Kherson, Ukraine

[NewToK1 25]

Hello everyone,

My fiance lives in Kherson, Ukraine. I actually went to law school with her sister here in the U.S. Her sister and an attorney I worked with (who is also from the Ukraine) basically set me up. Before I knew it, I was in Odessa visiting her. Today, my K-1 paperwork was delivered to the Dallas lockbox.

What can I expect now? I know there are guides throughout the forum, but I'm curious as to if there is anything unique about the Kiev consulate? What should I expect? We're both nervous because she's been denied a tourist visa twice (to see her sister and nephew).

[JamesT 12]

Hi On3H34rT, that's exciting news and I love Odessa! My fiancee is from there as well, and I was there visiting her most recently for about two weeks in early July. We stayed right near the beach in Arcadia.

We are about 3/4 of the way through the grueling fiancee visa process, and will be scheduling her interview in Kiev soon! I just received our case number from the NVC last week.

I don't think you'll have any problem at all being approved for a K-1 visa. Being denied a tourist visa doesn't matter... it's rare or pretty much impossible for someone from Ukraine to get a tourist visa, especially someone younger and single.

[NewToK1 25]

I was in Odessa at the end of May to early June - about 8 nights. We actually never went to Arcadia - I couldn't drink much for health reasons, and we weren't too interested in the party scene. We rented a nice apartment off Derybasivs'ka. The hosts spoke decent English, so it worked out. The price was incredibly cheap as well.

I really liked it there. We went and toured the cognac factory - I even brought back some myself. All in all, we had a very relaxing time, but never ventured to the beach.

I'll probably be going back around Christmas. I'll take a bus to Kherson from Odessa to meet her family. I'm not sure I'm ready for the cold though.

[vbtwo 54]

Nothing really to note at regarding Kyiv embassy. It's very easy for K1 visas as long as all your paperwork is in order. They have a great PDF in English and Ukrainian on their site explaining everything you need to do and what to bring.

There are no packet 3/4 for Ukraine. As soon as they receive the paperwork from the NVC, you can go online to schedule the interview and you bring everything to the interview.

[JamesT 12]

One slight problem with the Kiev embassy is the don't have the instructions written in Russian... and in many parts of southern and eastern Ukraine they speak predominately Russian. My fiancee is having a little trouble understanding the instructions because she is from Odessa and only speaks & understands Russian.

[NewToK1 25]

She speaks both, so that shouldn't be much of an issue. I'm trying to learn Russian as well, but it is one heck of a task.

[VFittipaldi 30]

Don't learn russian, learn Ukrainian, it better.

As far as the consulate goes they really are nice and easy to deal with. They asked my fiance only one question. Good experience all in all. Another thing is to not wait for them to send you an interview notice letter but to go online and schedule your interview when the NVC status reads Ready. We saved ton of time that way.

[NewToK1 25]

The paperwork was just now picked up at the Dallas lockbox, so there's no telling when I'll get the first notice.

[NewToK1 25]

They signed for my application on Wednesday. How long does it usually take before I first hear from them? I submitted the form to receive electronic notification.

[JamesT 12]

You should get the electronic notification within 24-48 hours. Then the hardcopy should come in the mail within about a week to 10 days.

[NewToK1 25]

Worries me because I haven't got the notification yet. Maybe tomorrow.

[Alina&Rick 3]

One slight problem with the Kiev embassy is the don't have the instructions written in Russian... and in many parts of southern and eastern Ukraine they speak predominately Russian. My fiancee is having a little trouble understanding the instructions because she is from Odessa and only speaks & understands Russian.

??it is not so .... In Odessa and other Ukrainian cities a lot of people understand the Ukrainian language??

[Alina&Rick 3]

Hi On3H34rT, that's exciting news and I love Odessa! My fiancee is from there as well, and I was there visiting her most recently for about two weeks in early July. We stayed right near the beach in Arcadia.

We are about 3/4 of the way through the grueling fiancee visa process, and will be scheduling her interview in Kiev soon! I just received our case number from the NVC last week.

I don't think you'll have any problem at all being approved for a K-1 visa. Being denied a tourist visa doesn't matter... it's rare or pretty much impossible for someone from Ukraine to get a tourist visa, especially someone younger and single.

I just got B2 visa?? ?

Everything possible?✌?️

[NewToK1 25]

Good news. I received my electronic notification today. The application is on its way to California. Now the process really begins!

[Tag&Polina 7]

You can get an idea of the process by taking a look at this http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow. My fiance is also from Ukraine, I've read the Kiev embassy reviews and it seems that it is a friendly, efficient place. We are also in the beginning stages of the K1 process ourselves. We are patiently waiting just like most here :-) I can say that those who are filed in late July/August seem to having a speedy process with the visas being sent to the California office. All the best to you and yours.

Tag