Europe or US to meet? Visa questions.

[Chris M 1]

Hi this is my very first post on Visa Journey. I hope I am posting this in the right board. If this is incorrect please direct me.

Anyway to make a long story short , I have been talking to a girl from Russia for the past 4 months and we had decided to meet sometime in the spring. I would love for her to come to the US for a visit, so I could show her around this large country a little and see if she would like it here. Or option B is to meet in Europe in a country she has never been to. She is open to either option, and so am I. I have traveled to Europe many times and know my way around very well and would be happy to show Tanya things I have seen.

We started looking at visa options for European countries and the US. It is not hard for me to travel to Europe. A passport and a plane ticket. For Tanya she will need a visa and this could be along process for only a visit. The same thing holds true for a US visit. Although Europe may be easier for a visit I imagine this would be equally difficult. Does anyone have any idea what may be the best option for us? US or Europe? I can imagine there are many things we need to have in order before she would apply for the visa.

Also what kind of things should I be giving her to present to the US embassy in Russia for the visa application? I imagine a hand-written invitation with my contact info and maybe a picture, but is there anything else?

We thought we should start looking at this now for a April/May meeting. This is all very new to us and any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Chris

[Krikit 1,164]

Moving your thread from Off Topic to the Russia forum.

Welcome to VJ, Chris.

[mox 298]

Hey Chris, and welcome!

First, I would highly suggest meeting in Russia. Meet her friends and family, and try to get to know a little bit about her everyday life. It's fine and dandy to meet each other in a vacation type setting, but if you think things could be serious, and you're like most of us who can only afford a big trip about every year or so, then I highly recommend meeting her in Russia. It'll really impress her family and set their minds a little more at ease.

Anyway, to your question. It's going to be difficult for a young, single Russian woman to get a visa to Western Europe or the US. She's going to need to show ties to her country, such as a good job (and I mean a good job, not just a cashier at a supermarket), property, or if she has a child, that the child would remain in Russia while she spent her time abroad.

You don't need to provide her with an invitation, although she'll need your address to apply for a US visa so they know where she's staying. But as mentioned above, she'll need to have proof of real ties to her country to be approved.

Again, I'd urge you to meet her in Russia, in her home town. If you've never been to Russia, you're absolutely going to love it. It's like being on another planet, and you're going to come home with travel stories that will beat anybody else's travel stories. It's also going to show her and her family that you respect her and her country enough to visit. Overall it really is the best way to start the relationship, imho.

Good luck!

[Steve S 2]

I also recommend meeting her in Russia, for many of the same reasons Mox outlined. When I visited Irina the first time, it was not really appropriate yet to meet her parents but I really enjoyed meeting some of her friends. She had a comfort level with meeting me on her home turf. If you decide on a neutral place, how about either Moscow or St. Pete? Both are amazing tourist destinations, and central meeting place for either of you (easier than connecting to Samara, Ekaterinberg or wherever). If you both have your hearts set on a neutral country, you may consider Turkey because she can go with a travel passport. Only guessing at your situation, I would much more highly recommend Russia for first meeting. Keep us posted and good luck!

[1HappyGuy 45]

I would also recommend meeting her in Russia, but if she is really serious about meeting someplace as a vacation spot, then definitely a country both of you can travel to without visa's.

I hate to be a wet blanket at this time, but this is how scams start also. So, if you are paying for everything, then buy airline tickets for her that can not be refunded. Unfortunately many of us are familiar with the methods of scams and you could be throwing away money. I hope not.

However, visiting a woman for the first time is probably better in her home country. If this is on the level, she will be honest about wanting to meet in comfortable settings and see how things progress. You can ask the people here on VJ about the length of time it takes to accomplish this process, so take your time and really get to know her. We all hope that this will be good for both of you, but you need to keep your eyes open.

As previously stated, it is very difficult for a single person to obtain a visitor visa from any FSU country.

Good luck!

[mox 298]

I usually withhold advice about scamming unless asked, because it is such a delicate issue, but 1HappyGuy's advice is worth considering. It's not unheard of either for someone to soak a Westerner for a vacation they couldn't otherwise afford. And meeting on neutral ground would mean she wouldn't have to worry about you ever turning up on her doorstep after the goodbyes have been said. Not saying this is the OP's situation, but it can be a red flag, especially if she is actually refusing to meet in her home town.

