The Association of Tour Operators of Russia's publication, Vestnik ATOR, asked representatives of the tourism industry operating in the US to comment on reports in several media outlets regarding the virtual complete cessation of US visa issuance to Russian citizens. Experts note that the situation with American visas that developed last year has neither improved nor worsened—obtaining a US visa remains difficult, but possible.
According to the ATOR Bulletin, scheduling an interview at the Moscow consulate was virtually impossible during the summer, as visas were issued to students during that period. The situation should improve starting in September—appointments are already being accepted for September and October for applicants whose previous US visas expired within 11 months.
To obtain their first U.S. visa, applicants must apply to consulates in other cities and countries, according to the non-profit partnership Visit USA. The U.S. Consulate in Vladivostok currently has available dates for both September and October, but residents of central Russia find it easier and closer to the U.S. Consulate in Armenia, which accepts internal passports. Russians can also apply for U.S. visas in other CIS countries and Schengen countries (provided they have a Schengen visa).
According to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), the flow of tourists to the United States from Russia has almost dried up due to difficulties obtaining visas. Currently, students, relatives of Russian immigrants living in the United States, and businessmen are primarily seeking visas.
As a reminder, several Russian media outlets published a comment from Alexander Pisarev, the Russian Consul General in Houston, regarding a Russian citizen who died in Utah and whose relatives are unable to obtain visas to come and claim his body. "I doubt they will be able to leave St. Petersburg, since the Americans have effectively stopped issuing visas, including for humanitarian cases," the Consul General stated.
Source: travel.ru
