OK, my situation is really quite tough - Russian Fiance

[ah-no 27]

6 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

Right, so you will need to research where you can both travel to as tourists and legally marry.  That is beyond my pay grade.  It may be more complex than you imagine, so good luck.

 

As far as I know, she can potentially be interviewed at a US consulate in any country where she has legal status.  In terms of which countries would allow her to move there now, given the current situation, also beyond my pay grade.

 

Good luck.

I don't imagine it to be not complex. In fact I do imagine it to be very complex. That's why I try to cut out anything I can where I can in order to get to the essence of what really needs to be done, and what the real options are. 

We can both travel to countries including Mexico, Montenegro, Turkey, Argentina, Chile, Armenia, pretty much all of the resort islands...

Your posts give the the impression that individual Russian citizens are being penalized directly by foreign governments -- this, so far, is pretty much untrue across the board. (There are a handful of countries, however, like the Czech Republic, and one of the baltic states, that have stopped issuing visas) Visas to the UK, and EU, and even the USA, are still being issued actively, for instance. She is free to go and live in any country where she would be a worker, for instance, although that might not be a residence permit, but a working visa. 

The problem that I face now, is finding this person who can say "This IS my pay grade"

[Crazy Cat 42,032]

7 minutes ago, ah-no said:

We can both travel to countries including Mexico, Montenegro, Turkey, Argentina, Chile, Armenia, pretty much all of the resort islands...

I would meet, marry, and start the spousal visa process.

[Dashinka 24,706]

8 minutes ago, ah-no said:

I don't imagine it to be not complex. In fact I do imagine it to be very complex. That's why I try to cut out anything I can where I can in order to get to the essence of what really needs to be done, and what the real options are. 

We can both travel to countries including Mexico, Montenegro, Turkey, Argentina, Chile, Armenia, pretty much all of the resort islands...

Your posts give the the impression that individual Russian citizens are being penalized directly by foreign governments -- this, so far, is pretty much untrue across the board. (There are a handful of countries, however, like the Czech Republic, and one of the baltic states, that have stopped issuing visas) Visas to the UK, and EU, and even the USA, are still being issued actively, for instance. She is free to go and live in any country where she would be a worker, for instance, although that might not be a residence permit, but a working visa. 

The problem that I face now, is finding this person who can say "This IS my pay grade"

I don’t see a lot of direct persecution of Russian citizens yet, but there is a lot of limiting of travel outside of Russia at the moment.  Find a suitable country which appears to be what you are doing, have her get proper legal residence, then you can start dealing with the immigration to the US.

 

Good Luck!

[ah-no 27]

8 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

I don’t see a lot of direct persecution of Russian citizens yet, but there is a lot of limiting of travel outside of Russia at the moment.  Find a suitable country which appears to be what you are doing, have her get proper legal residence, then you can start dealing with the immigration to the US.

 

Good Luck!

Thanks. She works for a foreign company, which has offered to help with relocation, the problem is, I'm just not sure what type of legal residence applies, and I'm trying to find that out as soon as possible because this particular thing could be a major time sink. 

[.yana 598]

Tell her to check aviasales twitter account, they posted several instructions on where Russians can go immediately without visa.

Thailand comes to mind as she can extend her visa there virtually indefinitely. 

But there are other options with up to 90-day no visa stay.

 

Tell her to go ASAP. By plane, train, car or whatever. Word on the street is that there will be martial law starting March 4, and the borders will close.

[ah-no 27]

Just now, .yana said:

Tell her to check aviasales twitter account, they posted several instructions on where Russians can go immediately without visa.

Thailand comes to mind as she can extend her visa there virtually indefinitely. 

But there are other options with up to 90-day no visa stay.

 

Tell her to go ASAP. By plane, train, car or whatever. Word on the street is that there will be martial law starting March 4, and the borders will close.

I read about that myself. Sadly, we didn't find a way out in time. I suppose if it comes to that, we just have to face it. 

 

[.yana 598]

Also tell her to delete ALL of social media from her phone, text messages implying she opposes Putin's regime, anything that might indicate she believes in war in Ukraine. Russians are being questioned at the border. Some not allowed to leave.

[Timona 4,208]

3 minutes ago, ah-no said:

Thanks. She works for a foreign company, which has offered to help with relocation, the problem is, I'm just not sure what type of legal residence applies, and I'm trying to find that out as soon as possible because this particular thing could be a major time sink. 

 

Well, if that foreign company gets her out to another country, then she will have residence there, right? Problem solved. 