(and out of consideration for the OP, let's not turn this into a "she's scamming you dude" thread. Nobody but the OP knows his personal situation, so it would all be baseless conjecture anyway.)

[1HappyGuy 45]

Exactly my point Mox. I hope this is all good and that the couple will be joining our happy international community.

[Chris M 1]

Tanya is pretty much open to any place for a meeting. She had suggested I come to see her in Russia, but I suggested some place in Europe or here in the US. I thought it would be nice she sees something new. although what you all are saying about visiting her makes perfect sense too. She was OK with coming here, but knew it would be a long process. As you said I am the only one who knows the situation and I have a great feeling Tanya is very true to me. I am sure she would love to show me around and introduce me to friends and family. She did say she would love to show me what Kemerovo, Russia has to offer. She was also excited about seeing me and experiencing something new as well. I love to travel and showing someone the things I have seen is exciting to me too.

Of course I am skeptical about some of this too. We have sent personalized, private videos through YouTube to each other and wrote numerous emails every day for the past several months. I like to think I am a good judge of character, but of course you never know. I am trying not to be naive about the whole thing either, and I would want to say Tanya's intentions are true.

So I am guessing the census is to visit her in her home country?

[mox 298]

Probably the best indicator that this is "real" is the fact that she's open to you visiting her. My advice is to take her up on it...she's probably hoping that you arrive at this decision anyway.

But if you do decide to meet somewhere else, there's plenty of experience and help right here. Just ask!

Oh, and congratulations on your first tentative steps into this long and often arduous process, and welcome to the nuthouse. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.

[SMR 368]

It wouldn't be that hard for her to receive a Schengen tourist visa, if she wanted one. Of course, as has been stated, there are quite a few countries that are visa free for Russians and Americans.

However, I, too, recommend meeting either at your place or hers. Look at this as dating. It's harder to get to know someone meeting them on neutral ground.

Whatever you do, if you think a K1 is in the cards, remember to take some good "evidence" pictures and keep your boarding passes.

[baron555 934]

Tanya is pretty much open to any place for a meeting. She had suggested I come to see her in Russia, but I suggested some place in Europe or here in the US. I thought it would be nice she sees something new. although what you all are saying about visiting her makes perfect sense too. She was OK with coming here, but knew it would be a long process. As you said I am the only one who knows the situation and I have a great feeling Tanya is very true to me. I am sure she would love to show me around and introduce me to friends and family. She did say she would love to show me what Kemerovo, Russia has to offer. She was also excited about seeing me and experiencing something new as well. I love to travel and showing someone the things I have seen is exciting to me too.

Of course I am skeptical about some of this too. We have sent personalized, private videos through YouTube to each other and wrote numerous emails every day for the past several months. I like to think I am a good judge of character, but of course you never know. I am trying not to be naive about the whole thing either, and I would want to say Tanya's intentions are true.

So I am guessing the census is to visit her in her home country?

Do you have her phone number and her address? Just a couple of other things that any real couple would freely share.

I was going to meet my Alla in Moscow after she got back from her vacation in southern Russia to her parents. She didn't want to wait that long so we both agreed to meet in Kiev, where neither of us had been to. She paid for her own train tickets to there and I flew in and met her at the airport the day after she arrived. The rest is our ongoing history....

A USC doesn't need any visa for a short stay in Ukraine and she got in no problem. But, if you can go to her hometown and meet the family, then that is even better. You two can vacation abroad or here later.

[Chris M 1]

Yes I do have her address and have sent her a few little things before. The other day Tanya told me she would need to travel to Moscow to go to the US or European embassy for the visas. I told her I was concerned about her traveling all this way to Moscow. She lives close to Kemerovo, Russia in Siberia. She told me "Yes Moscow is far, 4 hours of flight or 2,5 day by train.. But in comparison with distance between us... If it is necessary, I certainly shall overcome this journey." I would just be concerned for her during this long trip, so this would be another reason for me to do all the leg work in getting to see her.

