B-2 while K-1 is processing...

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

While $200 is not an insignificant amount of money, it's hardly "a lot of extra money" or money to burn in the context of things...so I'm not really sure where that comment is coming from.

Applying for a B-2 should have no effect on the K-1. You are not petitioning her so the answer to that question is "NO". B-2s are not petitioned by citizens.

If you do not mind the $200 investment to try...neither do I. Good luck.

[Chris_Жанна 11]

My only intent was to make sure you didn't get yourself into any trouble. So please, give the whole calling me "ignorant" thing a rest.

Listen, I'm NOT judging you, but I do have some problems w/ you telling others here that your course is ok, and that others should follow suit. Here's why..........

Form DS-156 (application for the B-2 visa).

Question 25. Name and Telephone Numbers of Person in U.S. Who You Will Be Staying With or Visiting for Tourism or Business?

Now, she will have to say you, correct? Zhanna told me when she went on her B-2 interview the C/O asked specific questions about who I was and what our relationship was. At the time we were just friend. This was not smiled upon, she was reminded several times during the interview not to get married while on a tourist visa. Although, I have heard of many ppl adjusting status on a B-2 when there were no prior intentions to marry before arrival into the US. BTW Zhanna's B-2 interview was much more intensive then her K-1. She walked out of USEM in only 5 mins of her interview. Her B-2 lasted 1/2 hour in Yekaterinburg. Much more intense questioning there.

Question 36. Has Anyone Ever Filed an Immigrant Visa Petition on Your Behalf?

If you go to the US Embassy (Moscow) website you will find that the K-1 visa is listed under the "Immigrant Visa" section. I know the K-1 isn't technically an immigrant visa but, the embassy is referencing it as such on their website you may want to take that into consideration being that the embassy trumps all. Or, atleast get official word from the embassy before you go and leave advice for newer members, not to do so would be quite reckless on your part.

I guess my concern (not judgment) was with this portion of your original comment

"Not out of any great sense of legality, but more because Olya's a terrible liar"

The tone of your sentence displays that you are not doing the right thing because it is the law, but because someone is not a good liar. So yes, that was the main basis of my critique of your plan. Again, critique and judgment are two different things.

Seems to me that anyone who doesn't respond to you post the way you see fit is subject to your ridicule. You speak of "camaraderie" But it is you who have become defensive at the slightest opposition to your posts, this thread being testament to that. Again, my original response was just to give a "heads up". But you poise a defensive posture to anything that isn't congruent to what you want to hear. So, good luck. I hope you get the tourist visa and you can spend time in the US. I have been one of the biggest advocates of encouraging ppl to try to visit during the process. But I'm an even bigger advocate of making sure they do it the most truthful and honest way so there is no problems when it comes to the long term. If you take that as "Judgmental" and "Ignorant" so be it. You're the one marginalizing yourself as a newer member.

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

one post removed per poster's request.

[slim 1,525]

So no action for three weeks and then a post is removed? What gives?

[Salsa Shark 0]

So no action for three weeks and then a post is removed? What gives?

Sorry, I had made an update and then asked for the moderator to remove it.

Here's the deal:

She had her interview on 22 Mar 2010 and it was approved. There was full disclosure about the I-129F petition and we believe this was a significant contributor to getting the B-2 visa (multi-entry one-year).

She arrived in Chicago yesterday! No problems at customs other than long lines. Her I-94 is good for six months.

I asked for that post to be deleted because we were keeping her visit a surprise from my family and her friends.

Thank you to those who were supportive of our efforts and had the reading comprehension to understand why I started this topic. To the maroons who felt it necessary to use this as a pulpit to make ridiculously ignorant statements--well, your "reputations" are well-earned and I offer you a hearty STFU for your future attempts at unsolicited (and incorrect) advice.

Our I-129F got a touch today as well, so we're hoping that the NOA-2 is on its way next week.

We're rooting for Anna's interview later this month...go Chely!

To those who are considering a visitor visa while waiting for their "permanent" options--go for it!

-- Charles and Olga

[clueless_in_usa 8]

Sorry, perhaps I should have given my comments broader context.

Olga and I started talking in February of 2008. We decided that we would get together in person no less than every six months--so things like airfare, hotel and all that are a moot point because that money would be spent anyway. If she doesn't come here on the B-2, then we meet somewhere else. We already tried Canada earlier this year, but her tourist visa application was denied. So for me, it's $200 and that's it.

So if the observation is that I have money to burn because we vacation together a couple of times a year, well, I guess I could understand that a bit more. I don't really know how my income compares with others on here, but I do not pull down a particularly large salary I just basically live as frugally as I can because it's more than worth it to have that brief time together when we can manage it.

My apologies for any misunderstanding on my part there.

Whoever said that one consulate does not know what happens in another consulate is dreaming. That is what computers are for, and even if people change passport numbers, they research applicants by name and date of birth. I know this by experience.

Congratulations on getting the visa. Consider yourself lucky.

Edited April 3, 2010 by clueless_in_usa

[Martyshk 137]

Also, if Olga was denied a visa to Canada, it is my belief that she will certainly be denied a visa to the USA.

She got the B-2 visa, so the point is moot now.

[Salsa Shark 0]

Whoever said that one consulate does not know what happens in another consulate is dreaming. That is what computers are for, and even if people change passport numbers, they research applicants by name and date of birth. I know this by experience.

