The Kyiv Beat......

[USSR 1]

Delta Flight 88/89 JFK-KBP and KBP-JFK maybe do not operate on a daily basis, that is possibly why you saw a flight with a CDG stop, as you may have selected a non operating day for your return...

Correct. Delta direct flights 88/89 fly on Tuesday and Thursday (KBP-JFK), and Wednesday (JFK-KBP).

Don

[zqt3344 21]

There is KLM, British Airways, Delta, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Ukrainian Airlines, Aerospit out of Kiev. Lufthansa is the best, the Germans are usually on time or early, very rarely are they late and if so only by 5-10 minutes at most. KLM, Austrian Airlienes, and British Airways are next best on being on time. Delta, then Ukrainian Airlines then the worst and do not recommend is Aeropsit!

It is going to be very hard for your future wife to avoid flying into JFK or Chicago O Hare. If heading on out west to California coming from Europe, if you can find other airports to land in first like Memphis or Minneapolis or Denver or Washington DC or Philly or Boston on East Coast, like you say NYC is horrible and so is Miami and Atlanta, and Chicago is always delayed always by 45 minutes or more always, just try to schedule flight that arrives between 9 am - 12 pm and leaves out for California between 12 pm - 4 pm to avoid the delays. AND make sure your future wife takes a flight that arrives in the USA at her first airport that has like at least 2.5 plus hours in between connections, reason is because all European flights coming into the USA are always running late or behind, and then REMEMBER this once your future wife arrives at her first airport in the USA and has to get off the plane and go to next gate to get on connecting flight she WILL HAVE TO GO AND CLAIM ANY OF HER CHECKED BAGGAGE and then recheck it in same area on to her connecting flight. I know what the Ukrainian or European airport personnel will try to tell her that it is ok they will check her luggage all the way for through for her to her final destination in the USA BUT that will not happen, USA law does not allow that, apparently in European countries they do allow it for example once you check in at USA airport and fly on to your final destination overseas like for example Ukraine, you may check your baggage all the way through and not have to worry about reclaiming it at every connecting flight or foreign airport since they go ahead and put it on your plane you are flying onto in Europe. THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN FOR HER COMING TO THE USA and connecting on to see you, she will have to go claim her bags and then recheck them on to her next flight or final destination in USA otherwise her bags will stay behind wherever she first enters the USA at or whichever airport she lands at first.

Best/cheapest and most reliable for her to take an evening or overnight express train to Kiev from Odessa, that way you know she gets to Kiev on scheduled time for sure and no delays or cancellations that commonly occur at regional airports and with regional Ukrainian airlines. Once at train station in Kiev, just catch a bus or cab out to the airport within 30 minutes or less. The reason I recommend a Express train or any train in Ukraine, is because speaking from experience, the you can literally set your watch by the train schedules in Ukraine, interestingly enough of all the screwups in travel in Ukraine the trains are always on time. Airplanes are not. And they do not care and there is not the travel options in flights there like in other countries if they suddenly cancel your flight.

Good luck.

I live in california, what is the best airline option for my fiancee to travel from Kiev or Odessa to the US?

I read its best to stay away from JFK and Chicago airports?

I want her to come direct from Odessa/ Kiev to the US. It seems my only option is Aerosvit, I know they have direct flights from Kiev to JFK, always lands at JFKaround 4:30 pm, very busy times

Edited June 23, 2008 by zqt3344

[Muddy 0]

Its been two weeks since I recieved the letter from NVC

Called the embassy last night, the operator is Karina, paid $12 and bought a PIN

called back two times to schedule an interview, the PIN is invalid, talk to Karina again, she says call back and try a different phone

Called back 4 more times, same problem, PIN is invalid

Talked to Karina again and she says she will help me but after I am done she will deactivate the PIN, do I agree? I said yes.

She tells me they have not recieved the file from NVC, she also told me the info below on the US embassy web site is incorrect, my fiancee must wait to recieve the info packet from the embassy and then call to schedule the interview.

I will call again in 2 days, maybe another operator answers the phone

info on the web site:

VERY IMPORTANT: We send the Information packet (the former Packets 3 and 4) to ALL of the beneficiaries without exceptions via regular mail. However, since the Ukrainian mail is slow and unreliable, it is often the case that the packet may not be delivered to the applicants on time To facilitate the process of obtaining information outlining the steps to apply for a fiancé(e) visa the Information Packet is posted on our website. You may download it at any time and use it to prepare for the visa interview. If you do not receive the Information packet from us, we strongly recommend that you extract it from the website. The downloaded packet has exactly the same information and validity as the one that we mail to our applicants.

