I very happy..

[Neonred 3,938]

Looks like there is a BIG difference in getting a tourist visa out of one of the consulates in Russia vs the embassy in Moscow.

[slim 1,533]

I don't believe it was a RU forum member. This was in the "case status" forum IIRC.

So, it does not apply to this case.

I post mainly in the RU forum nowadays, but I do still hop around and see what's going on with other people. And one of the things I've noticed is that couples here in the RU forum have had some mostly very good luck. But look outside the RU forum. There are some real horror stories.

Which is why you should stick to the Russia Forum. Don't worry about all those "horror stories." Read what folks did here. That's it.

the absolute most critical piece, and the piece that is most out of your hands, is her getting past that immigration agent. He does not have to honor her visa, and he can come up with any reason he wants for refusing entry.

That is simply not true. This should be the easiest part. It should already be a done deal by this point and there should be no question what-so-ever. She should basically walk right on in.

In the case of the original poster, as far as USCIS is concerned all her visa gets her is the opportunity to stand in front of an immigration officer at the airport to justify her existence. If she were coming in on a K visa, I wouldn't be so concerned. But as a single FSU woman coming to visit her boyfriend on a tourist visa, she's going to get extra scrutiny at the very least. I would want to be very prepared.

And now I see your point.

A K-visa is a walk in the park compared to a tourist visa. Not that they can't deny entry to a K-visa, but it's guranteed there's going to be a pissed off USC waiting on the other side. A pissed off USC that's spent thousands of dollars and who knows how many months and years waiting on this person to arrive. A USC that's petitioned the govt. for their beneficiary's arrival. So, if they are to deny, even to delay, there will be consequences and repercussions. Plus, most K-visas have all their ducks in a row because they've been checked time and time again and this is simply the "final stop" of the long process. (Not counting AOS, of course. But, the K process is several months, if not years and by that time usually both the petitioner and beneficiary are pretty well aware of all the regulations and procedures so it makes entry pretty easy, especially those from Russia. They've been screened pretty hard already.)

The OP's situation is slightly different in that they have concurrently filed for K-visa but were already issued a B-visa as well. I see where you're going with this mox, and I don't disagree, however, I believe since it was issued from Russia, with Russia already having the "pre-screened" reputation, that they'll encounter no problems at POE. Plus, she has a good job and well-outlined travel plans, so although it's not a K-visa, and even though she is coming to visit her boyfriend, it should be a pretty easy pass. The standard is to have a valid reason to enter the U.S. and a need to return. She more than fits that bill.

I don't recall ever reading a VJ post about a single FSU woman obtaining a tourist visa at all, especially to visit her boyfriend. But I have read many posts about women from other countries, even Western countries, being denied entry into the US, and she and/or the boyfriend had the distinct impression it was because she was single and visiting her boyfriend, and the PoE officers were not convinced that her visit was temporary. I've seen other posts where the contents of the luggage gave the officer a reasonable suspicion that the visitor was entering for reasons other than tourism, such as more than a couple weeks worth of clothes or a wedding dress. A tourist visa held by a young, single lady is going to come under more scrutiny, especially if she is from a FSU or other high fraud country.

I'm not saying that you should resign yourself to her being denied. But you also need to be realistic in your understanding of the process. You seem to be under the impression that her visa is guaranteed admission. I'm saying there's nothing guaranteed about it, and there's a TON of evidence on this site alone to back me up on that. Just be prepared is all.

Like I alluded to above with mox's points, I believe the scrutiny isn't going to be at the POE from some random officer, it's going to come from back home. Since Russia/FSU is a high-fraud place, I believe that actually helps the visitor at POE.

I've yet to hear of a single person in the Russia Forum, visitor or family member, being denied at POE and sent back. That is a direct reflection of the visitor being "pre-screened" in Russia/FSU before they arrive. The application process in some other countries is sometimes extremely easy, and that's why there's a higher instance of POE problems. By contrast, getting a visa from Russia/FSU is "hard" so folks coming in from Russia/FSU have already passed the test and don't need increased scrutiny.

Will they single her out? Whos to say, because like Mox, I cant remember a single instance of a tourist visa being granted to a person's girlfriend. Family members, yes, girlfriends, no. It would not surprise me to hear that she gets increased scruitiny at the POE. If not, great!

This is the first time I've heard of a "girlfriend" getting a visitor visa as a "girlfriend."

There could be a variety of reasons for this but I'm thinking the most notable is she has a well defined itinerary signed off by the USC and a good job, which establishes a valid reason to return. Coupled with the K-1 filing, this is exactly what a visitor visa is supposed to be issued for.

That said, if she shows up to the POE and the first thing she says when asked why she's coming to the U.S. is "because I miss my fiance so much." They might raise an eyebrow. But, if she says, "I'm here for a two week visit to meet my fiance's parents, then I have to get back home, do a little government work and sort out some business before our K-1 goes through. Hopefully, I'll be back here in a few months!" It's more possible they'll "buy" her story.

