How do I contact the American Embassy in Moscow?

[Chillidog]

My Fiance had her interview on July 12

All went fantastic, she said the "interviewer" was more interested in asking her son (10 yrs old) questions on about his relationship with me (only 3 questions) and the "interviewer" only asked my Fiance 1 question - where are you getting married? (meaning Church or Justice of the Peace). I am sure it helped tremendously that we began our correspondence close to 2 years ago and have had 6 meetings.

At the end of the interview my Fiance was informed that she was "approved" BUT she needed to submit a new "Police Record" apparently her police record only stated her "City" and not ALL or Russia (or something like that)

Olya, received the new Police Report and submitted it to the American Embassy on July 20

Now we wait.... for the Embassy to send her and her son their passports and also the K1 approved Package and stamp

I want to contact the Embassy to see if

1) they have recieved the new Police Records that Olya sent to them on July 20

and

2) if they have to get some idea on if they have processed this info and have sent Olya her passports with K1 Staml and package

so that we can begin "planning" on my arrival to Russia so as to accompany them to America (Olya and her son)

so does anyone have an "EMAIL ADDRESS" or "TELEPHONE NUMBER" which I can contact the American Embassy regarding our case

also which "File Number" would I use so that they can pull up our case? do I use the "WAC" number or the "MOS" number?

Thanks

[OlgaH]

Here are their contacts
http://moscow.usembassy.gov/contact-us.html

Wish you and Olya the best!

[Sculpto]

Chili use the MOS number and the email address on the embassy site.  Make sure your questions are very very very clear and specific.  They will get back to you within 48 hours but of course its headed to the weekend so it Might be Monday.  You can call also but you have to pay for that call, I forget how much but its kind of an insult after all the fees etc you have already paid.

Best of luck!! 

[Chillidog]

Olga, Sculpto

Thanks a bunch

[Faux Pas]

Olga, Sculpto

Thanks a bunch

Chili

That's good news my friend! How did you send the new expanded police report? What courier? Did they sign for it?

If that was the only stipulation they placed on approval, I suspect they'll process it as soon as they receive it without any notification to you or her. If I remember correctly it took 3 weeks for my wife to receive her visa from approval. There were no stipulations to cause further delay. Trying to reach anyone at the embassy familiar or that can answer questions pertaining to your case is akin to washing your feet with your socks on. Good luck with that.

Did they not describe how her process would go to completion?

[Chillidog]

She was told tp just place it in the "lock box" which is located on the side of the building, outside.

Not sure what you mean with your last question.

The interviewer told her that all was in order and ready for approval, all she needed was to submit a new police report. That once that was received she would shortly after that receive in the mail her and her son's passports with the K1 Visa and sealed envelope.

In talking with Olya last night she felt it was "too soon" to receive her passports and Visa, since she said they would only have had them since July 20. But since it took "USCIS" almost 4 months to "cash my $455 check" (I sent it in the end of Oct and it was not cashed until middle of February). I do not want too much time to lapse before I start inquirying. Just worried that it could turn into another 4 month delay

[Faux Pas]

She was told tp just place it in the "lock box" which is located on the side of the building, outside.

If that is what they told you (putting it in the outside box) I supposed you did the right thing. I was referring to sending it by courier so someone would have to sign for it.

Not sure what you mean with your last question.

The interviewer told her that all was in order and ready for approval, all she needed was to submit a new police report. That once that was received she would shortly after that receive in the mail her and her son's passports with the K1 Visa and sealed envelope.

In talking with Olya last night she felt it was "too soon" to receive her passports and Visa, since she said they would only have had them since July 20. But since it took "USCIS" almost 4 months to "cash my $455 check" (I sent it in the end of Oct and it was not cashed until middle of February). I do not want too much time to lapse before I start inquirying. Just worried that it could turn into another 4 month delay

Yeah thats what I meant. It takes somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 weeks for the USCIS to shuffle the passports around to and fro the consulate after approval. I would add the time it took to get the new police report and perhaps maybe another week or so then start the communication barrage IMO

[viking]

If your fiancee left her passport at the embassy, and directly deposited the new police report in the lock box on July 20, I say it is time to see what the deal is. Its been over 3 weeks now. Her passport never left the embassy and it takes about one hour to place her visa in her passport ( its not a stamp). All her papers (sealed envelope) were done weeks ago. When my wife went for her interview the officer asked for some additional info from me to show a " continuing relationship". I emailed back some correspondence and about 2 hours later she had her visa and envelope. Honestly, I would have called the very next day and asked if they had received her new report. Dont be afraid to speak up.

[Faux Pas]

If your fiancee left her passport at the embassy, and directly deposited the new police report in the lock box on July 20, I say it is time to see what the deal is. Its been over 3 weeks now. Her passport never left the embassy and it takes about one hour to place her visa in her passport ( its not a stamp). All her papers (sealed envelope) were done weeks ago. When my wife went for her interview the officer asked for some additional info from me to show a " continuing relationship". I emailed back some correspondence and about 2 hours later she had her visa and envelope. Honestly, I would have called the very next day and asked if they had received her new report. Dont be afraid to speak up.