I hate to ask this, but all the K-1 and Schengen tourist visa is new to me. I am quite a newbie too all this an honestly do not know what these are. I can do a search for them and figure them out, but when I say I am green.... I am green.

I guess in keeping with my original post about Tanya coming to the US for a visit, what should we do or expect? As another option. If she really wanted to come here or meet in Europe. Is there anything we should be doing other than getting applications together for the visa? Again.... quite green.

thank you all for your help.

Chris

[baron555 934]

Yes I do have her address and have sent her a few little things before. The other day Tanya told me she would need to travel to Moscow to go to the US or European embassy for the visas. I told her I was concerned about her traveling all this way to Moscow. She lives close to Kemerovo, Russia in Siberia. She told me "Yes Moscow is far, 4 hours of flight or 2,5 day by train.. But in comparison with distance between us... If it is necessary, I certainly shall overcome this journey." I would just be concerned for her during this long trip, so this would be another reason for me to do all the leg work in getting to see her.

I hate to ask this, but all the K-1 and Schengen tourist visa is new to me. I am quite a newbie too all this an honestly do not know what these are. I can do a search for them and figure them out, but when I say I am green.... I am green.

I guess in keeping with my original post about Tanya coming to the US for a visit, what should we do or expect? As another option. If she really wanted to come here or meet in Europe. Is there anything we should be doing other than getting applications together for the visa? Again.... quite green.

thank you all for your help.

Chris

Her obtaining any visa is all on her end. Not very likely but some have done it and reports are the US Embassy is becoming more open to that.

For the K-1, Read the Guides. Click on the Guides button at the top of this page. Thoroughly read all through that information and look at the forms and look at the example forms. Unless your case is really complicated, doesn't sound like it, you can do this all yourself.

Also, a hint, keep your questions to this RUB forum; everyone here has either been through it all or like myself are in the middle of it.

Don't worry about her and the plane or train; these RWs are quite capable of handling themselves; a good trait that I am sure you see and may be one of the attractions.

[mox 298]

Don't worry about her and the plane or train; these RWs are quite capable of handling themselves; a good trait that I am sure you see and may be one of the attractions.

You took the words right out of my mouth. We guys really tend to be over-protective of our RU women because 1) we're guys, and 2) because her country seems dangerous and mysterious to us, while she seems to be a fragile little flower. But seriously...she's managed to navigate the waters of her own country for the last 18+ years, and she'll be fine. I've seen how a Russian woman can defend herself, and it's somewhat scary and arousing at the same time. Don't worry about her, she'll be fine in Moscow.

[clueless_in_usa 8]

Hi this is my very first post on Visa Journey. I hope I am posting this in the right board. If this is incorrect please direct me.

Anyway to make a long story short , I have been talking to a girl from Russia for the past 4 months and we had decided to meet sometime in the spring. I would love for her to come to the US for a visit, so I could show her around this large country a little and see if she would like it here. Or option B is to meet in Europe in a country she has never been to. She is open to either option, and so am I. I have traveled to Europe many times and know my way around very well and would be happy to show Tanya things I have seen.

We started looking at visa options for European countries and the US. It is not hard for me to travel to Europe. A passport and a plane ticket. For Tanya she will need a visa and this could be along process for only a visit. The same thing holds true for a US visit. Although Europe may be easier for a visit I imagine this would be equally difficult. Does anyone have any idea what may be the best option for us? US or Europe? I can imagine there are many things we need to have in order before she would apply for the visa.

Also what kind of things should I be giving her to present to the US embassy in Russia for the visa application? I imagine a hand-written invitation with my contact info and maybe a picture, but is there anything else?

We thought we should start looking at this now for a April/May meeting. This is all very new to us and any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Chris

Go to TURKEY or EGYPT with her. You both get to see something new, it is very easy for both (NO VISAS), and you can get great prices for good vacations leaving from Russia or Ukraine (in case you want to avoid the visa process to Russia).

Meeting in Russia is boring and I would avoid it if there is a better option. Meeting in Europe is possible with your support (I did so once), but it will be a lot more expensive. Meeting in the USA will be close to impossible, especially if she mentions you.