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Travel to Russia after becoming American citizen

By Boris in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus

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Boris Explorer

Boris   0

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Russia
 Timeline
Posted

Hello, I’m a Russian citizen who recently became a US citizen and going to Russia next month. I’m planning to use my Russian international passport for my travels. Am I suppose to provide any special paperwork stating that I’m an American citizen now with dual citizenship. Has anybody had any experience traveling to Russia after obtaining American citizenship. Thank you.

we are all of the same kind

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Usagi_tsukino Collaborator

Usagi_tsukino   89

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Timeline
Posted (edited)

No, they cannot care less  :) Just present your russian passport at the border (American when entering US, of course). If you didn't go to Russia as a LPR your should inform them about your foreign residence at your local UFMS (i think thats what it's called.....). Good luck

Edited by banana_princess

Citizenship:

09/15/2020 - Filed online. Estimated completion given - July 2021 (10 months).

January 2021 - biometric reuse letter

April 2021 - interview scheduled

24/05/2021 - Interview (approved)

 

Passport:

July 23 - applied, expedited service

August 11 - received the passport

Aug. 16 (approximately) - received passport card

August 20 - received citizenship certificate back

 

Story of my almost 3 years long pending AOS - click below for details

Spoiler

2015

  • March 10 2015 - USCIS received i-130/i-485
  • March 30 2015 - got a RFE saying that my husband cannot be my sponsor because of his income, which is not true, but we didn't know what to do so we hired a lawyer.
  • August 10 2015 - interview (went great, by the way). Were told to wait 120 days.
  • December 10 2015, April 10 2016, May 10 2016 - sent SR, responses: "your case is pending"

2016

  • May 25 2016 - Went to Info Pass, the case is taken to the supervisor, were told we will get something in 30 days (of course, after 30 days we got nothing....).
  • June 27 2016 - Went to Info Pass again, they told us to wait for 2 more weeks and if we still get nothing send a service request letter by mail. Did it on the same day.
  • June 27 2016 - After Infopass, went to senator Durbin office in Chicago.
  • July 8 2016 - Went to Mike Quigley office.
  • July 8 2016 - Received useless response from Durbin. All they know is that the case is pending and it's in Chicago, can't do anything else.
  • July 12 2016: Infopass, spoke to the supervisor, promises promises.... more wait.
  • July 17 2016: Filed Ombudsman.
  • July 26 2016: Another info pass, same story. We talked to 3 supervisors already! I don't get it!
  • July 29 2016: Sent another useless SR just because.
  • Aug 9 2016: Talked to the officer we had interview with! She was supposed to mail us RFE a year ago but she forgot (!!!) ! They admitted it. Gave us RFE.
  • October 11 2016: Response to RFE is received by uscis (the RFE was ridiculous. Basically all same papers we ALREADY GAVE HER at the interview: bank statements, lease, etc).
  • October 20 2016: Infopass, useless, did not have time to wait for the supervisor.
  • November 9 2016: Infopass, talked to the supervisor, he said there are no problems with our case and he will make sure the officer will make a decision within a few days. Gave us his email and phone number, told us to contact him directly instead of going to info pass.
  • November 15 2016: emailed the supervisor, since a few days have passed and still no decision. No response.
  • November 17 2016: called the supervisor, no answer.
  • November 17 2016: sent Service Request about i-130 (Lol, like that will help..)
  • November 19 2016: sent a letter to the director of Chicago Field Office.
  • November 22 2016: sent Service Request about i-485 (Lol[2])
  • November 23 2016: talked to the supervisor again to learn that..........my medical and fingerprints have expired and i need to wait for a notice to do it all again.
  • November 25 2016: The response from the Field Office Director Martha Medina-Maltes: your case is pending and every effort is being made blah blah blah
  • December 5 2016: Received a response to i-485 SR that my case is "pending supervisor review"... absolutely random since the supervisor said i'll need redo my medical and fingerprints again.
  • December 19 2016: Went to USCIS, the officer came out and told me we need to come back for a 2nd interview!!! I'm shocked because our marriage is 100% real and i can't believe they have doubts about it! But i'm glad that it's at least something.
  • December 27: 2nd interview (Strokes). Reason: i-130 petition. We did fine but the officer said we will receive a NOID! Our lawyer said it must be something else, not our answers... but what?!

