The Kyiv Beat......

[Scott and Iryna 2]

How did she set up the interview? She must have purchased the PIN to be able to even call the Call Center and talk to an operator, in order to schedule her interview. If she somehow did it without purchasing the PIN, they claim she will not be interviewed.

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

Edited June 30, 2008 by Scott and Iryna

[Muddy 0]

My fiancee's is scheduled for August 13

How many days does it take for the embassy to mail the passport(and visa) to an address in Kiev?

[USSR 1]

She must have purchased the PIN to be able to even call the Call Center and talk to an operator, in order to schedule her interview.

Scott,

If that's the case, then all is well. I was not aware that you could not schedule the interview without purchasing a PIN number.

Don

[zqt3344 21]

Allow for about 10 business days(because of them taking their time and processing and delivery) and they usually send it FEDEX or some other private delivery service, it will not come Ukrainian mail. Used to, year or two a ago, you paid fee down hallway after interview approved, left passport with them, went out for lunch or walking around Kiev, then came back later that evening and picked it up in person, but not now, they take the passport and then mail it and visa stamped in it to you later on.

My fiancee's is scheduled for August 13

How many days does it take for the embassy to mail the passport(and visa) to an address in Kiev?

[zqt3344 21]

Curious for you guys doing this now in 2008. You have to pay this PIN fee no matter what or you do not get to interview? Also curious were you able to still do it online or by email when setting up interview and downloading forms to fill out and then email or fax back to embassy? Or does the USA embassy force you to buy this PIN no matter what now and call them to set up interview now? Wonder when most of this started happening, in spring or summer of 2007 or fall or just now this year in 2008?

How did she set up the interview? She must have purchased the PIN to be able to even call the Call Center and talk to an operator, in order to schedule her interview. If she somehow did it without purchasing the PIN, they claim she will not be interviewed.

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

[payxibka 10,045]

Per the website:

If you have assembled all the documents necessary for your interview, please contact the Call-Center at 044-207-7071 to schedule it.

The Immigrant Visa Unit no longer schedules interviews.

This has been the situation for at least 6 months if not a little longer. I remember a year ago or so it was being announced.

[Muddy 0]

If my fiancee and I arrive in JFK at 1:59pm(terminal 3) and our next flight(same terminal 3) is at 4:25pm, do you think that is enough time to go to through custom, get our luggage, and passport control?

I think we can go to customs together, cant we?

Then I must go get our luggage and she must go to INS(I think), and after I get our luggage I must wait for her outside the INS room, correct?

[payxibka 10,045]

If my fiancee and I arrive in JFK at 1:59pm(terminal 3) and our next flight(same terminal 3) is at 4:25pm, do you think that is enough time to go to through custom, get our luggage, and passport control?

I think we can go to customs together, cant we?

Then I must go get our luggage and she must go to INS(I think), and after I get our luggage I must wait for her outside the INS room, correct?

passport control (aka immigration), luggage and then customs...

You will be allowed to go through customs together and you most likely will be able to go through immigration together... ask the crowd control officer..

JFK can be very busy... you might be OK at 2pm... if it were 4pm I would be very nervous.

Secondary inspection at JFK is a blocked off area not a room...

Edited July 1, 2008 by fwaguy

[zqt3344 21]

YES, should be plenty of time and you are arriving early in afternoon which is also good time with less delays.

Good luck.

If my fiancee and I arrive in JFK at 1:59pm(terminal 3) and our next flight(same terminal 3) is at 4:25pm, do you think that is enough time to go to through custom, get our luggage, and passport control?

I think we can go to customs together, cant we?

Then I must go get our luggage and she must go to INS(I think), and after I get our luggage I must wait for her outside the INS room, correct?

Another unnecessary fee income generator for US embassy.

Per the website:

If you have assembled all the documents necessary for your interview, please contact the Call-Center at 044-207-7071 to schedule it.

The Immigrant Visa Unit no longer schedules interviews.

This has been the situation for at least 6 months if not a little longer. I remember a year ago or so it was being announced.

[Muddy 0]

Forms DS-156 and DS-156K, on KEV-1 instructions it says these two forms can be completed in Ukrainian, there is no need to translate the forms on the interview date, correct? Just want to make sure

Edited July 2, 2008 by Muddy

[zqt3344 21]

No not if done in Ukrainian.

Forms DS-156 and DS-156K, on KEV-1 instructions it says these two forms can be completed in Ukrainian, there is no need to translate the forms on the interview date, correct? Just want to make sure

[1HappyGuy 45]

Muddy,

Have your fiancee contact the embassy to find out which overnight service they will be using. She can contact that service and pick up the passport with visa from their office.

Regarding your connection in JFK, I hope there are no delays. That close a connection does not allow for airline delays, which happen. My wife's connecting flight out of Amsterdam was delayed over an hour because a woman from Africa couldn't speak a language anyone knew and she wanted to go to the toilet. No one understood this but my wife and the airline people didn't listen to her. They ended up taking the woman off the plane.

[Muddy 0]

Muddy,

Have your fiancee contact the embassy to find out which overnight service they will be using. She can contact that service and pick up the passport with visa from their office.

Regarding your connection in JFK, I hope there are no delays. That close a connection does not allow for airline delays, which happen. My wife's connecting flight out of Amsterdam was delayed over an hour because a woman from Africa couldn't speak a language anyone knew and she wanted to go to the toilet. No one understood this but my wife and the airline people didn't listen to her. They ended up taking the woman off the plane.

They send it by FedEx

She lives near Odessa, maybe she can pick it up from the FedEx office in Odessa, when they recieve the package from Kiev

[Muddy 0]

After the interview is finished, what documents does the embassy keep? What documents would they return to us?

After the interview do you need to ask them to return the documents to you?

[USSR 1]

Quick question: Is the interviewee informed at the end of the interview whether they will be getting a visa, and is it ok to purchase airline tickets at that time for, say, 3 weeks later, or is it best to wait until Fed Ex physically delivers the visa before buying airline tickets? Thanks in advance.

Don