Olvaranim

An update on a K1 case under extremely long AP in Warsaw. So the couple paid for the mandamus just to find out that they were approved the next day. 16 months of AP in total. Personally I know about another case that was approved in February 2024 after 24 (!) months of AP (a fiance was a high ranking military officer).

That's a translation of an official original document indeed, but issued for his ex specifically. His original document should hold his name on it. Both originals are valid though. He should bring the original document for his interview (his or his ex).

The recent case was successful, yes. The visa was issued.

@big_tex_69 Technology Alert List (TAL). Any link on Google will do. https://www.bu.edu/isso/files/pdf/tal.pdf

On average, it takes about a year for russian citizens to be cleared for a visa after AP in Poland. That's a disturbing statistic, but accurate. There's even a case with 15 months long AP (still in progress). The couple in question is getting ready to file writ of mandamus. Another visa was issued recently after 296 days of AP and also thanks for mandamus. The vast majority of these cases (K1 and CR1/IR1 both) were triggered by petitioner's current occupation, listed in TAL, or some sort of a government related job.

As it is usually stated on the website of almost every embassy and still russian cases have being transferred to different countries. It's always worth asking if needed 🤷 Personally I don't see a point in transferring from Poland with a valid Schengen visa, as it's a designated embassy, we'll aware of russian documents.

Personally I don't remember any case in Hungary, but might be an option. Usually couples try to transfer their case to a visa free country (preferably with Russian-speaking officers). As for other countries in Schengen area, I remember the spouse visa cases of non-residents that were transferred to Vienna and Bucharest.

Marriage, Divorce or birth certificates from Russia have no expiration date. The document is valid as long as the fact (it is issued for) stands, and you can apply for a replacement any time if needed. Also there's no expiration date for the translations, don't forget about those. Police clearance certificates from Russia and other countries, your mom resided for 6+ months after her 16th birthdays, are valid for a year for the Embassy in Kazakhstan (even for 2 years for the Embassy in Warsaw). Also your mom needs to upload your original birth certificate with a translation to NVC and bring it to her interview later.

About a dozen of Russian citizens (that I know of) attend their interviews in Warsaw on a monthly basis with zero issues on entering Poland. At least 5 fiancées had their interviews on January 2, 3 and 4. Mine interview (CR1/IR1) is also scheduled in Warsaw. The keys for russian citizens are: 1) apply for a tourist Schengen visa with a visa center of loyal countries: Italy, France, Spain or Hungary (in Russia). Act like a tourist don't mention Poland on your application. 2) enter Schengen area by flying in the country that issued you a visa (best option for both short-term and long-term visas, but critical to short-term visas nowadays). Again act like a tourist, you're there for Colosseum or Champs-Élysées. 3) enter Poland by air or by land (train or car) from that European country, even the same day. If by air, buy a separate ticket from that European country to Poland. For example, if you book a ticket Moscow - Istanbul - Rome and a separate ticket Rome - Warsaw, then you enter Schengen area in Italy (go through border control (visa check)), pick up your luggage, check-in, drop off your luggage again and then head to a assigned gate without any additional border control, as there are no administrative borders within Schengen area. So the citizens of Russia are allowed to enter Poland only from other Schengen country (not through the external border of Schengen zone). As for interview time frames for CR1/IR1 in Warsaw, NVC usually sends an interview letter in 35-45 days after DQ. An interview date is in 85 days after DQ on average.

Moscow medical is in the middle of moving to a different address, and they chose the holidays as the least busiest season to effectively do that. They are going to announce their new address right after the holidays, but you can book the appointment via the phone for the 2nd half of January.

If it expires, just prepare and sign a fresh letter of intent to marry and send it to your fiancée to bring to the interview. It's quite common and not an issue anymore due to Covid.

I just double checked, there are two K1 cases that US Embassy in Bangkok agreed on taking after the emails from US Senators, one was transferred from Warsaw at the beginning of November, another one 6 days ago. Both applicants stay in Russia without a residency in Thailand. Maybe it's worth trying again?

No, not for the interview. I mean the application for a regular tourist (visitor) visa, just without false touristic intentions. And that's a theory for now, as I hope the applicants would actually pursue with their cases in Frankfurt and apply for the German Shengen visa. For example, for the citizens of Belarus one of the official purposes of visiting Poland and applying for a visa is attending the US Embassy specifically.

Personally, I think that Germany is a better option in this scenario, because the purpose on this visa would not be the tourism, but a humanitarian reason. When it comes to tourist visas, Germany is definitely not the first choice. By far. And Poland doesn't issue visas for Russian citizens at all. Thankfully I have a valid Shengen visa, аnd I wouldn’t want to lie to one consulate for the sake of being able to get to another.