2017

  • Jan 23 - infopass, asked if anything was mailed regarding i-130. Were told that nothing was.
  • Jan 27 - sent a service request regarding I-130.
  • March 1 2017 - went to uscis (no info pass), our officer's supervisor finally gave us the noid full of nitpicking and lies, that shows that they do not pay attention to anything. 
  • March 10 2017 - 2 years AOS anniversary...wow. 
  • March 31 - The response to the noid is received by uscis!
  • June 1st - went to the office, the supervisor promised we will get the decision in 4-6 weeks.
  • July 19 - 7 weeks passed, went back to uscis. The supervisor said he will give the case to the officer tomorrow, we asked when we will get the decision, he said he doesn't know. 
  • September 6: My husband talked to the supervisor again, he said he gave the case to the other officer, and the case is huge so the officer has a lot to do, and we will get a decision in 2 weeks. 
  • September 25: Went back since no decision was received (as expected). The supervisor said the same thing: we will get a decision in 2 weeks
  • September 29: USCIS asked for medical! Eureka! First time in 2 and a half years they sent something by themselves! :wacko: i-130 still not approved.
  • October 2: Notice that i-130 is approved (notice date September 26, still no online update). Also went to get medical done (should be ready by the end of the week)
  • October 3:  biometrics
  • October 10: medical delivered to uscis! The waiting games begins again :wacko:
  • December 11: 2 months after medical was delivered talked to the supervisor again, he said the decision will be made BY tomorrow and we will find out from the website on Wednesday. 
  • December 14: Called uscis, tier 2 officer told me that the case is approved.
  • December 18: Received Approval notice (Dated December 12)

 

Long story short:
After the initial interview we received:

1) a RFE asking for the same papers again,

2) then were asked to come to the 2nd interview that went fine of course, 

3) then a NOID that was full of mistakes.

All that was given to us in person, only when we made our way straight to our officer. And still waiting. Lots of fun (not).

4) 6 months after receiving our response to the noid i-130 is approved. 2 years 6 months and 16 days of waiting for i-130. Supposed to take 5 months. No words.

5) After 2 years 9 months and 2 days (or 1008 days) of waiting i-485 is approved.

 

 

 

 

 

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Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   41,884

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

@CarlHamilton is correct.  As an American citizen, you must enter & exit the US as a citizen.

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

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Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   41,884

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

Last paragraph:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/Advice-about-Possible-Loss-of-US-Nationality-Dual-Nationality/Dual-Nationality.html

 

image.png.0922da07068b3cf77d62b33089d2f50d.png

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

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LEO @ ARDNEK Rookie

LEO @ ARDNEK   16

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted

From Dual citizen on Linkedin

 

How to Travel with two Passports the Right Way

Sometimes you may hear the statement “don’t travel with two passports,” but here again, people making such statements, probably don’t have two passports.

Those who do, travel with both their passports all the time. Believe me!

Let’s say you are a national of both the US and Italy. However, you failed to take your Italian passport with you. This means that you would be considered a foreigner in your own country, having to apply for a visa if you wanted to stay there for an extended period of time.

Now, don’t be confused though, you are not two people, but one person with a dual citizenship.

To make you understand this better, let’s say, you have a driver’s license, but you forgot it at home and a cop pulled you over.

While you have a license (at home), at the time you are pulled over, you are a person without a driver’s license, until you can prove otherwise.

It’s the same thing with a passport.

 


event.png

 

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Alabamak1 Proficient

Alabamak1   688

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Ukraine
 Timeline
Posted
1 hour ago, Boris said:

Hello, I’m a Russian citizen who recently became a US citizen and going to Russia next month. I’m planning to use my Russian international passport for my travels. Am I suppose to provide any special paperwork stating that I’m an American citizen now with dual citizenship. Has anybody had any experience traveling to Russia after obtaining American citizenship. Thank you.

put it in the sub-thread for Russia.....most people will not have an accurate answer on this. I have no answer either, but i am a dual national and you are seeking what happens when you are in Russia and not when you land in the US correct?

