How to obtain and apply for a US tourist visa in 2021

Millions of people want to see America every year, if only they had a visa to the USA. Both young and old are ready to save for months for a trip to see stunning landscapes with their own eyes: Hollywood, Niagara Falls, New York, California and much more.

City of San Francisco in California

There are many myths and legends associated with obtaining an American visa that are spread among Russians and Ukrainians. Of course, there are certain difficulties for students or unemployed people, pensioners and single women. First of all, you need to truthfully explain to the consular officer and border guard at the airport your purpose for visiting the United States.

It is a fact that American border guards are half-heartedly allowing Russians across the border, as well as Ukrainians and other Eastern Europeans. Having a visa does not always guarantee passage across the border; how you look and answer the border guard’s questions is also important. Because many of our compatriots want to find work in the USA and live there illegally, and not at all to walk around New York or sunbathe on the beaches of Florida.

Tourism in the USA has always been, is and will be. The number of travelers is growing rapidly every year, so representatives of the New World country do not care at all about your feelings in case of refusal.

Online application for a US visa

To minimize the risk of refusal to issue a tourist visa to the United States in case of self-application, it is necessary to study in detail the process of submitting and reviewing the application form.

Jurisdiction of the consular service in Russia

For Russians, as well as for former Ukrainians, and now citizens of Crimea, you can obtain a visa at one of the consular services, although for Crimeans the procedure can take weeks and months. And the likelihood of them receiving an American visa is close to zero.

Citizens of those regions that do not live in the territories assigned to other consulates general in Russia can apply for a tourist visa to the Moscow consulate (a detailed list of regions is on the official website).

Citizens of Crimea and Sevastopol will need to apply for a tourist visa in 2021 at the American Embassy in Kyiv, the official website informs about this. Information on the immigration category of visas states that registration takes place only in Moscow for all citizens of Russia, as well as former Soviet republics, with the exception of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

How to get a tourist visa to the United States of America

Before you receive a tourist visa to the USA, you need to take a number of steps step by step.

Step-by-step instructions for obtaining an American visa yourself:

Register on the official website of the Embassy;
Open and upload your new photo;
Fill out all points of the DS-160 form (in English);
Prepare the required package of documents;
Pay the consular fee for a US visa in 2021;
Select an interview date;
Appear at the specified address and undergo an interview;
Wait for the time necessary for administrative verification;
Pick up your passport.

US Tourist Visa

The American tourist visa type B1/B2 belongs to the non-immigrant category of entry documents into the United States. The cost of obtaining a visa depends on exchange rate fluctuations on the stock exchange, so you need to find out in advance before submitting documents how much the consular fee costs. The amount is 160 USD in terms of Russian rubles, which is approximately 10,000 rubles.

Do not confuse the amount of the consular fee and the cost of obtaining a visa; the second is free for Russians.

Please note that a fee must be paid for all family members, including children under 14 years of age. The consular fee is not refundable under any circumstances.

For Russians, a visa can be issued single or multiple entry, and for a period of up to 3 years. However, do not forget that you know about your purpose of visit to America, but not the consulate officer, so for them you are a potential immigrant and an unscrupulous person. And there are plenty of those who emigrated and stayed in the United States, arriving there on a tourist or student visa.

Validity periods, processing time and cost of a US tourist visa

When planning a trip, you should take into account that despite the fact that you can get a tourist visa in a short time, it is recommended to submit documents 2-3 months before the departure date. The interview scheduled by a US visa specialist may be rescheduled due to unexpected additional questions for the applicant. In addition, you should take into account weekends and holidays on which the Consulate is closed.

The question of how much an entry permit costs is one of the main questions of interest to our compatriots planning to visit the country.

At the moment, a US visa for Belarusians, Russians and Ukrainians will cost the same amount of $160 in domestic currency at the exchange rate at the time of payment (depending on the country in which the citizen submits the application: in Russia - rubles, in Ukraine - hryvnias, in Belarus - Belorussian rubles).

