New member and I have no Idea as to what I am doing

[Turboguy]

I don't understand.

How can a license expire in such a short period of time?

And why would she need a visa after marriage?

Many states (perhaps all) will only give you a drivers liscence valid until the end of your current visa.  So it the visa expires in two weeks the DL will also.
 
When you are doing Adjustment of Status until you get your green card the visa is still important even though it has technically expired.

[bjstorm69]

I really understand and agree with what you are all saying, thank you so much for the directions that you have given me.  Any clue as to how I could meet a down to earth type of girl, websites that are good, things like that?
thanks
Brian Storm

[Gator]

I really understand and agree with what you are all saying, thank you so much for the directions that you have given me.  Any clue as to how I could meet a down to earth type of girl, websites that are good, things like that?

I suggest that you seek women who are religious.  Also, you should describe yourself in humble terms, and say that you like living in a small city. 
 
Avoid RW wearing high fashion clothing in their photos or showing skin.   
 
Regarding websites, Man Looking has posted in some threads a long list.
 

[ML]

I really understand and agree with what you are all saying, thank you so much for the directions that you have given me.  Any clue as to how I could meet a down to earth type of girl, websites that are good, things like that?
thanks
Brian Storm

= = = =  =

Brian, you need to take the course: Pursuing FSUW 101.  Below are the basics.

First, avoid all agencies and any websites that require pay per contacting each woman and/or pay per each letter.

Second, go to these websites:

http://singles.ru/
http://www.luckylovers.net/
http://www.rbrides.com/
http://www.ukrainedate.com/
http://www.allsinglerussiangirls.com/
http://freepersonals.ru/
http://bride.ru/
http://fdating.com
http://www.1vipdating.com/
http://freeukrainianwomen.com/
http://okfreedating.net/
http://luckylifepartner.com/
http://www.weblovefinder.com/

The below are in Russian language.
 
 http://www.edarling.ru/
 http://vmireznakomstv.ru/
 http://www.your-ideal.com/
 http://www.24open.ru/
 http://loveplanet.ru/
 http://www.maybe.ru/
 http://znakomstva-sitelove.ru/

Go to the above free and monthly cost ($19-30) dating websites.  Make up a nice profile of yourself.  Use the search engines to find about 800 - 1,000 women who are in the age range you want and have the education, height, weight, language, children, drinking, smoking, etc., parameters that you desire and are in a single target geographical area.

Do this screening first rather than look at pictures first.  After you have done the screening; then look at the pictures.

When you are two months away from your trip departure time, then start sending out your first message.

Send a generic but well written introductory message to all with each individual name typed at the top.

Of those  who reply, filter out all who make you worry in any way or give you concerns.

Send second generic but well written letter to all with their individual names typed at the top.  Modify it a bit to answer any questions that an individual woman may have asked.  Yes, this takes a lot of time.

Repeat these procedures over about 6-8 weekly emails and you will have narrowed down your list to 15-30 gals.  You can continue to use a generic letter for each successive mailing, but be sure to modify it a bit to answer specific questions any gal may have asked and to ask specific questions of your own related to the family, interests, jobs, etc., of each individual woman.  Yes, this takes a lot of time, but each week you will be cutting your list down. 

Finalize your trip plans and start scheduling the women into time slots.

If you follow the above procedure, you will not have the need to ask us questions about scammers, etc., as you will have filtered out all scammers.  And if any of the women you are writing to give you any sheeeeet or cause you any concern at all, or ask for money for ANYTHING you simply drop them off your lists and continue on.

[TheTraveler]

Brian,
 
I would be as honest with the women as possible regarding your lifestyle and income.
 
My personal rule was to downplay everything, just in case perception exceeded reality due to cultural differences -- and also to filter out the gold-diggers.  For example, I always described my income as merely comparatively average within the US, when it was really quite a bit higher.  (I even described my height as 6'2, although I'm really 6'3.)
 
Exaggeration may help one in the short run, but I'm sure you're seeking a life-long marriage, so better for your woman to be pleasantly surprised than the opposite.  Frankly it's just the right thing to do.
 
Marriage to a foreign wife is inherently more expensive.  Just in the first month, between the airfare, wedding, reception, rings, honeymoon, new car, etc, we easily dropped $60K.  And once married, you should plan to either fly back to Russia once a year (or fly her relatives over here).
 
In your case, $2200 income per month is, plainly speaking, close to the poverty level as defined by USCIS.  You may even have a problem qualifying as a signatory on the affidavit of support.  Can you provide a new Russian wife with health insurance and a car?  If not, you should tell this, too.  You should not sugar coat your situation to any prospective women.
 
Good luck!

[Jumper]

So your point would be her legal status. Please correct me if I am wrong, but is it usual for foreign brides to arrive on a K visa and after marriage to adjust their status with a full right to work in the U.S.? isn't the F1 visa a student visa, is it?

Of course professional networking is paramount everywhere in the new country, but this is exactly what has to be done in order to establish herself professionally. And yes, the place of living matters. Someone from a big city would likely have not an easy way to find a job in a small town environment, where there are few professional jobs at all.

Lily,
yes in the USA, a K1 situation,   it is  AOS after marriage.
So I'm also a little confused at that small part of  wicheese's post,
as the EAD (for work) an AP(for travel)  can be applied for at the same time as AOS,and is generally approved in 2 to 3 months from filing date.  (this is prior to the complete AOS approval)
 
My wife got her EAD and AP back in about 60 days.(yes it got forwarded from Chicago, to the Ca. process center)
We filed the AOS near day 90,so that's a 5 month period.
 
So from arrival it would likely be 5 months before a fiancee K1 , RW  could seriouisly seek and engage in professional employement.
(Already married is another story,as she lands basically with  a GC and employement authorization?)
 
That's probably as fast as it can possibly be expected,fort a K1 immigrant,
 so i'm not debating the point that it would be challenging,ort unusual , for them to be professionally employed within the first year.
 
It completely depends on the local qualifications (including language skill)of the individual,and the demand  in their particular field.
 
 

[noelscot]

I have always been interested in a Russian bride because of my Russian heritage, but the cost is unknown to me and all of this is a bit intimidating.  Any estimates on an inexpensive way of marriage to a Russian women and bringing her to the United States?  I am retired and have limited income, so this may be an unrealistic venture for me.  Can anyone give me a general Low ball price and tell me what direction to go, this would be greatly appreciated!

Find RW who is already in the USA. Less expenses and time. Same result.

[Ade]

Find RW a normal woman who is already in the USA. Less expenses and time. Same result.

There, fixed that for you.

[noelscot]

There, fixed that for you.

Yes, normalcy is good. And I was about to advise the gentleman to cruise the gift shops in Florida looking for smokinghotkovas with expired work visas who are in dire need of a green card, then spend the retirement money on a condo with a hot tub--and man-up if being an ancient sentinel at the Wally World is in the cards, because it will be a helluva ride while it lasts. You're no fun with your real world advice.