Russia Bride, K-1 vs K-3

[Zorro2020 2]

Hi folks,

I was referred to this Sub-Forum by a user on VJ ... after looking to multiple Threads here ... it seems that everyone who is bringing his Homey from Russia ... they are going the Fincee K-1 Visa route ...

My honey lives and works in Moscow, Russia. Has Moscow Passport. With that said I have some "dumb" Q's ... I am a Total Newbie ... but everything I am reading so far ... it seems easier just to come to Mexico Border and Cross-Over illegally then be Naturalized for Free under the Amnesty law ...

I need your help ...

Q1: Is bringing my honey from Moscow to US easier via K-1 or K-3 Visa?

Q2: Do I need to show Russian Embassy or American Embassy ... Papers from my Employer showing my Salary, Position, and my Employment Prospects (Staying Employed)?

I think I saw such a reference in a Thread here ...

Q3: I understand this is a Self-Help Site ... but do you folks recommend ... may be getting a Lawyer? To make things Faster and Easier?

I suppose the Lawyer would be Hired on US side ... right!?!?

Q4: Is there a Cheat Sheet of some sort Walking A Dummy like me thru the Bringing Moscow Bride Routine?

Sure appreciate any Help!

Z!

[Darnell 8,478]

I suggest this decade, NOT to chase after a K-3 visa.

If'n yer married, a CR-1 or IR-1 visa is a great choice.

[AmyWrites 593]

Read in your other post you haven't seen her in more than two years. I'd fix that first, and then think about filing. You're not eligible for the K1 otherwise, and you'll have a hard time proving a bonafide marriage if you haven't seen her in so long.

It's not hard to go to Russia.

[Zorro2020 2]

Hi Darnell & AmyWrites,

OK ... So, change of Tactic ... I am going to Pursue ... CR-1 Route.

So, now I have to scour the VJ pages to see what is needed for me to do BEFORE I fly to Moscow and get married ...

1) Like, what will I need to do or take with me so my Marriage over there is all LEGAL and Validated.

2) What I need to Bring Back with me from there ... while I am in Moscow with Her and Her Family ... Parents and all.

@ AmyWrites ... You mentioned that going to Russia is NOT Hard. But when I am on their Embassy Site is almost like they don't want you there ...

Q1: So, they need a Sponsor ... even as a Tourist?

I suppose my Wife To Be, will be my Sponsor ... right? Or someone else need to be?

Any pointers here would be appreciated.

Thanks again!

Z!

Edited September 27, 2013 by Zorro2020

[AmyWrites 593]

Hi Darnell & AmyWrites,

OK ... So, change of Tactic ... I am going to Pursue ... CR-1 Route.

So, now I have to scour the VJ pages to see what is needed for me to do BEFORE I fly to Moscow and get married ...

1) Like, what will I need to do or take with me so my Marriage over there is all LEGAL and Validated.

2) What I need to Brign Back with me from there ... while I am in Moscow with Her and Her Family ... Parents and all.

Any pointers here would be appreciated.

Thanks again!

Z!

Read the guides, it'll tell you what docs you need from her.

I'd say, at this point, gather evidence. Chat logs, phone call logs, pics of you together, vacations you've taken together, etc. Document everything. If you have a joint bank account, by all means inslude some evidence of that too.

To get married in Russia, you need 30 days and your passport.

[AmyWrites 593]

Hi Darnell & AmyWrites,

OK ... So, change of Tactic ... I am going to Pursue ... CR-1 Route.

So, now I have to scour the VJ pages to see what is needed for me to do BEFORE I fly to Moscow and get married ...

1) Like, what will I need to do or take with me so my Marriage over there is all LEGAL and Validated.

2) What I need to Brign Back with me from there ... while I am in Moscow with Her and Her Family ... Parents and all.

Any pointers here would be appreciated.

Thanks again!

Z!

Read the guides, it'll tell you what docs you need from her.

I'd say, at this point, gather evidence. Chat logs, phone call logs, pics of you together, vacations you've taken together, etc. Document everything. If you have a joint bank account, by all means inslude some evidence of that too.

To get married in Russia, you need 30 days and your passport.

