Do things go faster when using an Immigration Lawyer?

[toma1 10]

The really funny thing (not really) is when you say something like this to people they think it is because Ukraine was the Soviet Union and that UKRAINE does not let people travel freely. People nearly swallow their tongues when I tell them "No, it is the UNITED STATES that doesn't let Ukrainians travel freely"

Oh my goodness I know! The amount of times I've had to explain to people that no, it's not actually Russia - it's the U.S. - and then watch their jaws drop to the floor, is simply countless!

The amount of people that think this is astounding (embarassing). Can I tell you how many times I have been asked if I "feel safe" in Ukraine or Russia? SAFE? Safe from What? "You know...the KGB."

They are asking a good question, but assuming the wrong source of the problem.

It's the every day crime that I would be concerned about...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Homicide..._by_country.svg

[Lars-N-Yenia 8]

I suppose he could have meant that it would take 3 months for petition approval.. I will have to ask him about his 3 month comment. 3 months, 5, months.. a year... whatever it takes..

This is a good outlook to start with...the forms aren't that complex to do on your own and if they are , there are always many people here to help you...save the $$$ ....good luck

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

The really funny thing (not really) is when you say something like this to people they think it is because Ukraine was the Soviet Union and that UKRAINE does not let people travel freely. People nearly swallow their tongues when I tell them "No, it is the UNITED STATES that doesn't let Ukrainians travel freely"

Oh my goodness I know! The amount of times I've had to explain to people that no, it's not actually Russia - it's the U.S. - and then watch their jaws drop to the floor, is simply countless!

The amount of people that think this is astounding (embarassing). Can I tell you how many times I have been asked if I "feel safe" in Ukraine or Russia? SAFE? Safe from What? "You know...the KGB."

They are asking a good question, but assuming the wrong source of the problem.

It's the every day crime that I would be concerned about...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Homicide..._by_country.svg

One must admire your chivalry for defending the weak (of mind) But someone who thinks I should fear the KGB is not likely to be referring to statistics of international crime. What d'ya bet? Just a hunch. Actually I have found Russian and Ukraianian people to be very obliging and hosptiable. The crime seems to be focused mainly on the criminal gangs who we are all a little better off without. If they mamange to hit their target...who is a loser? The regular person walking the street in Moscow, Kiev, Kharkov, Odessa, etc (especially in the central city areas) has little to fear of crime in the street, certainly no more so than any big city here.

[toma1 10]

One must admire your chivalry for defending the weak (of mind) But someone who thinks I should fear the KGB is not likely to be referring to statistics of international crime. What d'ya bet? Just a hunch. Actually I have found Russian and Ukraianian people to be very obliging and hosptiable. The crime seems to be focused mainly on the criminal gangs who we are all a little better off without. If they mamange to hit their target...who is a loser? The regular person walking the street in Moscow, Kiev, Kharkov, Odessa, etc (especially in the central city areas) has little to fear of crime in the street, certainly no more so than any big city here.

I'll concede the point, but frankly, a tourist had little to fear from the KGB even when there WAS a KGB.

Your other comment about gangs being the source as well as the target of most crime--based on some quick research--checks out. Russian crime is high for offenses that are more likely to be mafia-related (murder, conspiracy, corruption) but lower for offenses that are less likely to be mafia crimes (robbery, rape, assault).

[Jenn and Fuat 2]

Well, after much feedback from people on this site.. and a great deal of help ( thank you!).. we are going to save the money and do it ourselves!

Thank you to everyone who gave their input and sent me information and links to look at. I am very grateful to have found this site.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

One must admire your chivalry for defending the weak (of mind) But someone who thinks I should fear the KGB is not likely to be referring to statistics of international crime. What d'ya bet? Just a hunch. Actually I have found Russian and Ukraianian people to be very obliging and hosptiable. The crime seems to be focused mainly on the criminal gangs who we are all a little better off without. If they mamange to hit their target...who is a loser? The regular person walking the street in Moscow, Kiev, Kharkov, Odessa, etc (especially in the central city areas) has little to fear of crime in the street, certainly no more so than any big city here.

I'll concede the point, but frankly, a tourist had little to fear from the KGB even when there WAS a KGB.

