Visas
Visa Services
Welcome, Visa Applicants!
Russian citizens, like citizens of many countries, require a visa to enter the United States.
Nonimmigrant visas are for people with permanent residence outside the U.S. but who wish to go to the U.S. on a temporary basis - for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, or study.
What is a visa?
A visa is issued by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and entitles the holder to travel to the United States and apply for admission; it does not guarantee entry. An immigration inspector at the port of entry determines the visa holder's eligibility for admission into the United States.
Who needs a visa?
Most travelers from the Russian Federation require visas to enter the United States, although some holders of foreign passports may qualify for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Travelers born in the United States and those who hold dual citizenship with the United States must enter and depart the United States on U.S. passports.
How do I apply for a visa?
Ordinary visa applicants should complete the Electronic Visa Application Form DS-156 (EVAF) and then schedule an appointment using the online NIV Appointment System.
Visa Processing Time
Most applicants receive their visas the day after their interviews. However, some cases may require additional processing, particularly applicants working or studying in scientific or technical fields, which could result in a delay of up to eight weeks or more. Please note that once an application is submitted processing cannot be expedited.
Visa Appointment Wait Time
Wait times for a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment may differ greatly depending on the time of the year. Please apply early. For more about "visa wait times", see here.
Visa Issuance
No assurance regarding the issuance of non-immigrant visas can be given in advance. Final travel plans or the purchase of non-refundable air tickets should not be made until you have been approved and have received your visa.
Visa Denials
For more information on visa denials, see here.
Why is there a fee?
The United States Congress requires American embassies and consulates to collect a $131 Machine Readable Visa (MRV) application fee for each application processed. These fees are used to pay for security improvements to the United States visa and entry control system.
All non-immigrant visa applicants must pay a nonrefundable $131 visa application fee, payable in cash in U.S. dollars or in the equivalent amount of Russian rubles.
The only applicants exempt from this fee are those who are applying for diplomatic visas, and J-1 (exchange visitor program) applicants participating in sponsored by the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs or USAID. Those programs are identified as G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7 on the DS-2019. Any programs that are not sponsored by the Department of State or USAID, even if identified by the G-1, G-2, G-3 or G-7 program code, must pay the visa application fee.
Please note that no one may accompany applicants into the embassy's visa waiting room. This includes American citizens, spouses, attorneys, sponsors, friends, and family members. Thus, any information these individuals would like to present should be submitted with the application materials or given to the applicant to present to the Consular Officer during the interview. We appreciate your understanding.
