All conditions for obtaining American visas in 2021

4 answers to questions

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It’s time to write a saga about the intricacies of obtaining a visa to the United States of America: everything came together here - the unreasonable quibbles of consular workers even with the most “durable” packages of documents, and the unexpected ease of obtaining the coveted stamp in a passport for the most emigrant-minded tourists. The peculiarity of applying for an American visa is the absence of a single list of documents, according to the principle “bring everything, and we’ll figure it out.” In general, the tourist’s goal is to convince the consulate that he cannot imagine life without his homeland, and no benefits of capitalism will undermine this filial love. The ghost bonus is a multiple-entry visa for a year by default and the possibility of obtaining a 3-year “multiple”.

A US visa is always required, even if you have a connecting flight and do not intend to get off the plane. The package of documents for a transit visa is no less than for a regular tourist visa.

Those planning to visit the States in the near future should take into account that the issuance of visas is limited (as of 2019).

Types of visas

US visas can be divided into two categories: non-immigrant for temporary stay and immigrant for permanent residence. The first has many subcategories and design nuances, the second has its own strict rules and requirements. The following types of nonimmigrant visas exist:

• for business and tourist trips B1/B2;
• workers H, L, O, P, Q, R;
• student M, F;
• transit and for crew members C1/D;
• for participants of J exchange programs;
• for housekeeping staff A3, G5, B1;
• for media workers and journalists I.

Business and tourist

The B1 visa is for business travelers, the B2 is for tourists and those seeking medical treatment. In practice, they often issue combined B1/B2, single and multiple entry for a period of up to 3 years.

Not only the documents, but also the applicant’s answers during the interview are of fundamental importance for the consul.

An approximate formula for success is confidence and clarity of testimony, healthy patriotism, plus a hefty package of papers confirming ties with the homeland, previous travel experience and the purpose of the upcoming trip (from certificates of income and property to business correspondence regarding the program).

Workers

You can work in the United States without immigrant status by applying for one of the non-immigrant visas for a maximum period of 2 years: H1 for highly skilled professionals, L for those who are temporarily transferred to American units, P for representatives of the entertainment industry and athletes, Q for participants in international cultural exchange programs , R for religious figures and O for those of extraordinary ability. The list of documents includes a Form I-129 petition approved by USCIS prior to filing the application. Confirmation of qualifications: resume, diplomas, letters of recommendation, etc. will also not be superfluous.

Student

The F visa is issued to students enrolled in private schools, colleges and universities in the United States, as well as those who intend to study English as part of various programs. The M visa is intended for persons entering the country for the purpose of non-academic or vocational study, while for those who plan to combine tourism with study in a shortened program (less than 18 hours per week), a B2 visa is sufficient. At the interview, you must have an approved Form I-20 from your graduating institution and proof of payment of SEVIS, a student fee in the amount of 180-200 USD. The maximum period of a student visa is 1 year. Prices on the page are for April 2019.

Transit and for crew members

Visa C is required for travelers traveling through the United States to other countries, D - for crew members of ships or aircraft served in the United States. The consul must provide tickets and visas from the destination countries or documents confirming work on the ship. The maximum period is 2 years.

For exchange program participants

Specialists in the field of culture, science and education - students, interns, school teachers and university professors, researchers and participants in Russian-American partnership dialogue programs - apply for a J visa for up to 3 years. To do this, you must provide the approved DS-2019 form and standard documents: old passports, certificates of property and income, correspondence about the exchange program, etc.

If the program is sponsored by the US government (indicated by the initial G in its number), you do not need to pay a visa fee. Otherwise, the SEVIS fee on Form I-901 is also required.

For home service personnel

Butlers, chauffeurs, maids, cooks and nannies receive visas depending on who their future employer is: a diplomat with an A1/A2 visa needs an A3 visa, an employee of an international organization with a G visa needs a G5, a US citizen or non-immigrant visa holder needs a B1 . The list of required documents includes a copy of the employer’s passport or visa, as well as a contract drawn up in accordance with all the rules and its signed copy. The maximum period is 3 years.

