Information about visas and immigration law

Can I bring the woman to the United States for a visit?

It is almost impossible to obtain a tourist visa for a woman.  If you've traveled to Eastern Europe to meet a woman for marriage, you can bring the woman to the USA with a K-1 visa (Fiancee visa).  This type of visa allows the woman to stay in the US for the period of 3 month.  At the end of the 3 month period, you either have to get married or the woman has to return to her home country. There are no extensions for the Fiancee visa. 

Some men are concerned that the lady might just be interested in US citizenship when looking for a foreign husband.  Becoming a US citizen is a very long process.  About 6 month after you are married, both of you have to appear for an interview with the Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS).  The goal of the interview is to prove to the INS that your marriage is legitimate.  After this interview, your wife will receive a temporary green-card.  In another 2 years, both of you will have to appear for the second interview and only then will your wife receive a permanent green card. 

In fact, the divorce rate for Eastern European - American marriages is low.

US fiancee visas and immigration laws:

The following excerpts from Section 652 of the 1996 changes to the United States Immigration laws are not intended render legal or professional guidance.  You should seek the assistance of a reputable, licensed attorney to assist you in these matters.

1.    Fiancee visas - Fiancee visas (K-1) are issued to spouses of United States citizens. To qualify for a K-1 visa both parties must show that they are legally able to marry.  The K-1 visa is valid for only 90 days and may not be renewed.  The parties must marry within the ninety day stay in the United States or the fiancee must leave the United States within the ninety day period.  Her failure to leave the United States may make both parties ineligible for future K-1 applications.

2.   U.S. Immigrations severely punishes contract marriages entered into to avoid immigration laws (i.e. Sham Marriages). Conviction of a sham marriage is punishable by up to five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. In addition, conviction of a sham marriage permanently makes the beneficiary ineligible to adjust status to lawful permanent resident.

3.   Vaccination - there are new requirements for vaccination required for all application for permanent residency. She should bring her vaccination records with her to the United States.

4.   Excludability - the issuance of a visa does not guarantee admittance to the United States.  INS officers at the point of entry may interview her again to determine her admissibility.  Conviction of criminal offenses, terrorist activity, or other similar offenses may result in your exclusion from the United States.  Further, the admitting officer must be satisfied that she will not become a public liability for the United States.  Exclusion from entry into the United Staes will result in the cancellation of the visa and make her ineligible to attempt to enter again for a period of five years.

5.   Adjustment of fiancee status - the married couple should notify the INS soon after the marriage. A LPR (green card) will be granted for a period of two years. At the end of the two year period, the couple is expected to jointly petition for removal of the conditional residency and receive a permanent green card for the beneficiary. Divorce during the waiting period does not necessarily make the beneficiary ineligible for LPR status. Failure to apply for removal of the conditional residency status may result in deportation proceedings.

6.   After entry into the United States, you must not leave the United States even for a short visit to Mexico, Canada or any other country without filing a request for an advance parole. Leaving the United States may result in the denial of reentry and the termination of any pending immigration application.  After marriage, a change of status application is required to permit the spouse to travel outside the United States.

Foreign Embassies in Ukraine

Embassy of Great Britain in Ukraine

9 Desyatinna Street
Ukraine, Kyiv 01025

tel: (+ 380 44) 462-00-11, 462-00-12
fax: (+ 380 44) 462-00-13
Consular/visa department
6 Sichnevoho Povstannya Street

Ukraine, Kyiv 01010

tel: (+ 380 44) 290-73-17, 290-29-19
fax: (+ 380 44) 290-79-47
e-mail: VisaConsular.Section@kievc.mail.fco.gov.uk

Embassy of Germany in Ukraine

25 Bogdana Khmelnitskogo Street

Ukraine, Kyiv 01901  

tel: (+ 380 44) 247-68-00
fax: (+ 380 44) 247-68-18
Visa department
37/39 Zlatoustovskaya Street

Ukraine, Kyiv 01901 

tel: (+ 380 44) 216-14-77, 216-67-94
e-mail: kanzlei@german-embassy.kiev.ua 

Embassy of the USA in Ukraine

Yuriya Kotsiubynskoho 10
Ukraine, Kiev 04053 

tel: (+ 380 44) 244-73-49, 246-97-50, 490-40-00
fax: (+ 380 44) 490-40-85, 244-73-50
Consular Section
6 Mykoly Pymonenka Street

Ukraine, Kyiv 01901 

tel: (+ 380 44) 490-44-22
fax: (+ 380 44) 236-48-92

Embassy of Canada in Ukraine

31 Yaroslaviv Val Street

Ukraine, Kyiv 01901

tel: (+ 380 44) 464-11-44
e-mail: enqserv@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Visa department
tel: (+ 380 44) 464-11-44
fax: (+ 380 44) 464-11-30
e-mail: kyiv-img@dfait-maeci.gc.ca

Foreign Embassies in Russia

Embassy of Great Britain

Consular department
10 Smolenskaya quay

Moscow, Russia 121099

tel: (095) 956-73-01, 956-73-02, 956-72-00
fax: (095) 956-73-28, 956-72-01 
e-mail: consular.moscow@fco.gov.uk
Visa department
tel: (095) 956-72-50
fax: (095) 956-74-41
e-mail: visa.enquiries@moscow.mail.fco.gov.uk

Embassy of Germany in Russia

56 Mosfilmovskaya Street
Moscow, Russia 119285

tel: (+7 095) 937-95-00 or (+7 502) 937-95-00
Fax: (+7 095) 938 23 54 (common)
Visa department
95-a Leninskiy prospekt
Russia, Moscow 119313

Embassy of USA in Russia

8 Bolshoi Devjatensky lane
Russia, Moscow 121099

tel: (+7 095) 728-50-00
fax: (+7 095) 728-52-03, 728-50-90 

Embassy of Canada in Russia

23 Starokonushenny lane
Russia, Moscow 121002

tel: (+7 095) 956-61-58, 956-66-66
fax: (+7 095) 232-99-50, 241-44-00, 232-99-48