Interview scheduled, Moscow hotel?? and getting a SSN

[baron555 934]

I am getting ready to send out the documents for the interview now. Going to send them sometime this week. Is it OK to send a US check in there as well? Or is this not advised, and I should do a money transfer to Tanya's account? It does not look like the directions are too specific on the embassy website other than "No credit card payment is accepted." It does say you can pay in rubles or dollars, but I was just assuming send her a check. Just curious what you all did.

How many more pictures does Tanya need? We had 2 each for the I-129 petition, and it looks like she may need at least 2 more for the medical, and maybe 2 more for the visa. Should I have her get 2 or 4, or do we need to get any at all?

Two easy questions, but as always... Thank you all.

Sending a check is not a good idea. How will she cash it? Use a wire transfer service. We used iKobo with good results.

REad the Embassy's website page for Fiance Visa for info on passport photos.

[Chris M 1]

iKobo sounds interesting. The last time I sent money I used my bank and it cost about $35 for about a thousand. I see iKobo is $8 for using a transfer from my bank account, and then a fee from FedEx(I imagine) for sending the card. So with this being said I am wondering how Tanya can get American dollars out of various ATM's. I cannot imagine she can have dollars dispensed from ATM's in Russia, so for getting American dollars she would need to the card to make a withdrawal from an ATM for rubles, then go to the bank to get dollars where she would probably be charged a transaction fee for the exchange.

As for the pics... the embassy site said this.. "Two color non-glossy full-face photos 50x50 mm for visa. The eye level should be between 28mm and 35mm from the bottom. Another two pictures will be required for medical examination. Please cut the photos and sign your last name on the back." To me this looks like she will need 4. I'll let her know.

[Neonred 3,604]

iKobo sounds interesting. The last time I sent money I used my bank and it cost about $35 for about a thousand. I see iKobo is $8 for using a transfer from my bank account, and then a fee from FedEx(I imagine) for sending the card. So with this being said I am wondering how Tanya can get American dollars out of various ATM's. I cannot imagine she can have dollars dispensed from ATM's in Russia, so for getting American dollars she would need to the card to make a withdrawal from an ATM for rubles, then go to the bank to get dollars where she would probably be charged a transaction fee for the exchange.

As for the pics... the embassy site said this.. "Two color non-glossy full-face photos 50x50 mm for visa. The eye level should be between 28mm and 35mm from the bottom. Another two pictures will be required for medical examination. Please cut the photos and sign your last name on the back." To me this looks like she will need 4. I'll let her know.

Have her pay in rubles.

I will say that an ATM I used in Rostov-on-Don gave me a choice (some years ago) of dollars or rubles.

[Terry&Tigger 4]

I cannot imagine she can have dollars dispensed from ATM's in Russia, so for getting American dollars she would need to the card to make a withdrawal from an ATM for rubles, then go to the bank to get dollars where she would probably be charged a transaction fee for the exchange.

As for the pics... To me this looks like she will need 4. I'll let her know.

She can get American dollars from SOME ATMs in Russia. We used Western Union, she can receive it in dollars as well.

As for the pics, she will need TWO 5x5 cm (color, non-glossy etc) for the interview AND TWO 3 cm x 4 cm for the medical.

Can you just give her a link to the embassy website? I am sure she can figure it all out on her own, just send her the docs that are listed on the Embassy site.

Edited September 13, 2010 by Terry&Tigger

[Chris M 1]

OK this is what I have for the packet of info i am sending Tanya for the interview. I think I have it all, and think this might be a good check list to follow. Maybe this can help someone else along the way. Let me know if I am missing anything.

- Email stating interview date and time

- DS-156 Non-Immigrant Visa Application

- DS-156K

- I-134

- DS-230

- Copy of the Notice of Action 2

- Original I-129F

- I-129F Supplement: Part B, Question 18, explanation of meeting in person

- Letter certifying intent to marry (Petitioner and Beneficiary)

- G-325A and passport style photo (Petitioner)

- G-325A and passport style photo (Beneficiary)

- Pictures from our meeting in Egypt

- Copy of Birth certificate for Christopher (Petitioner)

- Letter of Employment from employer and 3 most recent pay stubs.

- IRS tax information from 2007, 2008 and 2009

- Tatiana’s Divorce paper in Russian, and translated to English

- Tatiana’s Birth Certificate in Russian, and translated to English

- Tatiana’s Police report in Russian, and translated to English

- Copy of Christopher’s passport and visa in Egypt

- Copy of Tatiana‘s passport and visa in Egypt

- Proof of having met in person in the past two years, plane tickets, hotel receipts

- Proof of ongoing relationship with emails, phone bills (texting), video chat transcripts

[baron555 934]

OK this is what I have for the packet of info i am sending Tanya for the interview.

the DS-156K is the all Russian version you downloaded only from the Embassy website? If so, then you're good to send.

[Chris M 1]

Yup, it is the Russian language one. Sounds good. I'll send it out sometime this week. This is so exciting. ha ha. Thanks again for the help.

[Used to be broken 147]

Hubby just did his physical in Moscow last week and interview yesterday. Not sure which location he did the physical at, but he had to call and make an appointment and come back the next day to pick up the envelope. Interview went smooth and only one question, but we are a waiver case and have been married nine years. He said the folks at the fiance windows were getting lots of questions. Overall his report was the Embassy folks were kind, helpful and very solicitous. I had checked into a couple of hostels not far for him, but his dad called a cousin and he stayed there instead so no hotel reports.

[Chris M 1]

So I have all of my papers ready to go, but I am having a hard time locating a DHL location or authorized dealer close by. Did anyone else have any experience with another carrier? From the postings here it seems like DHL is the best, but when I also put in a quote to see how much this would cost it was over $100 for a pound of paper to be sent. Any other ideas, or is this typical with DHL? Seems high, but I imagine DHL is not cheap.

[baron555 934]

So I have all of my papers ready to go, but I am having a hard time locating a DHL location or authorized dealer close by. Did anyone else have any experience with another carrier? From the postings here it seems like DHL is the best, but when I also put in a quote to see how much this would cost it was over $100 for a pound of paper to be sent. Any other ideas, or is this typical with DHL? Seems high, but I imagine DHL is not cheap.

I always used FedEx direct to her apartment. Cost was not a factor.

[Chris M 1]

OK, I will try FedEx. Thanks. This should be much easier. Little more abundant in my area.

[AKguy 1]

I think I used Fed Ex, and it was also around 100 bucks. Never made it there in time, but it wasn't their fault.

[Chris M 1]

work was telling me try UPS, but I don't know. Any thoughts? Also, about how long did it take some of you for your significant other to get the parcel? I thought it should be about a week, but maybe more.

[slim 1,530]

I used USPS Global Express for around $50. I wanna say it took around three weeks.

[Chris M 1]

hey all Tanya was asking what the address is for the IOM medical exam. There are two, but I cannot remember where I saw the address for the IOM place. She needs to make her medical exam appointment, and most of you all said the IOM facility is going to be better than the other. thanks.