Moscow interview

[Wayne]

Hello all,

Oksana and Yana had a very, very bad experience at the US Embassy in Moscow today!

They went to the medical exams on 22 august.  They noticed that Oksana had a callus or blister or something on her finger.  Oksana said she got it from carrying around her heavy luggage.  The medical staff told her to re-schedule the visa interview because the embassy would not take her finger prints with a damaged finger.  (What finger would I like to show to ass holes!)

So today, 24 August, Oksana went to the embassy.  I did not get all the details yet, because Oksana is very upset.  She said that she was humiliated and this was the most difficult day in her life.  The results are that the interview is re-scheduled for 1 December. 

Our visa petition was approved on 4 Feb 2005, and arrived in Moscow a few weeks later.  Three months were wasted on AR before the interview was set. 

Now, we have to wait three months more!  Is there anything to be done?

 

 

[Turboguy]

Wayne,  Would you mind going to www.visajourney.com, to the section relating to foreign embassy dealings and reposting this.    There are some people there that are doing their best to try and make a difference and I think the more ammunion they have the better.    I don't know that they will get far but they are trying.  One of the big holdups seem to be that no one knows the jerks name.   

What happened to you is sad.  Having gone though some disappointment myself I can empathise with you.

[Turboguy]

Wayne I forgot to say to post it in the Russian Embassy thread.   This may take you right there.  http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=28858&st=1530

If you don't want to do that then if possible I would like to post your story there.

[RacerX]

Wayne,

Well it's really not their fault, but I understand your disappointment.  Re-scheduled interviews are always a problem, especially for a place as busy as Moscow.  In the past, some girls have had luck calling them and pleading for an earlier date - often there are cancellations and they will agree to slot her earlier.  I wouldn't give up just yet, but it you/she calls be prepared to give a reason why an earlier date would be so important (hint: maybe she just found out she is pregnant, etc.)

[BC]

Racer,

Would be kind of 'blonde' to show up with an easily available doctors attest showing she is pregnant when the medical exam folks have the bloodwork.. or would be asked to confirm.

 

[Wayne]

I believe Oksana and Yana have passed the medical exams.  However, Oksana is a very honest person and she would not lie to get a sooner interview.  Anyway, she cannot have any more children because of a medical condition, so that is probably already in her medical exam file.

Yes Turbo, I post some in vy and will reply there.  How are things with you and Luda?  She is already in America?
When I find out more from Oksana I will write to the members of congress concerning our case.  If the problem is with the Latino CO in Moscow--I will report it.  Oksana was treated very badly today.  She said it was the worst day in her life--and she has had many bad things happen to her!  Now, she can only get a flight back to Krasnoyarsk on 29 August--and must pay for business class tickets.  As everyone knows, all the schools in Russia and Ukraine start on 1 Sep so everyone is returning home. At least we did not purchase the tickets to Detroit ahead of time.  We just hope that she can return to her job in Krasnoyarsk and that they have not replaced her yet.  I am not rich, so these expensives add up.  

Hey guys, in Kyiv and Warsaw, do they still let the American citizen into the embassy on the day of the interview?

This is really terrible!  Oksana was so much prepared with the documents and evidence--but never had a chance to show it!  It seems like they could have completed the interview and asked her to return in a few days for the finger prints.  She rented an apartment for a whole month!  Now, the appointment is scheduled until 1 December.  I really wish we could remove the Latino CO before then.

Any ideas?  What is his name?  Who remembers?

I spent all my free time working on my home and waiting.  I have the new king size bed still wrapped in plastic.  It is just so crazy!

[Turboguy]

Yes, I had my bed all wrapped in plastic when Luda was supposed to get here the first time.    I broke down and put it together.   If she doesn't like it, I will wrap her in plastic.   Just kidding,  Maybe a couple of red plastic bows.

You asked if Luda was here yet.  Right now she should be stepping off the all night train in Moscow and catching a cab to the airport..   12 hours from now I fly to Atlanta to meet her and fly back to Pittsburgh with her.   22 hours from now we will both be in Pittsburgh.    

 

[Wayne]

Ray,  I hope you and Luda are very happy together.  This must be a very exciting time for you.  Be sure to take photographs at the airport when she arrives.

