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Getting married in Russia
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Posted by: Jefe

Hi, I have recently joined this website because I am engaged to a girl in Russia. I really don't know much about the immigration process. I know that there are a few different ways to get her over here. We have looked at the K-1 visa option and we both think it will take too long. We briefly talked about bringing her over here on a tourist visa with a round-trip ticket but having her "miss" the plane while we get married. That option also seems to be out because I heard that she will not be able to get a visa back into Russia ever, if she does that. Does anybody know for sure?
Our final option then, is for me to go over in December after my finals and we will get married. Then, we apply for a K-3 visa, right?
One more question; is it mandatory to wait 32 days to get married in a ZAGS after you get your marriage letter authenticated? Is there any way around that? The reason I ask is because I will only be able to stay in Russia for about 20 days. My last final at college is on the 17th of December and I have to leave to start the winter semester by January 3rd.
Thanks all for your help.

Posted by: pharmrep2

HI Jefe
I read your post, and I have got married in Russia in June and currently going through the K-3 process. In answer to your first question you still have the K-1 and K-3 visa options. If you live in the Northeast Section of the USA, where you petition would go through Vermont the K-1 and K-3 processing time would be the same you might even get an approve petition for a K-1 first than from the K-3. That is if you live in that region. In answer to your other questions, about ZAGs. Yes it is possible to get married before the 30 day mandatory wait for foreigners. Especially if you show your visa with the date of your depature and passport showing that you will leave the country before the 30 day mandatory wait. But I am worried about the short timetable you have. Because it falls within the holiday season (which some goverment offices might be closed). It will take 5 business days to authenticate your marriage letter. That leaves you 15 days to get married. Which is possible but cant married in your last week because it will be the New Year holidays and plus the days after that some gov. offices will be closed until after Dec. 7th, and you will leave the weekend after New Years. So really you have the weekend of 27th Dec. to get married. Which is 2 days after you get your authenticated marriage letter. I dont know if you could get married that fast, it is all up to the Director of ZAGS. I dont know if there other options, because what I have been talking about is a marriage ceremony, maybe it is possible just to sign a marriage certificate during the week or weekend without the hupla of a wedding ceremony, just sign and that is it. But I dont know if this is an option you must talk to your fiancee and have her find out at ZAGS. Plus I noticed that you are still study at the University. Which brings up other things, but I dont have more background on you in terms of your study, when you started and when will you finish school? and are you working while going to school? Because you might take the K-1 route if you need to finish schooling. Plus once you have filed for a petition, in the near future you need to provide and affidavit of support, and you must show you that your income is above the poverty line. Which most of us know that most college students are one of the poorest people in the USA

. Damn high tuition and fees. But I dont know it is a tough decision, you could getting married in Russia, but if it doesnt work out you could have a backup of going through the K-1 route. That way you can finish your studies while you go through the process. Just my thoughts and advice. Anyone want to add anything, correct me, or have other thoughts or options? Good luck Jefe
Dax

Posted by: Jefe

Hey, thanks for your reply Dax. Yeah, I know it is going to be a really tight window. We've discussed that and I might be able to stay until the 8th of Jan. but I'm not sure yet.
I don't live in the Northeast unfortunately, I'm from WA so it would take about a year for the petition and approval process. We just don't want to wait that long. I am still in school and will be until I finish dental school (5 years from now!). So yes, I will be below the poverty level for quite a while

. But hey, you do crazy things when you're in love, right?

Thanks again, your answer is very helpful and I'm sure I'll be contacting you again.
Jefe

Posted by: Khashyar

Hi Jefe and DAX (pharmrep)...

Welcome to the forums, Jefe...

I am glad that DAX knows about JAGS (because I am not that familiar with them....) Thanks for the useful and helpful information...

Is it really true that a k-3 (marriage-based) visa takes less time than a fiance (K-1) visa??

It certainly was true that a K-1 visa took much less time than did a K-3...

