Planning my 3rd trip to Russia since January

[Jason-Sasha 1]

Yo Slim, Why did you spend 5 years without seeing each other? Had you not met in person yet or something? I can't see why anyone would put themselves through that. 5 years?!? Sasha and I cant go 2 months without getting physically ill from being apart. You're very patient. Good for you. When was the last time you went to Russia?

[Kotenochek 0]

I've been to Russia many times before but never 3 times in one year. I've never had any problems with customs or passport control. never even any questions asked. Weird, huh? Well, I'm going back to Moscow for one last visit before Sasha gets her visa. On September 27th I'll leave from Richmond. I don't see why it would be bad for the American fiance to visit the Foreign fiancee, but so many times might get close attention. Is this bad? Should I say i'm going to see my fiancee or say I'm visiting my girlfriend again. Surely, they will ask me what I'm doing this time. My passport is filled with Russian visas. They even know me personally at the office for www.russiavisa.com by my first name when I call them. Crazy, huh? I swear I think there's only 3 guys that run that office in D.C. and they're all foreign, but not Russian....go figure! Anyway, thanks for your time.

If you have a business visa you should not say that you coming to her you might have problems.Say you come for business.otherwise you own a house here who cares why u coming,u coming to ur own property.

Usa embassy does not care what kind of visas u used to see sasha.

[mendeleev 68]

I am more fortunate than most, my former job took me on business to Novosibirsk, my wife's city, rather frequently -- in fact that's how I met her. And it looks like my current job will do the same, although perhaps not as often.

Is your wife worried about you being all alone in Novosibirsk after you're married? "Oh, you met me there.... maybe on your next trip you'll be looking to meet someone else?"

Slim, you are too funny!

(And, btw, I met her on my very first trip to Russia, five years ago.)

Seriously, I think my frequency travelling there and length of time there, with this job, will be fewer and shorter than in the last job. And I imagine that at least a couple times a year, she'll accompany me there and then stay on for a bit after I return, so that she can have more extended visits with her family. Who knows, maybe I'll need her there as a translater

[Kotenochek 0]

I am more fortunate than most, my former job took me on business to Novosibirsk, my wife's city, rather frequently -- in fact that's how I met her. And it looks like my current job will do the same, although perhaps not as often.

Is your wife worried about you being all alone in Novosibirsk after you're married? "Oh, you met me there.... maybe on your next trip you'll be looking to meet someone else?"

Slim, you are too funny!

(And, btw, I met her on my very first trip to Russia, five years ago.)

Seriously, I think my frequency travelling there and length of time there, with this job, will be fewer and shorter than in the last job. And I imagine that at least a couple times a year, she'll accompany me there and then stay on for a bit after I return, so that she can have more extended visits with her family. Who knows, maybe I'll need her there as a translater

I do not understand either how people can go without seeing each other for so long...Crazy!

Longest we went without seeing was 3 months and i was in panic crying and depressed..I just cant be apart for so long..

Slim must be really annoyed by russian rule to wear "Tapochki"lol

[slim 1,525]

Yo Slim, Why did you spend 5 years without seeing each other? Had you not met in person yet or something? I can't see why anyone would put themselves through that. 5 years?!? Sasha and I cant go 2 months without getting physically ill from being apart. You're very patient. Good for you. When was the last time you went to Russia?

We met while I was in the military (stationed in Korea) and didn't really get a chance to meet again until after I got out.

I went to Russia (for the first and only time) in June 2005.

[Jason-Sasha 1]

Well, I just purchased my tickets for this next trip in September. Finally! It always feels alot better when I have a definite date to look forward to. September 27th. It usually takes me several days to actually purchase my transatlantic tickets, because I have this habit of researching every flight and details. For my past few trips I've found Delta to be the most direct, cheapest and shortest for my routes. by far. My frequent flier miles are piling up...

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I do, personally, know one man who has been visiting Russia three times a year for the past six or seven years. His last trip was to visit his latest girlfriend for the third time. Other than the basic questions, he has never been questioned coming in or out at passport control. However, his girlfriend WAS questioned weeks later. The ФСБ called her into their office and questioned her as to her relationship with the man. The made it clear they wanted to know why he visits so often. They told her details of conversations she had with him over the telephone and e-mail. She told the ФСБ, he had visited her three times for the purpose of determining whether or not they desired a future marriage. They asked her if she was going to marry him to which she replied, "I consider, no." (This is true, as they were breaking up on this visit.) They informed her he is being "monitored" as a possible "threat." They went on to say, be aware if he contacts you, we are listening.

I was in Kazan' at the time this happened with Alla. His lady was very upset and worried for him, herself and even us, as we all had supper together one night. To date, they have not invited her back to the office for any further discussions. I will be curious to see what happens to the guy when (if) he returns next time.

[Kotenochek 0]

I do, personally, know one man who has been visiting Russia three times a year for the past six or seven years. His last trip was to visit his latest girlfriend for the third time. Other than the basic questions, he has never been questioned coming in or out at passport control. However, his girlfriend WAS questioned weeks later. The ФСБ called her into their office and questioned her as to her relationship with the man. The made it clear they wanted to know why he visits so often. They told her details of conversations she had with him over the telephone and e-mail. She told the ФСБ, he had visited her three times for the purpose of determining whether or not they desired a future marriage. They asked her if she was going to marry him to which she replied, "I consider, no." (This is true, as they were breaking up on this visit.) They informed her he is being "monitored" as a possible "threat." They went on to say, be aware if he contacts you, we are listening.

