Howdy from the deep south!

[brownie]

Hello folks!
I am a total newbie on this site wanting to learn from those with experience about Russian women and from Russian women themselves. 
Thanks in advance!

[Kineo]

    to the forum.

My first recommnedation would be: read, read and read. This is a lot of differring points of view here. Different things work for different people. Choose what works for you. Is there a particular reason you are looking to FSU?

[brownie]

Hello and thanks for the reply!  I have already started reading, reading reading!
My fiancee is from Russia and I want to know and learn more about what is normal in customs, values from a cross section of different experiences and people.  Also interested in opinions and advice!

[Vaughn]

Welcome, brownie....  so you are engaged? Tell us how you met, and any of your own experiences overseas. Yeah, continue to read, read, read - there are many excellent threads archived here.

[brownie]

Hello thanks for the reply! 
We met on a language site called Interpals by chance.  I was looking to improve my German speaking skills and she was wanting to improve her English skills.  Her photo and profile randomly popped up and her photo got my attention.  Her photo for me was...  "striking" (to say the least) and I read her profile.  Her favorite movie was The Piano.  It was the first time I saw that anyone liked that movie. I said hello and mentioned that I liked that movie and it was the first time I saw that movie as a favorite and wished her happy holidays.  She replied!  That was January  6Th, 2009.  We exchanged bread and butter letters that developed into a relationship!
We have met 3 times since we have known each other in Turkey.  We talked about meeting in Russia, but the hoops and paperwork seemed to high and overwhelming for this cowboy and a tourist visa to the USA seemed impossible.  With that in mind, we decided to meet on neutral ground to show trust and that neither would have the upper hand.  It ended up being the BEST decision for us in that respect, however, she always tells me now, I should come to Russia and see how she lives...  I don't understand this or that because I am not Russian...  Or, if I can not understand a process in her country, I am told "It's Russia..." 

I am here to learn and already am seeing interesting topics and points of view!  Glad to be aboard!

[Hammer2722]

Hi and welcome Brownie!!! Word of advice, if your Russian lady is wanting you to visit her home then you should most definitely do it. She wants you to meet her family which is one of the most important occurances we men will go through in this FSU endeavor. So, go and visit regardless of whatever hoops you may have to endure. Once again, wlecome!!!!!! 

[brownie]

Hello.
Yes. I am considering visiting.  She wants me to meet her daughter and her friends.  I want to also see and meet them.  I have learned that Russians have circles of friends. It is just the process seems long and drawn out.  Perhaps I can get some insight on this site!

[Vaughn]

It is just the process seems long and drawn out.  Perhaps I can get some insight on this site!

It's not so bad, really. Firms like gotorussia.net can handle the tourist visa. Your lady will probably walk you through the local registration. It's well worth the effort. You will not regret meeting her family and seeing her in her natural surroundings. Go for it!

[Faux Pas]

brownie


Welcome to RWD! Unless you've had some serious involvement in the upper echelons of government or a convicted felon you shouldn't have much problem with the visa to Russia. IMHO, it isn't just important that you go, it is vital before marrying this lady. Experience her culture, family and background. It is immeasurable insight as to the person she is. Chances are great it'll give you much more to appreciate about her.


Good Luck

[brownie]

Thanks for the advice.  She will have her interview soon and at this point, we are not sure there will be time to prepare all the paperwork.  How long does it take?  About a month or so give or take a few days?

[Faux Pas]

Thanks for the advice.  She will have her interview soon and at this point, we are not sure there will be time to prepare all the paperwork.  How long does it take?  About a month or so give or take a few days?

For you? Paying the regular fees 15-20 days. You can do the rush for significantly more money (forgot how much, 4-500 bucks) in just a few days. Normally, doing it the "regular" way and fees is really no biggie.


For her after her interview, her passport/visa will almost beat her home but, they say it will take a couple of weeks. Where is Russia is she from?

[brownie]

Thanks for the info!  Is this 15-20 day service through the consulate or a tourist visa service or both?   

She is from Konakovo.

[Faux Pas]

The visa service company will handle it. All told "regular" avenue visa will run you about $225. The rush visa will vary depending on how quick you need it. I think (not certain, check with the company) 5-7 days will run you about $500 bucks. Maybe quicker for more money, I don't really know. I've always went the regular route.


First step is to buy the invitation letter. Get it in hand and send (Priority or Fedex) your passport, invitation letter, visa app, return prepaid envelope (I use USPS Priority mail) and fee back to the agency, then have it back usually by 10 working days.

[Faux Pas]

I had to look up Konakovo. That should be a breeze to travel to. Not too far from Moscow

[brownie]

Hmmm... "buy" an invitation letter?  How is that done? I thought that my fiancee was to write this. Also, is this inclusive of consular fees?

[Faux Pas]

Hmmm... "buy" an invitation letter?  How is that done? I thought that my fiancee was to write this. Also, is this inclusive of consular fees?

