Please correct me if I am wrong!!!!

[cranehand 0]

We now have KEV number from NVC/DOS, we are awaiting embassy receive and enter into their system our petition. Kev number is needed to schedule medical, yes? Not interview date. Can medical be done NOW? even before our petition is entered into Kyiv sys? Another ? We do not need await recieve package 3 to schedule interview. From what I understand My fiancee does not need return anything to embassy to say we are ready for interview. That is what the call center is for, yes? All docs for interview can be brought to interview, It used to be fiancee would fax or mail letter stating they were ready for interview. This is not how it is now is it?

Also,it seems we have a bit of a problem getting from Kyiv to Kherson this time of year(summer season) by train and neither of us wants to ride that bus. So does anyone here have any suggestions as to how we can get back to Kherson from Kyiv if not by train or bus.

Car maybe? please give me your thoughts on this. I am sure she will find a way, it is her territory and she has proved to be extremely resourceful on so many other things. We would like to have medical done while we are waiting for interview, just another thing to check off the list while we wait some more

Thanks all,

[payxibka 10,047]

We now have KEV number from NVC/DOS, we are awaiting embassy receive and enter into their system our petition. Kev number is needed to schedule medical, yes? Not interview date. Can medical be done NOW? even before our petition is entered into Kyiv sys? Another ? We do not need await recieve package 3 to schedule interview. From what I understand My fiancee does not need return anything to embassy to say we are ready for interview. That is what the call center is for, yes? All docs for interview can be brought to interview, It used to be fiancee would fax or mail letter stating they were ready for interview. This is not how it is now is it?

Also,it seems we have a bit of a problem getting from Kyiv to Kherson this time of year(summer season) by train and neither of us wants to ride that bus. So does anyone here have any suggestions as to how we can get back to Kherson from Kyiv if not by train or bus.

Car maybe? please give me your thoughts on this. I am sure she will find a way, it is her territory and she has proved to be extremely resourceful on so many other things. We would like to have medical done while we are waiting for interview, just another thing to check off the list while we wait some more

Thanks all,

Medical can be done now that you have the KEV #

To schedule an interview you contact the call center to schedule. You need to by a PIN first (information is on the Kyiv website)

DO NOT wait for the P3 to come in the mail... all info is on the website...

Why are there issues with the train? My wife is in Kherson right now and used the train.

[cranehand 0]

Thank you for your quick response I thought I had it right

As far as the train goes, she mentioned there was a small number of tickets out of Kyiv because of the amount of summer travelers going to the coast. Kherson to Kyiv no problem but Kyiv back to Kherson could be a problem IDK for sure. Like I said it is her territory so I am kinda out of that loop

[payxibka 10,047]

Thank you for your quick response I thought I had it right

As far as the train goes, she mentioned there was a small number of tickets out of Kyiv because of the amount of summer travelers going to the coast. Kherson to Kyiv no problem but Kyiv back to Kherson could be a problem IDK for sure. Like I said it is her territory so I am kinda out of that loop

true, trains are full, so you need to plan and plan as far ahead as you can.... If you plan properly and once you have your interview date, you can do a 2 day trip to Kyiv. Do the medical on day 1 and interview on day 2 and be done. They will FedX the visa to her within 5-7 days

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Thank you for your quick response I thought I had it right

As far as the train goes, she mentioned there was a small number of tickets out of Kyiv because of the amount of summer travelers going to the coast. Kherson to Kyiv no problem but Kyiv back to Kherson could be a problem IDK for sure. Like I said it is her territory so I am kinda out of that loop

Payxibka is correct. DO NOT wait for package 3.

Train tickets CAN be a problem. Be advised, most of the ticket sellers keep back a few tickets to be sold to people that "really need them" for an extra fee (bribe) Also tickets can sometimes be purchased from conductors for a bribe.

There is no NEED to schedule the medical now, especially if she is traveling to Kiev from Kherson. Schedule the medical for one day before the interview and do it then, the results will be available the same day after 3pm.