[Redro 4,611]

Hi! 

Have a look at timelines for Russian beneficiaries. 

Currently the US consulate in Russia is closed so people have been interviewing at Warsaw

A few months ago, members had to request the transfer from Moscow to Warsaw but recently it has been automatic. Not sure what will happen going forward. 

 

Currently the K1 visa is taking 8-12 months to approve (this is for all applicants). You then need to wait for the consulate to request your file and it can take anywhere from 2 months to 1.5 years depending on backlog. 

IR1/CR1 timelines are a little more unpredictable. First stage can take anywhere from 2-12 months (sometimes more). Then you need to submit the actual visa application at NVC (this is currently taking 3 months). Then you need to wait for the embassy to request your file (takes 2 months to 1.5 years depending on country). 

 

Your partner should try to obtain a police clearance certificate before she departs Russia (just in case it is difficult to apply for outside the country). 

 

Unfortunately, your situation is not all that unique. Many members are trying to reunite with their partners from Afghanistan, Russia, Ukraine etc.  

[ah-no 27]

2 minutes ago, Kor2USA said:

Hi! 

Have a look at timelines for Russian beneficiaries. 

Currently the US consulate in Russia is closed so people have been interviewing at Warsaw

A few months ago, members had to request the transfer from Moscow to Warsaw but recently it has been automatic. Not sure what will happen going forward. 

 

Currently the K1 visa is taking 8-12 months to approve (this is for all applicants). You then need to wait for the consulate to request your file and it can take anywhere from 2 months to 1.5 years depending on backlog. 

IR1/CR1 timelines are a little more unpredictable. First stage can take anywhere from 2-12 months (sometimes more). Then you need to submit the actual visa application at NVC (this is currently taking 3 months). Then you need to wait for the embassy to request your file (takes 2 months to 1.5 years depending on country). 

 

Your partner should try to obtain a police clearance certificate before she departs Russia (just in case it is difficult to apply for outside the country). 

 

Unfortunately, your situation is not all that unique. Many members are trying to reunite with their partners from Afghanistan, Russia, Ukraine etc.  

It seems one is not better than the other, right? With regards to time. 

3 minutes ago, Timona said:

 

Well, if that foreign company gets her out to another country, then she will have residence there, right? Problem solved. 

There are different levels of residency. She won't be going to the main location, they will send her somewhere else (i.e. cheaper and easier)

[Rocio0010 5,599]

I’m sorry you’re in this situation. As others have stated, the most important thing now is to get her to safety, fast. 
I think you might have already thought of this, but also please tell her to take ALL her documents with her. Birth certificates, school records, graduate diplomas, etc. And to make several copies. 

[Redro 4,611]

7 minutes ago, ah-no said:

It seems one is not better than the other, right? With regards to time. 

 

Right now timing is similar. So, if you interested in getting her to the US asap you might want to file the K1 now with her address in Russia.  

After the petition is approved you can transfer the case to her legal residence (not sure where Russian applicants will be assigned a year from now). 

 

Spousal visa is better overall timing wise because the beneficiary is a LPR upon arrival.  K1 requires adjustment to LPR (spouse cannot work, spouse might not be able to obtain a drivers license, difficulty getting SSN and health insurance until EAD and AP then GC are received). 

@Crazy Cat has a nice little summary. 

Edited March 3, 2022 by Kor2USA

[JeanneAdil 6,606]

1 hour ago, Em&Jen said:

There is still train connection to Finland. You can enter the train with Finnish or Russian passport. Seems it is about the only way out currently?

olen samaa mieltä

Totally agree  

[.yana 598]

7 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

olen samaa mieltä

Totally agree  

Russian citizens need visa to go to Finland.

It is not the only way out currently. Plenty of trains and planes leaving in all directions.

[SalishSea 18,064]

1 hour ago, ah-no said:

Your posts give the the impression that individual Russian citizens are being penalized directly by foreign governments -- this, so far, is pretty much untrue across the board. (There are a handful of countries, however, like the Czech Republic, and one of the baltic states, that have stopped issuing visas) Visas to the UK, and EU, and even the USA, are still being issued actively, for instance. She is free to go and live in any country where she would be a worker, for instance, although that might not be a residence permit, but a working visa. 

I'm thinking more along the lines of travel and visa issues.  With more countries banning Russian flights from airspace, that will surely limit her options.

 

And of course whatever Russia will impose on its own citizens with regard to travel.

Edited March 3, 2022 by Jorgedig