[payxibka 10,045]

Its been two weeks since I recieved the letter from NVC

Called the embassy last night, the operator is Karina, paid $12 and bought a PIN

called back two times to schedule an interview, the PIN is invalid, talk to Karina again, she says call back and try a different phone

Called back 4 more times, same problem, PIN is invalid

Talked to Karina again and she says she will help me but after I am done she will deactivate the PIN, do I agree? I said yes.

She tells me they have not recieved the file from NVC, she also told me the info below on the US embassy web site is incorrect, my fiancee must wait to recieve the info packet from the embassy and then call to schedule the interview.

I will call again in 2 days, maybe another operator answers the phone

info on the web site:

VERY IMPORTANT: We send the Information packet (the former Packets 3 and 4) to ALL of the beneficiaries without exceptions via regular mail. However, since the Ukrainian mail is slow and unreliable, it is often the case that the packet may not be delivered to the applicants on time To facilitate the process of obtaining information outlining the steps to apply for a fiancé(e) visa the Information Packet is posted on our website. You may download it at any time and use it to prepare for the visa interview. If you do not receive the Information packet from us, we strongly recommend that you extract it from the website. The downloaded packet has exactly the same information and validity as the one that we mail to our applicants.

While waiting for the packet information might be what they want you to do, it is simply impractical. If we had done this, we would still be waiting as my now wife's packet NEVER arrived.

[zqt3344 21]

DO NOT WAIT on the packet in the mail, it will either A.) never get there or B.) take forever. Go online and download all forms and packets you need and print out and get going on it.

Its been two weeks since I recieved the letter from NVC

Called the embassy last night, the operator is Karina, paid $12 and bought a PIN

called back two times to schedule an interview, the PIN is invalid, talk to Karina again, she says call back and try a different phone

Called back 4 more times, same problem, PIN is invalid

Talked to Karina again and she says she will help me but after I am done she will deactivate the PIN, do I agree? I said yes.

She tells me they have not recieved the file from NVC, she also told me the info below on the US embassy web site is incorrect, my fiancee must wait to recieve the info packet from the embassy and then call to schedule the interview.

I will call again in 2 days, maybe another operator answers the phone

info on the web site:

VERY IMPORTANT: We send the Information packet (the former Packets 3 and 4) to ALL of the beneficiaries without exceptions via regular mail. However, since the Ukrainian mail is slow and unreliable, it is often the case that the packet may not be delivered to the applicants on time To facilitate the process of obtaining information outlining the steps to apply for a fiancé(e) visa the Information Packet is posted on our website. You may download it at any time and use it to prepare for the visa interview. If you do not receive the Information packet from us, we strongly recommend that you extract it from the website. The downloaded packet has exactly the same information and validity as the one that we mail to our applicants.

Edited June 25, 2008 by zqt3344

[Muddy 0]

Downloaded already, last week.

Their email:

Please note that it takes approximately four to six weeks for the actual approved petition and its supporting documentation to reach the Embassy. We can only start processing your case, (that is, send out the information packet and schedule a visa appointment), once we receive the hard copy of the approved petition.

Edited June 25, 2008 by Muddy

[Muddy 0]

This morning I emailed NVC to see if they have sent my file to Kiev

Calling them has not worked.

[zqt3344 21]

We found Kiev USA embassy always replied to email and with accurate instructions in about less than a day, if you are up late at night, it is going to be morning or middle of day there and you can get even better response with email then, just have to stay up after 10 or 11 pm. You are right calling is a nightmare and impossible to get through on phone. Good luck.

This morning I emailed NVC to see if they have sent my file to Kiev

Calling them has not worked.

[Poacher 0]

This is my first post on VJ. I believe that Delta flights 88 and 89 fly everyday. I have taken those flights at least 6 times on 5 different days of the week. I was reading an article in the Kiev Post two years ago and they had an article about the new head guy for Delta in Kiev and I think I remember that it was going to be a daily flight. They could have adjusted it to fewer days, but I think they are still 7 days a week. I just flew to KBP using these flights on a Wednesday and returned on a Sunday. I have also been routed from JFK to CDG, cheaper ticket. IMO, NWA/KLM from Detroit through Amsterdam is a better chioce. JFK as a point of entry can be difficult. If your lady is flying alone, I would definitely recommend going through Detroit. Also, Detroit is a much, much, easier airport to navigate. Also, IMO NWA/KLM's service is much better than Delta. Price can be cheaper by about $300 sometimes. Just giving my 2 cents. Hope this helps. Also, anyone that has to go from KBP to Poltava or Kharkov, I recommend the Autolux bus from Boryspil. Leaves from the airport parking lot. Cost is $20. Travel time is 7 hours to Kharkov. Very comfortable and nice. Sometimes I hire a driver, which is $200 each way. 5 hour travel time. Very convenient. I know that the internal flight is $135. I would rather walk. I have been advised by former girlfriends and friends not to use those flights. If anyone needs information about Kharkov or the private driver, who is good, give me a shout. I can hook you up. I will say this, once you are outside of the cities, the signs on the road and the road signs are merely suggestions. I hope this helps someone out.

