Moscow US Consulate

[visaveteran1 33]

Sometime after I get married in Russia (hopefully early November) my wife and I will need to go to the US consulate in Moscow to file a I-130 petition. I am wondering what it's like at the consulate? Long lines? Chaos? Long waits? Or is it orderly, quick service and well run?

Of course, we will book an appointment but I wonder what to expect...so I'd like to hear from folks about their experiences.

Thanks!

[Neonred 3,632]

Sometime after I get married in Russia (hopefully early November) my wife and I will need to go to the US consulate in Moscow to file a I-130 petition. I am wondering what it's like at the consulate? Long lines? Chaos? Long waits? Or is it orderly, quick service and well run?

Of course, we will book an appointment but I wonder what to expect...so I'd like to hear from folks about their experiences.

Thanks!

Are you living in Russia now?

[visaveteran1 33]

Sometime after I get married in Russia (hopefully early November) my wife and I will need to go to the US consulate in Moscow to file a I-130 petition. I am wondering what it's like at the consulate? Long lines? Chaos? Long waits? Or is it orderly, quick service and well run?

Of course, we will book an appointment but I wonder what to expect...so I'd like to hear from folks about their experiences.

Thanks!

Are you living in Russia now?

No. Going over in October.

[desert_fox 32]

Sometime after I get married in Russia (hopefully early November) my wife and I will need to go to the US consulate in Moscow to file a I-130 petition. I am wondering what it's like at the consulate? Long lines? Chaos? Long waits? Or is it orderly, quick service and well run?

Of course, we will book an appointment but I wonder what to expect...so I'd like to hear from folks about their experiences.

Thanks!

Are you living in Russia now?

No. Going over in October.

Before you go running off, you had better check the rules. I dont there is a US Consulate in the world that will accept an I-130 unless you are a legal resident of that particular country for at least 6 months.....

At least this is my understanding.

[mike & elena 0]

Sometime after I get married in Russia (hopefully early November) my wife and I will need to go to the US consulate in Moscow to file a I-130 petition. I am wondering what it's like at the consulate? Long lines? Chaos? Long waits? Or is it orderly, quick service and well run?

Of course, we will book an appointment but I wonder what to expect...so I'd like to hear from folks about their experiences.

Thanks!

I haven't been to Moscow but I have been to Kiev. Moscow is the regional Embassy. But If it is as busy as Kiev. Know the following. It is your right as a citizens to go inside the Embassy. It is US Soil. There are usually long lines. Don't be embarrassed go right to the front. No waiting outside. Also don't take ANYTHING you don't need. The consulates will make you leave anything extra outside, so leave it at home or the hotel. Once you get inside there is waiting but they are very efficient. And as I remember you have a residency waiver and you have written consent to file DFC. Saves a lot of time! Good Luck and congratulations.

[Neonred 3,632]

I have been in the embassy in Moscow a few times but I never saw any lines except for the lines of Russians waiting for visa interviews, but that is not the same entrance that US citizens use. They do have strict operating hours of 9:00 - 12:00 and 2:00 - 4:00. My last visit I arrived with a problem at a few minutes until 4:00 and it took a lot of pleading to get in. Remember that the guards at the embassy are not Americans, but Russians. They really don't care too much...

At the US entrance there is tight security similar to airport security, and you must leave your cell phone, camera, and almost everything else. Inside there are some tables and chairs along with info for US citizens about the usual problems. Along one short wall are three or four secure windows where you will be called up to talk to a CO. Solid thick glass with a little speaker and just enough room at the bottom to slide documents or a passport under. One room, and that's about it.

[desert_fox 32]

Sometime after I get married in Russia (hopefully early November) my wife and I will need to go to the US consulate in Moscow to file a I-130 petition. I am wondering what it's like at the consulate? Long lines? Chaos? Long waits? Or is it orderly, quick service and well run?

Of course, we will book an appointment but I wonder what to expect...so I'd like to hear from folks about their experiences.

Thanks!

Are you living in Russia now?

No. Going over in October.

Before you go running off, you had better check the rules. I dont there is a US Consulate in the world that will accept an I-130 unless you are a legal resident of that particular country for at least 6 months.....

At least this is my understanding.

CORRECTION -- I dont THINK there is a US Consulate.....

[visaveteran1 33]

I have been in the embassy in Moscow a few times but I never saw any lines except for the lines of Russians waiting for visa interviews, but that is not the same entrance that US citizens use. They do have strict operating hours of 9:00 - 12:00 and 2:00 - 4:00. My last visit I arrived with a problem at a few minutes until 4:00 and it took a lot of pleading to get in. Remember that the guards at the embassy are not Americans, but Russians. They really don't care too much...

At the US entrance there is tight security similar to airport security, and you must leave your cell phone, camera, and almost everything else. Inside there are some tables and chairs along with info for US citizens about the usual problems. Along one short wall are three or four secure windows where you will be called up to talk to a CO. Solid thick glass with a little speaker and just enough room at the bottom to slide documents or a passport under. One room, and that's about it.

That's very helpful...thanks!

Sometime after I get married in Russia (hopefully early November) my wife and I will need to go to the US consulate in Moscow to file a I-130 petition. I am wondering what it's like at the consulate? Long lines? Chaos? Long waits? Or is it orderly, quick service and well run?

Of course, we will book an appointment but I wonder what to expect...so I'd like to hear from folks about their experiences.

Thanks!

I haven't been to Moscow but I have been to Kiev. Moscow is the regional Embassy. But If it is as busy as Kiev. Know the following. It is your right as a citizens to go inside the Embassy. It is US Soil. There are usually long lines. Don't be embarrassed go right to the front. No waiting outside. Also don't take ANYTHING you don't need. The consulates will make you leave anything extra outside, so leave it at home or the hotel. Once you get inside there is waiting but they are very efficient. And as I remember you have a residency waiver and you have written consent to file DFC. Saves a lot of time! Good Luck and congratulations.

Thanks for the advice and tips about the Embassy being US soil. And thanks for the kind congrats. I'm very excited and happy!

[visaveteran1 33]

I have been in the embassy in Moscow a few times but I never saw any lines except for the lines of Russians waiting for visa interviews, but that is not the same entrance that US citizens use. They do have strict operating hours of 9:00 - 12:00 and 2:00 - 4:00. My last visit I arrived with a problem at a few minutes until 4:00 and it took a lot of pleading to get in. Remember that the guards at the embassy are not Americans, but Russians. They really don't care too much...

At the US entrance there is tight security similar to airport security, and you must leave your cell phone, camera, and almost everything else. Inside there are some tables and chairs along with info for US citizens about the usual problems. Along one short wall are three or four secure windows where you will be called up to talk to a CO. Solid thick glass with a little speaker and just enough room at the bottom to slide documents or a passport under. One room, and that's about it.

Thanks..that's very helpful. Sounds like it's not going to be too bad going there.