Questions

[sammie 0]

I just have two questions?

1) My fiance will be arriving at JFK with a K1 visa. Her plane is suppose to be arriving at 3:00pm. How much time do you think she will need at the POE? Can I expect to pick her up around 3:30, or does it take hours sometimes?

2) Sooo, after my fiance and me become married, she will have a choice to become a US citizen, or she can stay a russian citizen, but will need a US green card (Is this correct?). Also, can someone explain to me how either of her choices will affect her when she travels back to russia to visit family.

Thanks

[reeses16 8]

1) I don't think 30 minutes is enough time. It really depends on the plane being on time and her place in line going through customs. My hubby didn't fly into to JFK...but I waited about an hour and a half for him.

2) Yes, she will have a choice as to whether she becomes a citizen. If she is chooses not to become a USC, she must be sure to continually renew her Green Card...b/c she's K1 her first card will be valid for 2 years, then her next cards will be valid for 10.

I have a friend with a Russian fiance and I understand that there may be travel restrictions. But be sure to weigh the consequences...for example while a Green Card holder pays into social security he/she does not receive the same retirement benefit that as US does. There a many other considerations. Thought I'd share this one as I was surprised when I first learned about it.

[Otto 83]

I just have two questions?

1) My fiance will be arriving at JFK with a K1 visa. Her plane is suppose to be arriving at 3:00pm. How much time do you think she will need at the POE? Can I expect to pick her up around 3:30, or does it take hours sometimes? For JFK - an hour should be a better estimate - it's a big airport and very busy.

2) Sooo, after my fiance and me become married, she will have a choice to become a US citizen, or she can stay a russian citizen, but will need a US green card (Is this correct?). Also, can someone explain to me how either of her choices will affect her when she travels back to russia to visit family. No - when you are married, your next step would be to file AOS (Adjustment of Status) to become a permanent resident (green card holder). This card will be valid for 2 years - if still married at that time, you/she can file to Lift Conditions (to get a 10-year Green Card/Permanent Resident). American Citizenship is not mandatory nor is it automatic. It is a choice that does not need to even be considered for a few years.

Her traveling to Russia is not affected by having a Green Card - she would still be traveling on her Russian passport - the Green Card will allow her to reenter the US.

Thanks

[reeses16 8]

No traveling TO Russia is not an issue with a green card. I think the OP was referring to a different issue. Russia does not recognize dual citizenship and there are travel restrictions WITHIN Russia for people who do not have Russian citizenship. With US citizenship his wife will not be able to travel in Russia as she currently does.

[Otto 83]

No traveling TO Russia is not an issue with a green card. I think the OP was referring to a different issue. Russia does not recognize dual citizenship and there are travel restrictions WITHIN Russia for people who do not have Russian citizenship. With US citizenship his wife will not be able to travel in Russia as she currently does.

I got that - but since US citizenship is years away (if at all) it didn't seem to matter...

[mox 298]

1) My fiance will be arriving at JFK with a K1 visa. Her plane is suppose to be arriving at 3:00pm. How much time do you think she will need at the POE? Can I expect to pick her up around 3:30, or does it take hours sometimes?

It can vary wildly depending on how many international flights are arriving at that time, and how well staffed customs and immigration are. 30 minutes isn't unheard of, but don't be surprised if it takes an hour or more.

I have recommended in the past that she carry a disposable cell phone capable of making calls in the US, but the last time I flew international through San Francisco I noticed a "no cell phones" sign in the baggage and immigration area. So this probably won't be possible.

2) Sooo, after my fiance and me become married, she will have a choice to become a US citizen, or she can stay a russian citizen, but will need a US green card (Is this correct?). Also, can someone explain to me how either of her choices will affect her when she travels back to russia to visit family.

She can't become a citizen right after you marry, she'll have to wait (if memory serves) 5 years. During the time that she is a Russian citizen she will need to carry her green card with her. She absolutely must have it with her to re-enter the US.

