Tourist Visa ?

[smilingjake]

In December of 2009 I brought a lovely Ukrainian woman to America after we filed for a K-1 visa.
We failed to marry within the 90 day stipulation and she returned to her home in the Ukraine.
In the nearly two year time frame since her return we have remained close, talking, and with Skype.
I was planning on visiting her later this year, perhaps summer. She indicated that she would like to
visit me this year. I told her it would be unlikely that she would be unable to obtain a tourist visa for visiting.
She thought that since she had been to America previously and voluntarily returned to the Ukraine, perhaps that fact might make it easier to obtain a tourist visa. I am wondering what insight or what the other members think.
I realize it would be easier for me to go and visit, however, she would love to see my kids and my friends who she enjoyed spending time with when she was here.

[ML]

If you read the official U.S. Embassy in Kyiv website, you will understand that they indicate that the existence of a male friend in USA will decrease the chances of UW to get tourist visa to visit USA.

Add into this the fact that she came once on the K visa . . . and I don't know which way this swings the decision.

Having gone back once should help her cause.
But having a known male friend here will still hurt her cause.

[bcoghl]

Having been in this game for a long time, I truly believe your friend will find getting a tourist visa almost impossible.
You write that she returned voluntarily.  In the eyes of the government she went back to Ukraine as outlined in the terms of the visa.  Since you did not marry she was REQUIRED to return to Ukraine.  Yes, she fulfilled this, but there is now INHERENT risk that has been elevated.
Now, that is not to say that she won't get one, but I find it highly unlikely. 

If she does apply, you need to tell her that you don't exist.  The letter of invitation needs to come from someone that is not you.  Friends, cousins, etc., could write the letter and give any supporting documentation.  If your name comes up that will probably be a red flag that will eliminate her, altogether.

You can always try, but I hate to say this is probably an effort in futility.  I HOPE I AM WRONG!

 

[sniper]

Im sorry, but its very unlikely that she will visa
American consulate has to see everybody as a potential immigrant unless they proved otherwise. Its most important - show the officer you have no immigration intention. K1 visa is dual intention visa, it means person showed her immigration intention once when was obtaining K1 so...that makes it way more complex and difficult to prove that she doesnt have those anymore. Practically, almost impossible. Mostly, the only visa one will likely get after K1 is another K1. Sorry.
She can try, but its hardly worthy, though who knows...every rule has an exception. Sometimes, obtaining american visa is just a lottery.
Good luck

[clancyhound]

My experieance might help - might not.
My girl and I filed for a K-1 visa in August. 
Just 3 weeks ago she filed for a Tourist Visa, she went to interview in Екатеринбург and ws approved for a 2 year tourist visa.
We did indicate on the Visa application she did apply for a K-1, she was never asked about it - her interview for tourist visa lasted about 30 seconds.
She does have a fairly good history of travel to Europe and did visit USA on a student visa in June.  Always returning to Russia with no problems, this Im sure was a big factor in being approved for tourist visa.
Give it a try, just a few $'s to loose and some time.
I asked on another forum and was told she would never be approved, we were happy all went smooth.
 
Wish you good luck and good health.

[Faux Pas]

Smiling Jake

Welcome back to RWD! Despite what most here are stating remember, the rules for tourist visas for Russians and Ukrainians is now more relaxed than they were previously. She won't know for certain unless she applies. A couple of things to keep in mind. The consulate isn't going to punish her for returning from her previous K-1 visa. Her travel for that trip will increase her chances (not decrease) of a visa simply because she does have "some" history for them to base a decision on. Does she also have other travel history? The more the better.

I recently wrote a letter of invitation for one of my wife's former comrades whom I know and someone who rented me an apartment on a couple of occasions. She was approved without so much as the bat of an eye. She is a risk but, she has good travel history.

Situations are different. Consulate officers are different. It is much easier for RW/UW now than before if they meet the guidelines. I do agree it is probably not a good idea for you to provide the invitation letter as it might only raise unneeded questions.

[ML]

Some people mention 'letter of invitaton.'
For Ukraine citizens, there is no required invitation.
In fact, USA would rather foreigners come here bringing enough money to pay for everything themselves.
An invitation letter, particularly if it mentions providing financial support, defeats this goal.

[Faux Pas]

Some people mention 'letter of invitaton.'
For Ukraine citizens, there is no required invitation.
In fact, USA would rather foreigners come here bringing enough money to pay for everything themselves.
An invitation letter, particularly if it mentions providing financial support, defeats this goal.

To or fro?

