Kruger876

Chris, We had exactly the same idea for transfers, just use crypto. While transfer itself is not a problem, it also seems to contradict current Russian law (I don't claim to know all the nuances but hear me out). Effective 2022 or so, any Russian citizen now has to report purchase of investment assets (which crypto is considered to be). With an intent that these funds at some point are coming back to Russia. So when you transfer say a payment from a plastic debit card or even wire transfer to an exchange, that transaction is reported by the exchange (so long it is regulated in/by Russia), but even if not, any operating bank will also report such transaction to any regulated exchange as such (investment, etc). It is also not currently possible to buy foreign assets my understanding, which means you can only use regulated exchanges, who do not allow foreign assets. While it is technically possible to do so, whoever the depositing side from Russia is - that entity/person now is subject to prosecution, up to felony with no right to leave the country. I imagine in small transactions it's not relevant, or until someone cares. But technically, you can end up being stuck permanently or worse jeopardizing whoever is aiding with outbound transfer if they do not understand consequences. This is just an observation, which could be incorrect. If so - let me know. Did you all seek legal help to determine whether crypto transfers can be structured as such that keeps them legal within Russian jurisdiction?

Has anyone done any recent transfers from Russia to USA? I know previously this was discussed as means to transfer for a family member. We have a completely different situation - person is moving to US on IR5 visa. How in the world do they take their assets with them? Sell an apartment, then what?

How did you all receive a notification that passport was ready? Email, text, call?

Thank you for this information. We were able to get a response following this format. They approved Moscow for medical exam.

Which address? It's been 7 days since we requested via ustraveldocs email and no response. I chatted with them as well and they indicated a request was submitted internally to the right place, but it's silence as well. Running out of time before interview...

Yulia, Did it give you an option where to pick up documents? All I see is a form to fill out an address.

Did your mom receive/request permission from interviewing consulate first or just went to Moscow IOM on her own?

Does anyone have any information on how to get permission for a medical exam in Moscow in lieu of Almaty? I saw in this post and others that it's possible, but not clear how Almaty Embassy allowed it. Calling them have been unsuccessful so far and they do not answer with anything useful via their traveldocs.com email.