Applicants A3 and G5 are exempt from the fee, for B1 you need to pay the standard 160 USD.

For media workers and journalists

Visa I is issued to foreign reporters, editors, and film crews entering the United States for professional purposes, but B1 is sufficient for photographers who do not receive payment for activities in the country. The employer must provide a letter indicating the name, position, purpose and duration of the trip.

Visas are issued mainly for single-entry visas, valid for 3 months, but for long-term business trips - multiple annual ones.

Immigrant visas

Applying for an immigrant visa is an application to remain in the United States and subsequently become a citizen. Typically, the process is initiated by a family member, citizen or permanent resident of the United States, or by an employer who plans to hire the immigrant for one of the authorized positions. They are the ones who file the Form I-130 petition with Citizenship and Immigration Services. The applicant will have to undergo a medical examination and a standard interview. The USCIS fee for immigrants is 220 USD.

Documents for a US visa

Required documents to obtain a tourist visa:

1. International passport
   An international passport with at least one blank page, valid for at least 6 months after the end of the trip.
2. Photocopy of passport
   Old passport (or a copy thereof), if it has contained visas from the USA, Canada, Great Britain or Schengen countries in the last 5 years.
3. Photo
   Photo 5x5 cm, photo requirements see below (photos must be provided by all applicants, including children included in the parents’ passport)
4. Questionnaire
   completed at the office. website application in English on form DS-160 (men aged 16 to 45 years also need to fill out an application on form DS-157). The DS-160 Application Confirmation Page must be printed on a laser printer and contains applicant information encoded in a customized, legible barcode. If the code is not clearly printed, it will be difficult to find and identify information, which will result in the need to reschedule for an interview and submit documents.
5. Receipt
   Receipt for payment of consular fee
6. Certificate of employment
   Certificate of employment with the stated position and salary;
7. Bank account statement
   The statement must be recent and not older than 6 months;
8. Sponsorship letter
   In addition to the listed documents, students must receive a certificate from the educational institution and a copy of their student ID. For pensioners - a copy of the pension certificate. And also for all of them and those who are not working - an application for sponsorship, a certificate from the sponsor’s work, a copy of his internal passport and a document confirming the degree of relationship.
9. Additionally
   , Evidence that the tourist will leave the United States after the expiration of the period of stay (information about the presence of immediate relatives in the Russian Federation (spouse, children), documents confirming the presence of property in the Russian Federation, information about the goals and objectives of the trip (tourist voucher, hotel reservation ).
10. Minors
    Minors must provide a copy of their birth certificate. If children are traveling to the United States without parents or with one parent, they must provide notarized permission from both or one parent, respectively.

Documents can be drawn up in both English and Russian.

American laws do not define an official list of documents required to obtain a visa, so it is very important to provide the consulate with the most complete package of documentation confirming a strong financial situation, as well as family and business ties.

Don't forget to take out medical insurance in advance for the entire duration of your trip. Although you are not asked for your insurance policy when entering the country, it is at least unwise to travel without it.

It is better to collect documents with some excess: the more various certificates there are confirming the adequate level of income of travelers and their blood connection to the Motherland, the better.

In some cases, consular officers may check the visa applicant’s account on social networks.

Waiting time for an appointment and deadlines for a US visa holder 2021 for Russians

We provide a link to the official website, where the approximate waiting period is indicated, depending on your interview city. Enter the name of the cities in English: Moscow, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok . Only in these three Russian cities (Moscow, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok) can you apply for a US visa in 2021. From unofficial forums, we will single out one topic where ordinary people write about scheduling an interview at the US Embassy in Moscow: whether there are places or not.

NB: You can also obtain a US visa abroad.

advantages : you will have to wait less for your turn for interviews than in Russia; The time to obtain a visa is also higher; Well, you combine the process of obtaining a visa to America with a vacation.

a lot of disadvantages : the fee you accidentally paid for an interview in Russia will be lost; you will spend time and money traveling abroad; There are not 100% guarantees of receipt.

