SnowColdIce

As far as I know, Almaty is taking IR-5 cases from Russia which looks like yours is. How long ago did your mother get the official documents? Usually, things like marriage certificates are valid for a very long time. I am not sure about the police certificate, hopefully, someone can chime in for that. Why can you not get an appointment? I am in a CR-1 process and will probably get assigned to Warsaw once my time comes (more than a year from now) if cases are still handled in Warsaw, so like many, I am watching how people get to Warsaw like a hawk, as many have had difficulties even with Schengen.

I don't disagree with you. I understand what you are saying and it makes sense. I would just think that they would ask for something as they do for Cubans (a lot actually). But that probably has to do with the higher amount of people intending to actually stay in the country.

Yes but also they must show ties to their home country, and a property is a common example of a strong tie. It is fairly common on B2 to show some documentation regarding this. However, it seems for this specific example (Russians) as @millefleur mentioned they do not ask a lot of documentation. A Cuban for example (with much higher rate of denials) do see quite a lot of documentation requirements. I am Cuban so I would know.

Interesting....If they usually don't look at any supporting document, then how do they determine eligibility well? For example, my in-laws have jobs and own property. How would they know for example that they have 2 small properties to take care of that tie them to Russia if they don't look at the documentation?

What amount of "visiting too often" is a red flag for CBP for 3-year multi-entry visas? I guess coming every year once or twice is fine? Yeah, that makes total sense. I just guess that the Application probably asks for a planned date of visit or they might ask for tickets. So maybe at least it seems that you should provide them with an idea of when the person will travel? That is a great observation. We will just wait once my wife is here and do it all calmly. I just honestly was expecting this process for B2 Visas to be much slower, but it seems like a normal time would be like 3 months for everything. Thank you! That makes it much easier for them as well to be able to request time off work. This adds to your philosophy of doing everything in advance and with calm with no rush.

Yes I am aware. They have no intention of coming to the US to live at all. They have a humble but comfortable life back in Russia so they have no desire to come to a COMPLETLY different country to basically have to "start from zero".

I guess I explained myself incorrectly here. I was just trying to see the terms of the Visa. (in paper) My in-laws will probably visit only for around 2-3 weeks at a time max since they do have jobs and responsibilities back home. They can probably come back again about 8 months later for a similar timeframe since they do get more vacations in Russia. The reason I ask for this frequency of coming every 8 months for example is because they will likely want to see their (future) grandson often.

Yeah, I noticed. I imagine it's due to the high illegal immigration with people applying for B2 and then staying here. Thanks for this! I already read it and did research based on it. I guess I was under the impression that since some immigrant Visas have to be done in Warsaw then Non-Immigrant Visas would be a similar story. It sounds like they are reciprocating the same policy for Private Visa of US Citizens to Russia. I assume the 3-year multi-entry means that they can come for up to 6 months per visit with unlimited visits for those 3 years correct? When your MIL applied did she already have tickets purchased to go to the US? Did you have a plan in general? Per your own opinion, do you think my in-laws should apply now or wait for her daughter to come since they will have to say essentially it's to visit her? How long did it take for you from approval on the interview in Almaty to the passport pick-up date?

I understand. Would it be better for them to apply soon or should we wait until my wife actually arrives to the US? I would like to maximize multiple entry visa for them, even if it's just for 3 years.

