Embassy Advised Not to Visit, Why?

[LoveWaits 1]

So we submitted our application for her visa last week (signed for on Friday - 7/10/09) and from the timeline we're looking at December or January before we can be together. Sorry, but we can't go that long without seeing each other, we're human. I've been over to see her twice and would like her to come here for a visit, bring some of her things, meet the family and do some planning around our marriage. She talked to a woman at the embassy in Russia about getting the tourist visa which she was told would be no problem for her situation but she advised against it. No explanation as to why.

Can anyone offer an explanation? I don't see what the problem would be...so what if she came to visit me! Anyone in love and missing someone will do whatever it takes to see them. For me it only further substantiates our relationship. Its surely no problem if she comes in September as the chances are slim to none that there will be any action on our application before November.

Anyway, just thought I'd ask amongst the crowd if anyone might know.

[wizardfitz 13]

normally one of the questions in visa application is have you ever applied for a visa? she would then answer yes and explain that she is on k1 or something, US embassy does not approve any other visas for an individual as long as there is another outstanding application in process esp since hers would be for immigration purposes.

[TBoneTX 45,294]

The embassy probably advised against it because of the high likelihood that your fiancee will be turned away at U.S. POE, because of the K-1 that's in progress. Every visitor to the U.S. is viewed as a prospective immigrant, and even if your fiancee brought overwhelming evidence that she would return to Russia this time, CBP (Customs) might still turn her away. The result? She would have flown halfway around the world only to be denied entry, and she would have to return home then, at her (your) expense. This is not a pleasant scenario.

Alternative: Could you and some of your family meet her in a third country (Canada, Mexico, or other)? That way, you could accomplish some of your goals (meeting your family and discussing the wedding).

Finally, a caveat: Although Moscow has recently been an "easy" embassy regarding issuance of family-based visas, NEVER take things for granted in ANY consular interview situation, and remember that current standards can change without notice whenever new embassy personnel with different views about visa-issuance are transferred in.

[AmyStan 0]

So we submitted our application for her visa last week (signed for on Friday - 7/10/09) and from the timeline we're looking at December or January before we can be together. Sorry, but we can't go that long without seeing each other, we're human. I've been over to see her twice and would like her to come here for a visit, bring some of her things, meet the family and do some planning around our marriage. She talked to a woman at the embassy in Russia about getting the tourist visa which she was told would be no problem for her situation but she advised against it. No explanation as to why.

Can anyone offer an explanation? I don't see what the problem would be...so what if she came to visit me! Anyone in love and missing someone will do whatever it takes to see them. For me it only further substantiates our relationship. Its surely no problem if she comes in September as the chances are slim to none that there will be any action on our application before November.

Anyway, just thought I'd ask amongst the crowd if anyone might know.

Another possible reason the lady at the embassy made the recommendation is that, even with a tourist visa, she could be denied entry into the US. If the border security officer feels that she might not return home. And since you're engaged to be married, that could be a red flag. It'd be a shame to go through the expense of the visa and then the plane ticket, only to be refused at the entry point.

[msu17 0]

Usually tourist visas for single women from Russia and other E. european countries can be pretty difficult to get. However it didn't seem like this is what they embassy official was getting at from what you posted. Perhaps the lady thought that it is very difficult to get into the US on a tourist visa and a lot of people get turned away with a pending K1 (which they don't). It might have also been a personal opinion that she didn't think it was worth the $$ and time. Who knows. Visiting won't do anything to the K1, nor will a denial at the border or denial of tourist visa app.

[NatPatBen 3]

Alternative: Could you and some of your family meet her in a third country (Canada, Mexico, or other)? That way, you could accomplish some of your goals (meeting your family and discussing the wedding).

This was a good suggestion. One of my co-workers' uncles was denied a visitor visa to the US. They did just what you suggested: the US family met him in Canada, since he was approved to visit Canada.

[LoveWaits 1]

I should mention she has an 8 year old son that would stay in Russia while she visited, and she has previously lived in Europe so has a resident visa for Europe...two things that make it easy for her to get a Tourist visa. I can only think after reading your posts it must be the possibility of being turned away at the border that caused the woman at the embassy to make the statement she did.

We've already met once on neutral ground (Europe) but would really prefer that she come here because there are many things we'd like to take care of before she comes with her son (after the k-1 visa is issued).

