Going rate for a U.S. tourist visa in Moscow

[akdiver 3]

For anyone who cares - as I understand it, the process for a Russian to get a U.S. tourist (non-immigrant) visa works something like this:

a). Gather up your documents

B). Visit the closest "Pony Express" office with your documents ready to send it

c). Get told the approximate date of interview at the embassy in Moscow - right away

This info is confirmed on the Moscow Embassy's website:

http://www.usembassy.ru/consular/consular...._id=nivservices

My wife's parents are planning to come visit us and they of course need a tourist visa. Yesterday, they went to said office in Kazan and were told that they could expect to have their interview 28th July or 2nd August.

So, it would seem that, at the moment at least, the going rate for U.S. tourist visa in Moscow is about three weeks (and much sooner than we expected).

In related news - in case you want a reference for this kind of visa, you can check here:

http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/visiting2.html

Of course, my wife refused to believe what they said about not needing an invitation letter and other things and insisted on sending her parents all kinds of documents (birth certificates, marriage certificate, PR card, invitation letters, etc.) to support their application. Go figure.

Cheers!

AKDiver

[Eva Malahova 0]

For anyone who cares - as I understand it, the process for a Russian to get a U.S. tourist (non-immigrant) visa works something like this:

a). Gather up your documents

B). Visit the closest "Pony Express" office with your documents ready to send it

c). Get told the approximate date of interview at the embassy in Moscow - right away

This info is confirmed on the Moscow Embassy's website:

http://www.usembassy.ru/consular/consular...._id=nivservices

My wife's parents are planning to come visit us and they of course need a tourist visa. Yesterday, they went to said office in Kazan and were told that they could expect to have their interview 28th July or 2nd August.

So, it would seem that, at the moment at least, the going rate for U.S. tourist visa in Moscow is about three weeks (and much sooner than we expected).

In related news - in case you want a reference for this kind of visa, you can check here:

http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/visiting2.html

Of course, my wife refused to believe what they said about not needing an invitation letter and other things and insisted on sending her parents all kinds of documents (birth certificates, marriage certificate, PR card, invitation letters, etc.) to support their application. Go figure.

Cheers!

AKDiver

It sounds like they might get a guest visa for 2 years. I sent my Mom an invitation letter and a letter from my employer. All they asked her was if she had any assets and if i was the only daughter. She got a visa for 2 years with in and out priveleges.

[MaClaud 1]

For 2 years B2 visa you have to pay another 100$. Usually they give 1 year B2 Multy-visa.

[Satellite 1]

Usually they give 1 year B2 Multy-visa.

I disagree, usually they give nothing!

[MaClaud 1]

Satellite, it depends on the situation. But if you've managed to convince them they'll give you Multi one even without asking. I got it from the first try last November.

[skinman569 0]

Hey everyone! We want to bring my wife's mother over to visit for a while, and maybe dad. How do I go about applying for this? I want to do this asap!!! My wife is currently under a k3 visa, we just applied for the AOS. Help! Help! Help!!!

[slim 1,525]

Hey everyone! We want to bring my wife's mother over to visit for a while, and maybe dad. How do I go about applying for this? I want to do this asap!!! My wife is currently under a k3 visa, we just applied for the AOS. Help! Help! Help!!!

Curious as well.....

(Also, does anyone know if sisters are given same consideration as mothers?)

[akdiver 3]

For anyone who cares - my wife's parents had their tourist visa interview today. They were approved. No idea if they got the one year or two year visa. They were given back most of the docs they submitted. Were asked very basic questions about where they were going, 2 or 3 "silly questions", mostly about Alaska. Told they would get visa in 2-3 days.

Cheers!

AKDiver

Hey everyone! We want to bring my wife's mother over to visit for a while, and maybe dad. How do I go about applying for this? I want to do this asap!!! My wife is currently under a k3 visa, we just applied for the AOS. Help! Help! Help!!!

Look at the first post in this thread. I gave links to the two main resources for this info. Do what they say, get visa.

Cheers!

AKDiver

[IrinaNMike 0]

Irina has an adult son who would have to file "DS-157", whatever that is. He's a construction worker and doesn't own any property, but he's honest as the day is long, and I would sign whatever I needed to if he could get a Tourist Visa to come over here for a couple of months during his 'slow' season. I told Irina "nothing doing", however, because I thought he would probably be turned down in Moscow, and I was afraid that a refusal might impact Irina's hope of someday sponsoring him as a permanent immigrant.

I know none of you have crytstal balls, so I won't ask for opinions, but ... has anyone tried to help an adult male stepson with a tourist visa get past the Moscow Consulate, and was it as simple as with AKDiver's in-laws?

If so, I would really like to hear from you.

