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UNITED STATES: Limited Resumption of Visa Processing in Russia
December 5, 2017
The United States Department of State has announced that, effective 11th December 2017, the U.S. consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, and Vladivostok will begin to offer limited interviews for non-immigrant visas.
The US embassy in Moscow also continues to offer limited interviews for immigrant, diversity and non-immigrant visas. However, the US missions will continue to operate with a significantly reduced staff.
Background
Since 1st September 2017, all US non-immigrant visa applications have been processed at the US embassy in Moscow. Non-immigrant visa interviews at the US consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok were suspended until further notice.
The suspension came after the Russian government imposed a personnel cap on the US Mission at the end of July 2017, in response to the US government’s approval of new sanctions against Russia. The Russian government ordered the US government to reduce its diplomatic staff by 755 people, or about 60%, by 1st September 2017.
Our Advice
Employers should continue to expect delays for their employees applying for US visas in Russia, both in securing appointments and in visa processing.
Affected employers should consult their Newland Chase immigration specialist for advice on US visa applications in Russia.
For advice and information on immigration to the United States or to Russia in general, please email us at [email protected].