I suppose if the K-1 Regioanl Service Center and National Service Center processing times have increased recently, then it might take longe than just dealing with the U.S. foreign-based Consulate with a K-3....

I am wondering if anyone has heard which visa is a shorter process at the present time?

Khashyar

Posted by: pharmrep2

Khashyar
Well for me it took 30 days to get an approval (from 1st NOA to 2nd NOA) from MSC. But currently it is going through NVC check. In terms of how long until interview date, I still dont know the way things are looking it might be in late Nov or anytime in Dec if I am lucky. That would be a total of almost 5 months.
Dax

Posted by: Khashyar

Hi DAX...

5 months doesn't seem THAT bad...

I know that during the end of 2002 (about 1 year ago), it was significantly longer to go through the K-3 process than the K-1 (fiance visa) process....

I hope you get your good news soon

Khashyar

Posted by: pharmrep2

Thanks Khashyar
Yeah I was in this website that had past history in terms of processing times for MSC, and found out that 6+ months it took longer to get an approval letter. But lately the processing times have been trimming. I think 3 months ago it was 2 months to get an approval, and 2 months ago it was 1 1/2 months, and 1 month ago it was 30 days. But now if you look at the processing times it seems they jumped back at MSC because it says it is processing petitions from April 14, 2003 which is odd since the month before it was July 14, 2003. hmmmmm strange isnt it.

Posted by: Khashyar

I think that the U.S. BCIS is somewhat confused in its attempt at reorganizing

Thank you for posting the current information that you read... I am sure that this is helpful for others...

Khashyar

Posted by: Kalexandra

Hi Jefe,

I also got married in Russia this past summer. We are working on the K-3 right now for Igor, and our lawyers told us that the approximate amount of time it takes is 6 months while the K-1 runs about 8 months. The income/poverty level thing isn't really too much of a problem because you can have someone co-sign with you. In our case, my dad co-signed and so there was no level of income required for me as long as my dad's was a certain percentage over the poverty level and agreed to support Igor if need be

) I am still a student too, and living in Russia on top of that so i didn't even have tax papers for the past year. As for ZAGS, I would be concerned about the tight timetable too. Anything can happen here. But, Dax is right, it is basically in the ZAGS director's hands. The ZAGS we got married at was open on Thursdays as well as Saturdays. Usually Saturdays fill up pretty fast. When we went to register, there had been a line of people since 6 in the morning waiting to sign up for Saturday so when we came at 9 (when it opened) the Saturday we wanted (in 30 days) was already full. But, it won't hurt to try and talk to the director (with a small "present"). Good luck whatever you decide to do

Kate

Posted by: ConnerVT

I think some of the people who post here overlooked some serious questions --

Jefe --

Have you been to Russia yet, and met your girl? You can't file for a K-1 visa until you have met in person. If you marry there in Russia, you will still need to wait, while your K-3 is being processed. K-1 and K-3 are running about the same for process times.

Are you ready to be responsible for a family? Your wife will rely on you for many things as she's adjusting to life in the West. She will need to learn language and how things are done here. Were you serious about breaking Federal immigration laws, making her an illigal immigrant? Doesn't sound too responsible to me, and quite a bit selfish.

Can you afford it? Besides the need for you to travel to meet her, you will need to pay for everything she needs here. Plane tickets. A couple thousand $$ for processing all the immigration paperwork (the K-1 is just the beginning!). English classes. Medical insurance. Clothing. Food. Got the picture? If you can't meet the Federal guidelines for poverty level (which at 150% is impossible to actually live on!), you probably shouldn't be thinking of being responsible for someone else.

Posted by: Jefe

Thank you Kate, Kashyar, Dax, and Conner. Knowing some others have been through the same process is a big help. And the information you have shared is invaluable.
Conner, I do appreciate your concerns, thank you for sharing them. However, let me fill you in on a few things. My fiancee and I are able to communicate easily in both English and Russian. I am fluent in Russian and she speaks excellent English (probably better than mine since she never makes any grammar mistakes!)
Yes, even though I am a poor student, I think I am able to support her. Besides my grants and scholarships, my parents are able to help out with plane travel and I do have great insurance. I have thought these things out and yes, we have met. I have spent a total of over two years in Russia and we have gotten to know each other quite well.

