The United States welcomes citizens from around the world who want to
visit, study, and do business in our country. However, following the terrorist
attacks of 11 September 2001 we have had to make the following changes
in processing visas for visitors. These changes in procedures reflect
our concern for ensuring the safety of U.S. residents and visitors alike,
not a desire to make it more difficult for legitimate travelers to enter
the U.S.
1. New Personal Appearance Requirements for Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants:
As of 1 August 2003, virtually all non-immigrant visa applicants worldwide
will be required to appear in person before a consular officer. As this
will significantly increase the workloads of all consular sections, applicants
should expect the waiting time for appointments to increase significantly.
We recommend that you submit your visa application at least 6-8 weeks
prior to your estimated travel date. The only people who might be eligible
for a visa without an interview are:
Children under 14 years of age;
Persons over 80 years of age;
Applicants for diplomatic or official visas.
However, any applicant may be subject to interview at the discretion of
an officer. Once called for an interview, you must appear before a consular
officer before a visa can be issued; the interview cannot be waived. If
you do not fall into one of the categories listed above, you should plan
on being interviewed in order to receive a visa. Once you do receive a visa,
we recommend that you keep it current to avoid future delays. Emergencies
and expedited interviews will be limited to cases involving death or serious
medical problems.
2. Change in Photo Standards: All visa applicants must continue to submit
1 (one) photograph with their application. However, as of 22 July 2003
the photo standard will change.
As of 22 July 2003 the photograph of each visa applicant
must be an unmounted full-face photo taken within the past six months.
A "full face" photo is one in which the applicant is facing
the camera directly, not looking down or to either side. In addition,
the face should cover approximately 50 percent of the area of the photo.
This means that the head of the applicant, including both face and hair,
should be shown from the crown of the head to the tip of the chin on
top and bottom, and from hairline side-to-side. It is also preferable
that the ears be exposed.
The photograph should measure 2 inches square (approximately
50 mm square) with the head centered in the frame. The head (measured
from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure between
1 inch to 1 3/8 inch (25mm to 35mm), with the eye level between 1 1/8
inches to 1 3/8 inches (28mm and 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo.
Photos are to be in color and must be taken against
a white or off-white background.
3. New visa application form. The form is available at all Pony-Express
offices and on this website to be downloaded. All visa
applicants will now be required to submit 1(one) application form. ALL
fields on the application form MUST be completed and should be completed
in block letters. Incomplete or unsigned application forms will not be
accepted by the Consulate. All other documentation requirements (including
the DS-157 and DS-158) remain the same.
4. Machine-Readable Passports Required for all Visa Waiver Travelers:
Beginning 1 October 2003, each Visa Waiver Program traveler must present
a machine-readable passport in order to enter the U.S. visa-free. While
the Visa Waiver Program does not apply to citizens of the Russian Federation,
it does apply to many third-country nationals currently resident in Russia.
Twenty-seven (27) countries currently participate in the Visa Waiver Program:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco,
Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
While most VWP countries began issuing machine-readable passports in the
early or mid-1990s, travelers from countries such as Italy, Spain and
Switzerland may find that they will either require a replacement passport
or a non-immigrant visa to enter the U.S. This change includes all categories
of passports—tourist, diplomatic and official. However, non-machine readable
passports will remain valid for transit without visa purposes. Families
and groups should obtain an individual passport for each traveler, including
infants, as families may be denied visa-free entry into the U.S. if the
biodata for only one traveler is machine-readable.
What is a U.S. Visa?
A U.S. visa is a sticker placed in a traveler's passport which gives
that person the right to apply for admission to the U.S. Among the information
printed on the visa is the category, the expiration date, and the number
of entries allowed. The category of a U.S. visa is determined by the purpose
of travel (business, tourism, study, training, cultural exchange, temporary
employment, etc.). The category is important because it determines which
rights or privileges a traveler may enjoy. For example, it is possible
to work as Camp Counselor in the U.S. on a cultural exchange visa, but
not on a tourist visa.
The validity of the visa ends on the expiration date. This date determines
the last date upon which a person may enter the U.S. It does not determine
how long a person may stay in the U.S. That decision is made by a U.S.
Immigration Officer at the port of entry where the traveler enters the
U.S. The maximum duration of stay allowed varies according to the visa
category.
For more information, please visit the following sites:
The category of visa that a traveler needs is determined by the purpose
of his or her trip. The following five categories encompass the most common
purposes for travel to the United States. They are not mutually exclusive.
A person could, for example, plan a visit that includes both business
and tourism.
