Moscow Embassy Status Update on CRBA Services

[millefleur 5,047]

Got this email today:

 

Quote

 

Message to U.S. Citizens: U.S. Mission Russia (October 13, 2021)

Location: Russia

Event: Status Update on Consular Report of Birth Abroad Services

 

Due to the Russian government's forced reduction of our consular workforce and the resulting staffing shortage, American Citizen Services are available only on an emergency basis in Moscow. 

 

We encourage U.S. citizens seeking citizenship services to schedule appointments with neighboring U.S. embassies and consulates. We regret the inconvenience that the suspension in services has caused.  Please be aware that processing times may be longer than normal. 

 

U.S. citizens seeking to register the birth of their child in Russia may apply at the United States embassies in Riga, Tallinn, or Tbilisi.  These embassies are authorized to accept and adjudicate Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) applications for children born in Russia.  U.S. citizens may also apply for CRBAs at any U.S. embassy or consulate.  U.S. citizens are subject to host country entry requirements, including COVID-19 restrictions.  Check each embassy's COVID-19 page for updated information on entry restrictions. 

 

Assistance:

U.S. Embassy Moscow

Bolshoy Deviatinsky Pereulok No. 8
Moscow 121099, Russian Federation
Telephone: +(7) (495) 728-5000 or +(7) (495) 728-5577
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(7) (495) 728-5000
Fax: +(7) (495) 728-5084
Email: moscowacs@state.gov

 

 

Edited October 13, 2021 by millefleur

[Strawberrymermaid 346]

Im not sure it will do anything, but is it worth bringing all of this to attention of Senators/ congressmen? I think, in general, Americans with families in Russia is lower than some other countries. Is it worth even mentioning to congressmen the issues that are going on between Russia and US and the impact its having on family members of US citizens?

Edited October 13, 2021 by Strawberrymermaid

[millefleur 5,047]

28 minutes ago, Strawberrymermaid said:

Im not sure it will do anything, but is it worth bringing all of this to attention of Senators/ congressmen?

I think it could be worth it. I'm not sure if anyone here has tried yet to contact them?

[Simplytex 387]

Maybe it's just my goldfish memory, but I thought that message (or very similar) had been on the consulate site for some time? But yeah pretty inconvenient for the American govt to essentially abandon their duty to citizens. Couldn't they "outsource" the jobs? Just gave a bunch of ipads with agents stationed anywhere, with one local helper/host? A slow process is better than none at all.

[millefleur 5,047]

14 minutes ago, Simplytex said:

Maybe it's just my goldfish memory, but I thought that message (or very similar) had been on the consulate site for some time?

I haven't been checking the site regularly. I'm on the mailing list for USC's and they still send me stuff about the Moscow Embassy. It could be that they update the site before sending out emails. It doesn't seem like there's much rhyme or reason.

 

14 minutes ago, Simplytex said:

Couldn't they "outsource" the jobs? Just gave a bunch of ipads with agents stationed anywhere, with one local helper/host?

No, because all embassy workers inside the embassy (behind the glass) require a secret to at least top secret security clearance. This bars them from hiring dual citizens or non-US citizens. I assume some of the work could be done remotely, but the in person interview obviously cannot.  Also authenticating documents has to be done in person by those with a security clearance...so I think it's those necessary "in person" things that create the choke point.

 

The Russian government won't allow "foreigners" (and get diplomatic visas) to work in the US Embassy. Only US citizens can do those jobs due to the security clearance issue, and since Russia refuses to give them the proper visa and has barred them from working, I assume the only people working at the Embassy right now are Americans who were there pre-Covid and prior to Russia's ban on foreign workers and whose Russian visas are still good. Apparently a bunch of American workers left during Covid, and then when they attempted to return later, Russia slapped the ban on them, thus the situation is frozen until Russia lifts the absurd ban and starts giving out diplomatic visas again.

Edited October 14, 2021 by millefleur

[Simplytex 387]

16 minutes ago, millefleur said:

The Russian government won't allow "foreigners" (and get diplomatic visas) to work in the US Embassy. Only US citizens can do those jobs due to the security clearance issue, and since Russia refuses to give them the proper visa and has barred them from working, I assume the only people working at the Embassy right now are Americans who were there pre-Covid and prior to Russia's ban on foreign workers and whose Russian visas are still good. Apparently a bunch of American workers left during Covid, and then when they attempted to return later, Russia slapped the ban on them, thus the situation is frozen until Russia lifts the absurd ban and starts giving out diplomatic visas again.

Oh shoot, didn't realize this. Though, I did recently read an article about Undersecretary Nuland and the Russian MID having made some progress, the fact that Nuland was previously on a no-travel list and was allowed to enter for the talks I would take as a good sign.

[millefleur 5,047]

4 minutes ago, Simplytex said:

Oh shoot, didn't realize this. Though, I did recently read an article about Undersecretary Nuland and the Russian MID having made some progress, the fact that Nuland was previously on a no-travel list and was allowed to enter for the talks I would take as a good sign.

It is at least something. Something has to give because the situation can't just continue on like this. Moscow is one of the largest US embassies out there, just having it suspended like this is a diplomatic crisis, in my opinion.