Adjustment of Status / Green Card

[Scafidi454 22]

Don't worry about that. I am just asking because we have to pay for flights, wedding, honeymoon, AND THEN I SAW THE COST FOR THE AOS!!!! LOL - She really will probably only be here for 30 days before she goes back, and she doesn't even know if she can be here that long yet because she just started a new job. She could have done that at her old job, but that job was killing her and she had a bad manager.

[Lainie B 465]

Yeah, the AOS cost is crazy, it's heartbreaking on top of the K-1, wedding and then not being able to work for at least 3 months. I do hope you've looked into the total cost of the K-1, besides the initial I-129f, there's the medical, police records, travel to the consulate for the interview, and the visa fee itself, plus lots of minor costs along the way. I don't know anything about tourist visas, as I've never needed one myself, but are they really the same amount of time and money as a K-1? It just seems overkill to get a K-1 for a 30-day stay, unless staying longer and migrating is a real possibility. If you haven't already, you might want to look at the Russian forum to get more of an idea of what's involved in getting a K-1 there.

Also if she does come in on a K-1 and only stays for 30 days you will need to make sure that the USCIS knows she has left.

[Scafidi454 22]

I got most of the information about the K1 - I have been planning this now for months. I have a spreadsheet (that I haven't updated in a while) showing the requirements (i.e. forms, procedures, etc) required for a K-1 versus getting married in Russia through ZAGS - Other costs include the biometrics, the medical examination, she lives in Moscow so the trip isn't expensive, the passport photos we've had to take, the cost of sending documents express to Russia, the cost of the international calling, the flight (which would have to be paid for going for K-1 or tourist), and loss of time from work. There are others, but like I said I haven't updated my lists in a while.

But the chances of her staying over here are really high, because I haven't gotten one bite on an app for a Russian job yet - Plus, we've only been together for one week in the past year!!!

[Barbara J 115]

I got most of the information about the K1 - I have been planning this now for months. I have a spreadsheet (that I haven't updated in a while) showing the requirements (i.e. forms, procedures, etc) required for a K-1 versus getting married in Russia through ZAGS - Other costs include the biometrics, the medical examination, she lives in Moscow so the trip isn't expensive, the passport photos we've had to take, the cost of sending documents express to Russia, the cost of the international calling, the flight (which would have to be paid for going for K-1 or tourist), and loss of time from work. There are others, but like I said I haven't updated my lists in a while.

But the chances of her staying over here are really high, because I haven't gotten one bite on an app for a Russian job yet - Plus, we've only been together for one week in the past year!!!

It says on your timeline that you have applied for 129f petition so you have already started and sent off your $340. As you know it will take some months to approve and then when it does yes she has to have medical and police report and so on over there. When she arrives here and you marry within 90 days you will then file AOS along with 131 and 765 as these 2 forms are waived when applying with AOS. It will take at least 2-3 months before she gets EAD and then another 2 months at least till GC. She can travel for a visit to Russia after she gets GC but for no longer than 6 months as it will be seen she has abandoned her GC status.

If you decide to abandon this 129f petition and go there and marry you would then apply for a CR1 spousal visa, same time line approx but then when it is approved and she gets visa she gets GC status upon arrival and can work immediately so no AOS when you do CR1.

[Enigma11561 336]

First, unless you are in a business that has overseas offices where you can be transferred, finding work in Moscow will be very difficult. Especially for a short term. And you WILL need to speak Russian very well no matter what capacity you seek.

Second, you already filed for your K-1, by applying for the 129. If you go this route, you will need to get married within 90 days of her arrival and then WAIT until she has a Green Card before she can go back to Moscow. And then there are time limitations ( 6 months or a year, I don't remember) after which she must return to the US. Remember the K-1 is for her to come and live here, permanently.

If you get married by Zags, then you need to abandon your K-1 and file for a spousal visa, CR1. K3's really do not exist anymore and FYI, a K-2 would be for her children, if any.

Finally, you have seen her only once, for one week, in the last year. And seem very confused on what to do, and having issues with money. Why you even filed a 129 at this point is disturbing to me. And quite honestly, having known Russian women for quite some time, I doubt, by your descriptions, is this will even work. I sense a big red flag here.

[Aaron_and_Lana 0]

You go to Russia, find a job, get married, live there until you'll have enough and then come back to the States under K-3 or smth and do the rest according to american law. just decide what you really want. good luck!

[AmyWrites 593]

You can totally live in Russia without a job, just do a visa run every 90 days... and you HAVE to do this if you marry her there and want to apply for TRP there for some reason.

[bigdog 376]

Seems like you need to review all your options and then proceed.

