Rcvd conflicting info from US Embassy in Warsaw

[ColoBelarus 0]

Greetings. My name is Erik. First post and of course... panicked.

I do not know how much back story you need; so I am front loading it.

My fiancée is in Belarus. She has two minor children, age 15, age 2. We applied for the I-129F; rcvd approval; submitted the paperwork to the embassy; rcvd letter from Embassy for the medical exams, etc. They finished their medicals and have the results. All documents gathered and ready.

We cannot use the US Embassy in Belarus; we were assigned to the US Embassy in Warsaw, Poland.

She is going to Warsaw, Poland on Monday to pay the fees, schedule appointment, and interview. The 15 year old will go for the interview also. In the letter from the Embassy, it states that children under 14 years do not need to be present at the scheduled interview. So we planned for the 2 year old to stay with grandma.

Today: I called the US Embassy in Warsaw. I was trying to get the actual address of the bank to pay the fees and to ask what I thought was a simpler question. I asked:

After we pay the three visa fees; do we file the DS-154 once for my fiancée and the two children? Or, do we file the DS-154 once for each of them (three total DS-154)? Also, after we file the form(s); do we schedule one appointment for fiancée and 15 year old; or is it two separate interviews?

The answer was: All three need to schedule an appointment and be interviewed. That the 2 year old needed to be present and schedule an appointment for an interview. Then she added; that I need to be there also. I have not read anything that stated I was required to be there. I would like to be there; but a little cost prohibitive.

I read the letter to her stating under 14 years old are exempt; she stated she did not know what I was reading.

Also, I wanted to confirm the visa, when approved, would be issued same-day or next-day. She stated that after approval in the interview "it will take 10 to 20 business days for the visa to be issued." She told me that any further questions; I should refer US TravelDocs online.

Now I'm confused, frustrated, and really panicking. I called back to talked with someone else and was disconnected several times. I have not had good luck contacting a person. Finally got through and was only referred back to US TravelDocs website. He would not answer any more questions as because of the time difference; it was the end of the business day.

Now she is leaving for Poland in 36 hours and we are worried. I assume that was really bad information I received; but I am not sure what to do.

Questions:

1) Does anyone know if the 2 year needs to be present?

From everything I read in the information from the US Embassy; everything stated No. Having to cancel this trip and start planning over... It took a month to get my fiancée and the 15 year old a visa to travel from Belarus to Poland. Travel and hotel are non-refundable.

Assuming that the 2 year old does not need to be present:

2) After we pay the three visa fees; we file the DS-156 online. Do we file one DS-156 for all three; or do we file a DS-156 three times?

3) After filing the DS-156 or the multiple DS-156; do I schedule one interview for fiancée and 15 year old? Or do we schedule two separate interviews?

4) And... does any know the address for: Bank Pocztowy Branches (Placowka Banku Pocztowego)? I found an address of a branch I think is near the US Embassy; but I don't know if this is right. Polna 11, Swietokrzyska 31/33.

I appreciate any and all help. I did try to find these answers on the forums. If this has already been answered; directions to the proper forum page would be great! I did find some great threads while searching. That would of helped me avoid a RFE. If only I had found this site before today...

Thank you. God Bless.

Live in Colorado. Heart is in Belarus.

Erik..

[PhilC 5]

Try posting in the RUB forum.

.http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/98-russia-ukraine-and-belarus/

[JaMeMa 2]

Question 1) Yes, all 3 need to be present at the interview on one appointment date (not separate dates). "Others will chime in, if I missed something. Good luck

Greetings. My name is Erik. First post and of course... panicked.

I do not know how much back story you need; so I am front loading it.

My fiancée is in Belarus. She has two minor children, age 15, age 2. We applied for the I-129F; rcvd approval; submitted the paperwork to the embassy; rcvd letter from Embassy for the medical exams, etc. They finished their medicals and have the results. All documents gathered and ready.