We list the main cities where the waiting time for a visa interview is minimal for Russians in 2021:

• Prague
• Tbilisi
• Tallinn
• Vein
• Helsinki
• Baku

However, do not expect that the US Embassy in Russia will rush to issue a visa. This will take not one or two weeks, as is the case with obtaining a visa to Spain or Italy, but about 3-4 months. So keep this in mind when planning your long-awaited trip in advance. Moreover, it is important to remember that the starting point is the day of the interview , and not the day of filling out personal data on the DS-160 form. The waiting period for an appointment will vary depending on the city. Let’s say that the reception in Moscow will be in about a month and a half, and in Vladivostok much less.

If you are one hundred percent sure that you will not face an administrative check, you can assume that from the moment of final submission of documents to the Consulate until you receive your passport back in your hands, about 30 days will pass. Keep in mind that even your profession can affect the verification. Applicants with scientific and technical specialties will definitely undergo additional administrative verification, which can last up to 2 months.

Q: Regarding the passport, is it necessary to have a new passport to obtain a visa?

A: Absolutely not true. The type of passport does not affect the speed and benefits of obtaining a visa. The chances are exactly the same for owners of old and new passports.

US visa - instructions for obtaining it

Be sure to read the instructions for obtaining a US visa yourself ! There's really a lot of useful information there.

Q: What are the requirements for the validity period of a passport?

A: For Russian and Ukrainian citizens, it is enough that the deadlines are normal by the time the application is submitted. That is, it is not necessary to take into account the time of preliminary verification. Your passport may be valid for only 3 months, but your visa will be valid for 3 years.

Q: Do I need to fill out forms other than the DS-160?

A: No, this is not required.

Q: If I have no acquaintances or relatives in America, what address should I include in the contact information section?

A: In this case, indicate the address and telephone number of the hotel, which does not have to be booked.

Q: In what format is the passport number entered?

A: Only digital data must be filled in, without taking into account specific characters

Q: Do I need to indicate the fact that I attended school?

A: Yes, it is necessary. Starting from 5th grade! Despite this, there are cases where visas were given to people who did not provide educational information.

Registration of visas for children

Children under 14 years of age are not required to undergo an interview, but the application procedure depends on whether the parent has a valid US visa. If available, documents can be submitted through Pony Express: pay the consular fee, fill out Form DS-160 in the name of the child, create an account on the embassy website, carefully answer the questions in section 7, receive a letter confirming the submission of the application without an interview, print it and bring it to the company office. You must have with you a passport and photograph of the child, a photocopy of the parent’s visa, documents for the visa of the required category and their inventory.

Teenagers over 14 years of age must be accompanied by their parents for the interview.

If the parent does not have a visa and makes an appointment for the interview, the child should be listed as a dependent family member. But there is no need to bring him to the consul: it is enough to provide his passport and a printed page confirming the interview.

How to get a tourist visa to the United States of America

Before you receive a tourist visa to the USA, you need to take a number of steps step by step.

Step-by-step instructions for obtaining an American visa yourself:

1. Register on the official website of the Embassy;
2. Open and upload your new photo;
3. Fill out all points of the DS-160 form (in English);
4. Prepare the required package of documents;
5. Pay the consular fee for a US visa in 2021;
6. Select an interview date;
7. Appear at the specified address and undergo an interview;
8. Wait for the time necessary for administrative verification;
9. Pick up your passport.

Photo requirements

First rule: the photo must be taken within 6 months before applying. If your previous visa has expired and you need a new one, you will have to take photos again. The facial expression is neutral, the gaze is directed directly at the camera. The head should fit completely into the frame and occupy 50-70% of the photo area.

The photo itself is square, 5x5 cm in size, with a resolution from 600x600 to 1200x1200 pixels. Background - white or close to white. Casual clothing: no uniform, hats (with the exception of those worn for religious reasons, and even then they do not hide the face), headphones or glasses. People who regularly wear hearing aids or similar devices are allowed to be photographed wearing them.

Fingerprinting for a US visa

Since 2003, the US Embassy in Moscow has scanned the fingerprints of all applicants between the ages of 14 and 79. Typically during an interview: digitally without using ink. For applicants who do not require an interview, an appointment will be made to visit the embassy or consulate for fingerprinting. To freely enter the territory, the applicant must present a consignment note from Pony Express and a valid passport.

