Hey all I am a long time lurker looking for some advice.
I have always had a thing for girls from the FSU. The girls I have dated from the FSU in the states (although a bit more Americanized) have always been my favorite. About a year and a half ago I figured I would go straight to the source and started taking some Russian language lessons.
I would speak with girls on VK and Skype to practice my Russian and many times help them with English. One girl in particular caught my interest and we soon began speaking regularly. Usually 3-4 times a week for ~4 hours each time.
After about a year of communicating I decided I wanted to go and see her. She lives in Vologda but we decided to meet in St Petersburg since it would be easier. I met her and some of her family the first two days and we spent the next 10 days together in an apartment I rented. Needless to day I had so much fun with her and started thinking a bit more serious about the possibility of us together.
The next logical step is for her to come visit me to see my life and see if she enjoys America. She has done research and is very worried she will be denied a B2 tourist visa. She has a job and all her family is in Russia. I think this would be enough evidence for the US to believe she will return to Russia. She is planning on coming next spring for 10 days in April or May.
We have no current plans to get married, although the topic has come up. We are fairly young I am 23, she is 20. This trip is only for her to see America and see if she would enjoy living here in the possible future.
My question for any of you is:
Have you had any troubles bringing a girl over on a b2 tourist visa?
If I write an invitation letter, will this better my chances?
If any of you have any more insight I am more than happy to hear.
Americans will tell you what is best in the USA. In the UK, you write an invitation letter giving your address and all your contact details, you say you will look after her, give her accommodation, feed her, etc, while she is in your country. They want to know you really know each other well, I hope you have lots of photos of you together and letters. Even like this they get turned down (here). It could be a guy taking her there to work in porn. An American cousin of mine had hell inviting his European girlfriend to go over there and do the same kind of thing you too want to do. He got her in, in the end. He is a film cameraman, she was a sexy and glamorous girl with nothing to keep her back home. The embassy said: 'yeah right'
A visa on her own being a young and attractive FSU girl, no way Jose. What you say is evidence ahe will return to Russia is not really valid. The embassies know that you can easily buy a letter saying you have a job in Russia. You can buy any letter there, for that matter, unless it is Microsoft Moscow, I guess.
From the story between you two, it does not sound that she may be a acammer, the only consideration being that it is likely that you will pay for the trip.
SomeGuy - it's good that you first went to see her in Russia. Many guys make the mistake that they can order a "mail order bride" and that she will magically come if you send money.
Is there any point really of having her visit you in the States for only 10 days? Seems like a cumbersome process and as you say she may be denied a tourist visa.
Since you already know her and you've already met, I would recommend that you meet her in Russia again or a 3rd country such as Turkey, Egypt or a country that she doesn't require a visa to. You could also meet her in Dominican Republic or Cuba (you would have to travel there from Canada or Mexico).
I don't have personal experience in this, so I'm working from what I've learned from other people's experiences.
As to the difficulty of getting a visitor visa, I have heard conflicting things in recent years -- that it became easier for Russians, and also that it is almost impossible! I don't have actual statistics, however.
The decision about the visa, at the end of the day, is at the discretion of whichever State Department officer reviews the application; I don't think there is any "iron rule" about this.
However, I expect that her young age would work against her, the reasoning being that such a young person is more likely to come the the US to take a job illegally. That her parents etc. live in Russia is probably no help -- what CAN help is having a spouse and/or children who would remain in Russia. It also helps if the applicant owns substantial property (their own house, for example) or has a high-paying job.
So, I think she probably has it correct, that her chances of rejection are high.
Depending on her language skills and career direction, it might make sense for her to pursue some college education in the US, or even a work/study program. If she can get into a suitable college or work/study program, then getting the appropriate kind of visa (not a visitor visa) should be much easier for her.
However, if she came on a work/study (J-1) visa, she might have to reside in Russia for two years before she could again return to the US: the process needs good homework and thorough preparation.
