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On August 23, 2017, the US will suspend nonimmigrant visa (NIV) operations in Russia. This is due to the personnel cap that Russia has imposed on US operations. Visa operations will resume in September 2017 on a greatly reduced scale. On September 1, 2017, the US will begin conducting nonimmigrant visa (NIV) interviews only at the US Embassy Moscow. The US has suspended NIV interviews at US Consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, and Vladivostok until further notice.
As of August 21, 2017, the US Mission will begin canceling current nonimmigrant visa (NIV) appointments in Russia. Those with canceled visa interviews should call the number below to reschedule at the US Embassy Moscow. NIV applicants scheduled for an interview at US consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, and Vladivostok should call the number below to reschedule at the US Embassy in Moscow.
US consular staffing changes will also affect scheduling for some immigrant visa (IV) applicants. DoS will contact IV applicants with changes in interview times and/or dates.
To reschedule nonimmigrant visa (NIV) interviews and for other questions, contact: +7 (495) 745 3388 or 8 800 100 2554 (ITFN).
The US Embassy Moscow and the three US consulates in Russia will continue to provide emergency and routine services to US citizens, although hours may change. (For American Citizen Services hours, please check the US Embassy Russia.)
Due to staff reductions in Russia, the US Embassy Moscow and US Consulate in St. Petersburg will no longer accept new visa applications for Belarus residents. The Department of State (DoS) will reschedule NIV appointments for Belarussian applicants who have already paid the visa application fee. DoS encourages Belarus residents to schedule NIV appointments at the US Embassy Warsaw, the US Embassy Kyiv; or the US Embassy Vilnius.
Q: Will the US Department of State (DoS) cancel my visa appointment? How will they inform me? A: On August 21, DoS will begin canceling all current nonimmigrant visa appointments countrywide. DoS will email affected applicants to reschedule interviews at the US Embassy Moscow. Reduced staffing means that future interview capacity will be far smaller.
Q: Will DoS offer visa appointments at US consulates in St. Petersburg, Vladivostok, and Yekaterinburg? A: Due to the required drawdown of US personnel in Russia, DoS will conduct all nonimmigrant visa (NIV) interviews countrywide at the US Embassy Moscow.
Q: Will my immigrant visa (IV) appointment be canceled? How will DoS inform me? A: Staffing changes will affect scheduling of a limited number of immigrant visa (IV) applications. DoS will contact affected applicants of changes in interview times or dates.
Q: How will DoS prioritize visa appointment requests? A: DoS must give first priority to the travel of officials of the UN, international organizations with US offices, and bilateral missions. International agreements, diplomatic practice, or customary international law generally require such prioritization. DoS will also prioritize other nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applications, such as emergency travel, depending on staffing. This may include funerals, hospitalizations, or legal proceedings. DoS will process other categories as staffing permits.
Q: I am a university student studying in the US. I need to get to my university now. Will an appointment be available for me? A: DoS will offer a block of visa appointments to students in September 2017.
Q: What if I qualify for a nonimmigrant visa (NIV) without an interview? A: The US Embassy Moscow will continue to process nonimmigrant visas (NIV) without an interview for those who qualify.
Q: I already paid my visa fee! Can I get my money back?
A: DoS cannot refund fees that you have already paid. However, the visa fee is valid for one year from payment date.
Q: Can I transfer my fee to apply for a US visa outside of Russia? A: Visa fees are not transferrable outside the country in which you paid them. To apply outside Russia, you must begin a new visa application and pay the fee according to that location’s instructions.
Q: Why did the US Embassy cancel visa interviews scheduled before September 1, 2017? A: The US Mission in Russia has begun planning for departures and staff reductions to meet the Russian government’s September 1, 2017, deadline for US personnel reduction.
Q: I live in Belarus. Can I still apply for a visa in Russia? A: No. DoS will reschedule appointments for Belarussian applicants who’ve already paid the visa application fee. The DoS encourages residents of Belarus to schedule nonimmigrant visa appointments at US Embassy Warsaw; US Embassy Kyiv; or US Embassy Vilnius.
Q: Why do I need an interview for a nonimmigrant visa (NIV)? A: The interview is a legal US requirement that applies worldwide. Exceptions include: Diplomats and official government travel (including UN, other international organizations, and diplomats in transit). Renewal within same class of visa within one year of expiration (consular officer discretion – may require an interview). The exception does not apply to applicants for a different type of nonimmigrant visa. These require an interview.
Q: How long will the suspension last? A: US posts in Russia will operate at reduced capacity as long as staffing levels remain reduced.
Q: What services will be available for American citizens? A: US Embassy Moscow and the three US consulates in Russia will provide the full range of American Citizen Services, including passports, reports of birth, assistance to crime victims, emergency loans, and prison visits. Check here for ACS hours.