Oh what joy

[Chris_Жанна 11]

I should mention she has an 8 year old son that would stay in Russia while she visited, and she has previously lived in Europe so has a resident visa for Europe...two things that make it easy for her to get a Tourist visa. I can only think after reading your posts it must be the possibility of being turned away at the border that caused the woman at the embassy to make the statement she did.

We've already met once on neutral ground (Europe) but would really prefer that she come here because there are many things we'd like to take care of before she comes with her son (after the k-1 visa is issued).

Oh what joy

Hey, She can legally visit you in the US during the K-1 process, my fiancee is coming on the 4th to visit me from Russia. Now the embassy probably advised you against this because first, it is very hard for a young single woman from Russia to receive a visitor visa unless they have very good ties to the Russia (A job, car, owns property, children left behind, etc...) My fiancee still has her B-2 visa valid (issued before we were engaged and filed for K-1).

It is legal that she visits she may just need to prove that she has strong ties to to Russia as she passes through the PoE. I have heard people claim on VJ that their fiancee even told CBP that they had a pending K-1 and were granted a 6 month stamp on their I-94. Really it is a ####### shoot, and me and my SO are willing to take a chance to be together. It will not hurt our K-1 petition if she is denied (although it will really, really suck). I think at the embassy level once a K-1 is issued the chances of getting a tourist visa issued are a little bit harder now that the consulate will know that she wants to come to America permanently. If you are feeling lucky and and have about $130 that you don't mind loosing for the interview, take the chance at the embassy and see what they say, no harm no foul. Really the worst they can say is "No". I wish you good luck, and I understand your frustration, I'm very nervous about my SO getting through the PoE. When she arrives I will post what our experience was like at the PoE post NoA1. Good luck again.

[Chris_Жанна 11]

I think at the embassy level once a K-1 is issued the chances of getting a tourist visa issued are a little bit harder now that the consulate will know that she wants to come to America permanently.

Sorry I meant to say, After the petition I129F was filed with USCIS. Not K-1 issued.

[TBoneTX 45,294]

Perhaps the lady thought that it is very difficult to get into the US on a tourist visa and a lot of people get turned away with a pending K1 (which they don't).

Please present the actual figures from CBP or elsewhere that support this assertion. Do you have more fact-based insights than the lady in the consulate?

To the OP, again: Discretion seems the better part of valor. I personally would NOT risk being turned away at U.S. POE. Neutral turf, although not optimal, would be a surer bet.

Edited July 16, 2009 by TBoneTX

[baron555 934]

So we submitted our application for her visa last week (signed for on Friday - 7/10/09) and from the timeline we're looking at December or January before we can be together. Sorry, but we can't go that long without seeing each other, we're human. I've been over to see her twice and would like her to come here for a visit, bring some of her things, meet the family and do some planning around our marriage. She talked to a woman at the embassy in Russia about getting the tourist visa which she was told would be no problem for her situation but she advised against it. No explanation as to why.

Can anyone offer an explanation? I don't see what the problem would be...so what if she came to visit me! Anyone in love and missing someone will do whatever it takes to see them. For me it only further substantiates our relationship. Its surely no problem if she comes in September as the chances are slim to none that there will be any action on our application before November.

Anyway, just thought I'd ask amongst the crowd if anyone might know.

You both can try but be prepared for the possible consequences of her being turned away at POE.

I haven't seen my Alla since we left each other in Kiev in February. If we can do it, you can do it. This will only strengthen your relatonship.

We talk on the phone every day, email most days, and have long Skype sessions on certain planned days.

Everyone will agree that an international relationship takes a lot of hard work.

[Chris_Жанна 11]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...s+you+can+visit

[Dakine 26]

I never have understood why a person who already has a potential immigration visa would even consider going to the US on a tourist visa and then going illegal and losing any chance of being a legal immigrant.

Seems strange the embassies would be skeptical about giving someone a tourist visa in those circumstances.

[LoveWaits 1]

I never have understood why a person who already has a potential immigration visa would even consider going to the US on a tourist visa and then going illegal and losing any chance of being a legal immigrant.

Seems strange the embassies would be skeptical about giving someone a tourist visa in those circumstances.

Yes, exactly. Thats why I couldn't understand the woman at the Embassy. I would think that would be proof, not to mention her leaving her son behind and as I said, they want to know people are in a real relationship but expect them to wait 6+ months apart?! Sorry, it is a real relationship and we want to see each other! As if going through this lengthy, expensive, nerve racking process isn't test enough for a loving relationship

We're talking about it, if we go for it I'll post our experience.