Forms:
All non-immigrant visa applicants must submit a completed copy of the DS-156 form.
Photo:
The DS-156 requires one full-face photograph.
Fee:
The application fee for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa is $100, payable in cash in Russian rubles. This application fee is non-refundable. This fee should be submitted to Pony Express at the time the application is turned in for delivery to the Embassy.
Schedule interview:
Applicants should submit their complete application through Pony Express
+7 (495) 937-7777, a courier service with offices throughout Russia. Please note that Pony Express is the only courier authorized by the US Embassy. The use of other courier services for transmission of documents to Pony Express will delay processing.
How does your Relative schedule a visa interview? -
Appointments are scheduled when your Relative submits your application to the Pony Express courier service.
Fingerprints:
At the time an application is submitted, each applicant will be informed of the date and time to come to the embassy for biometric finger scanning and, if necessary, a personal interview. All applicants age 14-79 must be finger scanned. In addition, all applicants age 14-79 must appear for a personal interview before a consular officer.
Wait time:
Is from 2 to 8 days.
After the consular officer approves Relative’s visa application, how does s/he gets passport back?
After the consular officer approves the visa application, the visa is typically printed and the passport returned to the Pony Express courier service the same day. Then, Pony Express delivers the passport to you at the address you provided when you submitted your application. This generally takes 2-3 days.
How long can Relative remains in the United States?
Your length of stay will be determined by the immigration official at the port of entry upon arrival in the U.S. The validity of the visa has nothing to do with how long one can remain in the United States. Rather, it is the period of time in which one can travel to the United States. That is, a person with a multiple entry visa valid for one year can make several trips to the U.S. during that year. The length of each visit, however, will be determined at the port of entry.
My Relative’s visa application was denied. Can s/he reapply?
Yes. There is no restriction on the number of times a person may apply for a visa. However, without additional evidence of binding social, familial, or economic ties which demonstrate a compelling need to return to Russia after visiting the United States, there may be little reason to apply a second time. It may be prudent to wait until there is new evidence of such ties before reapplying.
