

If it won't work - the phone number in Kherson is (0552)22 31 36.

http://dit.centrmia.gov.ua/pos.htm

Good luck !

masha

[SeanAndNatalia 0]

Masha

-Thank you so much for the information on where to get Police Report.

-I will pass this on to my Natalia - she will really appreciate it.

fwaguy

-ok, maybe a little more than 'slightly different' - was only like 40 years.

-ya know - I was going to be very impressed if that was your real age - to have the energy to go through this process at 79 would have been quite impressive..

-I will shoot you a 'personal message' as we get closer to Natalia getting here to Minnesota.

thanks again,

Sean (and Natalia)

[Scott and Iryna 2]

I received my NOA2 on May 30th. I noticed (like many do) that my case was touched again the following day, so I knew they mailed my petition to the NVC on the 31st. I waited 2 days to start calling the NVC. You can not use their automated system, because the NVC does not track K-1 petitions and they are not entered into their automated tracking system. So, you must talk to a live Operator, and this can be very difficult, as the lines are always full. You must be very patient, and call back often. I had the most luck very late at night, just before they close at 11PM Eastern. Sure enough, on June 3rd they told me they had received it, and they gave me my "KEV" case number. They will give you some BS about how it takes 2 to 4 weeks to process, but with a K-1 it is always processed in a matter of days. I continued to call back, and only 2 days later, they told me it was mailed to the Embassy (on June 5th).

OK, so now it's time for the "DSL tracking trick"! Once you know the date the NVC sent it out, you can track it via the DSL website. For instance, the shipment reference for me is EXP 05 JUN 2008A. Sure enough, DSL picked up the package on the 6th, and off it went. They will only send one package to Kiev per shipment. My package was 7 pounds, so that's a lot of petitions! I even signed up for email notifications as the package is tracked. Anyway... because it was picked up on a Friday (today), I went back to look at prior Friday shipments. So now I even know that the package will arrive on the morning of Tuesday, June 10th, and I even know the name of the guy who will sign for it!

So, I plan to call them on Wednesday, to make sure they have entered it into their system! Once they confirm, I will have Iryna call them immediately to setup the earliest possible interview, as we also downloaded the info packet and have all our paperwork ready to go. I have NO IDEA when the earliest interview will be, I hope we do not have to wait much longer! The web site for the Embassy concerns me, because on the Visa page, they have a large box entitled "Latest News", and it states "Currently, all the appointment slots for the nearest weeks are booked and, unfortunately, we are not able to add additional appointments at this time." However, there is no date posted for when this "Latest News" bulletin was added, so for all I know, it has stated this for a year...

When the interview appointment is set, I will begin to make my travel plans. Iryna will travel to Kiev the day before the appointment to have her medical exam. After the interview she will return home and wait for the visa. Meanwhile, I will fly out to help her pack up her stuff, and I will return to the States with her. That is the plan, I hope it all works out...

Unfortunately, because of the run-up in fuel costs, I decided to look at the prices for airfare... very depressing! I just returned home from my last visit a little over 3 weeks ago. Those tickets cost me $820 round-trip (Boston->Kiev). Now I need two sets of tickets to bring her back with me, and they are now $1400 each!!!! It's enough to make a grown man (me) cry!

Oh well... you can't put a price on love...

Good luck!

- Scott

[SeanAndNatalia 0]

hey Scott - great information - I will definitely use your tactics when my time comes.

I noticed that 'Latest News' on the 'US Embassy in Kiev' web site as well - but if you look right under where it says 'Latest News'

- it says 'Special Information for Belarusian Applicants' - so I am guessing/hoping that the news only refers to

'Belarusian visa applicants' - and not all applicants?

And, I feel your pain for the airline ticket prices - I flew to Kiev from Minneapolis/St. Paul in late March for $650, and I am going back to Kiev in September - already bought my tickets - $1270... - nice!!

(really hoping the prices come down when I go again to bring my fiancee back in November/December.)

Good luck with interview - hopefully no problems.

Sean

I received my NOA2 on May 30th. I noticed (like many do) that my case was touched again the following day, so I knew they mailed my petition to the NVC on the 31st. I waited 2 days to start calling the NVC. You can not use their automated system, because the NVC does not track K-1 petitions and they are not entered into their automated tracking system. So, you must talk to a live Operator, and this can be very difficult, as the lines are always full. You must be very patient, and call back often. I had the most luck very late at night, just before they close at 11PM Eastern. Sure enough, on June 3rd they told me they had received it, and they gave me my "KEV" case number. They will give you some BS about how it takes 2 to 4 weeks to process, but with a K-1 it is always processed in a matter of days. I continued to call back, and only 2 days later, they told me it was mailed to the Embassy (on June 5th).

