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Music and Art at the Ukrainian Institute of America
Posted by katerina on June 22, 2001 at 13:15:48:
In Reply to: Re: Message for JULIA ...................... posted by Julia on June 18, 2001 at 17:24:03:
: Hi Viktoria,
: I am very sorry to disapoint you, but I actually believe that my parents were just extremely lucky, and they are an exception to the rules... They obtained 3year multiple entry visas almost 3 years ago in Kiev consulate.
: They were going to come here on business with some company in Washington DC, and then we all planned to go to Florida (to Disney World ;)). So, they had an invitation letter from the company in Washington (like we are so looking forward to our future cooperation, and there is a series of important meetings that we want to hold in Washington DC, and we will pay any expenses associated with your trip, plus we suggest that you get multiple entry visas since you'd probably need to come to the US in the future), plus there was a regular confirmation letter from a hotel in Florida (a suite booked for 2 weeks, paid in advance). The consulate not only gave them 3 year visas, but also issued single entry visa for my two little sisters, and a multiple entry visa for my 14 year old cousin (my mom still thinks that the cousulate did not realize that she was not actually my mom's daugter). My mom thought that the fact that they were planning to stay at a hotel helped, since this counsulate denied visas to 4 people before my mom, and only said "enjoy the Disney World and don't forget to visit the Sea World" (also my parents are fluent in English, I don't know whether that helped or not).
: My other cousin, who initially also wanted to come, was late to the consulate, went the next day, got a denial, appealed, was denied again, though she was showing the same hotel reservations... It is true, that she was 23, pretty, just graduated from Kiev University, and did not have a "good job, kids or property" in Ukraine.
: What as I also learned helps, is a recommendation letter from an International or American organization in Kiev that they know your situation, and think that you will come back. Of course, one can obtain such letters only if he/she knows anybody in these organizations...
: Last year my parents again wanted to bring the kids, so they needed visas for them. This time they also had a confirmation from a hotel, and they obtained visas for the kids without any problems. Lucky (?)
: My parents' visas will expire in a couple of weeks, and I keeping my fingers crossed... I am very afraid that this time something won't work...
: Please let me know if your parents will be able to get visas! Good luck, Julia
Julia,
Don't worry! If your parents used 3 years multiple entry visas and came back to Ukraine, they will get them again practically automatically.
That what happened to my in-laws. I even heard that according to the new rules they should not even show up in the consulate. Just fill the form and mail it. It won't be any problems for them.
I wish you good luck.
Katerina.