FAQs
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Visas, Passports and other Consular Matters
Q: My passport had expired, but I have a valid nonimmigrant visa in it. Do I need to get a new visa in my new passport?
A: The United States Department of State and Immigration and Naturalization Service considers that the U.S. nonimmigrant visa that has not expired or been canceled is valid, even though the passport in which it was placed has either expired or was canceled.
Any traveler having a valid visa in an expired passport and having, as well, a new valid passport, is welcome to enter the United States carrying both passports. Such travelers will be admitted, barring any other ineligibility, until the date of the visa’s expiration. It is not necessary to obtain another visa in the new passport.
Q: How do I get a visa application form?
A: All non-immigrant visa applicants must submit a completed Electronic Visa Application Form DS-156. Detailed information is available here.
Q: I am looking for my relatives in the U.S. Can you help me?
A: Unfortunately, there is no centralized way for the U.S. Consulate to obtain information about whereabouts of individuals who live in the United States. Below you will find several addresses and/or telephone numbers for organizations which might assist you in your search.
- Russian American Genealogical Archives Service (RAGAS)
P.O. Box 236 Glen Echo, MD 20812 - The International Southdex Reunion Registry (I.S.R.R.)
P.O. Box 2312 Carson City, NY 89702 - The Adoption Reunion Registry/Tracers
(516) 654-0091 - The Salvation Army’s Missing Persons
(914) 620-7389
Q: I am looking for relatives in Russia, can you help me?
A: The U.S. Consulates and Embassy in Russia do not have the information you are seeking, but the following list of contacts may be of assistance to you. To obtain the requested information, you must apply in person or give a power of attorney to someone who will apply on your behalf at one of the following institutions:
For documents less than 75 years old: Central ZAGS Office at 10 Malyy Kharitonyevskiy Pereulok (former Griboyedova St.), Moscow, tel. (7-095) 923-7089
For documents over 75 years old: Central Moscow State Historical Archive at 80 Profsoyuznaya Str., Moscow, tel. (7-095) 128-9002
Outside the Russian Federation: Russian diplomatic or consular missions, such as the Russian Embassy in the U.S. at 1825 Phelps Place, NW, Washington, DC 20008; tel. (202) 939-8907
Russian American Genealogical Archives Service (RAGAS): P.O. Box 236 Glen Echo, MD 20812
The International Southdex Reunion Registry (I.S.R.R.): P.O. Box 2312 Carson City, NY 89702
The Salvation Army's Missing Persons: (914) 620-7389
Q: My relative/friend applied for a Nonimmigrant Visa and was denied. I provided information about my citizenship, income, property, etc. Was this not sufficient?
A: All applicants for Nonimmigrant Visas must themselves qualify for a visa by demonstrating evidence of strong social, economic and family ties to their home country. It is important to understand that a consular officer cannot issue a visa based upon the assurances of interested third parties in the U.S. or elsewhere. See our section on visa refusals for more information.
Q: I am traveling through the US, do I need a transit visa?
A: Russian citizens do need C-1 transit visas even when transiting the United States on a single flight which stops at a U.S. port-of-entry before proceeding to a non-U.S. destination.
Q: I have to fly to the US tomorrow, and my American friends/contacts have already bought tickets for me! What can I do?
A: We advise all applicants to apply for nonimmigrant visas at least four to six weeks prior to their intended departure date. Usually, we can issue a visa the same day. However, it is always best to leave plenty of time before you travel in case your application requires special processing. We do not recommend that applicants or their friends/contacts purchase airline tickets or pay for accommodations prior to the issuance of a visa. The pre-purchase of such in no way influences the decision of the interviewing consular officer.
Q: What is the difference between an immigrant visa and a nonimmigrant visa?
A: An Immigrant Visa allows a foreigner to immigrate to the United States. A Nonimmigrant Visa can be issued to an alien who wants to travel to the U.S. for a temporary stay. There are several different types of nonimmigrant visas (tourist, student, etc. ) For information on visa types please visit our nonimmigrant visa main page. Since the bulk of the immigration process is handled in Moscow, please access their immigrant visa information page.
Q: How can I contact the Consulate?
A: For visa questions you may call User-pays Call Center or you can contact the Consulate by e-mail: vladcons@state.gov
Q: Where can I find a list of American companies doing business in
Russia?
A: Because of the significant growth in the number of U.S. companies active in Russia during recent years, as well as the advent of directories published by the private-sector, neither the US Consulate General in Vladivostok nor the US Embassy continue to maintain an in-house listing of American companies present in Russia.
US companies/individuals are not obliged to register with the US Consulates or Embassy, although it is welcomed and advised. Persons seeking such listings may wish to consider purchasing the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia's annual Membership Directory (telephone: 7-095-961-2141; fax: 7-095-961-2142; or e-mail the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia) or DAKSI's "Handbook for Doing Business in Russia" (telephone: 7-095-365-4285; fax: 7-095-291-0469; e-mail DAKSI.
Q: What is the Russian import tariff on my company's product?
A: Commercial specialists from the U.S. Commercial Service at the Embassy in Moscow can advise customers with tariff-related inquiries on specific products. Please contact the U.S. Commercial Service.
Q: How do I obtain a business visa to visit Russia?
A: American business travelers seeking business visas for travel to Russia may apply through the Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C. or one of three other Russian Consulates in the United States, in New York City, San Francisco, or Seattle.
Further information please contact the Russian Embassy in the United States.
Q: How can my Russian partner obtain a business visa to visit the United States?
A: Russian business travelers seeking visas to visit the United States can get information from the U.S. Consulate's Consular Section.
Q: What U.S. Government programs can help me do business in Russia?
A: GKS - Gold Key Service: The GKS is “right-off-the-plane” customized appointment scheduling. We identify potential agents, distributors and buyers and arrange appointments for you to meet your travel schedule, needs and objectives ($400 fee for one city; $600 for two cities; car and interpreter available for additional fee).
ADS – Agent/Distributor Service: The ADS identifies potential Russian agents or distributors for your products. CS Russia staff will screen prospective representatives, offering your product or service. You will receive qualified results, with names and contact information ($250 fee).
SKS – Silver Key Service: The SKS offers you a listing of 10 potential Russian business partners based on your specific request for representation or customers ($100 fee).
CMA – Customized Market Analysis: The CMA is customized market research designed to provide your firm with the precise information to best access the market. You will receive key market details, including market potential in Russia, competition, distribution channels, marketing trends and pricing ($4,000 average fee).
TOP – Trade Opportunity Program: The TOP provides US companies with current sales leads from Russian firms seeking to buy US products or services, as well as tenders from the Russian Government and World Bank. TOP leads are easily accessible electronically at BuyUSA page.
Business Counseling and Advocacy: CS Russia staff provide personalized counseling on the business climate as well as trade and investment opportunities in Russia. This includes information on industry trade events as well as sources of finance for your company.
CS Russia staff assists US companies with specific trade issues, and provides support for projects, government tenders and market access.
SABIT - Special American Business Internship Training: The SABIT program successfully recruits highly qualified Russian managers and experts for training with American companies in the US For more information, contact SABIT in Washington, DC at tel: (202) 482-0073, fax: (202) 482-2443, or visit their web site.