The new bed is solid oak and very, very heavy.  It would take about 4 strong men to move it once it is all put together.  You can be sure the Oksana will want to move all the furniture around in the bedroom, so I should just wait to set up the bed. 

Oksana returns to Krasnoyarsk early morning on 30 August. 

 

 

[Wayne]

More bad news!

Now, Oksana is giving up the idea of coming to America.  She is going to Uzbekistan to visit with her Mother, who  is going to have an operation--but I do now know exactly what is wrong with her.  I know the medical treatment available to her Mom is not good.  The family is very poor.

Oksana's close friend, Liana, is married to an American and now lives in Texas, USA.  I know Liana and she is trying to help me--but Oksana is not answering the telephone and not answering Liana's email message. 

I arranged to send flowers, a birthday cake (Which said: Happy Birthday Wayne") and a translated letter from me through an English speaking guide in Krasnoyarsk.  Oksana sent me an electronic birthday card with music after receiving the presents.  The message was very sad, but kind.

I would like to go to Oksana when she is in Uzbekisatan--but I do not even have the address nor phone number of her Mother. 

If anyone can offer a positive suggestion, please reply.  I do not need any more sorrow!

 

Wayne

 

 

 

 

[BC]

Depending on how she travelled could take a while to get there, settle urgent matters and find communication facilities, thus the pause in communications. First things first.. She will likely call or email when she gets the first good opportunity.

[RacerX]

Wayne,

I'm a little hesitant on posting this because you sound a little down, but did you get any clarification about her interview?  As you may know, they don't take the fingerprints until after the interview is concluded so it would be extraordinary for them not to invite her back in a week or so just to complete this 30 second task.  In addition, they normally won't 're-cycle' you to such a late interview date unless you were a no-show.

Sometimes the girls get cold-feet before or even after the interview so it might not be a bad idea for you to arrange a visit soon and see what damage control is necessary.

[Michelangelo]

More bad news!
Oksana's close friend, Liana, is married to an American and now lives in Texas, USA.  I know Liana and she is trying to help me--but Oksana is not answering the telephone and not answering Liana's email message.  

Hang in there, Wayne.  Give it some time...time for her to travel and to reflect, and keep working through Liana, who it seems to me is your best avenue to geeting back in touch with oksana.

[Wayne]

Thanks everyone.

Oksana said she did not get interviewed.  From what others have said, I thought the thumb prints are taken before the questions in the Moscow embassy.  Anyway, when Oksana was at the medical clinic, they noticed her hand.  Oksana called the embassy.  They told her to come in on the interview day and they would look at her hand.  I am not exactly sure of all the details, but Oksana said that she was humiliated very badly.  I wish that I had gone to Moscow for the interview time.  Probably, the results would have been different.  I would have advised Oksana not to say anything and just go for the interview.  Who knows?

Oksana will probably not go to the internet cafe to check her email when visiting her Mother in Uzbekistan.  No one seems to know the phone number there.  Oksana said she would stay there perhaps a few weeks.  Probably her Daughter, Yana, is in school and staying with someone in Krasnoyarsk.  I just mailed 21 post cards to Oksana.  You know, I live in a very beautiful area, so the post cards show lakes, waterfalls, light houses, National Cherry Festival, and so on.  I also mailed some recent photographs.  I will continue to email to Oksana, then print it out and mail it along with a photograph.  I want to see Oksana again soon, so I may have to go to Krasnoyarsk.

 

[Goombah]

I missed something somewhere.  What was the issue with her hand, why was it embarrasing?

Kevin

[Michelangelo]

I missed something somewhere.  What was the issue with her hand, why was it embarrasing?

Kevin

from first post by Wayne:

Oksana and Yana had a very, very bad experience at the US Embassy in Moscow today!

They went to the medical exams on 22 august.  They noticed that Oksana had a callus or blister or something on her finger.  Oksana said she got it from carrying around her heavy luggage.  The medical staff told her to re-schedule the visa interview because the embassy would not take her finger prints with a damaged finger.