Russia does not recognize dual citizenship, so if she becomes a US citizen she must renounce her Russian citizenship. As a US citizen, she will be subject to the same travel requirements of any US citizen...she will have to apply for a Visa and be subject to entry and exit requirements. Basically they're going to treat her exactly like any other American citizen.

Hope that helps!

[Brad and Vika 129]

I think that all customs areas, including baggage claims are no cell areas. I usually just turn on the phone and call before leaving the plane. Mox's idea is a good one - just program your cell number into it and let her ring you as soon as the plans touches down, then again when she leaves customs.

[Satellite 1]

Russia does not recognize dual citizenship, so if she becomes a US citizen she must renounce her Russian citizenship. As a US citizen, she will be subject to the same travel requirements of any US citizen...she will have to apply for a Visa and be subject to entry and exit requirements. Basically they're going to treat her exactly like any other American citizen.

Who told you such nonsense? Yes, Russia does not recognize dual citizenship. Yes, Russia requires you to enter and leave Russia on a Russian passport, but NO they do not require you to give your Russian citizenship in order to become a US citizen. They DO however, require you give up US citizenship if you want to become a Russian citizen. That's what happened to me when I tried to restore the citizenship to avoid buying visas, but since I had missed the no consequences restoration in 2002, I faced that problem. And if you did not renounces your Russian citizenship you will not be able to enter Russia on a US passport with a visa, but that does NOT prevent you from entering Russia on a Russian passport. I speak from experience as my wife now has both US and Russian citizenship. And to properly answer the original poster's question, your wife can remain a Russian citizen and forever renew her green card or she can become both a US citizen and a Russian Citizen, or in the alternative renounce Russian citizenship, if she so chooses.

[Ilya R. 0]

Russia does not recognize dual citizenship, so if she becomes a US citizen she must renounce her Russian citizenship. As a US citizen, she will be subject to the same travel requirements of any US citizen...she will have to apply for a Visa and be subject to entry and exit requirements. Basically they're going to treat her exactly like any other American citizen.

Who told you such nonsense? Yes, Russia does not recognize dual citizenship. Yes, Russia requires you to enter and leave Russia on a Russian passport, but NO they do not require you to give your Russian citizenship in order to become a US citizen. They DO however, require you give up US citizenship if you want to become a Russian citizen. That's what happened to me when I tried to restore the citizenship to avoid buying visas, but since I had missed the no consequences restoration in 2002, I faced that problem. And if you did not renounces your Russian citizenship you will not be able to enter Russia on a US passport with a visa, but that does NOT prevent you from entering Russia on a Russian passport. I speak from experience as my wife now has both US and Russian citizenship. And to properly answer the original poster's question, your wife can remain a Russian citizen and forever renew her green card or she can become both a US citizen and a Russian Citizen, or in the alternative renounce Russian citizenship, if she so chooses.

Yep, same thing happened with my father and mother's case.

[mox 298]

Who told you such nonsense?

I read it on the internet so it must be true.

You're correct, I had it backwards. You must renounce other citizenships in order to gain Russian citizenship.

Yes, Russia does not recognize dual citizenship. Yes, Russia requires you to enter and leave Russia on a Russian passport, but NO they do not require you to give your Russian citizenship in order to become a US citizen. They DO however, require you give up US citizenship if you want to become a Russian citizen. That's what happened to me when I tried to restore the citizenship to avoid buying visas, but since I had missed the no consequences restoration in 2002, I faced that problem. And if you did not renounces your Russian citizenship you will not be able to enter Russia on a US passport with a visa, but that does NOT prevent you from entering Russia on a Russian passport. I speak from experience as my wife now has both US and Russian citizenship. And to properly answer the original poster's question, your wife can remain a Russian citizen and forever renew her green card or she can become both a US citizen and a Russian Citizen, or in the alternative renounce Russian citizenship, if she so chooses.

I seem to recall that when it comes time for Russian passport renewal, Russia will not issue a passport if you answer that you carry a valid US passport. So at some time in the future, becoming a US citizen will effectively lock that person into carrying only a US passport.