Russian Suspension of Visa Processing Effective May 12, 2021
Friday, May 7, 2021

The United States Embassy in Moscow is reducing consular services and suspending visa processing as of May 12, 2021. This means that only emergency U.S. citizen services, as well as limited age-out and life or death emergency immigrant visas, will be processed for the foreseeable future. Routine notarial services, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, and renewal passport services are suspended. Emergency services to U.S. citizens in Russia may be delayed or limited. Additionally, non-immigrant visa processing for non-diplomatic travel will cease.

In addition to a Level 4 Travel Advisory in place against travel to Russia, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow advises U.S. citizens not to travel to Russia at this time. With the consular work force reduced by 75%, the U.S. Embassy and consulates in the Russian Federation currently have limited capacity to assist U.S. citizens in the event of an emergency.

United States citizens currently present in Russia with an expired visa should seek to depart Russia before the June 15, 2021, deadline set by Russian President Putin in his Dec. 15, 2020, travel decree. This decree extends the temporary stay of foreigners with immigration documents, including visas, residence permits, and migration registration, that have expired or will expire between March 15, 2020, and June 15, 2021.

 

 

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