[Zorro2020 2]

Read the guides, it'll tell you what docs you need from her.

I'd say, at this point, gather evidence. Chat logs, phone call logs, pics of you together, vacations you've taken together, etc. Document everything. If you have a joint bank account, by all means inslude some evidence of that too.

To get married in Russia, you need 30 days and your passport.

Hi AmyWrites,

Why do I need 30 Days in Russia!?!? I was thinking more of the line of 1 week ...

Thanks,

Z!

[AmyWrites 593]

Hi AmyWrites,

Why do I need 30 Days in Russia!?!? I was thinking more of the line of 1 week ...

Thanks,

Z!

You saw her last two years ago and only want to spend on week with her now...?

Because from the time you submit your info to ZAGS to actually getting the wedding date is about 30 days.

[Hollyday 122]

We're doing CR-1, so not everyone chooses the K-1 route.

[Hollyday 122]

Hi AmyWrites,

Why do I need 30 Days in Russia!?!? I was thinking more of the line of 1 week ...

Thanks,

Z!

Normally in Moscow you apply 1 month before the actual marriage (fixing the date). Not sure about other cities. This can be done by the bride if she has an application from the groom (separately from hers) which is notarized (notary saw the groom sign it). Also, copy of first page of groom's passport has to be provided with an official translation + a letter from US embassy notary saying that the groom attested (is this the correct word?) in front of them that he is not married.

Here's a link to ZAGS site where it describes what's needed for foreigners (in Russian).

Edited September 27, 2013 by Hollyday

[Hollyday 122]

1) Like, what will I need to do or take with me so my Marriage over there is all LEGAL and Validated.

Q1: So, they need a Sponsor ... even as a Tourist?

I suppose my Wife To Be, will be my Sponsor ... right? Or someone else need to be?

Z!

Marrying in ZAGS is as legal as it gets here.

My husband always used tourist visas, it was fairly simple, and i never had to 'sponsor' him even on paper. The only thing to remember is that she has to register you with the authorities when you arrive (this is done for all foreigners either by the hotel or individual they're staying with).

[Zorro2020 2]

Hi HollyDay & AmyWrites,

I hope you guys won't take this wrong ... but after Reading posts here and Looking thru various other Russian Consulate and US Embassy mumbo jumbo ... I am almost deciding on saying The Heck with this Dog & Pony Show ... and just Staying Pen-Pals ...

It seems the "Iron Curtain" is still Totally Up and Strong.

I will be doing a little Soul-Searching today and deciding what the heck I am going to do.

THANKS for YOUR Knowledge and Help!

Z!

[AmyWrites 593]

Hi HollyDay & AmyWrites,

I hope you guys won't take this wrong ... but after Reading posts here and Looking thru various other Russian Consulate and US Embassy mumbo jumbo ... I am almost deciding on saying The Heck with this Dog & Pony Show ... and just Staying Pen-Pals ...

It seems the "Iron Curtain" is still Totally Up and Strong.

I will be doing a little Soul-Searching today and deciding what the heck I am going to do.

THANKS for YOUR Knowledge and Help!

Z!

No offense, but, I hope you normally put more effort into relationships with people you "love".

[Hollyday 122]

No offense, but, I hope you normally put more effort into relationships with people you "love".

Amen to this.

[jft 12]

I hope you guys won't take this wrong ... but after Reading posts here and Looking thru various other Russian Consulate and US Embassy mumbo jumbo ... I am almost deciding on saying The Heck with this Dog & Pony Show ... and just Staying Pen-Pals ...

It seems the "Iron Curtain" is still Totally Up and Strong.

It's really not that difficult. To get a Russian visa if you have a local consulate you need to get an invitation either from your hotel or from one of the online services that offer one for $20. Then you complete the online application, make an appointment with ILS (InVisa) and spend maybe 15 minutes plus $190 and two weeks later you have a 3-year tourist visa. Easy, I've did it three times last year (the 3-year visa didn't exist until the last time).

WRT the US visa for your honey that takes about 9 months for a K-1 to closer to a year for a CR-1. I sent in our K-1 application January 5th and my sweetie arrived two weeks ago so it's quite doable, you just have to go step-by-step and not get discouraged that things don't happen immediately.