If the applicant has cuts, calluses or other temporary damage to the fingertips, he will have to reschedule the procedure and report to the embassy when everything has healed.

However, since November 2008, some concessions have appeared regarding the universal scanning of “fingers”. Applicants who have already completed the 10-fingerprint procedure at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General in Russia may be exempt from the interview and fingerprinting process when applying for a subsequent visa if the following conditions are met:

• repeated application must be made no later than 11 months from the date of expiration of the previous visa;
• the applicant is applying for a visa of the same category as the expired visa;
• there is no Clearance Received mark on the previous visa;
• The visa application takes place in the applicant's country of residence and meets the requirements of United States immigration law.

What happened

In March 2021, the United States suspended the issuance of visas worldwide. Now the US Consulate is again accepting documents from Russians. They can extend previously issued B1/B2 tourist visas, but only through the consulate in Yekaterinburg. Documents are still not accepted in Moscow.

Residents of any city can apply and do not need to undergo an interview for a new visa. This can be done by mail or at a VFS Global branch.

The number of applications is limited due to security measures related to the pandemic and due to the non-issuance of Russian visas to employees of the American mission in Russia, TASS writes, citing the US Embassy in Moscow.

Consular fee - $160

The consular fee for all non-immigrant visas, except work visas, is 160 USD. Work visa applicants will have to fork out 190 USD. The fee is paid in ruble equivalent before submitting documents to the consulate at Russian Post offices or using a bank card. It is charged in full from each applicant, including children included in the parents’ passport. If the transaction is successful, a receipt containing the identification code required to schedule an interview at the consulate will be sent to the email address provided by the payer.

Price

The cost of a tourist, work and study visa is $160. A fiancée visa costs $240.

The consular fee can be paid in two ways:

1. Cash transfer via Russian Post.
2. Cashless payment using a bank card.

To pay the consular fee, the applicant will need to fill out a receipt electronically. Then it is printed and the payment is already made using this receipt. The receipt confirming payment of the fee is attached to the main documents for obtaining a visa.

Filling out a visa application

The electronic form DS-160 is filled out in English directly at the office. US Embassy website. Such an application contains all the data entered by the applicant; this information will be encrypted in the barcode.

If there is no user activity, the form completion session will expire after 20 minutes. To avoid data loss, you should save the application file to your computer often. When submitting to the site, you need to upload not only the DS-160, but also a photo that meets all the requirements. After filling out the form, a page with a barcode will be generated, which must be printed and brought to the interview with the rest of the documents.

Application procedure

After paying the consular fee (no earlier than 2 business days) and filling out an electronic application on form DS-160, you must sign up for an interview on the embassy website. To register, you must provide the numbers of your international passport, document confirming payment of the consular fee, and a 10-character barcode from the DS-160 submission confirmation page.

Passports with visas are delivered to the address specified when registering or stored until required by Pony Express; the cost of its services is included in the consular fee. You can track the status online and by calling the call center. To obtain a passport, you will need the original of any identification document and a printed letter inviting you to an interview.

Visa processing time

As of July 2021, the waiting period for an interview for tourist visa applicants in Moscow and Yekaterinburg is 300 calendar days, in Vladivostok - 50 days. For student visas in Moscow you can receive an invitation in 2 calendar days, in Yekaterinburg - in 60 days, in Vladivostok - in a day. If the conversation with the consul goes well, the documents will be processed fairly quickly: from 3 business days. If you do not need to undergo an interview (for example, when re-entering), the visa is issued in 7-30 days.

A valid American visa may be in an expired passport: at the border you will need to show both the old passport with the visa and a new, valid one.

US visas in 2021

Currently, only the Moscow embassy and consulates in Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok operate in Russia. The queues for interviews are gigantic: to get to the consul in the capital, a tourist needs to wait almost a year or hope for a miracle. So for those who are applying for a visa for the first time, it is better to think about traveling to neighboring countries - Latvia, Georgia or Lithuania. Holders of visas that expired less than 11 months ago can expect to receive a new one within a month.