This was in Moscow?

[Chillidog]

I did make last night an email Inquiry,as to see if they show in the file receipt of the new Police records. But with it being the weekend I don't expect to get a reply until Tuesday/Wednesday.

Like I said there was about a 4 month "delay" between when I sent the K1 petition in and when the check was cashed and the process started. So with this I am going to "stay on top of it" ---- it may not help but at least I will feel if I am shaking the tree for what little worth it might bring

[viking]

FP. It was Warsaw. I may have been a bit lucky but a few weeks is definitely a long time to wait for something like this. this should have been turned around in short order considering everything else was ok. If Chili's gal was able to run around the corner and get an updated police report and bring it right back, should not her visa been issued the next day?

[Faux Pas]

FP. It was Warsaw. I may have been a bit lucky but a few weeks is definitely a long time to wait for something like this. this should have been turned around in short order considering everything else was ok. If Chili's gal was able to run around the corner and get an updated police report and bring it right back, should not her visa been issued the next day?

In theory yes, I'd agree. But the fact it was not the norm would cause more delay but this is near a month. Something is wrong. It would do Chili well to start yanking some chains. I just got a memory correction from the wife. She left a prepaid DHL packet and received her visa/passport in hand after 4 days from the approval. I thought it was longer but she said no.

[Chillidog]

it took 8 days for Olya to get the new Police record (interview was on July 12, submitted the new documents on July 20).

just was talking with Olya and I must "correct myself" somewhere I misunderstood her . She did not take an additional trip into Moscow but instead mailed the documents on the 20th to the Embassy as she said she sent them "registered mail" she is going to go to to the Post Office tomorrow with her receipt and find out if they have been delivered

[viking]

Hey Chili. Do yourself a favor. Call the embassy. They can confirm it was delivered AND if it got to the right hands AND what happened. If the post offce says it was delivered, you would still need to call the embassy to see what is going on. No emails dude. Pick up the phone.

[Chillidog]

telephoning the Embassy is not as easy as it sounds, unfortunately for me. I am in Iraq working from 6am to 7 pm (Moscow is 1 hour ahead of me, since they are on daylight savings time), and I have no access to a phone during the day (except on my lunch hour). so when I do get off of work it ia already 8pm in Moscow and I doubt anyone will be in there working at that time.

Olya did say the Post Office informed her that her documenst were delivered on August 13. so I will wait to see what type of answer/reply I receive from my email inquiry. and then if need be somehow find time to telephone them

[Sculpto]

telephoning the Embassy is not as easy as it sounds, unfortunately for me. I am in Iraq working from 6am to 7 pm (Moscow is 1 hour ahead of me, since they are on daylight savings time), and I have no access to a phone during the day (except on my lunch hour). so when I do get off of work it ia already 8pm in Moscow and I doubt anyone will be in there working at that time.

Olya did say the Post Office informed her that her documenst were delivered on August 13. so I will wait to see what type of answer/reply I receive from my email inquiry. and then if need be somehow find time to telephone them

Deep breath Chili.. they will reply to the email.. I just hope you asked all your questions very clearly and carefully.  I had no problems getting prompt and accurate replies to my email inquiries but the one time I called I was not very happy with the Russian customer service agent who rushed me and gave vague answers even though I was paying for that call.  I would also CC your inquiry going forward to your Senator if there are any additional delays once you get an answer.  For example.. the ask for more paper or some other obstacle..

[Chillidog]

Deep breath Chili..   I would also CC your inquiry going forward to your Senator if there are any additional delays once you get an answer.  For example.. the ask for more paper or some other obstacle..

No problem, not hitting any panic buttons at this time. I do not forsee any further delays/problems once they process the new "police record", but will keep your suggestion in mind of something unexpected does happen

[Chillidog]

Deep breath Chili..   I would also CC your inquiry going forward to your Senator if there are any additional delays once you get an answer.  For example.. the ask for more paper or some other obstacle..

No problem, not hitting any panic buttons at this time. I do not forsee any further delays/problems once they process the new "police record", but will keep your suggestion in mind if something unexpected does happen

[Chillidog]

Olya received the K1/K2 on August 23!!!!

Starting to finalize our plans now. I will end my employment in Iraq on October 29 and be in Kaluga, Russia on October 30. The 3 of us (Olya, Igor and myself) will fly to America together on November 11.

(a lengthier post on this subject can be found at my "Kaluga thread" found here http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=9071.new;topicseen )

[3T_Ventus]

Chillidog!

This is some great news! Finally! Wish you all the best and more!

[JR]

google "US embassy Moscow" then go to contact page )