We cannot use the US Embassy in Belarus; we were assigned to the US Embassy in Warsaw, Poland.

She is going to Warsaw, Poland on Monday to pay the fees, schedule appointment, and interview. The 15 year old will go for the interview also. In the letter from the Embassy, it states that children under 14 years do not need to be present at the scheduled interview. So we planned for the 2 year old to stay with grandma.

Today: I called the US Embassy in Warsaw. I was trying to get the actual address of the bank to pay the fees and to ask what I thought was a simpler question. I asked:

After we pay the three visa fees; do we file the DS-154 once for my fiancée and the two children? Or, do we file the DS-154 once for each of them (three total DS-154)? Also, after we file the form(s); do we schedule one appointment for fiancée and 15 year old; or is it two separate interviews?

The answer was: All three need to schedule an appointment and be interviewed. That the 2 year old needed to be present and schedule an appointment for an interview. Then she added; that I need to be there also. I have not read anything that stated I was required to be there. I would like to be there; but a little cost prohibitive.

I read the letter to her stating under 14 years old are exempt; she stated she did not know what I was reading.

Also, I wanted to confirm the visa, when approved, would be issued same-day or next-day. She stated that after approval in the interview "it will take 10 to 20 business days for the visa to be issued." She told me that any further questions; I should refer US TravelDocs online.

Now I'm confused, frustrated, and really panicking. I called back to talked with someone else and was disconnected several times. I have not had good luck contacting a person. Finally got through and was only referred back to US TravelDocs website. He would not answer any more questions as because of the time difference; it was the end of the business day.

Now she is leaving for Poland in 36 hours and we are worried. I assume that was really bad information I received; but I am not sure what to do.

Questions:

1) Does anyone know if the 2 year needs to be present?

From everything I read in the information from the US Embassy; everything stated No. Having to cancel this trip and start planning over... It took a month to get my fiancée and the 15 year old a visa to travel from Belarus to Poland. Travel and hotel are non-refundable.

Assuming that the 2 year old does not need to be present:

2) After we pay the three visa fees; we file the DS-156 online. Do we file one DS-156 for all three; or do we file a DS-156 three times?

3) After filing the DS-156 or the multiple DS-156; do I schedule one interview for fiancée and 15 year old? Or do we schedule two separate interviews?

4) And... does any know the address for: Bank Pocztowy Branches (Placowka Banku Pocztowego)? I found an address of a branch I think is near the US Embassy; but I don't know if this is right. Polna 11, Swietokrzyska 31/33.

I appreciate any and all help. I did try to find these answers on the forums. If this has already been answered; directions to the proper forum page would be great! I did find some great threads while searching. That would of helped me avoid a RFE. If only I had found this site before today...

Thank you. God Bless.

Live in Colorado. Heart is in Belarus.

Erik..

Edited November 10, 2012 by JaMeMa

[ColoBelarus 0]

On the letter from the Embassy; it states "All members of your family immigrating with you, except children under 14, must appear with you on the scheduled appointment date."

We had some questions and contacted the Embassy. One of the questions was confirming that children under 14 didn't have to be there.

This news is a complete surprise. I am just in shock. When the person at them Embassy today told me that...

Now I have to break the news to my fiancee.

Thank you for the response. At least I know what needs to be done. Really wish I had found this site earlier.

Take care.

[Ron-Tanya 23]

On the letter from the Embassy; it states "All members of your family immigrating with you, except children under 14, must appear with you on the scheduled appointment date."

We had some questions and contacted the Embassy. One of the questions was confirming that children under 14 didn't have to be there.

This news is a complete surprise. I am just in shock. When the person at them Embassy today told me that...

Now I have to break the news to my fiancee.

Thank you for the response. At least I know what needs to be done. Really wish I had found this site earlier.

Take care.