And no, I am not just looking for someone who will remodel my house for free -- shame on you who suspect me of such things!

[akdiver 3]

Irina has an adult son who would have to file "DS-157", whatever that is.

It's referenced on one of the URLs I gave in the OP, and also here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/laws/telegram...grams_1432.html and here: http://www.amcits.com/form_ds_157.asp

Essentially, the US Govt, in its infinite wisdom, is of the opinion that only men of prime working age could be terrorists. It's a form to get additional info over and above the usual visa app. To be fair, the questions are all very benign and are all ones required on the form to get a visa for Russia, so in itself, is nothing to get uptight about.

As for this dude - well, send his ### up to my house. I'd be happy to have him work on it for free if you don't want him working on yours. (:

But seriously - unless he can show he is not an intending immigrant, he will not get a visa. Given his lack of ties to Russia, it will be very hard for him to show he is not intending to immigrate - esp. with his mother here. There is no statement, guarantee, bond, or otherwise that you can give that will impact the CO's decision to reject or deny a visa. View the previous posts/urls in this thread for references. Your best bet to get him here would be on a student visa - IMHO.

Good luck!

AKDiver

[Satellite 1]

To be fair, the questions are all very benign and are all ones required on the form to get a visa for Russia, so in itself, is nothing to get uptight about.

Well not exactly.

Here is what the Russian Consulate site says concerning their form and former supplemental form.

"Why a special form for US citizens? Effective April 1, 2004, US citizens applying for Russians visas should submit to the Consulate a new application form. The new form is implemented on the basis of reciprocity with the US side and replaces the previous standard application form and the supplemental form."

http://www.consulrussia.org/visa_frame.fil...20US%20citizens?

By the way, they also charge $100 based on reciprocity.

Edited August 3, 2006 by Satellite

[kolobok 0]

Hi,

I've been on this forum for few years now. Never really posted anything, just a reader. I just hate writing.

But I have a story about a tourist visa. Here is my experience.

3 years ago I've applied for a tourist visa for my son (12yo). I was a permanent resident at that time and my citizenship was pending (my husband is a US citizen). We could of file a petition for immigration visa for him, but we didn't plan for him to immigrate just yet, we were thinking it would be nice to come visit for a couple of month and see if he likes it here. Well, sometimes it just dosn't pay to play fair.

The US embassy in Moscow refused to give him a tourist visa... So we end up applying for R1/2(step son of the US citizen) anyway. He is here now and already a US citizen. The only thing I still don't understand is why wasn't he given a tourist visa. I was just being honest and explained the situation. If I wanted him to stay with me permanently at that point I could of done that. He was eligible for imm visa without any waiting.

On the other hand that same year my mother got tourist visa no problem.

What I'm trying to say here is a tourist visa is an unpredictable comodity.

[MaClaud 1]

Irina has an adult son who would have to file "DS-157", whatever that is. He's a construction worker and doesn't own any property, but he's honest as the day is long, and I would sign whatever I needed to if he could get a Tourist Visa to come over here for a couple of months during his 'slow' season. I told Irina "nothing doing", however, because I thought he would probably be turned down in Moscow, and I was afraid that a refusal might impact Irina's hope of someday sponsoring him as a permanent immigrant.

Look, I don't wanna freighten you or discourage but it's so weak chance for him to get it. Unless he'll show anything upgoing and tying him to Russia: any courses, repair contract of any apartment, letters from work confirming he's still working, your letter approving he won't stay there and will come back... a lot of things... think it all up! To prove any SAID word by documents! Good luck anyway!

And one more thing: to get visa for parents (or one of them), for sister/brother, anyone not so close relative is MUCH easier that to grown-up kids. Just experiece of other refusals. Cause the first MAIN question in application form for B2 visa is: Do you have any relatives in USA? Name them... Here you go!

I wish you to get prepaired and be able to see him soon anyway! GOOD LUCK!

[John24689 0]

My fiance got a two year tourist visa last year. Her sister and her husband, in the US started the paperwork and invitation. My fiance filled out the paperwork and had an interview at the US Embassy in Moscow. I think she said she paid $300 for the tourist visa. She came to the US two times last year. I met her on her second visit. :-) Good luck.

John

[meauxna 15]

I told Irina "nothing doing", however, because I thought he would probably be turned down in Moscow, and I was afraid that a refusal might impact Irina's hope of someday sponsoring him as a permanent immigrant.

Mike,

If refused a tourist visa, it's because he would not be able to overcome the burden of 'immigrant intent'.

If applying for an immigrant visa, that would not be an issue.

Refusal of a visitor's visa does not impact an immigrant visa application. Can't speak for Irina's hopes.

PS: just got back from a great week of diving in Mexico.. didn't you say that you two dive?