Way to Russia Talk Lounge

stormwarning

I think I have read just about everything there is on the internet about this, and much of it conflicts and just serves to confuse, or concerns other countires, so I need your help!!

I met a girl whilst working in Siberia last December and have been back to see her again in Feb and in March, during which time I proposed.

Now I only have 10 days holiday left for the year and we are desperate to see each other again, but I am concious that if I am going to get married in Russia, I will have to do it before August when my multi-entry visa expires.

After research, it seems this is the best and most informative bit of info anywhere: http://waytorussia.net/Practicalities/Marriage.html

But, MY GOD is that long winded! And why the 32 day wait? With only 10 days holiday available, that really kills my chances of getting married at all...

What I can't find is the same article in reverse - what we would have to do for my fiancee to come to England for us to marry?

As far as I can tell, all she needs is a visa and I can book us a weddnig, but I'm sure there must be much more to it than that. Can anyone point me in the right direction for information?

If only life were easier!!

Acoreana · Frequent Guest Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 12

Hi there!
I can understand your frustration to a "T"...I am going through the same thing myself (I'm British and my boyfriend is Russian). After combing through the internet for countless hours and looking at articles, websites, forums, etc...I'm not really any closer than I was in the beginning.
But my boyfriend and I are looking into hiring a Russian lawyer to handle all the legal red tape and paper work practicalities. It's a real pain in the *** but that's the stuff you have to go through. We are looking as well for him to come to me and we marry (although I'm not actually from England itself so Bermuda's marriage laws are soooo much easier and straight forward than most other countries). You should really consider marrying her in the UK. Also, this website was advised to me to look at: www.consultant.ru They have an English page you can read and see if it helps at all.
But in the end, I feel the lawyer is the best option...they understand their laws and have access to more information and any "loop holes" if there are any!
Best of luck to you! Very Happy

mister_wizzz · VIP Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 559

Actually a former moderator of this forum was a singaporean girl married to a russian. She tried to make papers to stay in Moscow with her husband but she told in this forum that everything is done to make people give up. Finally she left Russia and her husband followed her to Singapour. So I think you will hire a lawer for nothing.

In my opinion, the best way for you is getting married in UK but you have to know that Visa policy of the main western
countries are now very restrictive, if your girlfriend is young, without children and has never travelled to USA or Europe before she has zero chance to get a visa with a personal invitation. The best way would be to book a tour in a travel agency, I know it is an expansive way but at least chances to get the visa are much higher.

Acoreana · Frequent Guest Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 12

I have to disagree...
I have heard from multiple people from the USA, Europe, Canada and Australia who have married Russians within the past 2 years and all of them are now living in Russia with their spouse.
It's not impossible...it just takes time, money and patience Smile

stormwarning · Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 3:01 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the replies. Elana and I will live in England once married, so will marrying her in Russia make that any harder, too?

I hear what you are saying about young Russian women finding it hard to get a visa to come here, and I have heard it a lot, from Brits and from Russians. But the embassy website's FAQ states this is actually nothing more than a myth, citing something like 73% (sorry, can't remember the exact number) of all applicants, male and female, are sucessful. Those that are not usually are turned down because they falsified information and I guess the people deciding to say yes or no have heard it all before...