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In the latest development of changing US-Russian relations, the American diplomatic mission to Russia recently announced that as of August 23, 2017, all non-immigrant visa (NIV) applications will be suspended until September 1. The U.S. embassy has already begun canceling current nonimmigrant visa appointments countrywide.
Visa operations in the Russian Federation will thereafter operate at a greatly reduced capacity and all NIV interviews will be conducted at the US Embassy in Moscow. Consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok will however continue emergency and regular services for US citizens. The alert advises that all NIV applicants should contact the Embassy for interview rescheduling.
A limited number of immigrant visa applications may similarly be affected, according to the press release.
This dramatic decrease of US visa services is a direct result of a sanctions against Moscow regarding Russia's interference in the 2016 US Presidential Election. In response, Russia has ordered the US to reduce its diplomatic personnel nation-wide not to exceed 455. Regrettably, Russian citizens seeking travel to the US for business, work and tourism will be those most affected, and effects upon immigrants remain to be seen.
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