I will be in Moscow Aug 20th - Aug 24. Anyone care to meet?

[MaxxumUSA]

I arrive Monday flying in on Delta.  I will be busy with Elena for the first day - but will be available Tuesday afternoon and the next couple days.

Elena will be with me of course.

If anyone will be in Moscow and would like to get together for a drink or meal - feel free to give me a PM or post here.

- David

[acrzybear]

Maxx

just a couple of weeks shy, I will ber flying into Moscow on the morning of September 11th (Yeah not the best date to be flying) and flying back on September 25th.

Enjoy yourself

[Jazzyclassy]

would be great to meet but am not sure I might be in Rostov on Don these days having a holiday:)

I advise you to go to restaurant Soup-Cafe you will like it , it is a cool place on Belorusskaya metro station 1 ya Brestskaya 62/25, phone -251-13-83
this is for your lady in russian

- Москва г., Брестская 1-я ул., д. 62/25
Телефон: 251-13-83
Метро: БЕЛОРУССКАЯ
 Such a great soups there and wonderful atmoshpere , live music , my boy enjoyed so much:)

[Lily]

I'd be glad to meet, so count me in please

[MaxxumUSA]

Cool

I will exchange info with everyone who is interested before I fly.  We have plenty of time.

I just booked the tickets and planned the trip yesterday.

- David

[jj]

Maxxum.  who did you use for tickets? I am looking for round trip for me and bringing 2 (Marina and Tatiana) back with me.  I will pick them up about a week after interview.  I leave here Sept 5 and return Sept 12.  I trust she will get visa. I don't want to wait until last minute for tickets. -JJ

[catzenmouse]

jj,

 You may want to rethink that a bit. Say they request another document or two and reschedule her interview for a month later. What do you do with those tickets?

 A couple of suggestions.

 Buy open ended tickets or flexible schedule tickets. They will be more expensive but a lot cheaper than having to eat a couple because of some snag in the interview approval.

 - or -

 Wait until she is actually approved. You have some time after the approval so there is no need to rush. Yes, now that you can bring them here you want to do it as soon as possible, but you've already waited this long and you can get reasonable prices for a month or six weeks out.

FWIW,
 Ken

 

[Wayne B]

jj, you need to find out the normal time from interview to actually receiveing the visa, I don't know about Moscow 

[jj]

Thanks Ken,  Yes, I appreciate input.  I will probably look for flexible tickets.  I waited for 3 months of administrative review at embassy level, so hopefully they have all they need, but I have learned how unpredictable they can be. If it wasn't for American attorney in Moscow , I would still be waiting and I will retain him for duration. I will be calling around for best deals for flexible tickets . -jj

[catzenmouse]

Elena had her visa in hand in a little less than a week. We did not buy tickets until she had been approved. I think it was about 3 weeks after approval that she arrived so it was not an excessive wait by any means. I've just seen enough of those issues turn up at the interview from being on these boards for years now that I would never buy tickets before she had the visa in hand.

It only take one out of place document, a missed answer, a bad day by the interviewer, etc. to set the whole thing on its ear.

Of course, if buying multiple tickets is not a big deal then nevermind...

[jj]

Wayne- usually 3 to 7 days.  They have interview in Moscow on 30 of August, I will leave here 5 or 6 of Sept. -jj

[catzenmouse]

Thanks Ken,  Yes, I appreciate input.  I will probably look for flexible tickets.  I waited for 3 months of administrative review at embassy level, so hopefully they have all they need, but I have learned how unpredictable they can be. If it wasn't for American attorney in Moscow , I would still be waiting and I will retain him for duration. I will be calling around for best deals for flexible tickets . -jj

Good Luck jj! Hope it all works out this time.

Forgot to mention that Elena's interview was in Moscow and the time frame jj mentioned is right on.

Ken

[jj]

Thanks Ken.  Like David, I am excited about bringing them back for a new life together.   I am under no illusions about time involved with further steps toward permant residence etc. and ajusting to USA , but I have a winner, and we are determined.  It is good that they have been to visit is USA once before and love it. -jj

[MaxxumUSA]

Maxxum.  who did you use for tickets? I am looking for round trip for me and bringing 2 (Marina and Tatiana) back with me.  I will pick them up about a week after interview.  I leave here Sept 5 and return Sept 12.  I trust she will get visa. I don't want to wait until last minute for tickets. -JJ

JJ -

I have been three times this year.  I use Delta to get to moscow.  It is non stop from JFK or Atlanta direct to moscow.

