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Secondly, there is a myth that Russian girlfriends cannot receive visas to come for a visit. That is not correct. While the visa denial rate is high, it has nothing to do with whether the girl is your girlfriend or not. It has all to do with whether or not she has enough reasons to return (bank account, apartment, good job, children, parents, etc.). Plus, a lot of the American boyfriends either don't write a good enough support letter (stating they will ensure she returns home at the end of her stay and stating that they will bear all expenses for her) or don't write one at all. Long before I got married I was able to help Russian girlfriends get tourist visas - but they all met the above qualifications. And, don't forget, if the American boyfriend hasn't actually met his "girlfriend" and she doesn't have a job or other ties to the motherland she ain't gonna get the visa.

I'm not certain when you brought these ladies over, but unless they have strong ties to home there is no way they qualify under the visa waiver program. I have seen doctors and lawyers turned down. A letter insuring the will guarantee their return has not been helpful. Indeed, we have suggested letters to use, which need to be modified for each case. The only single RW I have seen get a visa was when a man brought her by lying she was coming to help him write a book.

Marriage Agencies - I've seen a lot of them in action in my travels throughout the FSU and what I've seen disgusts me. Sixty or seventy year old guys after the twentysomethings (or younger). They should know that the girl is just looking for a way out and the girl should know they're dealing with a pervert. However, I've seen some men searching for a bride after beind discouraged about American women's apparent preference to put career first and family second. A Russian woman won't do that.

Granted, the older men need to know there is no way a 20 year old is interested in him for love. However, I'm not certain that is fair to blame that on the agency. They sell the name and address. When you pass a 10 year age difference one can expect problems, albeit I have seen some good marriages with larger differences.

The other bad thing about the marriage agencies is almost all of them sell their database to other agencies. Sometimes girls are listed on multiple sites when they only signed up for one.

That's not quite correct. One man created a special database for listing multiple agencies, and that database lists the girls for that agency in with all the other agencies. As an example Blue Sapphires Agenccy is one member of that group, and when you look at their site you are actually seeing ladies from multiple agencies. Note carefully the ladies listed are from many cities. Now when you look at other agencies and see a different format, but all of the same ladies you are looking at the same network.

Some of these girls have ended up on "blacklists" because unscrupulous agencies have had someone else pretend to be them and bilk stupid foreigners out of money with the sick mother, ill son, etc., sob stories. Personally, I have no sympathy for anyone dumb enough to fall for those stories.

And many of these ladies are blacklisted by men who have been rejected. There are several men who are constantly taking trips to Russia and the FSU for what we call the Former Soviet Union Sex Tour. They write these ladies in advance, and then when they meet them promise the world for sex. If the ladies do not perform, then they let them know they will be blacklisted as scammers. Mind you, I don't doubt there are some bad women and prostitutes playing the game.

Another myth is the criminal background check the US Embassy requires. Anyone with any time in Russia knows that all it takes is a little cash to get a clean report. I'd be willing to bet good $$$$ that a lot of prostitutes have managed to slip through the system. So, the American man following the new rules is actually at a disadvantage because he's not having a credible background check done on his "love." Best thing to do is go over there on your own. Meet her friends, her parents, see her in her element. If warning bells ring in your head heed them.

Granted one needs to be very careful. The police report at one time came from the local milita, and we knew women could get a good report with $$$. That changed about the time I married Nadya, and afterwards it had to come from Moscow. One may be able to give a few $$$ to change things, but I am not certain how that can be done now, and nobody else has been able to find out if it can be done.

"I'm not certain when you brought these ladies over, but unless they have strong ties to home there is no way they qualify under the visa waiver program. I have seen doctors and lawyers turned down. A letter insuring the will guarantee their return has not been helpful. Indeed, we have suggested letters to use, which need to be modified for each case. The only single RW I have seen get a visa was when a man brought her by lying she was coming to help him write a book."

They came over as tourists and left as tourists. There's nothing wrong with that. My letters of support were strong enough that the consular officers had no doubt. Plus, they weren't connected in any way, shape, or form to a marriage agency. If you look past visa connected to marriage/dating agencies you'll see plenty of Russians actually get tourist visas, do a trip to the States, and come home in time. I see nothing wrong with Russians coming over as tourists.