[Muddy 0]

Thanks for your reply.

I had always used taxi or train to travel to other cities. 90% of the time by train. In my last trip I finally decided to take a chance and use the flight from Odessa to Kiev, took one hour, to tell you the truth it wasnt bad, really, I will do it again. I did travel from Odessa to Kharkov by train, round trip, took 14-15 hours, if I had to do it again I will travel by airplaine.

[natashenika 0]

This is my first post on VJ. I believe that Delta flights 88 and 89 fly everyday. I have taken those flights at least 6 times on 5 different days of the week. I was reading an article in the Kiev Post two years ago and they had an article about the new head guy for Delta in Kiev and I think I remember that it was going to be a daily flight. They could have adjusted it to fewer days, but I think they are still 7 days a week. I just flew to KBP using these flights on a Wednesday and returned on a Sunday. I have also been routed from JFK to CDG, cheaper ticket. IMO, NWA/KLM from Detroit through Amsterdam is a better chioce. JFK as a point of entry can be difficult. If your lady is flying alone, I would definitely recommend going through Detroit. Also, Detroit is a much, much, easier airport to navigate. Also, IMO NWA/KLM's service is much better than Delta. Price can be cheaper by about $300 sometimes. Just giving my 2 cents. Hope this helps. Also, anyone that has to go from KBP to Poltava or Kharkov, I recommend the Autolux bus from Boryspil. Leaves from the airport parking lot. Cost is $20. Travel time is 7 hours to Kharkov. Very comfortable and nice. Sometimes I hire a driver, which is $200 each way. 5 hour travel time. Very convenient. I know that the internal flight is $135. I would rather walk. I have been advised by former girlfriends and friends not to use those flights. If anyone needs information about Kharkov or the private driver, who is good, give me a shout. I can hook you up. I will say this, once you are outside of the cities, the signs on the road and the road signs are merely suggestions. I hope this helps someone out.

I can't agree with you

I flew to Kharkov from Kiev It took about an hour and was comfortable and fast, Autolux is good,because it leaves from KBP but there is an Express train from Kiev to Kharkiv takes 6 hours, and costs $15-20 dollars much comfortable than Autolux

Regarding POE in JFK it wasn't bad experience as well, the only thing it might take longer to stay in line, so you have to have an extra time to go to your next flight and you have to take your luggage with you.

[natashenika 0]

Thanks for your reply.

I had always used taxi or train to travel to other cities. 90% of the time by train. In my last trip I finally decided to take a chance and use the flight from Odessa to Kiev, took one hour, to tell you the truth it wasnt bad, really, I will do it again. I did travel from Odessa to Kharkov by train, round trip, took 14-15 hours, if I had to do it again I will travel by airplaine.

I totally agree with you

[Muddy 0]

Police certificates: After you go to the ploice station and pay the fee, how long does it takes for them to prepare and print the certificate? How many days did you have to wait?

[johnichka 0]

My Fiancee waited about 10 days. She paid more to get the certificate sooner rather than later. Not a large some of money to expedite it, I think about 75 to 100 hryvnia. Otherwise, it would have taken about 3 to four weeks. This was in Ivano Frankivsk Region.

[USSR 1]

Regarding the interview, from the American Embassy in Kiev's website:

Visa interviews are held by appointment only. Beneficiaries should not travel to Kyiv until they have contacted the call center and scheduled the appointment for the formal visa interview. Applicants who have scheduled the appointment and have not paid for the call by either purchasing the PIN number from the Pro-Credit Bank or using the credit option are not interviewed.

My fiance called the Embassy and has her interview date (July 15), but what are they talking about with "purchasing the PIN number or using the credit option in order to be interviewed"? I know she has to pay $131 (in Ukrainian currency) for the visa at the bank prior to the interview, but I'm not following this PIN number or credit option thing. Thanks in advance.

Don