After Interview

[lee b 2]

I am trying to book flights for after the interview and I wasn't sure how long it takes to get the visa. I realize this might not be the wisest thing, but chance is good for the soul. Any advice would be appreciated.

As a side note, I have been reading on this forum for a while and occasionally posting. You guys crack me up.

[AbbynSheryl 0]

hey average time is 4-10 days

good luck

but the time can vary from country to country

abby n sheryl

[mox 298]

but the time can vary from country to country

LOL which is why you probably don't want to take the advice of a PI filer, Lee.

For Russia it typically takes about a week, sometimes up to two. WRT buying tickets before the visa is in hand, it's of course up to you. I always say if you can afford to lose the money, then do it. If it's going to be a hardship rebooking though, just wait until the visa is in hand. The time you wind up spending together is going to more than make up for the extra few days you're waiting for her to board the plane.

Best of luck to you both!

Edited August 13, 2009 by mox

[slim 1,525]

If you're rolling the dice.... three days!

Have her wait in Moscow, pick up the visa from the DHL office in town, then head straight to SVO and on to you.

As mox said... that's only if you're rolling in the dough and don't care about prices to change tickets if necessary.

[lee b 2]

I guess the term I should have used would be calculated risk. Maybe 10 days after the interview would be appropriate? Thanks for the input guys.

[John24689 0]

Nothing in this process is "for sure". I suggest waiting until you get the visa in your hand. Then, purchase the ticket. They may ask for more information, DHL may be late in delivery, etc. Just go back home and visit family and friends. Have a party and pack and wait. Another few weeks will not make any be difference in the long run. This way you will not be on pins and needles waiting for the visa and wondering if you are going to make your flight.

Good luck in your decision and the best of luck in your journey.

[groovlstk 0]

I am trying to book flights for after the interview and I wasn't sure how long it takes to get the visa. I realize this might not be the wisest thing, but chance is good for the soul. Any advice would be appreciated.

As a side note, I have been reading on this forum for a while and occasionally posting. You guys crack me up.

You should arrange to pick up her visa at the DHL office. It's accessible via marshrutka. I took a calculated risk and pre-booked my wife and I tickets from Moscow to NYC 8 days after her scheduled interview date. Everything worked out fine (we had the visa in hand three days after the interview) but like others have said here, it's a risk.

[Don E 0]

I'll offer my $0.02 worth. As others have advised, it's always smart to wait until the visa is in hand, but if you're willing to gamble.....Like Slim said, you can make arrangements with DHL and most likely she could have the visa three days later. Like John and others have said, nothing is guaranteed, and there's always a chance that a wrench could get thrown into the works. But, if you're willing to take a chance, a calculated risk as you put it, I would say that ten days is generally a pretty safe bet. Gather as much intel as you can, and the decision is yours!

Just my opinion, I could be wrong. Best of luck to you!

[1HappyGuy 45]

I would use a two week interval after the interview, this gives you plenty of time. But you should discuss this with your fiancee. She will be leaving family and friends for a long time and might want some extra time to say good bye, pack everything she thinks she will need and prepare herself for the long adventure ahead. Remember, she won't be able to return until you get married and have at least obtained advanced parole, but more likely her temporary green card.

The visa is good for six months, so some planning might just make the experience that much better. I know how easy it is for those of us with our wives here now to say wait a little longer, but in the overall scheme of it, a couple more days or weeks won't really matter.

[Neonred 3,562]

We were in Moscow together for her interview and then returned to her city for one week to pack up and say good byes. We were not sure the passport and visa would arrive to her in time, so we had it held at the DHL office in Moscow. On our return to Moscow we picked up the passport the day before we left for the US. It actually took just 2 days for the passport to arrive at the DHL office.

[slim 1,525]

Your biggest money-waster is lodging in Moscow. If she's from there or staying with family or something, 10 days is great. But, if she's staying at the Ritz, on your dime, send her butt home for a few weeks.

Cost of lodging shouldn't outweigh cost of changing tickets. If it does, you're wasting your money. Gamble on the date and then change tickets if you must. But, 10 days, you should be fine. If you're paying for her lodging for 10 days, you could just charter a jet when her visa arrives.

[mendeleev 68]

My wife had both her K1 and then her K3 visas in hand within a week of each interview. YMMV

[Brad and Vika 129]

I went for the interview, and brought Vika back with me about a week later. It took three days to pick up the visa at FedEx. I think it just depends on what you plan to do with the time, and how much you want to spend.

[sivad 0]

we have an interview date of oct 25th,can we go ahead and get,invite,visa,and book plane tickets............or is it better to wait?

[sivad 0]

we have an interview date of oct 25th,can we go ahead and get,invite,visa,and book plane tickets............or is it better to wait?

what i am trying to say,has anyone beed denied and why?,i am not afraid to roll the dice,and it is cheaper to book now ,then when december hits.