I've said this many times on here before and I'll say it again in this instance..... they want to see a certain picture. Paint it for them and you'll be just fine.

Looks like there is a BIG difference in getting a tourist visa out of one of the consulates in Russia vs the embassy in Moscow.

There may be some truth to that because my sister-in-law got hers way out in Vladivostok at the "tiny little consulate" and not at the "big" embassy in Moscow.

Like all other things in Russia, I'm assuming it has more to do with payoffs, bribery, and transparency than anything else. What slides through in a geographically separated, small, consular office would probably be viewed with more scrutiny in the big city.

[ndalessandro 0]

Well, I figured I would let everyone know, I met my SO at JFK airport in New York on OCT 18th.

It took about 45 minutes for her to process through customs/immigration.

I asked her how customs went, she said it was just a long wait. I asked what questions they asked her and she said nothing. They asked her no questions. She walked up, handed her visa to the gentleman and waited for him to finish on his computer.

We finished visiting my parents and flew to my home in florida on the 23rd where we presently are. My parents love her and think she is adorable and resolute.

Anyway, I have to make this message a little short, I'm taking her to the park now to go walk.

Cya's

Nick

[ndalessandro 0]

Well, I figured I would let everyone know, I met my SO at JFK airport in New York on OCT 18th.

It took about 45 minutes for her to process through customs/immigration.

I asked her how customs went, she said it was just a long wait. I asked what questions they asked her and she said nothing. They asked her no questions. She walked up, handed her visa to the gentleman and waited for him to finish on his computer.

We finished visiting my parents and flew to my home in florida on the 23rd where we presently are. My parents love her and think she is adorable and resolute.

Anyway, I have to make this message a little short, I'm taking her to the park now to go walk.

Cya's

Nick

And I want to add, to clear up confusion, this is for the Tourist visa, not K-1 Visa.

[slim 1,533]

My parents love her and think she is adorable and resolute.

Adorable and resolute?

That's a good way of saying "well, she's kind of a snobby b!tch, but she's cute!"

Adorable and resolute is how I'd describe just about every Russian woman I've met.... it's also the same reaction I got from my parents when I introduced my wife; except, my parents are more the Jerry Springer type so I heard "well, she's kind of a snobby b!tch, but she's cute!" If they knew what resolute meant I'm sure they would've sugarcoated it much in the same way your parents did. (For the record, my "college educated" side of the family used big words like resolute when they met her.... but they meant the same thing.)

Anyway, I have to make this message a little short, I'm taking her to the park now to go walk.

Yeah, I had to "walk my wife" for the first couple months she was here. She's "house trained" now so she doesn't need to go so often. Every now and again she still does so I just open the door and let her out on her own to do her business. She comes back after a half hour or so.

The one good thing is you'll never have to worry about her sticking her head out the window while you're driving; Russian women are allergic to moving air. "Wind" will make them sick whether it's cold or hot. You've got a whole bunch of these cute little cultural differences to learn......

GOOD LUCK!!!

[Ban Hammer 14,491]

Yeah, I had to "walk my wife" for the first couple months she was here. She's "house trained" now so she doesn't need to go so often. Every now and again she still does so I just open the door and let her out on her own to do her business. She comes back after a half hour or so.

The one good thing is you'll never have to worry about her sticking her head out the window while you're driving; Russian women are allergic to moving air. "Wind" will make them sick whether it's cold or hot. You've got a whole bunch of these cute little cultural differences to learn......

GOOD LUCK!!!

[ndalessandro 0]

My parents love her and think she is adorable and resolute.

Adorable and resolute?

That's a good way of saying "well, she's kind of a snobby b!tch, but she's cute!"

Adorable and resolute is how I'd describe just about every Russian woman I've met.... it's also the same reaction I got from my parents when I introduced my wife; except, my parents are more the Jerry Springer type so I heard "well, she's kind of a snobby b!tch, but she's cute!" If they knew what resolute meant I'm sure they would've sugarcoated it much in the same way your parents did. (For the record, my "college educated" side of the family used big words like resolute when they met her.... but they meant the same thing.)

Anyway, I have to make this message a little short, I'm taking her to the park now to go walk.

Yeah, I had to "walk my wife" for the first couple months she was here. She's "house trained" now so she doesn't need to go so often. Every now and again she still does so I just open the door and let her out on her own to do her business. She comes back after a half hour or so.

The one good thing is you'll never have to worry about her sticking her head out the window while you're driving; Russian women are allergic to moving air. "Wind" will make them sick whether it's cold or hot. You've got a whole bunch of these cute little cultural differences to learn......

GOOD LUCK!!!

LOL about the wind! Your not joking She is so afraid of getting sick/cold it is amazing. But it is tolerable. As for my parents, they really did think she was amazing. They thought she was very respectful, very mannered, very caring, ect ect.