Posted by: Jutman

Hi. same situation as you, except I hope to be married in October. I translate the paers before I go to russia, so my lady take the papers down to the zags office before my arrival.

Posted by: Jefe

Hey Jutman, how exactly do you do that? I thought you had to be there to get the marriage letter in Moscow...is there a way to do that without being present?
(gotta go to class, I'll be back this afternoon)

Posted by: Jutman

As I wrote. I get the officail stamp from my government and the Russian Embassy verify the papers. These papers I just send to my lady, who take the papers to the Zags office. The office want a small 'fee' of 1000 Rubel (=30USD) since we can't make the 4 weeks time limit.
Then I visit her, for 1 week in October. Here we will take the ceremony at the zags office.

Posted by: pharmrep2

Hi Jefe
Jutman is from Denmark and they have a different way of getting documents stamped and documente, it seems to me. As for the US Citizens they need to go the US Embassy/Consulate and fill out a Marriage Letter have it notarized there by a notary public, and take it to the Minisitry of Foreign Affairs office for legalization of the marriage letter. As for translationyou could wait and do it in Russia in some places they could do it the same day.Then find a Russian notary public to notarized it and there you have your notarized translated passport document.

Posted by: Jefe

Hey Dax,
Thanks, yeah that's what I thought. Could I ask you another question? I've never been married before so when I go to fill out the Marriage Letter at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, do I need to bring any paperwork with me other than my passport and visa?

Posted by: pharmrep2

Hi Jefe
If you never been married. Then yep you only need your passport and your visa and $30 bucks for the notary service, and that is all. I took my birth certificate also but it was not necessary.
Dax

Posted by: Khashyar

This thread has some great information for people wanting to marry in Russia.... Thanks for posting the helpful information, everyone...

I did not know that the processing times for K-1 and K-3 visas are approximately the same at this point.... This really works against the U.S. government's attempt to give people as much chance as possible to meet one another and understand whether they are right for one another before they are married....

I do agree that it is wise for two people to get to know each other as much as possible before deciding to marry-- it certainly does not hurt to gather information about what is needed for the process.... I think that it takes longer to get to know someone over a long distance than to get to know someone you are spending time with in-person.... But, two people need to look in their hearts (and minds) to decide when the right time for marriage is...

Again, the U.S. govt. is doing itself a disservice in not making the fiance visa process shorter than the marriage visa process, because there is less of a reason to go the fiance visa route for some applicants....

There is even one advantage to getting married in Russia and then applying for a K-3 visa-- I believe that even though your wife in out of the country, you can take her added deduction on your income taxes....

Khashyar

Posted by: pharmrep2

opps almost forgot one thing. If possible take you fiancee with you to fill out the marriage letter. Let her fill it out in Russian so it will make it easier for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Plus make sure she writes the your name in Russian that is identical to way it is spelled in Russian on your visa. Same goes when translating your passport.

Posted by: Jefe

Hey Dax, thanks again. And thanks to everyone else who has offered advice and suggestions, Dax, Kate, and Khashyar, you've been especially helpful. Hey, I posted a picture of Olga and I in the Member Gallery for anyone who would like to see it. Just my way of thanking ya'll. It's under the title "Jeff and Olga in St. Petersburg." You guys rock!
Jefe

Posted by: Khashyar

Thanks, Jefe....

(and good advice, DAX)...

Jefe... I will go to the Photo Galleries to look at the photo... (it's always interesting to see member's photos....)

Khashyar

Posted by: Jutman

Pharmrep

Not must different, by your description. You have the advantage that your documents are in english. Not many Russian people in a provincial town can translate it to/from Danish.

