Nonimmigrant Visas
Applying for a Nonimmigrant Visa
U.S. Embassy Moscow's Consular Section wishes to remind applicants that additional administrative processing is often required for individuals involved in scientific or technical fields of work or study. We urge all applicants, particularly those involved in scientific or technical fields, to apply no later than 45 days before the intended date of travel. Unfortunately, in most cases the possibility that your visa may be subject to additional processing will not be considered an emergency for the purpose of granting expedited business appointments.
A nonimmigrant visa is necessary to visit the United States temporarily for tourism, business, studies, or cultural exchanges.
The visa application process is really quite easy. A complete application consists of
- Electronic Visa Application Form (NEW)
- The appropriate application forms
- A valid passport
- Application Fee
- Any supporting documentation
Applicants should submit their complete application through Pony Express, a courier service with offices throughout Russia. Applications and supporting documentation should be in English using Latin characters. 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. 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. Applicants, who have a previously issued visa of the same visa class for which they are currently applying that has expired in the last twelve months, usually do not require interview.
Those applicants who require finger scanning (all applicants age 14-79) but do not require a personal interview will be scheduled to appear at the embassy at a special time to ensure that the finger scanning is conducted as expeditiously as possible.
Applicants who have temporary cuts, blisters, or other injuries on any of the fingertips must reschedule their appointment. Applicants who appear at the Embassy with temporarily injured fingertips will be asked to return after the fingers have healed.
Diplomats and other government officials traveling on official business will not be required to appear at the embassy to participate in the biometric program.
Nonimmigrant Visa Appointment Wait and Processing Times
For Typical Appointment Wait and Processing Times -- Click here: http://travel.state.gov.
All applicants should be aware that the times given are current averages, and are subject to sharp seasonal fluctuations. Processing wait time DOES NOT include the time required for additional administrative processing or special requirements. In such cases, processing wait time will vary based on the individual circumstances of each application.