Tourist Visas are for people who
wish to travel to the U.S. for pleasure. A planned trip to visit friends
or relatives in the U.S. would fall under this category. Applicants for
tourist visas must show the purpose of their trip, that they have sufficient
finds to complete the trip and that they intend to return home afterwards.
Business Visas are for people who
wish to travel to the U.S. on business. Typical reasons for a business
trip include transacting business with a U.S. company or attending a trade
show. Applicants for business visas must demonstrate that their planned
visit is a bonafide business trip. They may be asked to present information
about their employment, their company and their U.S. connection.
Student and Exchange Visitor Visas
are for persons travelling to the U.S. on approved student, training or
cultural exchange programs. Applicants must meet the requirements of the
university or institution's program that he or she has been offered. Applicants
must also receive an approved form, a so-called DS-2019, before applying
for a visa. The original DS-2019 must be presented to the Consul during
the visa interview.
Temporary Work Permits are available
for temporary work in the U.S. in certain special cases. Typical applicants
for temporary work permits include intercompany transferees, trainees,
professional athletes and artists performing at paid events. Temporary
work permits are issued on the basis of petitions filed with the Department
of Homeland Security (DHS) in the U.S. by a prospective American employer.
Applicants for temporary work permits should request that their future
employer in the U.S. contact the nearest regional office of the DHS to
file a petition. A visa interview at the Consulate will only be scheduled
after DHS approves a petition.
For additional information, please visit the following DHS websites:
Fiance Visas Fiance(e) Visas are
for persons planning to travel to the U.S. in order to marry an American
citizen and then reside there permanently. Fiance(e) visas, like all categories
of immigrant visas, are not issued in the Consulate in Yekaterinburg.
Residents of Russia must apply for fiance(e) visas at the Embassy in Moscow.
Fiance(e) visas are issued on the basis of petitions filed with the Department
of Homeland Security (DHS) in the U.S. by a prospective American spouse.
Applicants for fiance(e) visas should request that their future spouse
in the U.S. contact the nearest regional office of the INS to file a petition.
A visa interview at the Embassy will only be scheduled after INS approves
a petition.
For additional information on visa categories, please visit:
The U.S. offers the following nonimmigrant visas to Russian citizens:
Single entry visas valid for six months
Multiple entry visas valid for one year
Multiple entry visas valid for two years
The exact validity of the visa depends on the visa category and the purpose
of travel and will be determined by the Consul during the visa interview.
How Much Will It Cost?
The U.S. bases its visa fees for Russian citizens on the fees that the
Russian Federation charges U.S. citizens for visas to enter Russia. This
is called the "Reciprocity Fee", and is payable only if the
visa is issued. Effective November 1, 2002 the U.S. charges a Congressionally
mandated $100 application fee for all visa applications. That application
fee, by law, is nonrefundable, even if the applicant is refused a visa.
Six-month, single entry visa: $100 application fee, no
reciprocity fee
One-year, multiple entry visas: $100 application fee, no reciprocity
fee
The Consulate now accepts all nonimmigrant visa applications
and schedules all interview appointments through Pony-Express in Yekaterinburg,
Novosibirsk, Omsk, Perm and Chelyabinsk. The locations of these offices
are:
Yekaterinburg: 1. To submit applications: Pony-Express, 15 Gogolya St. Open 10:00-17:00. Tel. (343) 355-92-59, 355-92-60
2. To get information about documents delivery: Pony-Express, Tsvillinga, 6, of.214. Open 13:00-17:00. Tel. (343) 379-53-35.
E-mail: viza@ponysvx.ru Please note: this office does not accept applications!
Novosibirsk: Pony-Express locations: 1) 3 Gogolya St . tel.(383) 220-09-91; 2 ) 11 Musy Dzhalilya St. - academgorodok, tel.336-04-87. Open 10:00-17:00
E-mail: pony.visa@online.nsk.su
The $100 visa application fee and the Pony-Express service fee must be
paid in rubles only
Place of submission
Place of delivery of a passport
Rate
Yekaterinburg Office
Yekaterinburg
700 Rubles
Yekaterinburg Office
Regions of the Russian Federation
1100 Rubles
Regional Office (Agent) of the Yekaterinburg Consular District (Omsk, Perm, Chelyabinsk, Novosibirsk)
Irrespective of the the place of delivery through Russia
1300 Rubles
If eligible under U.S. law, applicants will receive their passports and
visas for travel to the United States by Pony-Express delivered to the
address they specify.
