The Kyiv Beat......

[Brad and Vika 129]

should I just save check of some clothing I buy and then mail those checks yo Delta?

If you filed a missing bag claim at the airport, they gave you a number to call right? Call the number and ask how long until they will pay for things, what they will pay for, and how to send receipts. There may be a way to do it online.

[johnichka 0]

Got back to Chicago last night from Kiev. I went to Kiev last Friday to be with Ulyana for her Interview on the 19th of this week. Here is the sequence of events:

Arrived to the Embassy at approximately 9AM on the 19th. There were many people milling about and forming a line to the front door of the embassy. Someone before, maybe FWAGUY, said that you receive much respect when you show a US passport. Definately true. We were whisked to the front of the line and told to proceed inside. Even the Babushka at the front of the line did not like this, but when the officer said something to her, she replied "I understand, I understand"

Once inside we were sent to the wrong line -we waited about three minutes when another officer asked what visa we were applying for. We said K1 and were instructed to go back down a hallway to a smaller room with two heavy glass windows that protected the workers inside the office - much like you would see at a currency exchange.

One tip - when you get back this room, there is a button by one of the glass windows that says you can push it for assistance. We did not and after sitting there for 45 minutes, (It was 9:50AM at this time) I pushed the button and a lady came to the window. I asked if we needed to sign in or check in. She replied "your fiancee can bring her documents to the window now"

The embassy official had her own KEV1 form and went right down the line asking for each document. Ulyana would push the document through the opening of the glass window. She was told to sit down. After about 5 minutes, she was called back again and asked to go down this side aisle. She returned very quickly. I asked what was that for - "It was for finger and palm prints". We again sat down.

And then we waited and waited. There was only two other girls all morning. One girl had an 8AM appointment and was gone by 10:15am and one girl had a 9:30 appointment. We started to get a little nervous and then at 11:30 another officer (man) called Ulyana's name and she was asked to go back down this side aisle to a window - again, similiar to a currency exchange. I asked if I could go. He said yes. By the time I had gotten back there, he had already asked Ulyana if she spoke English, she said yes.

He then proceeded to start giving our documentation back through the opening at the bottom of the glass window - again, a window similiar to what you would see at a currency exchange. He then looked at me and said: "I looked at all of your documentation and I really don't have any questions. Take this form out the Fed-Ex station and they will record it and you will reveive your visa in 7 to 8 days."

So, that was it. Not one question. So, I would very much agree with what has been written here. Make sure all your documentation is in order and that you have ample evidence of a relationship. They had our documents for 1 1/2 hours and there was only one other girl at the same time as our interview, so they had ample time to review the documentation.

I had every letter Ulyana wrote to me, every letter I wrote to Ulyana, an sms log for the last year, phone records for the past year, ample financial eveidence to support the 134 form, pictures, records of three trips to Ukraine since Auugust of 2007 to see her, one trip in March to Egypt together.

But there was one girl form Ulyana's home city that previoulsy had interviewed in July - she was turned away and asked for more proof a relationship. She scheduled another interview on August 5th. She again was denied - I beleive because they do not beleive the relationship was bona - fide. So, my counsel to all here would be to ensure you have plenty of documentaiton and proof of a real valid relationship.

Thanks to each of you for all for your valuable advice.

Good Luck

John

[Mark and Sasha 0]

Got back to Chicago last night from Kiev. I went to Kiev last Friday to be with Ulyana for her Interview on the 19th of this week. Here is the sequence of events:

Arrived to the Embassy at approximately 9AM on the 19th. There were many people milling about and forming a line to the front door of the embassy. Someone before, maybe FWAGUY, said that you receive much respect when you show a US passport. Definately true. We were whisked to the front of the line and told to proceed inside. Even the Babushka at the front of the line did not like this, but when the officer said something to her, she replied "I understand, I understand"

Once inside we were sent to the wrong line -we waited about three minutes when another officer asked what visa we were applying for. We said K1 and were instructed to go back down a hallway to a smaller room with two heavy glass windows that protected the workers inside the office - much like you would see at a currency exchange.

