Today we had our appointment at the US Embassy. After three security checkpoints, we finally made it inside! To our surprise there were a lot of people waiting. It was like the DMV, only they were waiting for working visas to the US. The guard at the last checkpoint pointed us in the right direction (our facilitator didn't go in with us).
At the top of the stairs to window #4, we paid for Vera's visa, according to the directions on our invitation/appointment. We weren't sure whether to wait in line, or step up to the window as our appointment instructed. We didn't wait long, before someone asked us if we were there for adoption, and urged us to the front of the line. I later noticed a sign near the window that said something to the effect of 'priority in line goes to those seeking adoption or immigration.' With our receipt in hand, we then found window #1, and showed our invitation and receipt.
Waiting for our appointment with the consulate officer (I think that was her title) we discovered there were two other families waiting as well. One was adopting a little boy who was 6, in a region 8 hours by plane East of Moscow! He had three adopted siblings waiting for him. The other was a little four year old girl who was being adopted from the Moscow City district. It was cool to hang out with them while we waited. Once it was our turn, the appointment itself was easy, signing some paperwork, and verifying we brought the right child with us. Some of our paperwork submitted on our behalf was returned to us, and the rest returned as part of a sealed package not to be opened except by the customs officers in the US on our return.
Vera's passport now had a visa (permission to enter the US) attached to one page, just as Jennie and I had gotten visas for entry into Russia for each of our trips! As we left the embassy, after completing this task, we could taste the victory at the finish line of our 'Amazing Race'! Ha! Actually, we could leave tomorrow, if it weren't for one last thing. Russia requires that we register Vera with the Russian Consulate. That will take two days, but the application will be submitted tomorrow along with her Russian passport.
At the top of the stairs to window #4, we paid for Vera's visa, according to the directions on our invitation/appointment. We weren't sure whether to wait in line, or step up to the window as our appointment instructed. We didn't wait long, before someone asked us if we were there for adoption, and urged us to the front of the line. I later noticed a sign near the window that said something to the effect of 'priority in line goes to those seeking adoption or immigration.' With our receipt in hand, we then found window #1, and showed our invitation and receipt.
Waiting for our appointment with the consulate officer (I think that was her title) we discovered there were two other families waiting as well. One was adopting a little boy who was 6, in a region 8 hours by plane East of Moscow! He had three adopted siblings waiting for him. The other was a little four year old girl who was being adopted from the Moscow City district. It was cool to hang out with them while we waited. Once it was our turn, the appointment itself was easy, signing some paperwork, and verifying we brought the right child with us. Some of our paperwork submitted on our behalf was returned to us, and the rest returned as part of a sealed package not to be opened except by the customs officers in the US on our return.
Vera's passport now had a visa (permission to enter the US) attached to one page, just as Jennie and I had gotten visas for entry into Russia for each of our trips! As we left the embassy, after completing this task, we could taste the victory at the finish line of our 'Amazing Race'! Ha! Actually, we could leave tomorrow, if it weren't for one last thing. Russia requires that we register Vera with the Russian Consulate. That will take two days, but the application will be submitted tomorrow along with her Russian passport.
1 comment:
Woohoo!!
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