8/7/2017                    NOA-1

3/1/2018                    NOA-2

3/15/2018                  NVC case received

3/22/2018                  NVC case assigned

3/23/2018                  Consulate ready

4/11/2018                  Medical

4/17/2018                  Visa Approved

4/24/2018                  Visa on hand

5/23/2018                  Point of Entry ATL

5/24/2018                  Marriage license, officiant and certificate / applied for SS#

5/31/2018                  AOS/AP/EAD

6/7/2018                    email notification of NOA-1

6/11/2018                  NOA-1 hard copies for AOS/EAD/AP

6/27/2018                  Biometrics for AOS/EAD

7/7/2018                    ready to be scheduled for interview

7/11/2018                  We are still reviewing your case and there are no updates at this time (email from USCIS)

8/22/2018                  We are still reviewing your case and there are no updates at this time (same email again)

9/5/2018                     We are still reviewing your case and there are no updates at this time (this is getting boring!!!)

10/3/2018                  We are still reviewing your case and there are no updates at this time (this is insanity, 4th time while some got GC)

10/17/2018                After 136 days of wait in HELL, finally EAD in production

10/21/2018                Card was mailed to me, and yes it said so on a Sunday night, while Vj-ing

10/22/2018                Card was picked up by the USPS

10/24/2018                EAD in hand. F%^&& finally

12/28/2018                Interview has been scheduled. Waiting for notification with date by snail mail

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implife Community Regular

implife   318

Posted
Timeline
Posted
2 hours ago, Boris said:

Hello, I’m a Russian citizen who recently became a US citizen and going to Russia next month. I’m planning to use my Russian international passport for my travels. Am I suppose to provide any special paperwork stating that I’m an American citizen now with dual citizenship. Has anybody had any experience traveling to Russia after obtaining American citizenship. Thank you.

No paperwork needed. Nobody cares. At least until Putin The Puppetmaster goes completely nuts.

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Ontarkie Grand Master

Ontarkie   14,226

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

~~Moved to the Regional forum from US Citizenship General Discussion- The Op is asking about the process of entering Russia after gaining USC.~~

Spoiler

Met Playing Everquest in 2005
Engaged 9-15-2006
K-1 & 4 K-2'S
Filed 05-09-07
Interview 03-12-08
Visa received 04-21-08
Entry 05-06-08
Married 06-21-08
AOS X5
Filed 07-08-08
Cards Received01-22-09
Roc X5
Filed 10-17-10
Cards Received02-22-11
Citizenship
Filed 10-17-11
Interview 01-12-12
Oath 06-29-12

Citizenship for older 2 boys

Filed 03/08/2014

NOA/fee waiver 03/19/2014

Biometrics 04/15/14

Interview 05/29/14

In line for Oath 06/20/14

Oath 09/19/2014 We are all done! All USC no more USCIS

 

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  • 2 weeks later...
vbtwo Rising Star

vbtwo   54

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Ukraine
 Timeline
Posted

Use the US passport while in the US, but show the Russian passport at check-in so that the airline will check you in and not ask about visas. Do not show your US passport when coming in to Russia, just use the Russian passport.

 

Do the opposite on the way back, use the Russian passport in Russia, but show the US passport at check in so the airline doesn't ask about visas. Then do not show the Russian passport when coming in to the US.

