How long does it take to get a passport back after the interview?

[Brad and Vika 129]

We are planning to roll the dice. I will try to get to Kiev a day or so before the interview, and stay for two weeks. If we pick up at the office in Kiev, it appears the risk is mostly that there will be a problem at the interview. The plan is to buy tickets home for us both, and hope it all works out. Vika is certainly fixated on the documents already. We'll see, I guess.

Just thought I'll offer some reassurance . Kiev is pretty quick, especially if you arrange to pick it up at the courrier Kiev office. My sis got her J1 in like two days. However, they did have a lil issue of broken visa printing machine and one of her friends had to wait for a week. Thus, two weeks should be plenty of time even if there is an emergency at the consulate

Cool B)

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Excellent advice Slim. In my case, my Alla is taking advantage of all of those six months, post visa approval, to finish her business, visit with old friends, say proper goodbyes to her close and extended relatives. We have waited more than five years. A few more weeks, months, are nothing. I'd rather she come when her ducks are in a row, not mine. She's the one leaving the only life she (and her two children) have ever known. And, fortifying Slim's words, it is HUGE!

That's the way to do it!

It is possible that it'll be there in two days and it could be two weeks. You have the right idea. Make your plane ticket for a comfortable time period afterwards (a week or two is good) and then reserve tickets that can be changed at little or no cost if necessary.

The main thing to consider when planning on travel dates is the availability and price of lodging in Moscow. If you live close or it's cheap (family, friends, etc.) then staying a few days extra won't matter. But, if you have to stay in a hotel..... go home and wait!

Personally, I would recommend to everyone to go home and wait a month or two before traveling. Make sure you really want to go through with it. (Not directed at you, Evgeniya, just everyone in general.) This is a VERY BIG step in your life. Make sure it's something you really want to do before you go through with it. Often we get so caught up in the visa process we forget about the long haul that follows. Think it over, consider everything, and then if you still want to do it, go for it!

[slim 1,530]

Jeffery says it too.... it is a HUGE step for anyone to take. My wife took her time coming over here and still had (and is still going through) adjustments. I think the more time you take with making sure everything is taken care of at home, the more it will help you out down the road.

And not to say you're leaving everything behind, but it will help your future relationship if you convince yourself that your new life is there in America with your significant other. If you're constantly talking about the way things are "back home" instead of the way things are "at home" (with your S/O) it's going to be a lot more difficult to transition. I can tell you from the S/O's perspective, one of the hardest things to do is convince the newly arrived spouse that "this is it" and it's time to get on board with the way things work here. If you can take some time transitioning yourself from Russia, it will be easier for you to step right into your new life here. Just showing up and hoping you get it is not a very good plan.

[Evgeniya 3]

Jeffery says it too.... it is a HUGE step for anyone to take. My wife took her time coming over here and still had (and is still going through) adjustments. I think the more time you take with making sure everything is taken care of at home, the more it will help you out down the road.

And not to say you're leaving everything behind, but it will help your future relationship if you convince yourself that your new life is there in America with your significant other. If you're constantly talking about the way things are "back home" instead of the way things are "at home" (with your S/O) it's going to be a lot more difficult to transition. I can tell you from the S/O's perspective, one of the hardest things to do is convince the newly arrived spouse that "this is it" and it's time to get on board with the way things work here. If you can take some time transitioning yourself from Russia, it will be easier for you to step right into your new life here. Just showing up and hoping you get it is not a very good plan.

I could've agreed with you, but my husband and I are in different situation. We have been together since 2003 and married in 2005. In August, 2006 I had to go home to fulfill my 2- year home stay requirement bz I had J-1 visa. He came to stay with me every summer (overall we spent seven months out of the 25 months). So after having a family and sharing a household for three years the following two years of separation felt like torture. All we want is to be together as soon as possible and we don't want to wait even a day longer if we can help it. We have been literally counting every day of the last two years...and finally we don't have to be apart anymore...and that is happiness. Sorry Slim you have a point but it just doesn't apply to every relationship.

[slim 1,530]

CR-1/IR-1 places you in an entire different category.

I must've missed it before (or you didn't have it filled out yet) but I thought you were doing a K-1. Sorry.

Either way, you should still be able to go pretty quickly after your intereview. Plus, you'll get your Green Card pretty quickly as well. You can work right away... you're way ahead of most in this VJ process.

[Ana&D 0]

tI'll probably move within a week of getting my visa! But again, we are different. I've been living in a "hanging" state for the past nine months, ever since I came back from the US. Still, for someone making a first trip, it is indeed wise to take time and make sure everything is set! Jeffrey, I just admire how supportive you are of Alla, she's a lucky girl indeed