Your other comment about gangs being the source as well as the target of most crime--based on some quick research--checks out. Russian crime is high for offenses that are more likely to be mafia-related (murder, conspiracy, corruption) but lower for offenses that are less likely to be mafia crimes (robbery, rape, assault).

Exactly, hence my comment about the misconceptions of the general population about the Soviet Union. Also most people tend to still consufe all that stuff and refer to Ukraine, Belarus, etc., as "Russia". Tell someone you are flying to Kiev and 95% of them will say "Oh, you are going to Russia?" Not surprising given that yesterday I heard that high school students in Oklahoma were given the Citizenship test and a whopping 3% of them passed. Immigrants have a 92% firt try pass rate.

OMG they count corruption? Really? How would one count corruption in Ukraine or Russia? It is everywhere for everything, there is a barely a transaction with any government agency for any reason that does not involve corruption, bribery or coercion of some sort. My MIL pays a bribe to get her pension check delivered. $1 to the mailman or no pension check! It is nothing to be "afraid of" you just deal with it.

OP...Glad this site is of help to you. It is the best, no doubt

Edited September 18, 2009 by Gary and Alla

[toma1 10]

Exactly, hence my comment about the misconceptions of the general population about the Soviet Union. Also most people tend to still consufe all that stuff and refer to Ukraine, Belarus, etc., as "Russia". Tell someone you are flying to Kiev and 95% of them will say "Oh, you are going to Russia?" Not surprising given that yesterday I heard that high school students in Oklahoma were given the Citizenship test and a whopping 3% of them passed. Immigrants have a 92% firt try pass rate.

OMG they count corruption? Really? How would one count corruption in Ukraine or Russia? It is everywhere for everything, there is a barely a transaction with any government agency for any reason that does not involve corruption, bribery or coercion of some sort. My MIL pays a bribe to get her pension check delivered. $1 to the mailman or no pension check! It is nothing to be "afraid of" you just deal with it.

OP...Glad this site is of help to you. It is the best, no doubt

We have a LOT of Ukrainian students for some reason, and they tell me the same things. On one study abroad program we did in China, we had a student from the Ukraine and another from Poland. The other students gave the pair the nickname "the Russians".

Transparency International has a much quoted corruption index that they compile every year. I use it quite a bit in my classes. Russia and the former Soviet republics make up a good percentage of the bottom of the list. Here's the link to the table:

http://www.transparency.org/news_room/in_f.../cpi_2008_table

They count corruption by surveying a group of experts, among other things; the methodology is also available on the site, if you're interested. There is a short version here:

http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices

[Ted and Marina 0]

My future wife had good experiance with the RM...

They were looking for her ex...(large amount of money owed) found only her...

She told them what he had done to her,

They helped her that day, and went looking for him with even more vigor.

If you know about and such groups in America, the RM are about the same, they don't waist time on tourists or individuals, unless you have done wrong.

As doing wrong to a family member, a child or a lady.

[Enlighten one :) 5]

I think it has all been said. NO

My lawyer cost us valuable time. I had him so pinned against the wall that he refunded us half of our money.

[thongd4me 69]

I recently retained a lawyer for the K1 Process, as we've been through two visitor visa denials, and want to do everything we can to make sure the K1 is not denied. The lawyer said we could most likely get through everything quickly and would take about 3 months.

In everything I have read, it seems like it is taking 5 months or more just to get to the point where the information is sent to the Consulate in the beneficiaries home country. I don't want to think my lawyer is just telling me what I want to hear, but it sure seems like it is going to take a lot longer than we thought.

Did anyone use a lawyer and find things went pretty quickly? I read one post where someone said it seemed to take them longer with the use of a lawyer. I know we could do this on our own, but we really think it's smarter to use a lawyer because of the other visa denials. FYI... reason for denials was not being able to show enough proof of reason to return.

3 MONTHS

Lawyer rhymes with liar.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Exactly, hence my comment about the misconceptions of the general population about the Soviet Union. Also most people tend to still consufe all that stuff and refer to Ukraine, Belarus, etc., as "Russia". Tell someone you are flying to Kiev and 95% of them will say "Oh, you are going to Russia?" Not surprising given that yesterday I heard that high school students in Oklahoma were given the Citizenship test and a whopping 3% of them passed. Immigrants have a 92% firt try pass rate.