Hello Everyone! I am currently in the process of bringing my wife under a CR-1 Visa from Russia. I submitted my I-130 this month. I am aware that this will take at least one year to show signs of progress and for her to come. We were discussing the best way for her parents to visit in the US when she does come to live here. I understand there is no process for sponsoring someone to come as a tourist. Does the same apply to family and such? I know some countries (like Russia for example) have an invitation system for "private" visas which are not the same as a tourist one, that way for example I could go to Russia for the sole purpose of visiting my wife with an invitation from her. She is still in Russia as I mentioned before, and won't be moving here until at least early 2025 I assume (please hurry up USCIS), considering that my wife is under CR-1 application: 1- Is the best/only course of action for her parents to apply for B2 visa? If so, is it better to wait for my wife to actually move here before they apply? I ask because I assume the CO would ask why they want to go, and they can say "I want to visit my daughter and son-in-law (and maybe even grandson haha!)" But my wife would not be here yet technically, I guess it can be mentioned that she will be here soon under a CR-1. 2- Or can we get a head start and try to get a multiple-entry Visa for them so that they have it ready for when she comes and they can come to visit at some point later? The reason why we may want to get a head start it's because B2 visa interviews for Russians are held in Warsaw, Poland. And it's difficult to go there as a Russian since they would have to apply to Schengen and go through a 3rd country because Poland doesn't want Russians entering due to the conflict. Also apparently interview appointments are set for many months forward so even if they apply now their interview would be for around Summer. I know I don't have to convince you guys, but my in-laws really don't have any intentions nor care about coming to live here. They just want a way to visit us. They have jobs, own two small properties, and are elderly too so it's not like they want to go and live somewhere new and completely different. If you all could point me in the right direction I would appreciate it. I just want the best way to guarantee a multiple entry visa for them to visit as they please. As I mentioned they are elderly, so it would be less than ideal for them to have to get a visa every time they come and visit for just 2 weeks considering all the hassle they have to go through to get to Poland.

Thanks! I had a feeling it was a typo no worries. I submitted everything today and did exactly as you said right now. I put the original and translated divorce certificates in the Proof of Marriage section and added Notes in the Additional Details referencing those documents. I also left the "When did your beneficiary's last marriage end?" blank because in the paper form that question is actually the "Date Marriage Ended" of Spouse 1 (which would be me because it's most recent). A huge glitch I did notice is that if I logged out and back in, sometimes some document uploads would just disappear from their section and I had to upload them again. However, today when I paid and submitted, many of those documents that I thought disappeared were actually still there in the documents uploaded section of the case in the homepage, so now they have 4 copies of the same document for something like "Information about the Beneficiary in their Native Language". Also some documents I deleted from the form still stayed in the documents uploaded section of the case in the homepage. So they certainly have some issues there it seems. I hope it doesn't trigger an RFE considering I put all evidence I had there very well organized in PDFs.

With all due respect @pushbrk that is not correct. Have you logged in and done the form on the USCIS website? The form online is quite different from the instructions. The general requirements are the same, but the order and the way they ask it is much simpler. In fact, you can download the form online into a PDF version of what the paper I-130 would be, and you can see how some things struggle to fit and are even on their own blank pages because they do not belong anywhere on the paper form or they simply don't match well. The I-134A is not a form that is submitted on the I-130 Application. The only additional form submitted is the I-130A. The Additional Evidence is submitted in its own section regarding "Proof of Bona Fide Marriage". Each section has its own place for uploading information. Example Proof of Marriage is where you upload your Marriage Certificates.

@IWander @pushbrk I understand what you folks are saying. However, I don't know if you have filled the form Online. But many things from the instructions page don't even match. Like for example they say to upload a divorce certificate if applicable, but in the Online Form, there is nowhere to upload that info at all. There are only a few places where it is allowed to upload documents, and none of them refers to this at all.

Hello Everyone, My wife has been married 2 times in total (1 with me now + 1 past spouse). So I put 2 on the question "How many times has your beneficiary been married?" In the Form I-130 online, on Beneficiary's Family -> Current Spouse I put myself as the information for the current spouse as well as when and where did the beneficiary marry the current spouse (me). However, there is a question that says "When did your beneficiary's last marriage end?", I understand "last" as the previous marriage my wife had, and I put the date that marriage ended. However, she thinks it can also refer to her latest one which is with me, in that case, it should be empty. The next page says "Beneficiary's prior marriages" where I listed her past marriage and also when it ended. So it might also be redundant I put that same date on "When did your beneficiary's last marriage end?". I used to be somewhat sure of my answer as I thought it was referring "last" as being the previous one (before me). But now I must admit I am confused and doubting my answer. So what is the proper answer to that question on Beneficiary's Family -> Current Spouse -> When did your beneficiary's last marriage end? Also nowhere in the form it has asked me to submit divorce evidence like a divorce certificate. Is that normal? Thanks to all in advance. I have the rest of the form ready and planning to submit it today. Just this doubt now came up while we were reviewing together.

Just to add more info in case anyone reads this thread later on. I emailed the IOM (International Organization for Migration) Clinic in Moscow which is the place that currently does the Medical Exams for the interview, I asked if Russian Federation citizens need the COVID vaccine for U.S. Immigration. They answered: "Vaccination against Covid is not mandatory for RF citizens."