For more information regarding other Pony-Express offices operating in
our Consular district, please visit the web site http://www.ponyexpress.ru. The U.S. Consulate General takes no responsibility for the
services provided by the non-accredited Pony-Express offices.
Note: For any questions about visa requirements, please phone the call
center at 095-545-3679 (more call center
information). Pony-Express can only answer questions about delivery
services and available appointments.
Documents Required for a Visa Application
External passport.
One copy of the completed visa application form DS-156
with an original signature. Male applicants between the ages of 16 and
45 should fill out the DS-157 form. The forms may
be obtained at a Pony-Express office or on our Web
site.
One recent passport-size photograph of yourself. The photograph
should measure 2 inches square (approximately 50 mm square) with the
head centered in the frame. The head (measured from the top of the hair
to the bottom of the chin) should measure between 1 inch to 1 3/8 inch
(25mm to 35mm), with the eye level between 1 1/8 inches to 1 3/8 inches
(28mm and 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo. Photos must be in color
and must be taken against a white or off-white background.
Photos should not be stapled or glued to the application
forms.
Any supporting documentation that you feel will help to
demonstrate the purpose of your trip, the availability of funds to cover
the trip, and your ties to Russia which will compel you to return home
after a brief stay in the United States. Documents which show your personal
financial situation, such as a letter verifying your employment, are
particularly important.
Non-refundable $100 application fee payable through Pony-Express
in rubles only
How shall I obtain a visa application form?
You may obtain visa applications at the Pony-Express offices in Yekaterinburg,
Omsk, Perm and Chelyabinsk. The addresses for these offices may be found
on this page at "How do I Apply for a U.S. Visa" ? If you do
not plan to submit your visa application personally at the Pony-Express
offices in Yekaterinburg, but to send it with a representative, you can
download an application form from our Web Site, print one copy and submit
it. Forms are saved as PDF file for Adobe Acrobat Reader or Zip archive
file.
Download Russian
version
Download English
version
All applicants must complete a DS-156
form
Male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45 should
fill out the
DS-157 form
All applicants seeking F, J and M visas must complete
a DS-158 form
We would like to remind you that every application should be filled out
and signed by an applicant personally.
How Long Does Visa Issuance Take?
Interview appointment:
The waiting period between the date applicants request a visa interview
and the date of the appointment for the interview is approximately
7 days.
Visa issuance:
In most cases your interview result (visa issuance or visa refusal) will
be available the same day. However, some visa applications require additional
special clearances or administrative processing, which requires additional
time.
If the Consul approves the issuance of a visa, the applicant's passport
and visa will be returned via the Pony Express courier service. It takes
two to three business days after the approval of a visa for the applicant
to receive their passport with the new visa.
Note: Applicants who need to travel on an emergency basis to the United
States before an appointment time is available may contact us at ConsulYekat@state.gov
to request special consideration. Emergency situations include: A death
in the family, requirement to testify in U.S. court, urgent medical treatment
and vital and unplanned business travel, at the discretion of the Consul.
Tourism and family visitation travel is not considered emergency travel.
How Does the Consul Make Visa Decisions?
In adjudicating visa applications, the Consul is guided by U.S. laws
and regulations. The issuance of non-immigrant visas is governed by the
U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 as amended by subsequent
immigration legislation. U.S. immigration law places the burden of proof
on the visa applicant to show that he or she is qualified for an existing
visa category and is not an intending immigrant. In other words, each
non-immigrant visa applicant must prove to the Consul's satisfaction that
he or she is not planning to travel to the U.S. in order to reside there
permanently. Each applicant must demonstrate that he or she is travelling
to the U.S. for a temporary stay and has strong ties to Russia that will
compel him or her to return home.
Scientific and Medical researchers
Special Information Concerning Visa Applicants Going to the United States
Who Work in Certain Technical Fields: The U.S. Department of State has
instituted new clearance procedures for visa applicants working in certain
technical fields who need to go to the United States. These new procedures
affect not only research, but also presenting papers at conferences and
consultations, as well as other activities. All research workers should fill out visa application forms in English
The new procedures require a minimum of 21 business days for processing,
but often take longer. We therefore advise applicants to apply no less
than one month before their expected departure date. Applying two months
in advance is even better. Applicants who are uncertain as to whether
or not the purpose of their trips will cause such a processing delay may
call the Consular Section for more information.
If you call, please be ready to provide information about:
Your employer and your job
The inviting organization, including a specific person
and contact information, preferably an email address
The purpose of the trip
For additional information on U.S. policies, please see
Summer Work and Travel 2006 (in Russian)
Summer Work and Travel 2005 (in Russian)