AFAIK, nobody needs an invitation letter to obtain a tourist visa to the US. My wife's friend was pretty insistent she did so I wrote her one. I faxed it, scanned and emailed it. As if that wasn't enough, she asked me to snail mail the hard copy. I did that too. She included the fax in with her application package. She was approved quickly and without any fanfare for a 2 year tourist visa. I should note she has been to the US last year on a 30 visa of some kind and has also traveled frequently to Europe and Asia. She has a daughter in N.Y. who I do know was an overstay student at one time. I don't know her current status

[smilingjake]

Thanks for the input and suggestions. I am leaning towards just flying over to Dneptroptvosk for my summer vacation this July. We can pick up where we left off two years ago and decide if another K-1 Visa is in our future.


Jake

[roykirk]

I always pop on to these threads when I see them, because I always want to provide my experience, which is usually contrary to the conventional wisdom.  My wife (Russian) received two different tourist visas to the United States when we were dating without a single hiccup.  The second one was after we had already filed for K-1.  She was single, in her early twenties, and still not a problem.  The things that I'm sure helped her be successful was that she owned her own flat, had a full time job, and had a fair amount of money in the bank.  Since she moved over here 3 years ago, her mother has also visited us twice on a tourist visa. 

So, while it's still sort of a crapshoot (especially with the previous K-1), it's certainly not out of the question.  You definitely want to follow the advice of the posters above who said that if she does apply, she can't mention a boyfriend.  That will definitely send up a red flag.  She left me out of the picture on the first visa, but obviously had to mention me on the second one since we had already filed for K-1.  She just told them she needed to come over for a few weeks to help me house hunt and then she was going back to close down her life and wait until the K-1 was approved.  Not a problem.  She was actually pissed that the consulate agent didn't even look at half of the supporting documents she brought.  I think sometimes they just get a "vibe" off people. 

[BC]

Roykirk,

Regarding supporting docs for tourist visa, both times we applied, we handed in the docs at one window and waited a while before being called.  That gave them plenty of time to review them behind the scenes, before the actual interview.  Some of the questions asked related to the documents.

But yes, the ducks have to be lined up correctly or they won't fly.  The CO's see thousands of applicants per year, so do have a good eye for anything out of line.  I think 80 to 90% of their decision is based on docs alone with the rest their personal impression of the applicant.

[sniper]

Is anybody aware that applying for tourist visa after K1 petition was filed is a violation of rules???

[55North]

My Russian stepson is married to an American women, who has already visited my stepson's Russian-based relatives of 2 households in the same street. 
 
* Both households have financial means and home ownership. 


* One household head (+ wife , 2 children) owns a small retail business chain.  He is my stepson's cousin.


* Household 2 is his retired aunt and uncle, parents of his cousin.


* They would like to visit together in the summer.  (possibly with journey break in England of a few days, where my stepson's mother, my wife, lives).




Invitation or not?  My feeling is that financial support would be no problem from either side.  Could the visa applications be taken together as a 2-household party?
 
As a non-American, is there anything else to know (though no doubt the local US Russian community will be full of 'advice'.

[Gator]

As a non-American, is there anything else to know (though no doubt the local US Russian community will be full of 'advice'.

To approve a tourist visa, the US consulate must believe there are reasons which compel a visitor to return to their native country.
 
In the past few years the US seems to be more lenient about issuing tourist visas to Russians.  A mid-40s RW has visited me several times via a tourist visa.  Nevertheless, solid citizens such as RWD's Vaughn have seen the application denied for his sister-in-law.   It is still a crap shoot and much probably depends upon the mood of the CO (consular officer).

[tfcrew]

Is anybody aware that applying for tourist visa after K1 petition was filed is a violation of rules???

I could be wrong but I believe you are thinking of what I refer to as the double whammy. [apologies to Judge Dread]...
Applying for two different visas at once can gum up the works on both of them.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/206677-ukraine-simplified-application-process-dropbox/

If she did not overstay her initial visa, it is OK to apply for another.
The most the US embassy can say is no.
My wife's son's MIL applied for a visa [to visit children & grandson] and was turned down. I told them to just keep after it and 2 years later she got one.

[ML]

My wife's son's MIL applied for a visa [to visit children & grandson] and was turned down. I told them to just keep after it and 2 years later she got one.

Gets a little pricey; doesn't it?

[tfcrew]

Gets a little pricey; doesn't it?

Yeah, I guess it could. 
 

Nonimmigrant visa application processing fee (non-refundable) for all categories below
 

• Non-petition-based nonimmigrant visa (except E): $140.00

 

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1263.html

The kids probably had to pay for two or three trys but in the end it paid off.
They got a babysitter for six months.
What does day care cost in New York City?

[JR]

The only sure way to fail is to never try ))

[BC]

Gets a little pricey; doesn't it?

And if successful, reciprocity fees are on top..  For RU, another hundred bucks.

Pick the country here to see the reciprocity fees for B1/B2 visa.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html