I just need verifcication from the the different administrative departments, like your notaritation. Translated them, then my secretary of foreign affair must approve them (like give them a apostille stamp). Then send the papers to the Russian embassy for approval.

NB: Some european countries do not use apostille stamp.

Yesterday I learned that my translator is not approved. Now I got a setback of 3 weeks. Now it will be a problem , to make documents ready for wedding in october.

In addition, the new translation will cost double fee, because its a special translator.

Posted by: Khashyar

I find it interesting to read things from a Dane's point of view

Thanks Brian for sharing your perspective in the forum...

Jefe... as long as you communicate your financial situation clearly to your fiance, as well as explaining what your married life would be like in America with you being a student, then she can have a better understanding and agree to live the kind of financial life that this would entail...

Having gone through integrating my wife into my life in the past year myself (both emotionally and financially), it is good to be aware that you (and your fiance) will need to think about how you will support two people...

As long as you ahve thought about this, and undestand that you and your fiance will be able to afford a married life together as a student, then you can feel comfortable with bringing her here...

Khashyar

P.S... I wrote a long letter to my wife Lena (before she moved to the U.S.) describing the realities of our life together when she moves here, and I think that you might find it helpful to look over it: http://www.russianmeetingplace.com/...light=realities

Posted by: Jefe

Hey Khashyar,
Thanks so much for sharing that letter you wrote to Lena. I read the whole thing (it took me a while

and you brought up a lot of really good points, some of which Olga and I have talked about but need to talk about more, and others that I haven't even thought of.
I think Olga does understand that our financial situation is not going to be terrific for quite a while but of course, it helps to make this point very clear and I will talk to her more about it.
You mentioned in your letter to Lena how it was important to have a spiritual element in your life and that it brings a couple closer together. I also believe very strongly in this, I have seen it with my parents and in fact, my religion stresses the importance of families above almost all else. Thanks for sharing your views on it.
God bless,
Jefe

Posted by: Jefe

Hey Khashyar,
I have a question about visas to Russia. Since I am going over in December and will stay for about a month, and since we will be leaving Russia briefly and then returning, I need to get a multi-entry visa. The problem is, as far as I know, multi-entry tourist visas aren't offered. I could apply for a business visa, but never having done this, I don't know what stipulations apply. To apply for the invitation, do I need to state what business I will be doing in Russia? Is getting married considered "business?" You are signing contracts, so you could argue it is a kind of business

Do you know? Any information you could give me would be most helpful.
Thanks,
Jefe

Posted by: golek

Jefe,

There is a double-entry tourist visa that might work for you. Look at this link:

RUSSIAN VISAS

It points to the Russian National Group Travel agency. I've used them a couple of times with no problems. I was referred to them from the Russian Embassy website. They even got me a business visa good for 3 months, even though I didn't stay near that long. If the tourist visa works for what you are trying to do, keep things simple and go with the tourist visa. Business visas are a bit more complicated and there is the possibility of problems if questioned about your business purposes. I may be wrong, but I don't think, "I'm here to see my girlfriend", will sound to the policeman like a legitimate business purpose.

Posted by: Kalexandra

Hi again Jefe,

I have used a one year multiple entry business visa for the past two years, and have never had any problems. I have left and re-entered Russia several times and have never been asked what business I am doing by customs officers or police. I know that they recently changed some regulations on visas, but I'm not sure on all the details. I have always used gotorussia.com, and am very satisfied with the service. You can email them with specific questions and they even have live chat on their website so you can get an answer right away (even if you don't plan on using their service). Hope this helps. Kate

Posted by: golek

I did get asked about it by a policeman and it was a little embarrassing.

Posted by: Jefe

Golek and Kate,
Thanks for your help. I did find the site where I can get a double entry tourist visa and decided to get it. I won't really need to go back to Russia for a while but may apply for a business visa in the future when we do travel there more.
Thanks again!
Jefe