Kiev, notarized statement of no prior marriage

[gregcrs2 1,778]

The magic question is...did they keep her passport or give it back to her?

[Lenchick 133]

I don't think it's about the age difference, Robert.. Yes, it's not something that inherent to Ukrainians, but marriages with a big age difference happen and the Embassy definitely has deal with this time to time..

I think it's "Turkey" issue, and I'll try to explain why i think so.

As you, probably, know, It's important for Ukrainians to have a some kind of travel history BEFORE we apply for a Schengen, GB or US visa. And for a lot of Ukrainians Turkey is the first country on this "build your travel history" journey. Because we don't have to go to the Embassy - we literally buy the visa at Turkish airport, after landing there.

Or it could be Egypt (visa "at the airport" as well), and we can kill two birds there, visiting Israel.

Or - UAE.

So, basically, the popular "algorithm" of building your travel history is:

1. Turkey/Egypt (Israel)/UAE.

2. Schengen Area countries - usually you get a Visa, if you can prove your ties with Ukraine and you didn't overstay or didn't violate any Law in the countries from p.1.

3. Good chance to get a GB visa (or Canada, or Australia, or US) - p.1 & p.2.

In addition to all above, Turkey is a secular country. It's an associate member of the Western European Union since 1992. The country joined the EU Customs Union in 1995 and has been in formal accession negotiations with the EU since 2005. The other defining aspect of Turkey's foreign policy is the country's long-standing strategic alliance with the United States...

Besides, it's a great resort. Millions Europeans, including Ukrainians&Russians, spend their vacations there. The season lasts 5 months, from May till Sept./Oct. And the hotels hire people for the "season" all time, LEGALLY. English speaking, Russian speaking, Ukrainian speaking people...

Don't get me wrong, Robert. Will all due respect to you and I wish you all the best.. But you've mentioned before Irina worked 5 months in Turkey without working visa. I might be mistaken, but looks like she overstayed and worked illegally there.. And the US Embassy, probably, sees: 1) she overstayed and work illegally (law violation), 2) it wasn't mentioned in her G-325 for I-129F... A lie?...

Still... At this point I think your case is under supervisor review, and ANY decision can be made, 50/50...

Did the Embassy take her passport?... If they did, there is a hope, and i would just go ahead and bring what they ask for - copy of her son's birth certificate and the statement. Do it ASAP. And don't drop it off through security guys at the Embassy - do it officially, via TNT. Then - I would give the Embassy 5-10 business days to process the additional information. After that - inquire your case status...

Once again - good luck, and please, keep us updated...

You are really overly analyzing. Visa history is not necessary. I got my first ever visa, and it was a US visa, on the spot and after getting all kind of visas including Shengen, I was refused another Shengen visa to go and see my husband. It comes to building a strong case and a little luck along the way. Where do they ask about travels to other countries? I don't remember it. Is it anywhere on the application? I believe they are only concerned about travel to the US. They are just trying to secure their decision by asking for more evidences and nothing more since the case has its own peculiarities. They need to see the couple won't give up. They obviously already had the prejudice to the case even before the interview. More over, notarized statements are often required. I am sure the case will be approved eventually, if not, they can get married, collect a stronger evidences of bonafide marriage and apply for a spouse visa, the embassy will look at it in a different way.

[RobertM54 36]

The magic question is...did they keep her passport or give it back to her?

Not this time. They knew if they returned the passport I would not have easily left the building.

[gregcrs2 1,778]

The Marines there would have taken care of that. lol As long as they kept her passport and everything is provided that they asked for and checks out ok, you should get an approval.

On the flip side, if things really go sour, you can always retire early and move to Ukraine. Believe me, early retirement is a great thing! I did it at 55 1/2 and wish I did it earlier.

[Ksenia_O 696]

Where do they ask about travels to other countries? I don't remember it. Is it anywhere on the application?

DS-160, Part 4, Work/Education/Training Information, "Additional Work/Education/Training Information": Have you traveled to any countries within the last five years? - If YES, provide a list of countries visited.

[RobertM54 36]

The Marines there would have taken care of that. lol As long as they kept her passport and everything is provided that they asked for and checks out ok, you should get an approval.

On the flip side, if things really go sour, you can always retire early and move to Ukraine. Believe me, early retirement is a great thing! I did it at 55 1/2 and wish I did it earlier.

The marines would do it of course, but it is bad for morale.

I kind of want to keep contributing but now I am actively planning an early retirement.

[RobertM54 36]

DS-160, Part 4, Work/Education/Training Information, "Additional Work/Education/Training Information": Have you traveled to any countries within the last five years? - If YES, provide a list of countries visited.

Irina was very haphazard on her forms. I assume on the DS160 for her B2 visa request and the original 325g. This set was correct, but the CO did not let me give her the corrected 325g.

I think none of this is material in the current environment where egregious immigration violations are going to be forgiven.

[RobertM54 36]

CERAC shows a status update the day after the interview and again yesterday. They do not yet have the requested docs from Irina. It still says Ready after each status change date . Is this a hopeful sign?

[Michael and Ganna 104]

Robert what is taking so long in getting the notary document? I thought you could do that the same day.

[RobertM54 36]

Robert what is taking so long in getting the notary document? I thought you could do that the same day.

Yes - I have a copy. She went to village to get birth certificate at her parents. Mail it all off tomorrow (I hope).

[RobertM54 36]

If you're still on the scene, get back to the embassy and insist on speaking with the IV Unit chief.

Is there a protocol to get an appointment with the IV Unit chief? The embassy Web site is not helpful.

[TBoneTX 45,285]

It might not be easy or possible to get an appointment in person.

During my agony in dealing with Guayaquil, I finally tried something.

I called the U.S. Citizen line, insisted on being transferred to the IV unit, and insisted on being connected with an American who was actually available and present.

Of course, there were objections. "We really don't do that," etc.

I kept playing the "American" card: "Are you a U.S. citizen? No? Then you must transfer my call immediately with the stipulations that I have made."

Finally, they did. I waited on hold for about 20 minutes, then found myself speaking to the IV Chief himself.

In about 24 hours, Mrs. T-B.-to-be's visa was pried free.

[RobertM54 36]

Just to bring some closure to this - I withdrew my support for Irina's petition and it has been returned to NVC. Irina and I had more problems after the interview. In fact the chat logs would have been devastating if the embassy requested them. Right now it is over between us. Maybe I dodged a bullet. Maybe it would have been great if I could have gotten her here with me. I wish I could have found out.

This process infuriates me.

Edited December 26, 2016 by RobertM54

[gregcrs2 1,778]

Sorry to hear it didn't work out. Who knows, maybe it saved you a lot of grief and money later. Hopefully, you won't give up your pursuit of a special woman from Ukraine. Perhaps you will take an early retirement and spend a good amount of time in Ukraine getting to know your future life partner.

[TBoneTX 45,285]

it saved you a lot of grief and money later.

^^ This is all that matters. Congratulations on your strength, dude. Look forward, not back.