I was in Kazan' at the time this happened with Alla. His lady was very upset and worried for him, herself and even us, as we all had supper together one night. To date, they have not invited her back to the office for any further discussions. I will be curious to see what happens to the guy when (if) he returns next time.

Wow what a story..Is he a spyer or something?Or you think fsb is tracking everyone who is dealing with foreigners?

I am just shocked and its funny because i feel sorry for guys that listened to our coversations lol ..Must have been hard after all they heard to concentrate on work:))))

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I think if I were the ФСБ, I'd consider him potential spy material too! I'd wonder why someone needs to travel to Russia 2-3 times a year for six years just to visit! Especially when he arrives as a tourist and not to conduct business. How many times to need to see Russia? He has been to many cities and visited many ladies over this time period. From what I know about him, he is overly picky. No lady he ever meets is quite, "good enough." He's almost 50 and never been married.

I don't think they monitor everyone that deals with a foreigner over there. I'm sure it is only connected to the fact that he visits so often. They just want to know what this guy is really up to!

Wow what a story..Is he a spyer or something?Or you think fsb is tracking everyone who is dealing with foreigners?

I am just shocked and its funny because i feel sorry for guys that listened to our coversations lol ..Must have been hard after all they heard to concentrate on work:))))

[slim 1,525]

This is a classic case of "reciprocal monitoring."

The U.S. has become quite interested in monitoring phone calls, e-mails, and international travel of all foreigners in the last couple years and doing whatever they want with it. Russians have always "monitored" foreigners, but now, the FSB has a carte blanche to do whatever they want, becuase after all, the Yanks are doing it.

As long as American citizens aren't extraordinarily "rendered" while in Russia, there will probably be no issues (officially) with this "reciprocal monitoring."

[Kotenochek 0]

I dont have problems to be listened since I am not doing anything criminal:)Actually I am sincerely happy that our governments taking care of Us that much:)At the end its great they take time to check both sides before issuing K visas..Its very fair..at least we know we not dealing with criminals..Otherwise how Russian girls should know if they been just bulshitted?Moreover I think this guy should not be able do such a castings here..I bet he broke bunch of hearts so enaugh,let him stay in the USA and support American manufacturer:)there women know what he is all about:)Because at the end it looks like he is not in love he is just Looking for the best candidate to serve him,what the hell?

But if the person honestly going to see his girl that he loves he should be able to go through easier process.the problem is Russian guest visa takes very long to arrange-about 2 months and then it costs bunch of money and efforts such as quing up for hours...

[slim 1,525]

I dont have problems to be listened since I am not doing anything criminal:)

As I told my buddy, who was all for "giving up my rights as long as I'm protected"....

It's great for now. For now that they're checking on Islamic Extremist Terrorists. But what about when the "target of monitoring" becomes fat, white, bald-headed Irish guys, and you no longer have the right to say "NO!" because you gave up that right when you "allowed" them to monitor "Islamic Extremist Terrorists?"

When you "allow" the government to do something in violation of the Constitution, you set them up to "legally" violate your Constitutinal rights whenever they feel like it. And if they can do that, why have a Constitution in the first place?

Don't give up your rights willingly. Too many people died to protect them. Just because it's PC right now or because the media is telling you one thing doesn't make it right in the long run. Think that over before you "allow" yourself to be monitored.

[Kotenochek 0]

I dont have problems to be listened since I am not doing anything criminal:)

As I told my buddy, who was all for "giving up my rights as long as I'm protected"....

It's great for now. For now that they're checking on Islamic Extremist Terrorists. But what about when the "target of monitoring" becomes fat, white, bald-headed Irish guys, and you no longer have the right to say "NO!" because you gave up that right when you "allowed" them to monitor "Islamic Extremist Terrorists?"

When you "allow" the government to do something in violation of the Constitution, you set them up to "legally" violate your Constitutinal rights whenever they feel like it. And if they can do that, why have a Constitution in the first place?

Don't give up your rights willingly. Too many people died to protect them. Just because it's PC right now or because the media is telling you one thing doesn't make it right in the long run. Think that over before you "allow" yourself to be monitored.

Slim,

I agree with the part about Constitutional rights and of course I want to have my privacy in normal life.

But right at the moment when we apply for such visas i think they should make sure you are not a scam.. and not dengerous for american society and same refers to all countries..They should know what people they let in,but then again when i think of mexicans i get angry..Not that i am racist or nacist..

they dont even feel like they have to apply for visa they just walk in..Its not fair!

[slim 1,525]

]they dont even feel like they have to apply for visa they just walk in..Its not fair!

Not fair because how close they are? If you wait for the "deep freeze" in winter, you can walk from Kamchatka to Alaska. (Then you've got a helluva walk to the lower 48, but it's possible. Doesn't matter though, because as AKDiver reminds us all the time, Alaska is part of the U.S!!!)

[Kotenochek 0]

]they dont even feel like they have to apply for visa they just walk in..Its not fair!

Not fair because how close they are? If you wait for the "deep freeze" in winter, you can walk from Kamchatka to Alaska. (Then you've got a helluva walk to the lower 48, but it's possible. Doesn't matter though, because as AKDiver reminds us all the time, Alaska is part of the U.S!!!)

Hahaha I"d rather stay warm at home eating Borsh lol