Russia or Kazakhstan for K-1 visa?

[visaresearch 0]

I'm helping my brother-in-law prepare the paperwork to bring his fiancee to the US on a K-1 visa. She has dual citizenship in Tajikistan and Russia, and we are wondering whether it would be better to apply as a Tajik (via the Kazakh embassy) or Russian citizen? I have more experience working with the Kazakh embassy, but she doesn't currently have an international passport from Tajikistan, only from Russia, and we're trying to decide if it would be worth it to have her apply for one or if we should just give Russia a shot. We're a little worried that the situation with the Ukraine might affect the likelihood that Russian citizens will be given visas. Has anyone experienced any difficulties since it started?

[Al422 221]

I have no experience with Tajikistan but lots with Moscow, as I had 2 failed engagements to Russian ladies for which K-1s were filed. My experience with the system there is that it was smooth and professional, and they even responded to emails in 1-2 days, unlike the 2 week minimum I am dealing with now at Manila.

But with Ukraine and the pissing contest Obama and Putin are engaged in, I would not put it past Putin to piss on the K-1 system. Heck, he already pissed on the system where American couples adopt Russian babies, so don't put it past him.

Since you are already familair with Tajikistan, maybe you should stick with them.

[Ryan H 3,818]

If she lives in Kazakhstan, she can interview there regardless of what citizenship she does it under (i.e. she can interview there as a Russian citizen).

The Ukraine situation is not likely to have any affect on Russian citizens unless they are tied to it in any way, shape, or form.

[2ndMessiah 184]

Which ever country you fiance(e) is resident.

[visaresearch 0]

Thanks, guys. She has residences in both Russia and Tajikistan. She does not have a residence in Kazakhstan, but the embassy in Dushanbe doesn't do immigrant visas, so the embassy in Almaty takes care of them for Tajik citizens.

[2ndMessiah 184]

She may have residences in both countries but in which country does she reside? Where does she pay taxes, work?

I may have residences in the US and the UK but I live and work and pay taxes in the US. so I am resident in the US,.

[visaresearch 0]

She's a grad student in a Russian university and lives there when classes are in session and Tajikistan when they're not.

[Dave&Roza 748]

Personally I would have her get a passport for Tajikistan especially if her Russian passport was issued before 2010. Given what I have been seeing on RT1 and other Russian TV stations with regards to the US/Russian confrontation over the Ukraine verses US/Kazakhstan relations, I would have her go to Almaty. My BIL is postponing his trip as B1/B2 visas are being cut back at the Almaty Consulate due to the tensions between the US and Russia. So there is an impact and the US and Kazakhstan are supposed to be on very good terms. It also could come down to which is easier to travel to--Moscow or Almaty.

Good luck,

Dave

[Misha'sgirl 44]

Whatever you do, interview in Moscow Russia. The embassy has the best reviews. Everyone I've known have gotten their visas approved.

[vbtwo 54]

The current situation with Ukraine should have no impact on family based visas from the US side, so unless Putin decides to completely screw up relations with the US and do something like they did in Belarus and pretty much kick out everyone from the embassy or something like that, you should be good to do it in Moscow - it's a very easy going embassy for K1 visas.

[baron555 934]

I have no experience with Tajikistan but lots with Moscow, as I had 2 failed engagements to Russian ladies for which K-1s were filed. My experience with the system there is that it was smooth and professional, and they even responded to emails in 1-2 days, unlike the 2 week minimum I am dealing with now at Manila.

But with Ukraine and the pissing contest Obama and Putin are engaged in, I would not put it past Putin to piss on the K-1 system. Heck, he already pissed on the system where American couples adopt Russian babies, so don't put it past him.

Since you are already familair with Tajikistan, maybe you should stick with them.

Putin can have no affect on the K-1 process except for pissing off the US so much as they close their Embassy....and that ain't gonna happen anytime soon.

All this Putin business is just a smokescreen to look big in front of the Russian people and divert their attention to their real reality wihich is to their failing economy. When they wake up, it could be even messier than Kiev......or he'll squash them without the world knowing.