One tip - when you get back this room, there is a button by one of the glass windows that says you can push it for assistance. We did not and after sitting there for 45 minutes, (It was 9:50AM at this time) I pushed the button and a lady came to the window. I asked if we needed to sign in or check in. She replied "your fiancee can bring her documents to the window now"

The embassy official had her own KEV1 form and went right down the line asking for each document. Ulyana would push the document through the opening of the glass window. She was told to sit down. After about 5 minutes, she was called back again and asked to go down this side aisle. She returned very quickly. I asked what was that for - "It was for finger and palm prints". We again sat down.

And then we waited and waited. There was only two other girls all morning. One girl had an 8AM appointment and was gone by 10:15am and one girl had a 9:30 appointment. We started to get a little nervous and then at 11:30 another officer (man) called Ulyana's name and she was asked to go back down this side aisle to a window - again, similiar to a currency exchange. I asked if I could go. He said yes. By the time I had gotten back there, he had already asked Ulyana if she spoke English, she said yes.

He then proceeded to start giving our documentation back through the opening at the bottom of the glass window - again, a window similiar to what you would see at a currency exchange. He then looked at me and said: "I looked at all of your documentation and I really don't have any questions. Take this form out the Fed-Ex station and they will record it and you will reveive your visa in 7 to 8 days."

So, that was it. Not one question. So, I would very much agree with what has been written here. Make sure all your documentation is in order and that you have ample evidence of a relationship. They had our documents for 1 1/2 hours and there was only one other girl at the same time as our interview, so they had ample time to review the documentation.

I had every letter Ulyana wrote to me, every letter I wrote to Ulyana, an sms log for the last year, phone records for the past year, ample financial eveidence to support the 134 form, pictures, records of three trips to Ukraine since Auugust of 2007 to see her, one trip in March to Egypt together.

But there was one girl form Ulyana's home city that previoulsy had interviewed in July - she was turned away and asked for more proof a relationship. She scheduled another interview on August 5th. She again was denied - I beleive because they do not beleive the relationship was bona - fide. So, my counsel to all here would be to ensure you have plenty of documentaiton and proof of a real valid relationship.

Thanks to each of you for all for your valuable advice.

Good Luck

John

Congratulations!

Btw, I was told to go to the beginning of the line (near the front door of the embassy), too, because K1 visa applicants do not have to wait there.

I guess that was a really nice day, you were asked no questions at all, and I was asked only three -- how many times Mark has visited, how we met and where he lives.

Sasha

[Mark and Sasha 0]

Sasha had her interview today, got approved within a few minutes and was out quickly enough. Best of luck to everyone else. She can fill in more info for you all if she wants ~

Mark B.

My congratulations When will she be arriving?

Thanks.

I'll be in the US in the middle of September I guess.....

Sasha

[johnichka 0]

Sasha had her interview today, got approved within a few minutes and was out quickly enough. Best of luck to everyone else. She can fill in more info for you all if she wants ~

Mark B.

My congratulations When will she be arriving?

Thanks.

I'll be in the US in the middle of September I guess.....

Sasha

UPDATE:

I just spoke to Ulyana. THe Embassy just called her this morning. They said her documents/visa is ready and will be sent to Ivano-Frankvisk for pickup on Monday. Fed Ex will not drive to her Village to deliver. She lives in a village by the name of Zarinchya - about a 30 minute drive by car to Ivano. So, she will go on Monday to pick up her Visa.

So, it took them two/three days to process the visa paperwork & FedEx out. In essence it will be 6 days from the date of our interview to the time she gets the Visa - that includes two weekend days.

She will arrive to the US on September 6th. I had previously purchased her and Anna's ticket back in July.

John

[Mark and Sasha 0]

Sasha had her interview today, got approved within a few minutes and was out quickly enough. Best of luck to everyone else. She can fill in more info for you all if she wants ~

Mark B.

