The US Embassy in Russia suspends the issuance of US visas

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The United States, in response to the reduction in the number of employees of the diplomatic mission in Russia, decided to suspend the procedure for issuing non-immigration visas throughout Russia from 23 August. This is reported on Online US Embassy.

The procedure for issuing nonimmigrant visas will be renewed, but in a significantly reduced volume. Beginning with 1 September 2017, interviews for a nonimmigrant US visa will only be held at the US Embassy in Moscow. Interviews for a nonimmigrant visa at US consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok will be suspended until further notice.

Starting from 9: 00 (Moscow time) Monday, 21 August 2017, the US mission will begin the process of canceling interviews for a nonimmigrant visa assigned to all US consulates in Russia. Applicants for a nonimmigrant visa whose interviews have been canceled should be contacted at the telephone number below to reassign the interview to a later date at the US Embassy in Moscow. Nonimmigrant visa applicants whose interviews were scheduled at the US consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok who wish to reassign the interview to pass it at the embassy in Moscow should also be contacted at this phone number.

Changes in the number of employees of the US embassy will also affect the schedule of a number of immigration visas. Those applicants affected will be notified of the change in time or date of their interviews.

The US Embassy in Moscow and three consulates in other Russian cities will continue to provide regular and emergency services to US citizens. However, reception hours may to change.

Question: Will my nonimmigrant visa interview be canceled? How will I be notified about this?

Answer: Starting from 9: 00 (Moscow time) Monday, 21 August 2017, the US embassy will begin the process of canceling interviews for a nonimmigrant visa assigned to all US consulates in Russia. Those applicants who are affected will receive an e-mail message with a telephone number that will need to be contacted in order to postpone the interview at the US embassy in Moscow at a later date.

The ability of the consular department to conduct interviews in the future will be significantly limited due to the fact that we had to significantly reduce the number of employees of the US diplomatic mission in the Russian Federation in order to fulfill the requirement of the Russian Federation.

Question: Will consulates in St. Petersburg, Vladivostok or Yekaterinburg continue to conduct interviews for obtaining a US visa?

Answer: In connection with the reduction in the number of employees of the US diplomatic mission at the request of the Russian side, all interviews for obtaining a US non-immigrant visa in Russia will be held only at the US Embassy in Moscow.

Question: What will be the principle of establishing the order of priority for conducting interviews for obtaining a US visa?

Answer: We must give priority to officials traveling on business to the United Nations, international organizations whose offices are located in the United States, and for holding bilateral meetings. As a rule, this requirement is provided for by international agreements, diplomatic norms and customary international law. Depending on the level of our staffing capabilities, we will also give priority to other categories of people applying for a nonimmigrant visa. In particular, in cases of emergency travel on medical issues or on family necessity. This, for example, funeral, hospitalization or participation in lawsuits. Other categories of applications will be considered to the extent possible depending on staffing.

Question: I am a student, I study at a university in the USA. I need to urgently go to school. Can I schedule an interview?

Answer: We plan to reserve time for conducting student interviews in the first part of September.

Question: If I I meet the requirements for applying for a non-immigrant visa without an interview?

Answer: The US Embassy in Moscow will continue processing applications from individuals who meet these requirements.

Question: How long will these restrictions apply?

Answer: As long as the number of employees of the US diplomatic mission in the Russian Federation is limited, our activities will be carried out to a limited extent.

Question: I have already paid the consular fee! Can I get my money back?

Answer: Paid consular fees are not refundable. At the same time, the consular fee is valid for one year from the date of payment.

Question: Can I use the paid consular fee for applying for a visa at US diplomatic missions outside Russia?

Answer: Consular fees cannot be used outside the country in which they were paid. If you want to apply for a US visa in US diplomatic missions outside Russia, you need to submit a new application and re-pay the consular fee in accordance with the requirements set forth in the US diplomatic mission in this country.

Q: Why does the US embassy cancel visa interviews scheduled for September 1?

Answer: In accordance with the requirement of the Russian Federation to limit the number of employees of the US diplomatic mission in Russia by September 1, we have already begun preparing for departure and reduction of staff.

Question: Why do I need to be interviewed for a nonimmigrant visa?

Answer: Passing an interview to obtain a US visa is a requirement of US law that applies to applicants from all countries of the world.

Except for the following categories:

• Diplomats and officials traveling on a business trip (including trips to the UN, other international organizations and diplomats traveling in transit through the United States).
• Persons applying for a visa of the same category that they had previously and which expired no more than one year ago (at the discretion of the consular officer, an interview may be required).

Persons applying for a visa of another category are not exempt from the interview. Such persons are required to pass an interview.

Question: Will my interview for an immigration visa be canceled? How do I find out about this?

Answer: Changes in the number of staff at the US embassy will also affect the schedule for obtaining a certain number of immigration visas. Those applicants affected will be notified of the change in time or date of their interviews.

Question: What services will be available for US citizens?

Answer: The US Embassy in Moscow and the three consulates in the cities of Russia will continue to provide a full range of services to US citizens, including including issuing passports, birth certificates, assisting crime victims, issuing emergency loans and visiting places of detention. Please refer to the official website of the US Embassy in Russia: ru. Usembassy.gov/us-citizen-services/acs-hours.

Question: Why will the US diplomatic mission in Russia continue to provide services to US citizens?

Answer: Protecting and ensuring the safety of US citizens abroad is one of our most important priorities.

Recall that the administration of US President Barack Obama at the end of December 2016 introduced sanctions against 9 of Russian institutions, companies and individuals, including the GRU and the FSB, for “interfering with elections and pressure on American diplomats” working in Russia.

Also USA closed access to two residential complexes - the so-called suburban "dachas" of the Russian Permanent Representation in New York and the embassies in Washington, which are Russian diplomatic property. In addition, persona non grata are announced 35 Russian diplomats.

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