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Ash1541

US visas for Russians

By Ash1541 in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus

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Ash1541 Rookie

Ash1541   0

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Russia
 Timeline
Posted

My husband recently came to the US on a K1 visa and recently got his green card. Today, he told me that Russian tourist visas were being denied at triple the normal rate per visa assistance agencies (I'm guessing that if it's true it's due to ongoing tensions between our governments). Has anybody heard anything that would validate this? 

TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   45,656

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

Thread is moved from the Current Events forum to the Russia/Ukraine/Belarus forum, for possible insights.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

millefleur Veteran

millefleur   5,047

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Russia
 Timeline
Posted

No idea where he would get such info. I'm under the impression that it's a case by case basis thing. I personally wouldn't even bother with an assistance agency. They've been known to make errors that result in refusals.

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30-Apr-2019: Biometrics appointment at local office

26-Jun-2019: Case ready to be scheduled for interview ⌛

04-Sep-2019: Interview was scheduled - letter to arrive in mail

09-Sep-2019: Interview letter arrived in the mail! ✉️

17-Oct-2019: Interview scheduled @ local USCIS  

18-Oct-2019: Interview cancelled & notice ordered*

18-Oct-2019: Case was approved! 🎉

22-Oct-2019: Card was mailed to me 📨

23-Oct-2019: Card was picked by USPS 

25-Oct-2019: 10 year GC Card received in mail 📬

 

*I don't understand this status because we DID have an interview!

 

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01-Apr-2020: Filed N-400 online 💻 

02-Apr-2020: NOA 1 - Receipt No. received online 📃

07-Apr-2020: NOA 1 - Receipt No. received via mail

05-May-2020: Moved to another state, filed AR-11 online

05-May-2020: Application transferred to another USCIS field office for review ➡️

15-May-2020: AR-11 request to change address completed

16-Jul-2020: Filed non-receipt inquiry due to never getting confirmation that case was transferred to new field office

15-Oct-2020: Received generic response to non-receipt inquiry, see full response here

10-Feb-2021: Contacted senator's office for help with USCIS

12-Feb-2021: Received canned response from senator's office that case is within processing time 😡

16-Feb-2021: Contacted other senator's office for help with USCIS - still no biometrics

19-Feb-2021: Biometrics reuse notice - canned response from other senator's office 🌐

23-Feb-2021: Interview scheduled - notice to come in the mail

25-Feb-2021: Biometrics reuse notice arrives via mail

01-Mar-2021: Interview notice letter arrives via mail  ✉️ 

29-Mar-2021: Passed interview at local office! Oath Ceremony to be scheduled

13-Apr-2021: Oath Ceremony notice was mailed

04-May-2021: Oath Ceremony scheduled 🎆 Unable to attend due to illness

04-May-2021: Mailed request to reschedule Oath to local office

05-May-2021: "You did not attend your Oath Ceremony" - notice to come in the mail

06-May-2021: Oath Ceremony will be scheduled, date TBA

12-May-2021: Oath Ceremony re-scheduled for June 3rd, then de-scheduled same day 😡 

25-May-2021: New Oath Ceremony notice was mailed

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17-Jun-2021: Certificate of Naturalization issued

 

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Dashinka Grand Master

Dashinka   24,649

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Russia
 Timeline
Posted

I agree, I am not sure where this information would come from.  Tourist visas are adjudicated on a case by case basis, and I believe many of the former Soviet countries are difficult with tourist visas especially for people that are single, but I am not aware of anything changing recently.

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Boiler Grand Master

Boiler   45,752

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
 Timeline
Posted

Perhaps he has Political connections?

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

tanderson64 Enthusiast

tanderson64   201

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Russia
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

I used the ILS www.ils-usa.com  to process my visa in Seattle.

 

I have a 3 year visa.  I called and asked yesterday morning if there were issues with me entering Russia with my current visa - they said now they will not deny entry.

 

Then I asked if Russian embassy was limiting new visas - I want to get one for my daughter to visit also.  They said no, everything is good.

 

However, I do not know if there is an issue with a Russian citizen getting tourist visa...

Edited by tanderson64
tanderson64 Enthusiast

tanderson64   201

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Russia
 Timeline
Posted
On 8/1/2017 at 10:41 AM, Ash1541 said:

I think I said that totally backwards. He said Russians were being denied US tourist visas. I already have a three year visa. I think his worry is that his brother and family will have difficulty coming to visit us in the States.

Sorry for the delayed follow-up.  I don't think that anything has changed for tourist visas, other than maybe longer time to schedule interviews at the embassy because of upcoming staff reductions.

 

They should apply for visa and schedule interview and see how it goes.

 
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