[Brad and Vika 129]

My parents love her and think she is adorable and resolute.

Adorable and resolute?

That's a good way of saying "well, she's kind of a snobby b!tch, but she's cute!"

Adorable and resolute is how I'd describe just about every Russian woman I've met.... it's also the same reaction I got from my parents when I introduced my wife; except, my parents are more the Jerry Springer type so I heard "well, she's kind of a snobby b!tch, but she's cute!" If they knew what resolute meant I'm sure they would've sugarcoated it much in the same way your parents did. (For the record, my "college educated" side of the family used big words like resolute when they met her.... but they meant the same thing.)

Anyway, I have to make this message a little short, I'm taking her to the park now to go walk.

Yeah, I had to "walk my wife" for the first couple months she was here. She's "house trained" now so she doesn't need to go so often. Every now and again she still does so I just open the door and let her out on her own to do her business. She comes back after a half hour or so.

The one good thing is you'll never have to worry about her sticking her head out the window while you're driving; Russian women are allergic to moving air. "Wind" will make them sick whether it's cold or hot. You've got a whole bunch of these cute little cultural differences to learn......

GOOD LUCK!!!

LOL about the wind! Your not joking She is so afraid of getting sick/cold it is amazing. But it is tolerable. As for my parents, they really did think she was amazing. They thought she was very respectful, very mannered, very caring, ect ect.

Just wait until you catch a cold. You will be very entertained by the explanations for what made you ill (moving air, or walking around in short sleeves - what were you thinking?).

Congrats on the visa

[slim 1,533]

I just woke up this morning and got read the riot act because somehow during the night I seem to have taken the covers off and held them down around my midsection instead of up over my neck and shoulders. Since I'm too big, she couldn't pull the covers back over her head (yes, all the way over her head like a cacoon!) so now she's going to be hurting all day because she was forced to sleep all night with the blankets too low and cold air was circulating around her neck, shoulders and head.

Tonight I guess I need to get back on the couch. Oh well, it's a familiar spot for me. (And it's warmer!)

[Ban Hammer 14,491]

I just woke up this morning and got read the riot act because somehow during the night I seem to have taken the covers off and held them down around my midsection instead of up over my neck and shoulders. Since I'm too big, she couldn't pull the covers back over her head (yes, all the way over her head like a cacoon!) so now she's going to be hurting all day because she was forced to sleep all night with the blankets too low and cold air was circulating around her neck, shoulders and head.

Tonight I guess I need to get back on the couch. Oh well, it's a familiar spot for me. (And it's warmer!)

bad bad slim!

[Brad and Vika 129]

I just woke up this morning and got read the riot act because somehow during the night I seem to have taken the covers off and held them down around my midsection instead of up over my neck and shoulders. Since I'm too big, she couldn't pull the covers back over her head (yes, all the way over her head like a cacoon!) so now she's going to be hurting all day because she was forced to sleep all night with the blankets too low and cold air was circulating around her neck, shoulders and head.

Tonight I guess I need to get back on the couch. Oh well, it's a familiar spot for me. (And it's warmer!)

For Christmas, I suggest buying her one piece flannel PJs with feet, and a scarf and hat. Oh yeah, but make sure that the PJs fasten with velcro. Just a thought...

[slim 1,533]

For Christmas, I suggest buying her one piece flannel PJs with feet, and a scarf and hat. Oh yeah, but make sure that the PJs fasten with velcro. Just a thought...

She has all that warm stuff but it doesn't matter.....

[Brad and Vika 129]

For Christmas, I suggest buying her one piece flannel PJs with feet, and a scarf and hat. Oh yeah, but make sure that the PJs fasten with velcro. Just a thought...

She has all that warm stuff but it doesn't matter.....

Where did you get her flannel jammies with velcro. Just ahem... curious

[slim 1,533]

No flannel one-piece with velcro closure but she has about 20 other "warm" things to wear and regardless of what she's wearing, she's still cold. I swear if I want any "velcro business" I have to plan ahead - foreplay in my house means turning the thermostat up, the space heater on, making some tea and then laying in bed for about 30 minutes so it's nice and warm before she joins me. Even then it's only a 50/50 shot because usually that mysterious "wind" attacks from some unseen corner.

[Brad and Vika 129]

No flannel one-piece with velcro closure but she has about 20 other "warm" things to wear and regardless of what she's wearing, she's still cold. I swear if I want any "velcro business" I have to plan ahead - foreplay in my house means turning the thermostat up, the space heater on, making some tea and then laying in bed for about 30 minutes so it's nice and warm before she joins me. Even then it's only a 50/50 shot because usually that mysterious "wind" attacks from some unseen corner.

Fu - blat!

Fortunately Vika says that since she came to America last year she has grown to like the air conditioner. She doesn't seem particularly afraid of the mystery wind generated by warm, otherwise airtight rooms either. All of this changes of course the moment she feels a "cold" anywhere.