Delta is a little bit higher price than some others out there - but they have been great with making changes in flights - which I did on two of my visits.

They charge a flat fee of $100 off season and $200 on season to make a change.  They might try to change the airfair rate also but if you refuse to pay it then they will reluctantly talk to a supervisor and make it less painful.

A friend from another forum - his fiancee had her interview on June 28th.  They had their visa in hand in two days.  They waited in moscow for the visa - and picked it up at DHL city center location.  His fiancee is going to call my Elena and tell her how to do it.  He said it was easy.

As for the Interview we have all papers checked and double checked, LOTS of documentation.  Plus it will be cool when they ask Elena when the last time she saw me - she will say a few minutes ago.  LOL

Plane tickets cost:

Albany to Moscow for me - round trip $1460
Moscow to Albany for her - round trip $1430

I got her round trip tickets because delta charges about $2,700 for one way for her.  She will simply not take the return flight.

If flying in country, aeroflot charges less for one way flights.

I'm meeting Elena in Moscow the day before her interview, AUG 20th.  We have both wanted to visit moscow anyway so we will wait there for the visa.  If all goes well we will leave moscow Friday and take a train to Samara.  I like train rides so I am looking forward to this also.

We will fly out of samara on Thursday the 30th and head home to Albany area.  I chose the Aug 30 date in case something goes wrong and the visa takes a few days longer.

This will be perfect timing for Labor day weekend.  Big time get togethers with friends and family happen in my area during this weekend so this will be a lot of fun for Elena.  I'm so excited to finally introduce her to the people in my life.  And I'm excited for HER as she is happy this is all happening.

I thought about waiting here in the USA for her - but I just don't want to miss out on the last few weeks of her life in Russia.  And we want to have an engagement celebration for all of her family and friends so they can say their goodbyes.

[jj]

Thanks David,  lots of good info there.  I've also come up with only expensive one-way tickets out of Moscow. Cheaper round-trip. Doesn't seem fair and seems like a waste.  But nyet problem as long as I can get them here.  I want to come thru Atlanta with them. I am not sure if they would let me be with them thru customs for support, but at least I can be available in Airport if needed.  It can sometimes take 2 or more hours for questions thru customs entering with her visa.  (depends on how many in line I guess).  Maybe someone here can relate their experience and if guys were able to be with them in customs.  We are going to talk to our lawyer in Moscow also about getting visa with next day or two after interview, but hers is on a Thursday, and DHL office may not be open .  Marina is going to check on that.  -John

[groovlstk]

Maxxum, what sites do you use to find fares? You can get a one-way ticket from Moscow to Albany for about $750, departing 8/30, if you search Mobissimo (thanks to Simoni for pointing me to this site).

[MaxxumUSA]

JJ,

I just talked with Richard - my friend from the other forum - on the phone for about 1/2 hour.

They came through JFK and he simply went through the customs line with his fiancee and her daughter.  He told customs this was his fiancee and they gave him no trouble at all.  The whole process was rather painless according to him - and was done in about 30 minutes.

VISA DETAIL CORRECTION FOLLOWS:  He also told me about the DHL details.  I was mistaken and they did not have the visa in their hand in two days.  It was issued in two days. Her interview was the 27th of june - visa issued 29th,  and they picked it up on july 4.  They were out of town between those dates so he is unsure how long the package was sitting at moscow center.

This is OK with me - just means we will probably just let DHL send it to us in Samara.

We will still stay in moscow a day or two past her interview and sight see.

[MaxxumUSA]

Maxxum, what sites do you use to find fares? You can get a one-way ticket from Moscow to Albany for about $750, departing 8/30, if you search Mobissimo (thanks to Simoni for pointing me to this site).

I like Delta.  Traveling that far it is less stops and less total travel time.

But...  you are correct.  I checked out the site and someone who wants to save a few bucks will do good on that site.

I bought my tickets at Delta.com.  I could have saved a few bucks elsewhere but it is much easier to change plans when you deal directly with the airline.

My first trip I used a travel agent to buy the tickets to Delta.  It cost me about $400.00 to add one day and it was a total pain because delta would not deal directly with me.