Thank you very much! @ah-no I searched through their Embassy site but I guess I didnt do a good job of it. Thanks again!

Thanks, @TBoneTX always informative as usual! Does anyone have a source of where to find info about the COVID vaccine not being required for Russians? I have searched in many places but can't find any besides here. I also have an email out to the IOM clinic in Russia that does the Medical exams but they have not answered. Their website does not give any information about it. The only small snippet that mentions some sort of different situation on their site says: "According to TI of USA for immigration health assessment it’s recommended to do accepted WHO vaccines such as Phizer, Moderna, Janssen, etc. Vaccines “Sputnik-V” and “Sputnik light” are considered and will be included in the Vaccination record form if done." Does anyone have more info?

Inside the topic of vaccines, is the beneficiary required to have all the listed vaccines from the vaccination records? For example: COVID-19 (not for Russians) Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Influenza Influenza type b (Hib) Measles Meningococcal Mumps Pneumococcal Pertussis Polio Rotavirus Rubella Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids Varicella Does my wife need to have records for all of these for her medical exam? If so, what if she is missing some? Will she need to get them now before her medical exam?

We have met already in many countries. I guess in a way we both wanted to have a ceremony either when she gets here or before, but instead, we do it before and kill 2 birds with one stone. Nothing huge though.

@JayFromTexas Yes we are aware of it, however, we still wanted a wedding, nothing big though, something small and intimate with only family.

@gstrength no, she lives in Russia. Cuba is just a convenient location in general for us.

@SalishSea no issues whatsoever. Even though US-Cuba relationship is not the best, is also not at it's worst point. So in reality there is no danger to anything. Again I go there and they don't even care when entering CBP. I got asked more about when I came from Dubai with a layover in Egypt, CBP was way more strict.

Oh I see, thank you really! Yeah we can marry in Cuba as foreigners as usual but I just wanted to see because there is a possibility of the paperwork to be done faster if I marry under a Cuban passport there. (Just Cuba shenanigans) @SalishSea that's a great question. Actually, I am from Cuba, I have been living in the US for about 11 years now. I go there from time to time to visit family exclusively and usually just for 3 or 4 days max. She has gone to Cuba twice for vacation, we actually met at the Hotel we were both staying at the last time she went. I usually don't go to Hotels in Cuba at all but I treated my family to a beach vacation for a few days on that trip. And from there, she and I have traveled together and been together in other countries. We chose Cuba due to being a place for me to go easily and having family there, and for her as well (Cuba is friendly with Russia) it's easier to go and take her parents there for our wedding. It basically evolved like a regular relationship with the only difference is that she lives in a different country (Russia). We never knew about each other existence before we met in Cuba me just approaching her because she seemed lost lol. I don't see why it would be an issue since I go there often, and she has only gone twice, and we both did it for completely different reasons. It would be the same situation if it were in Spain or Germany. Or are you asking due to geopolitical implications?

@SalishSea thank you for your response! So right after the moment we get married and obtain our Cuban Marriage Certificate and do a Certified translation to English that's all that's needed for USCIS/NVC/Interview? Meaning there is no need to submit it to the State in any way for it to be valid in the US? I was asking about the passport in case it's put on the marriage certificate or in case the CR1 process specifically needs my marriage to be done under a US Passport. I am aware it doesn't get annotated to my passport, but maybe it does on the certificate itself?

Hello All, My better half and I are planning to get married soon in Cuba so we can finally start the process here for a CR-1 Visa. I am assuming that we just need the original Marriage Certificate and a certified translation to English for the whole Visa process is that correct? No need to register said foreign marriage in the US in civil court or anything? Also another question, does the passport used to get married matter for USCIS or the US in general? The reason I ask is because I am both a US and a Cuban Citizen, she is Russian. She would use her Russian passport as expected, but in my case, I enter Cuba with my Cuban passport (due to Cuban regulations). They (Cuba) don't care (as far as I know) which passport I use, but it may make the process more seamless and speedier if I marry with my Cuban passport instead of the US one. Now since I am a US Citizen, does USCIS need my marriage to be done with my US Passport? I cannot find any language regarding that requirement anywhere. Thanks in advance, please feel free to ask if you need more clarifications.