Congratulations on getting the visa. Consider yourself lucky.

Dude, luck has nothing to do with it. If you're going to be a tool, then just refrain from posting and keep your misery to yourself. Jesus Christ, I have never seen such negativity on a forum where mutual support is ultimately what people are looking for here.

The refusal rate for B-1/B-2 visa applications from Russia is >ONLY< 4.9%. Luck has nothing to do with it, genius.

Sheesh...really.

Again--thank you for the people who were supportive and I hope our experience is of some help to others considering a similar course of action.

[Used to be broken 147]

Sorry, perhaps I should have given my comments broader context.

We already tried Canada earlier this year, but her tourist visa application was denied. So for me, it's $200 and that's it.

What was the issue with the Canadian Tourist VISA if you do not mind my asking? I am tired of going to Europe and thinking Canada might be an easier choice for me on my end. Share your experience and what you sent in on the tourist request if you do not mind, and reasons if any they denied the VISA.

[clueless_in_usa 8]

Dude, luck has nothing to do with it. If you're going to be a tool, then just refrain from posting and keep your misery to yourself. Jesus Christ, I have never seen such negativity on a forum where mutual support is ultimately what people are looking for here.

The refusal rate for B-1/B-2 visa applications from Russia is >ONLY< 4.9%. Luck has nothing to do with it, genius.

Sheesh...really.

Again--thank you for the people who were supportive and I hope our experience is of some help to others considering a similar course of action.

Dude, keep your personal attacks to yourself. I am very good at insults if you want to start a pissing match anytime.

You and your Olga are lucky, and that is it. If you believe that you are God because you can throw money around at will, that is your problem, not mine. The truth is that the majority of Russians who try what you did are not so lucky, usually because they are not spoiled rich like you.

By the way, who said that being at VJ I had to "support" anybody's whims?

Insult me again and I will get you suspended.

[Solnuwko 0]

Hey everyone! Wanted to share my positive experience with B-2 and K-1 which is a little different than what was discussed here, but still can encourage others to try...

I applied for B-2 in Nov 2009 in Moscow after 3 J-1 visas in 2004, 2005, and 2006, no denials ever. I got B-2, we filed I-129F in January 2010 (Vermont SC), and still waiting for NOA2. I came over again for Easter, and had no problems on passport and boarder control whatsoever. I was worried but - again, long lines and that's it. No extra questions, and also 6 months for I-94. So for those who want to try it - GO FOR IT - definitely go for it and use all possible facts in your favor. And for those who tried it - good job and congrats! It's worth it!

[Salsa Shark 0]

Dude, keep your personal attacks to yourself. I am very good at insults if you want to start a pissing match anytime.

You and your Olga are lucky, and that is it. If you believe that you are God because you can throw money around at will, that is your problem, not mine. The truth is that the majority of Russians who try what you did are not so lucky, usually because they are not spoiled rich like you.

By the way, who said that being at VJ I had to "support" anybody's whims?

Insult me again and I will get you suspended.

Go for it, junior. I'll wait here. I stand by everything I've said...the statistics are clear and money has nothing to do with it. The >vast< majority of people who apply for B-1/B-2 visas are approved. FACT. Luck has >nothing< to do with it and I'm very sad to see your ignorance get in the way of what is otherwise a very good and positive message board.

[Salsa Shark 0]

What was the issue with the Canadian Tourist VISA if you do not mind my asking? I am tired of going to Europe and thinking Canada might be an easier choice for me on my end. Share your experience and what you sent in on the tourist request if you do not mind, and reasons if any they denied the VISA.

Sorry for taking so long to respond...basically, she was denied the Canadian tourist visa because they did not feel she provided enough evidence to overcome their immigration concerns. We were really bummed by that because we thought we provided more than enough data--but it goes to show how subjective the process is. In fact, it was our experience with the Canadian tourist visa application that caused us to have a lot of doubt about our chances with the US B-1/B-2 visa...but the statistics show that most people are approved for it there. I would be very interested in seeing similar statistics for Canada.

[Salsa Shark 0]

On a more general note (and as a follow-up to Solnuwko's post...almost everyone we have talked to who has applied for a B-1/B-2 visa was approved. The rare cases where that wasn't the case was when the ties to Russia were clearly not sufficient (for example, one Russian had several family members already living in the US, and another did not have a job and was renting an apartment). So I think it's encouraging. I also think it's actually better to disclose the K-1 activities, even though it's not really required...in our case, we were able to state that, yes, we did have dual intent, but that we were following the proper procedures for addressing it. The only "warnings" we got were not to get married while here on the B-1/B-2 (duh) and not to get pregnant

I believe the cost ended up being just under $200, factoring in Pony Express' fees, plus the cost of getting to and from Ekaterinburg. We thought that was very reasonable for getting her acclimated to the US sooner, figuring out some of the wedding details and saving us from a significantly more expensive vacation in another country (because I'm not "spoiled rich" like a certain maroon asserts).

Anyway--the topic was started to share our experience with the B-2 and we were thrilled it's turned out as we hoped it would. Olya's been in the US for three weeks now and we're getting ready to head to Moscow in a couple of months for her K-1 interview (petition was just received by Moscow yesterday).

Good luck to everyone else who gives this a shot and just ignore the nobodies who try to discourage you--the statistics are clear: over 95% of B-1/B-2 visas from Russia are approved. Just be honest and fill everything out correctly and you don't have anything to worry about.