OMG they count corruption? Really? How would one count corruption in Ukraine or Russia? It is everywhere for everything, there is a barely a transaction with any government agency for any reason that does not involve corruption, bribery or coercion of some sort. My MIL pays a bribe to get her pension check delivered. $1 to the mailman or no pension check! It is nothing to be "afraid of" you just deal with it.

OP...Glad this site is of help to you. It is the best, no doubt

We have a LOT of Ukrainian students for some reason, and they tell me the same things. On one study abroad program we did in China, we had a student from the Ukraine and another from Poland. The other students gave the pair the nickname "the Russians".

Transparency International has a much quoted corruption index that they compile every year. I use it quite a bit in my classes. Russia and the former Soviet republics make up a good percentage of the bottom of the list. Here's the link to the table:

http://www.transparency.org/news_room/in_f.../cpi_2008_table

They count corruption by surveying a group of experts, among other things; the methodology is also available on the site, if you're interested. There is a short version here:

http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices

Ukraine 134 and Russia 147 out of 180. Hmmm I would have guessed them at worse. LOL But then look at what is below them. They can hold their heads high after all!

LOL 1/2 of Ukrainians and ALL Poles will be offended by the nickname "Russian" My wife, from east Ukraine is sure to pint out she is "really Russian" on the other hand. I think ALL Ukrainians know about the corruption, it is hard not to, nay, impossible. It is at every level of government. If there is a dog catcher (and I do not think there is based on the number of wild dogs running everywhere) he is corrupt. Literally ANYTHING can be had or expedited for a price. The price varies and that is about the only difference. You cannot even get a copy of a document without paying a bribe. You cannot see a doctor without paying a bribe, school teachers pay bribes to the principals to keep their jobs, they take bribes from students for better grades so they can pay the bribes to the principal, it is complete and rotten to the core. The good news is, once you get through the line to the clerk you will pretty much get whatever you want as long as you have cash. No waiting 12 weeks for the SS card like here. I am absolutely certain the corruption extends to the drivers lisence issuing people.

Edited September 19, 2009 by Gary and Alla

[toma1 10]

Ukraine 134 and Russia 147 out of 180. Hmmm I would have guessed them at worse. LOL But then look at what is below them. They can hold their heads high after all!

Yeah, but look at the scores themselves and you'll get a better picture of what's happening. It's still pretty bad. There are simply a lot of "completely corrupt" places. Somalia, which for all intents and purposes has no government at all, is a 1.0--the minimum score. Document? Doctor? Forget about that. In Somalia you bribe the roving gangs of warlords not to kill you and sell your children to the highest bidder. I think Russia was a 2.1, right? A LOT of the third world scores higher than that.

Americans are generally shocked and indignant to find out that they are not #1 on the list and that, in fact, Singapore kicks their butts.

LOL 1/2 of Ukrainians and ALL Poles will be offended by the nickname "Russian" My wife, from east Ukraine is sure to pint out she is "really Russian" on the other hand. I think ALL Ukrainians know about the corruption, it is hard not to, nay, impossible. It is at every level of government. If there is a dog catcher (and I do not think there is based on the number of wild dogs running everywhere) he is corrupt. Literally ANYTHING can be had or expedited for a price. The price varies and that is about the only difference. You cannot even get a copy of a document without paying a bribe. You cannot see a doctor without paying a bribe, school teachers pay bribes to the principals to keep their jobs, they take bribes from students for better grades so they can pay the bribes to the principal, it is complete and rotten to the core. The good news is, once you get through the line to the clerk you will pretty much get whatever you want as long as you have cash. No waiting 12 weeks for the SS card like here. I am absolutely certain the corruption extends to the drivers lisence issuing people.

Yeah, I heard about the students bribing the teachers. In Cambodia the students have to pay to go to school every day. You can see 8-9 year olds out on the street selling gum and books at midnight in order to go to school the next morning. So sure, for every bad there is a worse.

It's a funny that you mentioned the driver's license. My wife told me just this evening that she never took the written exam in Thailand. She just paid and got the license. (Fortunately they did make her take the road test... at least they had some standard.)

Edited September 19, 2009 by toma1