ah-no

Not quote sure I got that part. I mean, for instance, if we vacationed in Turkey for 60 days then left, then went back 60 days next year, then 60 days next year, that's 6 months cumulatively. Would we need the police certificate? We can go back to Turkey and request a certificate, but do we need to submit it with the other civil docs, or just bring it to the interview? We already have a valid Russian police cert ready to go, and will get a Georgian one. As for other quirks, I've heard they've requested a CV, and something about having police reports sent directly to the embassy... Another question: I've read a lot of reports that people had trouble finding an interview slot. How long did you have to wait to find one? Was it difficult? And how long did the transfer take after you requested it? Again, thank you so much for your help, very appreciated.

Also, one more question -- did they require any other weird or quirky things we could prepare in advance? I am nervous about being stopped at the border, even though we've been there before, but the past times we were there, it was just for a few days. Actually, it was much more complex to leave than enter. The border guard the second entry was like "you're here with an American citizen, so you can go" to my wife.

Yes thank you. It's not our first time in Israel, and we're married so it might be easier to make our case at the border. We've been 2 times before and had minimal issues, but we were pulled aside for additional questioning when exiting both times. It was hectic but not a big deal. Here's the thing about police certificates -- if that is a cumulative requirement, this absolutely won't be an option for us. We've been in tons of countries for vacation time cumulatively longer than 6 months, including EU countries anyway. Is there really no way to find this rule out? I'll check your link. I've also heard they keep the passport for even like 2 months in Israel. Did you have return tickets or hotel bookings to show? How long did it take to do the medical exam.

Just a thought -- is there a way you could get the visa rejected? I've read at least one report on here that says someone was able to get a transfer to another embassy (I think Serbia) by showing they'd be rejected for a Schengen visa. Also, can you just keep your hotel reservations but not stay there? if they call the hotel, they'll be checking you're there right? but will they need to talk to you?

Where did you hear / see that, please?

We are going to try to transfer to Israel if we can.

Hello! Any updates from anyone in this thread! I would like to know about transferring our case to Israel. Someone said you need police certificates for any country you were in for more than 6 months. Is that consecutive months only? I can't find this info.

Thank you. You have been an invaluable resource of information.

I see now. Thanks. I found the US official page. It says to claim it, you have to have an "original government issued photo ID" .... but isn't that the passport they'll be keeping...

Wait so, I see “pick up” as an option. I’d prefer to do that.

Well, she has to go to Russia for the visa, I figure, go to Russia, go to Moscow, do the med exam, then apply for the visa. It depends on how fast the result turnarounds are. The med exam should be good for six months, God willing, we'll be done within that window. As for US Travel Docs.... I didn't quite understand. Mail Boxes? Do you mean Mail Boxes located at the embassy? I'd prefer to get it direct to the source as possible. We won't have an address. I've heard they are fairly quick at Poland, 5 days being around max time. As for the plane ticket originating from Russia -- my wife seems to think this is the case, but my question was more like, if you have the visa in hand, do you actually have to fly from the issuing country, or can you enter from a third country. She seems to think the latter is the case. Yeah, I'll refer to the forum a bit closer to the time. We're still waiting for NOA2, but should be within the next few weeks. I'd feel more comfortable with as long as a Greek visa as we can apply for without being rejected... I think 14 days is what we're going to do. Our plan is to fly into Athens, then just fly right on to Berlin, then take a car to Warsaw, basically with no breaks.

So, it has to be a Russian bank account? It can't be like, a foreign bank account of my wife's? And so, it's OK to buy one way tickets like that? I'd like to do that to cancel. We planned to do 14 days, and to do the medical exam in Moscow to save time as much as possible. I've heard some people request up to 22 days. Have you found any data about how long it takes the embassy to return the passport? Oh, do you know if she actually have to enter from a route that originates in Russia? Or could you hypothetically buy those tickets for the visa, then get ticket from Georgia to Athens for entry. (I'm in Georgia) Never heard the multiple country thing. Let me know how your case proceeds, I'm very curious!

I got married in Georgia. It is ridiculously easy. I believe your best case would be to either message Israel and prepare to enter the country together if you're accepted, or look into the digital nomad option you mentioned before. Also, you might check out residency options in Montenegro.

This might be a personal question, so apologies, but I'm curious because I may soon be in the same boat: just to clarify, so, did you add these sponsor items because you felt it might help your case, or because your wife would not have qualified otherwise? I read your last comment about the RF thing. P.S. did you include every page of your passport? and you said tickets from R.F. to Athens -- with a stopover in Istanbul or something? Also, no tickets for yourself included, yeah? Are you going to cancel the hotel reservations?

Thanks. So, if I do this in advance, proactively, it should be fine? The only thing I can't match is the business license, and I have a bank account but I don't really use it actively... I can still provide a US bank account statement that shows I've kept funds there for a long time though. I mean, also I have multiple jobs in the USA which I have active paystubs for... I'm working remotely for a couple of US based companies (one is actually in Europe though, but I've never been to that country). And I go back to the USA for a few months of the year.

I work remotely but I've always used my parents address, which is on all my latest tax returns. What can I do to prove domicile? I don't have ownership of the property or a rental agreement.

For peace of mind, I would strongly suggest doing this. Based on my personal experiences with my Russian spouse (I don't even know if I'd try entering together if we weren't married), I couldn't imagine ever flying to Israel separately, ever -- unless maybe she had a green card in hand, or a US passport. Now, that's not a 100% from me saying your case wouldn't work out, especially if you could show documents, but it's so damn nerve-racking I just wouldn't put myself through it. Again, not trying to be a fear-monger here, this is just based on my 2 experiences entering Israel. To give even more context, we came with a bunch of Russians (pretty sure, 1. I could hear them 2. we flew from Turkey, a notable Russian destination even more-so these days and they were mostly very white people). The level of questioning and scrutiny everyone else was getting was very unnerving for us in the line... and we had heard of people being turned away. I did see most being allowed in, but I did see one single girl pulled away personally, not sure if she made it. When it was our turn, I showed my passport and it was a breeze. We were surprised and laughed about how easy it was (out of nervousness). It wasn't the case for others, for sure.

Can you possibly change it to arrive together?

That's great. Good luck! Can I ask a question? How long between NOA2 and DQ was it for you?

Yes, people do get turned away. All I can say is that, last time I was there in Tel Aviv with my Russian wife, they asked if she was there for the interview, I believe referring to US immigration. Also, the agent specifically and explicitly stated that they were allowing her to enter because I, am US citizen, was there, and we had been to Israel and exited previously.

Any idea if someone gains a residency in a different country while waiting for NOA2 if anything needs to be done?

I was under the impression you had to upload these documents before the interview.

It’s not much hassle, but then I wonder if they’ll ask extra questions. Like, why did you submit this if you’re not a resident? Did you change your address without telling us? Etc.

That was exactly my point... rhetorical question. It's not. So therefore, I'm wary my spouse getting another residence card even if it makes sense in terms of embassies for the interview, same reason I think she should get a police certificate for Georgia.

She is there now, it’s not difficult to get the certificate, and tax residency is not enough to be a “resident”, of course. she may be able to get a residency in September but again, I’m wary this can indicate she’s not intending to immigrate and create complications. Same reason about getting the police certificate. you may say it’s common sense that people won’t look, or that getting the Georgian residency won’t affect stuff, but take a step back for a moment — is any of this process with Russian applicants based on “common sense”?