[AmyWrites 593]

Oh and I forgot to add.... been living in Moscow for a long time. Unemployment here is low, but finding a decent-paying job as a non-Russian speaking foreigner will be next to impossible for you, it's a very expensive city to live in (you need AT LEAST $1000 to rent a crappy apartment in a not good district), and it's generally a love it or hate it type place being as it's very overcrowded, expensive, and polluted in some areas. Being there a week is not nearly similar to living here for a longer time; it's gorgeous in the center and a very interesting place regardless of how long you've lived here, but there's lots of tiny little daily BS things that drive most expats near the brink of insanity. I'd discard that option of moving here until you've been here for longer.

I agree with Enigma. There's a few red flags here, the first being you've seen each other only once, and you're already both willing (or say you are willing) to move abroad for each other. Muscovites aren't... easy people; usually considered the most "snobbish", materialistic and rude in Russia, and unfortunately in many cases, it's kind of (or entirely) true. I don't think any Muscovite, especially a female, would so easily drop her life in this city for a guy she's met one week. Heck I'm surprised you would.

BUT this is completely your choice. IF you chose to move here, then after you get your TRP here (which will take about a year), then you can apply for DCF at the embassy. THis is what my SO and I intend on doing. If you're not going to be here for at least a year, then you can move there and apply for a CR1 to come back to the states.

[Scafidi454 22]

First, unless you are in a business that has overseas offices where you can be transferred, finding work in Moscow will be very difficult. Especially for a short term. And you WILL need to speak Russian very well no matter what capacity you seek.

Second, you already filed for your K-1, by applying for the 129. If you go this route, you will need to get married within 90 days of her arrival and then WAIT until she has a Green Card before she can go back to Moscow. And then there are time limitations ( 6 months or a year, I don't remember) after which she must return to the US. Remember the K-1 is for her to come and live here, permanently.

If you get married by Zags, then you need to abandon your K-1 and file for a spousal visa, CR1. K3's really do not exist anymore and FYI, a K-2 would be for her children, if any.

Finally, you have seen her only once, for one week, in the last year. And seem very confused on what to do, and having issues with money. Why you even filed a 129 at this point is disturbing to me. And quite honestly, having known Russian women for quite some time, I doubt, by your descriptions, is this will even work. I sense a big red flag here.

We met last year in the United States, and we lived together for 4 months. We have been continuing our relationship since.

We'll figure out what we're going to do. I think we've already decided, but I think I've already said that I'm exploring my options here.

BTW, I have lived with Russian people for about 10 months over the past 3 years (friends who come in the summer). I know the troubles that can exist. Your doubts are like many others, so be normal.

[milimelo 4,467]

NM.

Edited October 29, 2011 by milimelo

[Scafidi454 22]

Oh and I forgot to add.... been living in Moscow for a long time. Unemployment here is low, but finding a decent-paying job as a non-Russian speaking foreigner will be next to impossible for you, it's a very expensive city to live in (you need AT LEAST $1000 to rent a crappy apartment in a not good district), and it's generally a love it or hate it type place being as it's very overcrowded, expensive, and polluted in some areas. Being there a week is not nearly similar to living here for a longer time; it's gorgeous in the center and a very interesting place regardless of how long you've lived here, but there's lots of tiny little daily BS things that drive most expats near the brink of insanity. I'd discard that option of moving here until you've been here for longer.

I agree with Enigma. There's a few red flags here, the first being you've seen each other only once, and you're already both willing (or say you are willing) to move abroad for each other. Muscovites aren't... easy people; usually considered the most "snobbish", materialistic and rude in Russia, and unfortunately in many cases, it's kind of (or entirely) true. I don't think any Muscovite, especially a female, would so easily drop her life in this city for a guy she's met one week. Heck I'm surprised you would.

BUT this is completely your choice. IF you chose to move here, then after you get your TRP here (which will take about a year), then you can apply for DCF at the embassy. THis is what my SO and I intend on doing. If you're not going to be here for at least a year, then you can move there and apply for a CR1 to come back to the states.

Get all of the facts before you pass judgement. I just said that we've been together for one week in the past year, not that we've only been together for one week ever.

Secondly, she has already told me that she's going to move here, and she's originally from Vologda.

I have some friends and now family that live in the sleeping districts. I know what those are like. I'm not hung up on the tourists' illusion of a better life, but rather of a different life. It doesn't necessarily have to be in Moscow.

[AmyWrites 593]

Get all of the facts before you pass judgement. I just said that we've been together for one week in the past year, not that we've only been together for one week ever.

Secondly, she has already told me that she's going to move here, and she's originally from Vologda.

I have some friends and now family that live in the sleeping districts. I know what those are like. I'm not hung up on the tourists' illusion of a better life, but rather of a different life. It doesn't necessarily have to be in Moscow.

Living outside of Moscow might be even harder for you; less foreigners, less English speakers, less jobs, etc.

I've seen to many people in the expat community move to Moscow/anywhere in Russia thanks to their SO's, with many illusions in mind, just to be disappointed. If I can help someone not face that disillusionment, I will. I'm sorry if I offended you.