OK, so now it's time for the "DSL tracking trick"! Once you know the date the NVC sent it out, you can track it via the DSL website. For instance, the shipment reference for me is EXP 05 JUN 2008A. Sure enough, DSL picked up the package on the 6th, and off it went. They will only send one package to Kiev per shipment. My package was 7 pounds, so that's a lot of petitions! I even signed up for email notifications as the package is tracked. Anyway... because it was picked up on a Friday (today), I went back to look at prior Friday shipments. So now I even know that the package will arrive on the morning of Tuesday, June 10th, and I even know the name of the guy who will sign for it!

So, I plan to call them on Wednesday, to make sure they have entered it into their system! Once they confirm, I will have Iryna call them immediately to setup the earliest possible interview, as we also downloaded the info packet and have all our paperwork ready to go. I have NO IDEA when the earliest interview will be, I hope we do not have to wait much longer! The web site for the Embassy concerns me, because on the Visa page, they have a large box entitled "Latest News", and it states "Currently, all the appointment slots for the nearest weeks are booked and, unfortunately, we are not able to add additional appointments at this time." However, there is no date posted for when this "Latest News" bulletin was added, so for all I know, it has stated this for a year...

When the interview appointment is set, I will begin to make my travel plans. Iryna will travel to Kiev the day before the appointment to have her medical exam. After the interview she will return home and wait for the visa. Meanwhile, I will fly out to help her pack up her stuff, and I will return to the States with her. That is the plan, I hope it all works out...

Unfortunately, because of the run-up in fuel costs, I decided to look at the prices for airfare... very depressing! I just returned home from my last visit a little over 3 weeks ago. Those tickets cost me $820 round-trip (Boston->Kiev). Now I need two sets of tickets to bring her back with me, and they are now $1400 each!!!! It's enough to make a grown man (me) cry!

Oh well... you can't put a price on love...

Good luck!

- Scott

[payxibka 10,045]

hey Scott - great information - I will definitely use your tactics when my time comes.

I noticed that 'Latest News' on the 'US Embassy in Kiev' web site as well - but if you look right under where it says 'Latest News'

- it says 'Special Information for Belarusian Applicants' - so I am guessing/hoping that the news only refers to

'Belarusian visa applicants' - and not all applicants?

And, I feel your pain for the airline ticket prices - I flew to Kiev from Minneapolis/St. Paul in late March for $650, and I am going back to Kiev in September - already bought my tickets - $1270... - nice!!

(really hoping the prices come down when I go again to bring my fiancee back in November/December.)

Good luck with interview - hopefully no problems.

Sean

Where did you find that price? I paid $1500 (MSP-ODS) for July....

[SeanAndNatalia 0]

hey Scott - great information - I will definitely use your tactics when my time comes.

I noticed that 'Latest News' on the 'US Embassy in Kiev' web site as well - but if you look right under where it says 'Latest News'

- it says 'Special Information for Belarusian Applicants' - so I am guessing/hoping that the news only refers to

'Belarusian visa applicants' - and not all applicants?

And, I feel your pain for the airline ticket prices - I flew to Kiev from Minneapolis/St. Paul in late March for $650, and I am going back to Kiev in September - already bought my tickets - $1270... - nice!!

(really hoping the prices come down when I go again to bring my fiancee back in November/December.)

Good luck with interview - hopefully no problems.

Sean

Where did you find that price? I paid $1500 (MSP-ODS) for July....

Pretty much every web-site - Orbitz, NWA.com, Expedia, etc.

-Flying Northwest/KLM the whole way - connect in Amsterdam.

When I was looking, July was definitely more expensive then September, and Odessa was always at least a couple hundred dollars more than Kiev (KBP), so that is why I fly into Kiev, and drive to Kherson from there.

So, it doesn't surprise me you had to pay $1500 to fly to Odessa for July.

Sean

[johnichka 0]

Scott,

I have a question for you. My petition was received at the NVC last Thursday, June 12th. I assume it will go out to Kiev today or tomorrow. Were you able to schedule an interview date in Kiev yet? Just curious as to how far out they are scheduling interviews?

Thanks

John