Russian Embassies Visa Suspension

[MikeAndDiana 0]

The news today states that, because Putin is expelling 700+ diplomats from the Russian embassies, these embassies have suspended issuing non-immigrant visas.  Those who have Embassy interviews in Russian for this, were to receive contact this morning about the cancellation and re-scheduling of their interviews.

 

The K1 Visa seems to be in this gray area between non-immigrant and immigrant visa.  So, I am wondering if this type of visa will be impacted.  Our interview is scheduled for this Monday and I am traveling there in a few days and do not know what that status of our interview is.  (Great timing, huh?)   :(((     Fortunately, we have not received a notification yet that our interview is postponed/cancelled...and they were supposed to be sent out by email early this morning.

 

Has anyone (dealing with K1 visa processing in Russia) heard or experienced anything on this topic?

[Scandi 4,166]

From what I heard is that everone will have to go to Moscow for their interviews now as the other cities (S:t Petersburg, Jekaterinburg, Vladivostok) won't be dealing with visas anymore. Not sure if it was all visas or only some though.

Edited August 21, 2017 by Scandi

[Dashinka 24,507]

11 minutes ago, Scandi said:

From what I heard is that everone will have to go to Moscow for their interviews now as the other cities (S:t Petersburg, Jekaterinburg, Vladivostok) won't be dealing with visas anymore. Not sure if it was all visas or only some though.

I believe Moscow always handled K1s even before this came about.  As the consulate statement said, this seems to greatly impact NIVs and even though the K1 is technically an NIV it has eventual immigration allowances and is treated like an immigration visa.  At least it was in 2014.

[Scandi 4,166]

1 minute ago, Bill & Katya said:

I believe Moscow always handled K1s even before this came about.  As the consulate statement said, this seems to greatly impact NIVs and even though the K1 is technically an NIV it has eventual immigration allowances and is treated like an immigration visa.  At least it was in 2014.

Yes, could be that the consulates dealt with non-immigrant only, so this change might not affect the immigrant visas. I understand that OP and others are confused about the K-1 then..

[Dashinka 24,507]

Just now, Scandi said:

Yes, could be that the consulates dealt with non-immigrant only, so this change might not affect the immigrant visas. I understand that OP and others are confused about the K-1 then..

Agreed.  I know Ekateringberg, Vladivostok, and St. Petersburg dealt with B1/B2's and I believe student visas which appears to be the major change here so anyone that had interviews for NIVs at those consulates will now have to schedule a new interview in Moscow and get there.  Just as a factoid, it is a 10-11 hour plane ride from Vladivostok to Moscow.

[Scandi 4,166]

11 hours is what it takes from Sweden to Los Angeles. That's a lot of hours for a visa..

 

Swedish media is now saying that there will be a stop for ALL visas in Russia for 9 days counting from today. Did anyone else hear this?

[Dashinka 24,507]

34 minutes ago, Scandi said:

11 hours is what it takes from Sweden to Los Angeles. That's a lot of hours for a visa..

 

Swedish media is now saying that there will be a stop for ALL visas in Russia for 9 days counting from today. Did anyone else hear this?

I remember when my then girlfriend tried for a B1 back in 2013.  She lived in Krasnoyarsk in central Siberia and decided to take the train to Moscow for the interview.  Almost two and a half days one way by train for a denial.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Russia, Ukraine, & Belarus regional forum; topic is Russia specific.