Please contact me by email as I think what you have is all wrong. Ron

[StephAnn2012 50]

You have to go to the source of the letter to confirm who has to be there. If they wrote it, only they can explain it. - Don't call them at the end of their day, call them at the beginning of their day. - You can still make this appointment work if you'll think it through and stay calm.

[Ron-Tanya 23]

Greetings. My name is Erik. First post and of course... panicked.

I do not know how much back story you need; so I am front loading it.

My fiancée is in Belarus. She has two minor children, age 15, age 2. We applied for the I-129F; rcvd approval; submitted the paperwork to the embassy; rcvd letter from Embassy for the medical exams, etc. They finished their medicals and have the results. All documents gathered and ready.

We cannot use the US Embassy in Belarus; we were assigned to the US Embassy in Warsaw, Poland.

She is going to Warsaw, Poland on Monday to pay the fees, schedule appointment, and interview. The 15 year old will go for the interview also. In the letter from the Embassy, it states that children under 14 years do not need to be present at the scheduled interview. So we planned for the 2 year old to stay with grandma.

Today: I called the US Embassy in Warsaw. I was trying to get the actual address of the bank to pay the fees and to ask what I thought was a simpler question. I asked:

After we pay the three visa fees; do we file the DS-154 once for my fiancée and the two children? Or, do we file the DS-154 once for each of them (three total DS-154)? Also, after we file the form(s); do we schedule one appointment for fiancée and 15 year old; or is it two separate interviews?

The answer was: All three need to schedule an appointment and be interviewed. That the 2 year old needed to be present and schedule an appointment for an interview. Then she added; that I need to be there also. I have not read anything that stated I was required to be there. I would like to be there; but a little cost prohibitive.

I read the letter to her stating under 14 years old are exempt; she stated she did not know what I was reading.

Also, I wanted to confirm the visa, when approved, would be issued same-day or next-day. She stated that after approval in the interview "it will take 10 to 20 business days for the visa to be issued." She told me that any further questions; I should refer US TravelDocs online.

Now I'm confused, frustrated, and really panicking. I called back to talked with someone else and was disconnected several times. I have not had good luck contacting a person. Finally got through and was only referred back to US TravelDocs website. He would not answer any more questions as because of the time difference; it was the end of the business day.

Now she is leaving for Poland in 36 hours and we are worried. I assume that was really bad information I received; but I am not sure what to do.

Questions:

1) Does anyone know if the 2 year needs to be present?

From everything I read in the information from the US Embassy; everything stated No. Having to cancel this trip and start planning over... It took a month to get my fiancée and the 15 year old a visa to travel from Belarus to Poland. Travel and hotel are non-refundable.

Assuming that the 2 year old does not need to be present:

2) After we pay the three visa fees; we file the DS-156 online. Do we file one DS-156 for all three; or do we file a DS-156 three times?

3) After filing the DS-156 or the multiple DS-156; do I schedule one interview for fiancée and 15 year old? Or do we schedule two separate interviews?

4) And... does any know the address for: Bank Pocztowy Branches (Placowka Banku Pocztowego)? I found an address of a branch I think is near the US Embassy; but I don't know if this is right. Polna 11, Swietokrzyska 31/33.

I appreciate any and all help. I did try to find these answers on the forums. If this has already been answered; directions to the proper forum page would be great! I did find some great threads while searching. That would of helped me avoid a RFE. If only I had found this site before today...

Thank you. God Bless.

Live in Colorado. Heart is in Belarus.

Erik..

Answer to question #4 YES!!!! that is the correct address. Read my post from above. It seems it is the ONLY place to pay this in Warsaw. Ron

[ColoBelarus 0]

Just a quick update. We continued on as planned. Paid fees, scheduled appointment for last Wednesday. Quick interview for her and 15 year old. Approved!

She picked up all three visas last Thursday. Now we're booking flights!

Take care and God Bless,

Erik..

[TBoneTX 46,297]

***Thread shifted from K-1 Process forum to the Case Progress subforum. ***