[Turboguy]

I believe the situation was that she had done some work and had a bad blister on her hand that prevented them from getting fingerprints.   Some of these gals have very tender psyche's   I am sorry to hear you are having problems.  

Thanks for asking about Luda and I.   I will post something in about a week.   With Luda you never know from one day to the next.   It has been interesting though.  You keep learning new things.  Like in Russia it is not polite to tell someone they look nice or that you like their outfit if you meet them in the street.  If you are at a party or thier home it is ok then.  Hummm strange. 

[ConnerVT]

Some of these gals have very tender psyche's  

For a person whom is leaving the world as they know it for a life completely different, spoken in a language they really don't know (and usually with a person they also hardly know), having a "very tender psyche" is a major detractor... :?


'Love conquers all' is a great concept -- in the movies or a cheap romance novel.  To have a successful multi-cultural relationship, love should be blended with capable, self confident, and flexible people...

[Wayne]

Oksana and I had a wonderful relationship before the problem at the embassy.  When we taling on the phone, she was always so happy to hear my voice.  We always spoke about our love for each other and ended the conversation by sending kisses. 

Oksana had a really terrible experience in Moscow.  She was not treated properly by the embassy staff.  One problem, perhaps I did not mention.  Oksana made friends with another woman whom she met in Moscow.  They wanted to take a photo of each other in front of the US Embassy.  Well, the guards ran over, ripped the camera out of her hand, then ripped out the film.  Oksana is a very friendly, outgoing person.  She is also romantic and sensitive.  It just seems like everything went wrong for her.  Now, she hesitates at going back to the embassy.  I wish they would allow the American citizen to attend the interview. 

I just sent an email to Oksana.  I printed it out and will mail it along with some photographs and other information about this beautiful region.  When she returns from the trip to see her Mother, there should be many letters and postcards from me in her mail box.  I how this works!

 

 

[Michelangelo]

I feel your pain, Wayne, and I am so sorry this happened.  I send my prayers and best wishes and hopes to you...

[Turboguy]

Hang in there Wayne.   Do all you can to build her confidence back up and to rebuild the relationship the embassy destroyed.   We are all rooting for you.  

There is a saying that time heals all wounds.   I think it was intended for other things but it may help heal the wounds she suffered at the embassy.   Write your congressman.  Moscow Embassy seems to do some things they should not be doing.  They need an shake up there and the more complaints there are the more chance of something happening.   Good luck and keep us informed.  We care.

[Wayne]

Thanks everyone for your support.

Turbo, I know you went through a difficult experience, also, but was able to obtain the visa.

Oksana is starting to come arround.  She did not run off to Mama, but sent the money to pay the bribe for her operation.  Hope everything works out.

Oksana is agreeing to come to America--but with some restrictions.  She wants me to visit with her for two weeks before the visa interview.  I had to ask the embassy to re-open our case, and wait for an answer.  Does anyone know?  I believe there is a period of one year from the petition approval in USA that the case can be extended.  Also, for those of you who obtained the K-1 visa, is it valid for a period of six months from the issue date?  Now, Oksana is concerned about Yana's school.  She is in 9th grade and Oksana does not want her to lose the credits.  Does anyone know if the Russian schools have two semesters and when the first one ends and the second begins?  I know all the schools start on 1 Sep.

Wayne

[RacerX]

Wayne,

I thought you said she was re-scheduled for December??  So, why would you want to "reopen" the visa?

[Wayne]

Oksana was very upset about what happened at the embassy, and was giving up.  She had called the embassy to cancel the file.  I send an email to the embassy asking to keep the file open.  Anyway, Oksana and I are trying to work things out.  

Please, for those of you who received the visa, it is valid for a period of six months after the date of issue?

Please look at the visa and let me know.

[Turboguy]

That is correct wayne.   It is good for 90 days and valid for 180

[RacerX]

Wayne,

I guess I missed way too much in the translation to be able to comment much on your situation.  For example, she is not the petitioner, so she could not "call the embassy and cancel the file."  But, I found it interesting she took the initiative to even call them, seeing as how they 'wronged her' somehow.  There's probably a lot more to this whole scenario that might best be left private, and little to do with visas, so best of luck to you both.