Call the clinic and see what days they are operating, they are separate from the consulate and if they decide to take Wednesdays off for the summer...they will. Last year the consulate was closed on Fridays and the clinic was closed on Wednesdays and that limited the days you could do "back to Back" medical/interview. I wouldn't try to make two trips Kherson to Kiev in the summer if I didn't have to.

[AZSUN 2]

My experience with the bus has been pretty good. I have always been lucky and the buses have been very nice. I have traveled from Kyiv to Odessa, Nikolaev, Kherson. The bus from Nikolaev to Kyiv took about 9-13 hours depending on the bus and time of day. There are many companies that you can hire cars from and can be a little expensive. If she has any friends in her city with a car maybe they will be willing to make some extra money to drive back and forth from Kyiv. I have never taken the train because my wife thinks the bus experience is much better than the train ride. Just my experience.....

[SMR 368]

My experience with the bus has been pretty good. I have always been lucky and the buses have been very nice. I have traveled from Kyiv to Odessa, Nikolaev, Kherson. The bus from Nikolaev to Kyiv took about 9-13 hours depending on the bus and time of day. There are many companies that you can hire cars from and can be a little expensive. If she has any friends in her city with a car maybe they will be willing to make some extra money to drive back and forth from Kyiv. I have never taken the train because my wife thinks the bus experience is much better than the train ride. Just my experience.....

With all due respect to your wife, try the train. It really is a lot better.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

With all due respect to your wife, try the train. It really is a lot better.

Agreed. I have never, and neither has Alla, been unable to get tickets for the train on short notice, but it can be difficult and can involve paying some extra. We have bought tickets even ON the train. If she must, then take a bus to Odessa or some city that may have more train departures for Kiev.

[Brad and Vika 129]

As usual, I am the contrarian I do not care for the trains, although they are the most dependable way to get around. I took a train with Vika to Lvov, and really hated it. I also took a cheap-seat ride from Minsk to Vilnius once, and didn't like it much. Personal preference I suppose, but I would rather take a car if possible

[payxibka 10,047]

Agreed. I have never, and neither has Alla, been unable to get tickets for the train on short notice, but it can be difficult and can involve paying some extra. We have bought tickets even ON the train. If she must, then take a bus to Odessa or some city that may have more train departures for Kiev.

Another site I am on also reported that trains from Kiev to Crimea (via Kherson) are full... sometimes upwards of 2-3 weeks in advance are all sold already

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Another site I am on also reported that trains from Kiev to Crimea (via Kherson) are full... sometimes upwards of 2-3 weeks in advance are all sold already

That is true. Slide an extra $20 to the ticket seller at the train station and see what happens.

[payxibka 10,047]

That is true. Slide an extra $20 to the ticket seller at the train station and see what happens.

my wife will never do this.... When she goes to buy tickets, I tell her at a minimum 2nd class and preferably to buy out the entire 1st class cabin... nevertheless when she returns, I find myself riding in Wagon #9 (ie. 3rd class)

[cranehand 0]

LOL I have ridden that wagon . I really didn't mind it, met some very unique individuals to say the least. I can't even fall asleep in the frist class cabin so ####### might as well make an adventure out of it the snoring got to me a bit and the feet smell was enough to permiate even the best leather coat . But all in all I would not trade the experience for anything. Like they say " Etta Ukraine " besides I AINT SKEEREDDDDD!!!!!!!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

my wife will never do this.... When she goes to buy tickets, I tell her at a minimum 2nd class and preferably to buy out the entire 1st class cabin... nevertheless when she returns, I find myself riding in Wagon #9 (ie. 3rd class)

Alla ALWAYS does this. She often had to travel on short notice. We have even bought tickets from the conductor on the platform. A couple times she ended up in 3rd class doing this, but she got there.

There is a lot of "texture" in 3rd Class. It is one of those things a man is better off for having done. It is particularly interesting when the destination is a coal and steel city in eastern Ukraine.

We usually buy out a couper in 2nd class. 1st class seems danger close to plane ticket costs, so why not fly?

Edited July 6, 2010 by Gary and Alla

[payxibka 10,047]

We usually buy out a couper in 2nd class. 1st class seems danger close to plane ticket costs, so why not fly?

because Kherson has no flights... it is not a choice