Yes it is much easier for you to buy it than for her to get you one. $30-40 bucks from any one of the visa service companies. You have to have one to submit with your application. You'll have $225-240 invested in a visa, consular fees and all.


Try this one
http://www.travisa.com/

[brownie]

Thanks for the info!  I will definitely look into it!

[Muzh]

however, she always tells me now, I should come to Russia and see how she lives...  I don't understand this or that because I am not Russian...  Or, if I can not understand a process in her country, I am told "It's Russia..." 

That's not a request, that's an order, mister.






Just kidding. However, make your trip to Russia ASAP.

    Cowboy

[Kineo]

 
I must agree with everyone. You should make it a priority to go. I am confident you will gain invaluable insight into your woman by doing so!
 
 

[Manny]

As you have been told already, a visa to Russia is no big deal. Just pay an agency a hundred or two dollars and they will take care of all your invitation and other stuff. You just get the visa back in your passport in the mail. Trust whatever agency the people here recommend.

however, she always tells me now, I should come to Russia and see how she lives...  I don't understand this or that because I am not Russian...  Or, if I can not understand a process in her country, I am told "It's Russia..." 

Yes - you have been sitting on your hands for TWO YEARS. How long should she wait? Book a flight there today. Its a great country. You will have a ball there.

[brownie]

Ok! Ok! I am looking into it! Thanks!

[brownie]

I looked into it further using a visa service. I read the instructions and I started the online Russian visa application to see how far I can go before a good question would come up. The main problem for now is my fiancee will have her interview soon and hopefully, leave sometime thereafter. The problem is when. With that in mind, we are considering July or September. My question for now is, how is the private visa done if she is in the US with me? She owns a flat in her hometown. Anyone have any experience with such a situation?
Thanks!

[Faux Pas]

I looked into it further using a visa service. I read the instructions and I started the online Russian visa application to see how far I can go before a good question would come up. The main problem for now is my fiancee will have her interview soon and hopefully, leave sometime thereafter. The problem is when. With that in mind, we are considering July or September. My question for now is, how is the private visa done if she is in the US with me? She owns a flat in her hometown. Anyone have any experience with such a situation?
Thanks!

Please explain by what you mean as "a good question"? You very simply fill out the application completely and honestly. If you can't do that you probably need to resume the Turkey vacations 


You'll need to know the dates you plan to travel prior to filling out the visa application.


She can not complete you an invitation letter if she is in the US with you. Without some strategically placed help in Russia anyway. But never mind that, when she is with you in the US, in order for you to get a visa and travel to Russia with her you'll need to use a service company as mentioned earlier. As the requirements stand right now today, it'll be this way every time you travel there.


brownie, I sense you are not getting "it"

[Chicagoguy]

brownie             It's Russia
If I could have a dollar for every time I heard that expression I would be a rich man.
GO -  and when there you will hear it again 

[Jumper]

 
Brownie-
 
It would be best to visit her there to truly understand her and things in general(her perspective)
 
you'll only get a glimpse in a short trip, but its still  better than nothing.
 
 
Now, you seem to have the dilima that by the time you can get a Russian visa, she would be at her interview time to get her K1 visa?
 
It's confusing to readers ,perhaps because it seems a clear cut situation..
 
Regardless when you get your visa, just before,after,  or around the time she gets hers..
In any case her's is good for 6 months entry from date of issue.
 
So you could go beforehand if the visa for you comes in time,,
no problem.
 
or  you could plan your visit (and visa) accordingly,to a date when hers would likely be issued..
  go  to visit her,  and return with her to the USA..
(or she could still come at a later date with in the 6 months)
no problem
 
The option you seem to lean towards,
is visiting Russia after she is in the US, and that isn't very reasonable short term.
 
You'll have 90 days after she enters the US, to decide to marry or not.
The K1 visa she comes on doesnt allow travel back and forth,
it's  one time entry visa.
 
When/if you decide and marry, you'll need to file an adjustment of status.. to change her status, to that of a temporary permanent resident,based on your marriage.
She'll get a green card with this adjustment eventually, it can take 6 months to a year or longer  to process.
 
During that time (or at the same time) you can apply for advanced parole for her to travel.
That takes a couple months to process typically.
 
If she is in the US with you,
 you would need to wait to travel to Russia until you had all that sorted out.. the marriage, the AOS ,or with Advance Parole.
 
otherwise if she leaves the country before getting those documents, she could not return until her status had changed.
 
So after she arrives you need to understand you'd have a waiting period before you could take a vacation type trip to Russia or anywhere outside the USA.
 
The wait would depend on how long you waited to marry into the 90 days, and how long the process times with the USCIS were .
 
In short-
by far the  the easiest travel to russia for you , in the near future,  is for you to go before she comes here.
 
After she arrives you'll have some hoops to jump thru before she  can travel,
and the Russian visa for you would be no easier then, than it is now.
 
*shrugs*
 
 
 
Good Luck!