1/4/13 - I129-F Sent | 1/8/13 - Received by USCIS
1/10/13 - NOA1 to VSC | 1/11/13 - Text/Email | 1/17/13 - Hard Copy Received
1/16/13 - Alien Registration Number changed
5/24/13 or 5/29/13 - Case Transferred to TSC
7/2/13 - NOA2 from TSC! (173 days from NOA1) | 7/6/13 - Hard Copy Received
7/18/13 - Shipped to NVC | 7/26/13 - Received at NVC and case number assigned
7/29/13 - In transit to consulate | 7/31/13 - Received by consulate
8/20/13 - Medical - Passed | 8/21/13 - Interview - Approved!
8/28/13 - Passport with visa ready to pickup from courier
10/17/13 - POE - JFK
10/28/13 - Applied for SSN and marriage license | 11/2/13 - SS card received
11/21/13 - Wedding


12/30/13 - I485/I765/I131 Sent | 1/2/14 - Received by USCIS
1/3/14 - NOA1 to NBC | 1/16/14 - Hard Copy Received
2/4/14 - Biometrics
3/7/14 - AP and EAD approved!
3/11/14 - AP/EAD card mailed | 3/14/14 - Received
4/10/14 - Interview Waiver letter
6/16/14 - Approved! | 6/21/14 - GC Received


5/2/16 - I-751 Sent | 5/5/16 - Received by USCIS
5/6/16 - NOA1 to VSC
6/14/16 - Biometrics

4/19/17 - Approved! | 4/22/17 - Letter received | 5/4/17 - GC Received

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Lettyana Enthusiast

Lettyana   70

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

I agree with vbtwo. I am not a citizen, but I did go to Russia 2 times with my GC and it's pretty much the same. I believe you can also check-in using your Russian passport for the flight to the US and then show your American passport when they ask for a proof of your legal documentation upon boarding.

 

__N-400__

 

May 5, 2020 Filed N-400 online 

May 6, 2020 NOA was sent to me. Estimated case completion time December 2020 (7 months)

May 11, 2020 A hard copy of NOA was received

December 22, 2020 Biometric reuse notice was issued

December 31, 2020 A hard copy of the biometric reuse notice was received

February 4, 2021 Received an update online that the interview is scheduled for March 16th

February 8, 2021 A hard copy of the interview letter was received

March 16, 2021 The interview was completed successfully 

March186 2021 The Oath Ceremony and the end of my immigration journey 😊

 

___ROC___

 

Spoiler

June 13, 2017 I-751 Package sent June 15, 2017 Package delivered to VSC

June 20, 2017 Check cashed June 22, 2017 NOA-1 received (dated June 16th)

July 7, 2017    Biometrics Appointment letter received  July 20, 2017  Biometrics done August 6, 2018 "New Card is being produced" 

August 9, 2018 "Card was mailed to you"  August 11, 2018 New card was delivered to an old address by USCIS's mistake

August 13, 2018 Brother-in-law went to our old residence to pick up a card from the current residents August 16, 2018 Card was mailed to me 

August 18, 2018 10-year Green Card received 

 

 

___AOS___

Spoiler

March 3, 2015 AOS (I-485, I-130 & I-765) package sent to Chicago Lockbox                          

March 6, 2015, The package delivered to Chicago Lockbox
March 12, 2015, AOS package was accepted on March 9th and was routed to National Benefits Center 

March 17, 2015, Hard copies of NOA1 received for all the forms                     March 20, 2015, Biometrics letter received with the appointment on April 3
March 28, 2015, Email notification for I-485 RFE received                                 April 3, 2015, Successful biometrics
April 3, 2015, Hard copy of RFE received                                                              April 17, 2015, RFE respond sent 

April 22, 2015, RFE response received by USCIS                                                 May 20, 2015, EAD approved
May 26, 2015, Hard copy of NOA2 for I-765 received                                         May 27, 2015, EAD was mailed to me
May 29, 2015, EAD received                                                                 June 15, 2015, Hard copy of NOA2 for I-485 received. Interview scheduled for July 21  June 18, 2015, Interview was canceled                                             June 27, 2015, Hard copy of NOA2 received. New interview date is July 27
July 27, 2015, Interview completed. Approved on the spot
July 28, 2015, Got texts and emails for case updates. Form I-130: the petition was approved. Form I-485: new card has been ordered and welcome notice was mailed
August 3, 2015, Welcome notice and NOA2 for I-130 received      August 20, 2015, Email notification "Card has been mailed"
August 22, 2015, Green Card received

 

image.png

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