USA -> Russia - Which visa is most likely to be approved?

[scafidi454]

Also Scafidi454, make sure that your RW knows everything about your criminal history.
 
She will definitely be asked about it during the K1 interview in Moscow.
 
GOB

She knows most of it, but we're not doing the K1 right now.

[scafidi454]

scafidi,

Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?


First of all, have you met this woman before and/or have you spoken to her about how she feels about meeting in a different country?

She may well have her own feelings about meeting in a different country - and have you told her the reasons why you don't want to meet in Russia?


Secondly, can I ask why you think that Finland is particularly cheap? 

Helsinki is a great place to visit and you can go and visit Tallinn as well quite easily from there.  However, it is actually quite an expensive place to stay.  I assume that you will not be sharing the same bed and so will require a 2 bed apartment.  If that is the case then you'll be paying out upwards of 200 Euro a night for a 2 bed apartment in Helsinki.

Also, decent hotels will cost upwards of 100 Euro per night per room.

Eating out in Helsinki is also not particularly cheap either.


Can I ask what part of Russia the woman you are going to see comes from?

Outside of Moscow and St Petersburg, accomodation is quite cheap in Russia.  Even in Moscow you can find accomodation relatively cheaply.  For example, you can get quite nice 2 bed apartments for around $120 - 150 per night.



May I ask why you have chosen Finland?  If the reason is that you want to visit this country for a holiday anyway and combine your holiday with meeting a woman then Finland is a nice place to go for a holiday. 
 
 However, if you're choosing Finalnd based on price then, unfortunately, Finalnd is not a particularly cheap place to visit.
 
Just a couple of observations based on a short break I had in Helsinki.

ps If you do decide on Helsinki then I can recommend some nice places to see and eat at, but I went a couple of years ago so my knowledge may well be out of date.

Nick Nick,


I met this girl in America through one of my Russian friends. I started dating one Russian girl in 2008 who was in America. I lived with her and 9 other girls that summer in a really nice home in Florida - Man the time we had - Since then, I've had friends coming back almost every summer to visit. This last time Svetlana (Sveta) brought her cousin and the girl I'm talking about, Anastasia. Anastasia and I lived together for 4 months. Actually, we hit it off immediately. She was here on a student visa, because she had just graduated with her red diploma from her university (she would not be able to come back on student visa again).


Nastya and I talk just about every day in some form or fashion. We've been planning our reunification since she's left. She actually mentioned going to another country, because Russian visa might be hard for me to get and because I plan to go in December to Russia when it's nice and COLD! -


As I said, she was going to come here, but her visa was DENIED. We're trying to look at alternative options.


But to answer your REAL QUESTION; no, I did not mail order her!


Finland isn't my choice, but merely and option that I'm inquiring about... I think we've narrowed it down to the Czech Republic, if I can get the time from work, money, and probation travel waiver (I already have waiver for visit in December).


Thanks.

[scafidi454]

If some of you would have read his other thread (and I believe some of you did because you posted there) you would know that he wants her to get a Schengen visa so she can have some history of travelling the next time she applies for an American visa.
 
Yes he has met this girl already to answer your other quesion.
 
As far as a visa for him, I would go with the 6-month multi entry business visa. It's by far your best value if you're planning on visiting Russia a few times over the course of the visa. The 1 year multi entry business visa is the next best value option depending on your schedule.

Да! Спасебо!!!

[scafidi454]

BTW - I work at a resort as a reservations agent, so I know about travel plans and RATES!!! $150.00 per night is on the low end of what we offer. I'm not saying it's affordable, but I understand about pricing and resorts/hotels.

[Wayne]

If a person is on a student visa to USA, returns to home country, then applies for a tourist visa--isn't there a 2 year waiting period?
 
That could be the reason for the visa denial.
 
Also, a large number of Russians travel to Egypt. You could look into a resort on the Red Sea. There should be discounts available now if you are not afraid to travel there. In December, it is still hot in Egypt!

[scafidi454]

I'm not sure.

[scafidi454]

BTW - I just applied for Russian Visa today, and it cost $250.00 for service fee, visa, and invitation letter from Travisa. Then, I paid 36.60 for two overnight delivery envelopes...

[Faux Pas]

Which visa did you apply for?

[scafidi454]

Tourist

[Faux Pas]

Tourist

Apparently they have increased their prices since last summer. My last visa I bought my invitation from GotoRussia for $30 bucks. I sent it, the application and my passport to Travisa along with a next day  priority U.S. mail prepaid envelope and sent it in a priority envelope with $160. Total coast was $210 IIRC. I had my visa in about 10 days

[chivo]

Tourist

Well I hope it was because it was what you wanted and not because you believed they would scrutinize it any less.
 