The most common type of visas issued are “multiple” visas valid for up to 3 years for the purposes of tourism, business and study.

According to statistics, every 10th Russian is denied an American visa. At risk are young, single and childless boys and girls with modest salaries, student visa applicants who do not speak spoken English, residents of the Stavropol, Krasnodar territories, Dagestan and areas close to “hot spots”. Those who previously violated the deadlines for returning from the States, were denied a visa, or were traveling to visit relatives who immigrated from Russia to the United States are also in doubt. The lack of Schengen visas and the discrepancy between personal data and the answers at the interview will also alert the consul. And if document forgery is discovered, entry permission will never be seen.

Interview at the US Embassy

Interviews for those wishing to visit the United States will be held in 2021 in three Russian cities: Moscow, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok . But there is a big disadvantage here: there are no free places to sign up in the queue. To solve the problem, constantly monitor the official page of the consulate, read forums and reviews, what others did in this situation, etc. Another option is to have an interview abroad , in another country.

The interview is conducted live; questions are asked by a representative of the American consulate and can be of a different nature. You need to answer accurately and correctly, otherwise they will be followed by leading questions in which you can get confused and fail the meeting. You need to be prepared for a meeting with representatives of a foreign state; it can last more than two hours. It will be easier for those who know English; there will be no need for a translator. But for greater confidence, it is better to communicate in your native Russian.

Where can you go with a valid US visa?

With a multiple-entry open visa to the United States, you can visit a number of other countries with a visa regime:

• Albania - no more than 90 days in a 180-day period, the visa must be used at least once to travel to the United States;
• Bermuda - no more than 90 days;
• Mariana Islands - at the time of entry to the islands, the visa must be valid for at least another 6 months;
• Marshall Islands - at the time of entry to the islands, the visa must be valid for at least another 6 months;
• Mexico - no more than 180 days;
• Turks and Caicos - the visa must be used at least once to travel to the United States;

Rules for staying in the USA on a tourist visa

A tourist with a Russian passport can obtain a visa to America for a period of 3 years. He does not have the right to stay in the country for all 3 years. But during this time he can regularly come to the United States.

How many days can you stay, visa expiration date

The period of stay in America on a tourist visa for Russians is 6 months. But if a Russian citizen is traveling to this country for the first time, then the optimal period of stay in the USA is 2-3 weeks.

How many days later can I enter again?

It is advisable to cross the US border again after 1-1.5 months. If possible, you should stay at home (or in another country) for 2-2.5 months.

If you ignore this recommendation, there is a risk that the traveler will become interested in immigration services. They may see him as a potential emigrant.

Violation of the terms of stay

If a person violates the period of stay in America, the current visa will be cancelled. And the tourist will end up in an emergency situation for 10 years. But he does not face criminal punishment.

Embassy and Consulates of the United States of America in Russia

Embassy of the United States of America in Moscow

US Consulate General in Vladivostok

US Consulate General in Vladivostok

US Consulate General in Yekaterinburg

Express center in Moscow

Express center in Moscow

Express center for accepting documents for non-immigrant visas to the United States by bank transfer only for corporate clients

Express center in Moscow

Express center in Yekaterinburg

Express center in Vladivostok

Answers to questions from border guards

The option “I’ll live with friends” is not the best. Such words can lead to problems at the border, such as hours of interrogation. And it’s not a fact that after this person will be allowed through.

Additionally, border guards may require you to provide personal correspondence or other private, intimate information. The task of the service employees is to identify potential emigrants and block their entry into the country.

When crossing the border, it is important that everything the Russian says matches the information on the visa application form. If a person enters the USA on a tourist visa, then he should answer that he is traveling as a tourist, and not say anything about relatives/friends in the USA, even if he has them.

Questions about food are asked in a very casual manner, as if customs officers are simply interested. Here you should be very careful and answer all questions in the negative. After all, the transport of fresh food and goods for sale into America is prohibited.

Video about how interrogation can take place at a US airport: