Sharing the process

[russothai 0]

I'm American, living in Russia, my young bride is Thai, and has been with me in Moscow since July of last year.

We got married in Russia, and are applying for a K3 visa....

On April 19, we filed our I-130, and are waiting for approval. They indicated this could be anywhere from 1-3 months, but probably on the quicker side since she has never been to the US.

I have e-mailed them to get an update after 32 days, and got a very friendly reply that it was still in process, but to please continue to check with them occasionally.

So far I have found the embassy staff to be very supportive and friendly, even though they had never seen an I-130 from an American marrying a non-Russian here.....

Fingers crossed....if anyone has any advice or pointers I am always MORE than happy to listen....

[sadie33138 0]

[Candace 2]

Welcome to VJ. Wishing you a speedy and uncomplicated process

[meauxna 15]

I'm American, living in Russia, my young bride is Thai, and has been with me in Moscow since July of last year.

We got married in Russia, and are applying for a K3 visa....

On April 19, we filed our I-130, and are waiting for approval. They indicated this could be anywhere from 1-3 months, but probably on the quicker side since she has never been to the US.

I have e-mailed them to get an update after 32 days, and got a very friendly reply that it was still in process, but to please continue to check with them occasionally.

So far I have found the embassy staff to be very supportive and friendly, even though they had never seen an I-130 from an American marrying a non-Russian here.....

Fingers crossed....if anyone has any advice or pointers I am always MORE than happy to listen....

hi russothai!

I'm wondering what your poor Thai wife is thinking about the lovely Russian climate!

We'll look forward to your reports--anything you can share really. Russia DCF cases used to be quite common; now we hardly ever read a story about it.

The only clarification for you: The visa your wife will apply for when your I-130 is approved is an Immigrant Visa, not a K-3. The ususal immigrant visa category is CR-1 (for a spouse when you've been married less than 2 years).

Knowing the right visa name might help you with your research down the road. You can read tips about the paperwork requirements here in the CR/IR forum, and there is a nice Russia forum that you will find useful too.

Best wishes!

[russothai 0]

Thank you all for your kind words and advice! I didn't know that it would be a CR1--definitely a lot to learn

Meauxna--She has had a really wonderful reaction to the weather. She'd never seen snow in her life before and this was one of the harshest winters Moscow has seen in decades...but even at the end of the year she would get excited every time it snowed!

Well, I e-mailed DHS on the 5th of June to see if there was any update....and we were told that the case had been approved and passed to the consular section on May 31! So 6 weeks for DHS, now for the consular section.

I would honestly say that I have found DHS to be VERY friendly and quick in replying to all my7 enquiries, and a joy to deal with B)

[meauxna 15]

Thank you all for your kind words and advice! I didn't know that it would be a CR1--definitely a lot to learn

Meauxna--She has had a really wonderful reaction to the weather. She'd never seen snow in her life before and this was one of the harshest winters Moscow has seen in decades...but even at the end of the year she would get excited every time it snowed!

Well, I e-mailed DHS on the 5th of June to see if there was any update....and we were told that the case had been approved and passed to the consular section on May 31! So 6 weeks for DHS, now for the consular section.

I would honestly say that I have found DHS to be VERY friendly and quick in replying to all my7 enquiries, and a joy to deal with B)

Great news on your progress!

You'll find an explanation of the visa type and resulting status in the DCF Guide here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...custom&page=dcf

[russothai 0]

WE HAVE AN INTERVIEW DATE

My wife goes in for her interview on August 15th (Well, not really--we're going to ask them for a new date because we will be either in Thailand or the US on the 15th....it all depends on her Tourist Visa interview this wednesday)

From what I've read on here, it's looking like a fast, easy process for us so far....fingers crossed.

[russothai 0]

WE'RE GOING TO THE US THIS SUMMER

My Wife had a tourist visa interview yesterday, and she got the visa! My family is delighted and we are over the moon.

Unfortunately it does mean we will have to reschedule the interview date for the immigrant visa (We'll be in the US on the date it's supposed to happen)

They were friendly and helpful to her during the interview, despite the fact that she has:

No job (Taking care of me and learning Russian keeps her pretty buisy)

no property

an American husband