K-1 Moscow embassy, pay $240 visa fee before or at interview?

[jft 12]

I've seen a lot of discussion on the forums about paying visa fees before the interview but the usatraveldocs.com Russia webpage (http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ru/ru-niv-visafeeinfo.asp) states:

"Please note that visa fees for K applicants will continue to be paid at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate on the date of your appointment."

Which is it? Does the fee need to be pre-paid ahead of the interview or not?

This is for a K-1/K-2 visa. Thanks!

[Lilly.Pon 1]

You can't schedule an interview at ustraveldocs.com without paid fee. So you pay first, then wait 1-2 days while bank processes your payment, and only then you can schedule an appointment in the system.

Read this link http://ustraveldocs.com/ru/ru-niv-paymentinfo.asp

[jft 12]

You can't schedule an interview at ustraveldocs.com without paid fee. So you pay first, then wait 1-2 days while bank processes your payment, and only then you can schedule an appointment in the system.

Read this link http://ustraveldocs.com/ru/ru-niv-paymentinfo.asp

Stange as that is in direct conflict with the link I posted above. Does she need to pay the fee for both her and her child ($480 total) or just her fee ($240) to schedule the interview?

One more question, can I pay the fee for her from the USA or does she need to pay it herself in Russia?

Edited June 23, 2013 by jft

[baron555 934]

Two interviews and two visas esch require a payment.

[baron555 934]

Two interviews and two visas esch require a payment.

[jft 12]

Two interviews and two visas esch require a payment.

Her 13 year old gets interviewed too? I just assumed that he'd attend the same interview along with his mom. Or am I misreading what you said? I understand about the double-fee part but I thought that generally the K-2 was just an extra stamp and nothing more.

[Lilly.Pon 1]

Stange as that is in direct conflict with the link I posted above. Does she need to pay the fee for both her and her child ($480 total) or just her fee ($240) to schedule the interview?

One more question, can I pay the fee for her from the USA or does she need to pay it herself in Russia?

Two fees for two people

Well, there is an option to pay by credit card, but I'm not sure if there may be any conflict between the name of a person scheduling the interview, and the name on the card (and therefore receipt). Check with the call-center. I paid at VTB24 Bank just to have a paper slip available if needed.

[paws057 9]

Two fees for two people

Well, there is an option to pay by credit card, but I'm not sure if there may be any conflict between the name of a person scheduling the interview, and the name on the card (and therefore receipt). Check with the call-center. I paid at VTB24 Bank just to have a paper slip available if needed.

I paid by credit card and didn't have any problems at all. It still shows that my fiancee is the one with the appointment. I paid through the Russian Standard Bank and it did take two business days to show up on the website. When you print the receipt it will have a number on it and that is the one you will use to set your interview with. Once it's on the website you can put in that number and it will let you schedule an interview.

[jft 12]

Great, so I can do all the scheduling then? My fiancée is very busy pulling everything else needed (police report, vaccinations, passport, etc.) together so it would be a lot easier for her if I could set up the interview for her.

Edited June 24, 2013 by jft

[paws057 9]

Great, so I can do all the scheduling then? My fiancée is very busy pulling everything else needed (police report, vaccinations, passport, etc.) together so it would be a lot easier for her if I could set up the interview for her.

Yes you can schedule the interview for her if you wish. One thing you might want to remember is not all credit cards will allow you to charge something in Russia. If it is a major bank there is no problem but if it is a local bank they might not allow the charge to go through. I called the company before I paid the visa fee just to be sure they would allow it to go through. That is one charge I didn't want to see fail to go through.

[baron555 934]

Her 13 year old gets interviewed too? I just assumed that he'd attend the same interview along with his mom. Or am I misreading what you said? I understand about the double-fee part but I thought that generally the K-2 was just an extra stamp and nothing more.IO

If the K-2 is joining the mother to immigrate here, then the K-2 attends the same interview as the mother (paying two visa fees).

If the K-2 is following the mother within a year's time of her visa, then they will have their otwn interview at a later date and you only pay one visa now and then another fee later.

[jft 12]

Yes you can schedule the interview for her if you wish. One thing you might want to remember is not all credit cards will allow you to charge something in Russia. If it is a major bank there is no problem but if it is a local bank they might not allow the charge to go through. I called the company before I paid the visa fee just to be sure they would allow it to go through. That is one charge I didn't want to see fail to go through.

Excellent, I will talk to her about what dates will work and get things going. The CC should not be an issue, my bank has been good about calling me if they have any questions about foreign charges and with three trips to Russia in the last year they are pretty used to me using my CC over there.

[jft 12]

I paid by credit card and didn't have any problems at all. It still shows that my fiancee is the one with the appointment. I paid through the Russian Standard Bank and it did take two business days to show up on the website. When you print the receipt it will have a number on it and that is the one you will use to set your interview with. Once it's on the website you can put in that number and it will let you schedule an interview.

Did you use your email address or that of your fiancee when you registered to make the actual appointment? It says that a new account is needed and I would need to use my email if there is some sort of email authentication step. Thanks!

[jft 12]

I paid by credit card and didn't have any problems at all. It still shows that my fiancee is the one with the appointment. I paid through the Russian Standard Bank and it did take two business days to show up on the website. When you print the receipt it will have a number on it and that is the one you will use to set your interview with. Once it's on the website you can put in that number and it will let you schedule an interview.

I have paid the fee for my fiancee and her child and received the receipt numbers. By "show up on the website" what website are you referring to? Thanks!

[paws057 9]

Did you use your email address or that of your fiancee when you registered to make the actual appointment? It says that a new account is needed and I would need to use my email if there is some sort of email authentication step. Thanks!

Yes, I used my own email address so the receipt came to me. It will show you paid on the home page of the web site, just like it shows your visa class and your appointment.