First timer headed to Ukraine

[cc3]

Another good question that I don't have a direct answer for. I am not overly familiar with the K-3. I haven't been through one of those. I would say not really. Keep in mind she is going to get vetted by the USCIS standard no matter which visa you petition for. The K-3 because of that will require more proof and documents. The K-3 immigrant will in most cases receive a 10 year greencard with the 3 year marriage stipulation and thus scrutinized more carefully.

I'm not overly concerned because we intend to live together in UA while she completes her business and English degrees, 2 to 3 years. But, after reading slingerland's amazing tale, I don't know if I would want her working for Ukrainian bosses in a corporate setting. After 2 years of marriage, we could apply for a CR-1 spousal immigration visa, which is not restricted by limits on number of visas to Ukrainians set by USCIS.

[Faux Pas]

I'm not overly concerned because we intend to live together in UA while she completes her business and English degrees, 2 to 3 years. But, after reading slingerland's amazing tale, I don't know if I would want her working for Ukrainian bosses in a corporate setting. After 2 years of marriage, we could apply for a CR-1 spousal immigration visa, which is not restricted by limits on number of visas to Ukrainians set by USCIS.

Neither is the K-1 but, if you are going to marry out of the US and live in Ukraine for a time and then have her immigrate the CR-1 is likely your best path. It's no short cut AFAIK from the K-1 or K3. Quite the opposite as I understand it. Good idea to watch LD's attempt. If he continues as he says he is, it is likely a good educational saga to heed

[Wayne]

LD, since you have never been married, you could have gotten all your documents done in Ukraine and have an appointment all set for getting married in November. You don't just walk into ZAGS and get married. The office where I was married had a five month waiting period--but someone cancelled, and we only had to wait about 6 weeks. They had weddings only two days per week and scheduled them every 15 minutes. If you were late for your appointment, too bad! This was a very popular ZAGS and people came from all over Ukraine to marry there.

I don't think you need to marry in Kyiv, unless that is best for you. Are you planning a big wedding with a lot of guests? What about your American friends and family? You know, you can have a church wedding following the ZAGS thing. Even if your fiancee was married before, the Orthodox church will do a second church wedding.

[lonedrake]

I don't think you need to marry in Kyiv, unless that is best for you. Are you planning a big wedding with a lot of guests? What about your American friends and family? You know, you can have a church wedding following the ZAGS thing. Even if your fiancee was married before, the Orthodox church will do a second church wedding.

Wayne, Thanks for the excellent info. We will have a small wedding party and then go to her city for a reception. She does not want a church wedding and we have not talked about what we will do in the U.S.

 

[lonedrake]

Time to wrap up this "trip report". I hate it when trip reports have no ending.

I just wanted to say I will not be traveling to Ukraine in November....and on top of it we are no longer engaged.

[lonedrake]

 I do have some pictures....I hope they are in good taste and nobody gets to upset.

[Boethius]

Are you married, or no longer a couple? 
 
 

[lonedrake]

Here are some from her city

[lonedrake]

yes

 

[mendeleyev]

LD, I enjoyed all the photos, especially the one in which our arms were bound together--an old and still special Ukrainian custom also observed in parts of Russia. That usually happens at two points--when the couple announces their plans to parents and again in the ceremony of marriage, both civil and religious.

[CanadaMan]

yes

Congrats Lonedrake!  All the best!

I look forward to you coming back here and giving advice to future 'First timers'. 

[lonedrake]

Thank you! 

I look forward to you coming back here and giving advice to future 'First timers'. 

 I can only pick and choose certain topics as even though I am married.....I am certainly no expert. I still thank RWD and its members for so much. In reality if I had never ran across this website I would have never had the courage to make a trip.

[calmissile]

Congrats Lonedrake,

We were married in Ukraine a few months ago and while the paperwork was a pain, nevertheless it was well worth it.  No longer any doubts about our commitment to each other.

I wish you both the best.

[JayH]

Congrats LD--- nice photos !!

[onlyFSU4me]

 Congrats Lonedrake!   




 It was great following your story, thanks for taking the time to post. Great to see everything worked out for you and I wish the two of you the very best!

[Ade]

yes

Congratulations.

[Patagonie]

Congratulations.

[Anotherkiwi]

Congratulations from me too!     May you have MANY happy years together.

[Faux Pas]

Congrats Lonedrake! 

[Muzh]

Sorry I'm late for the party.

Congrats Lonedrake.

[Wayne]

LD, it looks like it took you a couple of months to get your wedding done in Ukraine? Congratulations!
 
Would you like to share your experience with all the red tape?
 
How did you celebrate?  Looks like you took a tour around the city?

[Shadow]

Congratulations LoneDrake, the two of you make a great couple.

[GQBlues]

I hardly ever read the T/R section, thus I'm late to send my Congratulations!!!

May you have many years of happiness!

[ML]

I just wanted to say I will not be traveling to Ukraine in November....and on top of it we are no longer engaged.

Congratulations . . . but why the obfuscation?

[lonedrake]

but why the obfuscation?

My attempt at humor

Would you like to share your experience with all the red tape?
 

 It was much easier than anticipated. The difficult part was going over there planning to get married, but not sure if it would happen. We we not able to set concrete plans....just hoping it would work out.

All I needed,since I have never been married, was my passport. I scheduled an appointment online with the US embassy in Kiev for 8:30 am appointment on Sept 9th. Once there I filled out a letter of non-impediment to marriage,had to get that translated and apostolized in Kiev. This was on Sept 10th. We headed to her hometown of Tetiev that night. I decided I did not want to get married on Sept. 11th so on the 12th we went to the marriage place with documents. We were still not sure if it was going to happen. The lady told us to come back at 3pm and if everything checks out we might be able to get married that day. When we showed up....she had her marriage outfit on and 10 minutes later the ceremony started. With part of her family and a couple of friends there it was still only 10-12 people total.

 Later than evening we celebrated at her mothers house.Which by-the-way was the first time I met her mother.(her sister and husband were at the ceremony) Two days later we also had a celebration with her co-workers.

Everything worked out very well. My wife thought the paperwork would take four days to complete.  She says together we are magic. Now she thinks the CR-1 visa will only take three months.

 It still amazes me how well we get along,how we have such similar outlooks on life, how honest she is, and we even have the same sense of humor. We skype twice a day and have never had a fight at all. I think the biggest thing we disagree on is horescopes and psychic readings.

 I purchased tickets to go back over from Jan. 2nd to the 14th. I even rented a car   She does think I am a little crazy for renting a car....but I look forward to driving over there. We will pick up the car at 5pm in Borispol.(sp). She is worried that we will get lost as she always takes bus and never pays attention to the roads.

Anyways...thanks to all for so much advice. I know sometimes things get sidetracked but I think the vast majority of posters here are very helpful. Think about it....I am married to a wonderful sincere woman and the only knowledge I have of agencies is one woman I met for lunch and what I have read on here...otherwise I am clueless about them.