Contrary to the belief here they don't. The form for a tourist is the same as the one for a business visa. The reason they knew about someone's military background is that they ask that on the questionnaire you fill out for US citizens. They only difference is that you have to submit a HIV test for a business visa. They could careless if you do business there or not.
 
If you offer up any information most likely they'll red flag it and check, otherwise it's Russia and most likely won't care. If you told them about your criminal background they'll most likely question it.
 
 If you did hopefully it won't matter and not to scare you but if it gets to an interview you'll have a very small chance of being approved at that point.
 
You have to understand that Russia operates differently than other countries. And that goes for their consulates too. Russians check nothing unless you happen to tell them. They do not do background checks on Americans for visas.
 
Did you ask the people at the visa company about your background? Even if they told you one thing it's not exactly the way to go. For example any visa house will tell me I have to go back to the USA to renew my visa because it's the LAW (and I'm sure the experts here would do it  ) but the reality of it is, I've only gone back once out of over 12 visas since they changed the LAW and that was because I went back on vacation.
 
Nevertheless hopefully it won't be an issue and you can proceed accordingly. If by chance something happens and you get denied, PM me and I'll give you another option that will get you into the country if you want. One thing it will cost you a few hundred extra and even though I know you're on a tight budget, at least it will be another option. 

 
 
 

[scafidi454]

I did disclose my criminal history, but I attached a letter explaining it. Also, I have a travel permit issued by the state of Florida that has already approved my trip to Russia. I included it with my passport application, and I received my passport.

[chivo]

Passports and visas are two different things. Your passport was issued by an American entity, your Russian visa will be issued by a Russian.
 
Have you ever tried to explain your situation to a Russian official? Not the most flexible people on the planet. Again not to alarm as I have no idea about your background (which might be less of a problem than we think) and they could very well issue you the visa. As far as being approved, I wouldn't be surprised either way.
 
Let's hope for the best. Good luck.

[scafidi454]

Passports and visas are two different things. Your passport was issued by an American entity, your Russian visa will be issued by a Russian.
 
Have you ever tried to explain your situation to a Russian official? Not the most flexible people on the planet. Again not to alarm as I have no idea about your background (which might be less of a problem than we think) and they could very well issue you the visa. As far as being approved, I wouldn't be surprised either way.
 
Let's hope for the best. Good luck.

I talked to a few people I know in Moscow, and they told me that criminal history in Russia is common.

[chivo]

I talked to a few people I know in Moscow, and they told me that criminal history in Russia is common.

I assume they're talking about Russians who already live here not Americans applying for a visa.
 
I would say you have a 50/50 chance of being approved at this point and you may very well be approved. But, from what I have read recently concerning your relationship with this girl, I sincerely think being denied could actually be a blessing in disguise.
 
I really think you're getting way ahead of yourself at the moment, although I understand why. 1 week in Russia with your girl in the grand scheme of things will not matter much if you cannot see her again until December and she's thinking about moving to Moscow to find work. Spending a few grand that you don't really have for a week that will fly by is just not the right move no matter how much you want to be together. Especially if you will not see each other for another 6 months.
 
I also disagree that the student/work visa is no longer possible just because she has graduated and that she should continue to investigate this possibility.
 
You seem to be running very high on emotion now to the point of desperation. Never a good position to be in. You really need to focus on yourself and finish what your started with school. If she really loves you she'll understand and wait it out.
 
There are some things I don't like about this situation but I doubt you'll listen to some stranger on a forum and it's just my opinion. Of course it's your life, I wish you luck.

[scafidi454]

I assume they're talking about Russians who already live here not Americans applying for a visa.
 
I would say you have a 50/50 chance of being approved at this point and you may very well be approved. But, from what I have read recently concerning your relationship with this girl, I sincerely think being denied could actually be a blessing in disguise.
 
I really think you're getting way ahead of yourself at the moment, although I understand why. 1 week in Russia with your girl in the grand scheme of things will not matter much if you cannot see her again until December and she's thinking about moving to Moscow to find work. Spending a few grand that you don't really have for a week that will fly by is just not the right move no matter how much you want to be together. Especially if you will not see each other for another 6 months.
 
I also disagree that the student/work visa is no longer possible just because she has graduated and that she should continue to investigate this possibility.
 
You seem to be running very high on emotion now to the point of desperation. Never a good position to be in. You really need to focus on yourself and finish what your started with school. If she really loves you she'll understand and wait it out.
 
There are some things I don't like about this situation but I doubt you'll listen to some stranger on a forum and it's just my opinion. Of course it's your life, I wish you luck.

Englighten me.

[Vincenzo]

Just a hint.
Many people who work in Moscow live in nearby small cities and arrive each day by trains.
You'll be able to rent an apartment there much cheaper than in Moscow.
However, it's not a good variant if you party late because late trains are rare.

Also, it's possible to even stay for free if the only thing you need is a shared space and a mattress.
http://www.couchsurfing.org