My congratulations When will she be arriving?

Thanks.

I'll be in the US in the middle of September I guess.....

Sasha

UPDATE:

I just spoke to Ulyana. THe Embassy just called her this morning. They said her documents/visa is ready and will be sent to Ivano-Frankvisk for pickup on Monday. Fed Ex will not drive to her Village to deliver. She lives in a village by the name of Zarinchya - about a 30 minute drive by car to Ivano. So, she will go on Monday to pick up her Visa.

So, it took them two/three days to process the visa paperwork & FedEx out. In essence it will be 6 days from the date of our interview to the time she gets the Visa - that includes two weekend days.

She will arrive to the US on September 6th. I had previously purchased her and Anna's ticket back in July.

John

Yes, I got a call from Fedex today, too... However, I'll get the package by myself in their office on Tuesday (as Monday is the day off) -- still have things to do in Kiev.

Sasha

[Grid 0]

The airline (Delta) lost my two pieces of luggage cause I arrived 4 days ago and my two suitcases have not been located yet.

what happens if the won't find it at all? Or what should I do? Who happened to be in this situation?

I have had this experience with Delta and others quite a bit over the years. Did you file a claim at the airport before you left? Sometimes they can see where the luggage is immediately. I have been to Minsk (for example), and had my bags go to Vienna instead.

It usually takes a day or two to recover a delayed suitcase if the flight was an international one. Maybe an extra day if there was a change due to flight cancellation or security issue. It is only a small percentage of the missing bags that are permanently gone - in that case they pay you for the bag (usually not enough).

Good Luck

Usually the airline will pay for clothing and the personal items that you must purchase while waiting for you luggage to be found.

Good luck.

Grid

Yes, you will need to save the receipts. I would give Delta a call and ask them about their procedures

[Mariya 0]

Can you believe, Delta did not find my baggage though i had personal tags with my name and address and paper inside with all my details.. and i had only one stop in NYC-Kennedy.. They asked me to fill otu a lost baggage form and that's it for now.. i dunno what they gonna reimburse..

Do you think I should insist on an upgrade of my return flight or they never do things like that over lost baggae?

[Brad and Vika 129]

Can you believe, Delta did not find my baggage though i had personal tags with my name and address and paper inside with all my details.. and i had only one stop in NYC-Kennedy.. They asked me to fill otu a lost baggage form and that's it for now.. i dunno what they gonna reimburse..

Do you think I should insist on an upgrade of my return flight or they never do things like that over lost baggae?

Mariya - I don't think they ever upgrade flights over lost baggage (different departments). Let me know if they agree to upgrade you - I will press that if they ever lose my bags.

Cheers

[Mariya 0]

Brad, I will let you know. I fly back to US in 2 weeks.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Brad, I will let you know. I fly back to US in 2 weeks.

Thanks and safe travels

[Mariya 0]

Today unexpectadly Delta rep. brought my bags. I am sooo happy..

12 days passed though...

Edited August 31, 2008 by Mariya

[Brad and Vika 129]

Cool - just in time to change clothes before you go back! Did they upgrade you? Did they tell you where the bags went?

[Mariya 0]

Delta did not upgrade me though I asked - they just apologized for the inconvenieces and said they will pay me $ 125 expense reimbursement when I mail them my receipts.

My bags were travelling all around Eurpe for 12 days. I saw Milano airport, Budapest airport labels...

Tough my itinerary was:

Nashville-JFK-Kiev

[Brad and Vika 129]

Delta did not upgrade me though I asked - they just apologized for the inconvenieces and said they will pay me $ 125 expense reimbursement when I mail them my receipts.

My bags were travelling all around Eurpe for 12 days. I saw Milano airport, Budapest airport labels...

Tough my itinerary was:

Nashville-JFK-Kiev

I flew through Frankfort to Minsk once, and my bags went to Vienna and Prague. Another time they just stayed in Frankfort for three days - no explanation.

Glad to hear you did get them back.

Cheers