[catzenmouse]

They came through JFK and he simply went through the customs line with his fiancee and her daughter.  He told customs this was his fiancee and they gave him no trouble at all.  The whole process was rather painless according to him - and was done in about 30 minutes.

Just want to elaborate on this point. This is possible ONLY if you are flying in with them. If they are flying by themselves and you are meeting them then you will not be able to have any contact with them until after they clear customs.

Ken

[groovlstk]

They came through JFK and he simply went through the customs line with his fiancee and her daughter.  He told customs this was his fiancee and they gave him no trouble at all.  The whole process was rather painless according to him - and was done in about 30 minutes.

When you exit the plane at JFK and walk to the immigration lines for US Citizens and foreigners, you'll see an immigration officer whose job it is to help direct people. When I arrived w/my fiancee the officer told me I could pass through immigration with her and directed us to the line for foreigners.

Remember to fill out all the documents they give you on the plane. One of these, your I-94, has a perforated card that will be stapled into your fiancee's passport. It's a very important document and you'll need it for everything from getting her a SS card to filing AOS. Also, make sure to write VERY CLEARLY when you fill out your I-94 or any other docs. Some of this data will be entered into central computers and will be referenced to verify info in documents you'll file later. After my fiancee's arrival we had to wait an additional 8 weeks to get her SS card because some numbnut clerk entered her birthdate incorrectly... Upon looking at the I-94 that we hurriedly filled out, I could see from my sloppy writing that a clerk misinterpreted the "9" I wrote for a "7," so the real numbnut was me

VISA DETAIL CORRECTION FOLLOWS:  He also told me about the DHL details.  I was mistaken and they did not have the visa in their hand in two days.  It was issued in two days. Her interview was the 27th of june - visa issued 29th,  and they picked it up on july 4.  They were out of town between those dates so he is unsure how long the package was sitting at moscow center.

It might give you peace of mind to get the visa while it's at DHL's Moscow location, but it's not really easier. The DHL office is a metro + marshrutka ride away and we had to ask directions to find the customer service office. Once there we waited in line for about an hour before a sullen clerk bought us the package.

If I remember correctly, the Moscow Embassy staff will give your fiancee the DHL tracking # before she exits her interview. So if you're still interested in picking the visa up in Moscow you can phone DHL periodically during your time in Moscow to see if the package has arrived.

[Wayne B]

David and John, look over the forms for AOS, to see if you need to have any documents in Russian translated to English....it will probably be easier fall ya'll to get that done while in Moscow .....Ya'll will have 30 days after marriage to have the papers filed with USCIS...

[Wayne B]

Also pack her Russian articles such as spiritual, family and friends, paintings, wall hangings, books and at the least one bronze Lennin statue....because within the first or second day...she will start to rearange her new home....and she will more than likely not seek your opinion on this matter

[catzenmouse]

Also pack her Russian articles such as spiritual, family and friends, paintings, wall hangings, books and at the least one bronze Lennin statue....because within the first or second day...she will start to rearange her new home....and she will more than likely not seek your opinion on this matter

And don't be wussy on that Lenin statue either. She'll need one at least full bust and a minimum of 3 feet tall! 

[MaxxumUSA]

It might give you peace of mind to get the visa while it's at DHL's Moscow location, but it's not really easier. The DHL office is a metro + marshrutka ride away and we had to ask directions to find the customer service office. Once there we waited in line for about an hour before a sullen clerk bought us the package.

groov,

GREAT information about the I-94.  I had no clue.  I will make sure I fill out the forms very clearly and treat it with care.

Question for you groov...  So you used the same DHL trick that my buddy used.  How many days did it take to be there?

Elena's interview is on a tuesday.  Assuming all goes well the visa should be issued thursday.  Would DHL have it that night as I at first assumed?  Or would it still take a couple days before it could be picked up.

I ask because we plan to return to Samara and I want to decide what to do.

[jj]

Wayne B- thanks for info.  however , nyet Lenin, I will enlarge one of my pictures of Mother Russia statue, and frame it, and then see where she wants to hang it.  Of course, maybe near Statue of Liberty picture.  

Ken- I will be coming thru with them.  Thanks for heads up on me going thru her line at customs.  

David- I will continue to check flexible flight for them and still be able to return with me on same flight.  Some of the lower prices require longer lay overs and changing from LaGuardia to JFK airport. I am not crazy about that,  I will try to stay with my usual Atlanta to Moscow scenerio.