The reality is, that there is in effect a tall, steep wall for citizens of former Soviet countries who want simply to visit many Western countries. This is part of the context, in which international dating occurs.
@durak - well he said that the topic of marriage has come up so that may be enough to show intent. I mean who can prove that they do or don't have intent?
As I said before, a 10 day visit may be too short to justify anything. Why not meet in a 3rd neutral country?
You are right Durak....and add the fact there is limited amount of times to file K-1, my recollection is one time then amend for second one, I don't think you can use this process again.
" The next logical step".......is to visit again, spend more time with her.....and figure if you are both ready to get married, then file your K-1.
Yes but their plan is for her to see if she really would like to live in the USA and with him. She will not be able to see this by going to a third country. And the most important thing is she will not be able to see him in his natural habitat (like a Panda).
Men behave very differenty when they are on a holiday from when they are at home, just think of the times that he will be returning home grumpy because he had a bad day at work.
But yes, 10 days is hardly worth it for the aggravation to get the visa.
On the other hand, it may be true that they should spend some more time together but they have already spent 1 year communicating so they must have exhausted all the subjects of food, music, hobbies, work, etc. The next thing would be to do these things together.
Wifeseeker,
I do not know about other men, but I act the same way when I travel as I do at home. I can have a tiring day in a resort location as well as returning from the office.
I recently had some relatives visit from overseas earlier this year who got a tourist visa to the USA. They had to put some "ransom" money in order to get approval for the visa. There is always the possibility that foreign visitors can "disappear" when they arrive here, so the visa office tries to impose a stiff penalty on the applicants if they are trying to use the visa to illegally stay here. The thing if they did try to do that is they end up in "limbo" status here in this country like so many illegals. They will not be able to work (no SSN issued) and would need to find work through companies that hire illegals. Then you may end up needing the assistance of forgery experts.
But who wouldn't want their 'plan', just that rules are in place that it not likely/possible. Part of dating in certain FSU countries is that decisions are normally made rather quickly with not much face time and the 'hope' your instincts are correct. How do you really know a person..... months, maybe even years!!!You always hope the bond between couple is strong enough to deter any changes in life.
"Part of dating in certain FSU countries is that decisions are normally made rather quickly with not much face time and the 'hope' your instincts are correct."
Maybe that is one of the reasons I meet so many divorced 22 year old girs with a 3 year old child in the dating sites.
But yes, to each his own plans. It is just that in the case of the OP there is the nagging problem of the visa for her
One thing is true. Guys tend to spend more when they are on vacation. When they go to the FSU they think they are on 'vacation' and they tend to throw money around.
The key is don't treat it like a vacation. Treat it like a business trip. Be frugal and responsible in your spending. This will prevent you from being taken advantage of by the 'pros'.
Generally, in the USA it is not possible to get a visa other than student or a fiancé.
My understanding I that for lady to receive a visa there must be a compelling reason why she'll absolutely return to her country without prodding; children, a business, spouse, etc.
I'm sure it's possible and you may be dunned with many stories of my cousin's, friend's wife received one etc. but my understanding is that the F1/F2 visa is your best bet.
In the UK there is another possibility, I do not know in the USA: you send her money to buy a place in a tour through a travel agency. Once she is in the UK, you join her in the tour or she spends half a day during the tour with the group and the other half with you, so that they do not report her as 'disappeared'. It is expensive and risky if you are not sure about the girl.
anything to do with risk in my opinion is a no go when it comes to doing visas and immigration . its best to go exactly by the book or you could find yourself not getting a visa in the end . its just not worth the trouble .... if they get one sniff of any tricks you will never get your visa and then its just a big long pain in the arse
I agree you must not as for a fiancee visa unless you are 99% sure that the girl is genuine and that there is a great relationship ahead of you. You do not test the water with fiancee visas.
A tourist or personal visa is OK, it is she who applies for it anyhow, you just appear on it as the person inviting her for a holiday.