Regarding the period of its validity, it can be noted that Ukraine has the right to receive a tourist visa for 10 years; for citizens of Belarus and the Russian Federation it is issued for a period of 1 to 3 years. Regardless of its validity period, it is one-time, i.e. gives the right to enter the United States only once.

Filling out the DS-160 form

The video shows an example and example of how to correctly fill out a form and application for a visa at the US Embassy.

Initially, you should prepare a photograph. This is important because after filling out the electronic form, you will need to download it immediately.

Step-by-step instructions for filling out the form:

Initially, you should choose a language. The application form is entirely in English, so Russian citizens should select their native language in the tab located in the upper right corner of the monitor. Remember, the form is not automatically translated. All information on the server is provided in English. The translation will appear when you hover over the text.
Then we select the country and city where we plan to have an interview with a consular officer. After making your selection, click on the link “start filling out the application form.” This transition means the beginning of filling out the electronic form.
The beginning of filling is characterized by assigning a number to the form.
The applicant will then be required to answer a security question identifying the form number. The form number and security question play an important role. Thanks to them, you can save the form and continue filling it out at a convenient time. For convenience, the assigned number can be printed on a printer. To do this, press the Print Application ID button.
Then you should enter the personal data of the person filling out the form. All information is copied from the foreign passport. Information to be entered in order:

Full names must be entered in English.
Full name in native language.
Maiden name.
Floor.
Family status.
Date on which the applicant was born.
Place (city) of birth.
The region in which the applicant was born.
Republic of birth.

After entering this information, you should click “next page with personal data: 2”.

After clicking this button, the second page of the form appears on which you need to enter information such as:

Citizenship.
Past citizenship.
Civil passport number.
United States Social Security Number. Not everyone has this number. If there is no such number, then you should select Does Not Apply.
TIN card number. If it is not there, we do the same as in the previous paragraph.

Click the link “Next: addresses and telephone numbers” and go to the next page of the form.

On this page you should indicate all the contact information of the person filling out the application form for an entry visa to the United States:

Actual residential address in the following sequence: house number, street, apartment number.
City of residence.
Index.
Republic.
A valid mobile or home phone number.
Additional contact phone number.
Work phone number.
Valid Email Address.

After entering the information, you should click “Next: passport data”.

Next, you will need to fill out a page with your passport information. Initially, you should select the type of international passport REGULAR and enter its number. Then information regarding the country that issued the passport is entered.
After moving to the next page, you need to fill out information directly related to travel to the United States of America.

Entered information:

Purpose of the trip.
Type of visa permit.
Date of arrival in the country.
Estimated period of stay in the state.
The address where the foreign resident plans to stay. The address is indicated in the following sequence: initially the house number, then the street, then the apartment number.
City.
State.
Index.
Personal details of the travel sponsor.

On the next page you should indicate information about your travel companions.
Read also: How to get a residence permit in Serbia and why is it needed?
The next page is filled with information about previous trips to the United States of America. It is worth indicating in detail the date of arrival in this country and the time of stay in it. You will also need to enter information about previously issued visas and indicate whether the applicant has undergone the fingerprinting procedure.

After filling out all the fields, you need to click Next: US Contact, and the server will automatically redirect you to the next page, where you will need to provide information about the inviting person.

After this, you need to enter complete information about the applicant’s relatives: full names of the father and mother, their dates of birth, location and country of residence.
The next page is filled with family information. The full name of the husband/wife, date of birth, nationality and actual address of residence are indicated.
The next page of the application provides information regarding the place of study or employment. Initially, you should select a specialty or direction, then indicate the name and contact information of the organization where the applicant works.
After this, you should go to the page where you need to enter information about previous places of work and training.
The next page provides additional information about education, work experience, military service, etc.
The Security and Background page is divided into five parts. In each part you need to answer “yes” or “no”. This page displays US personal information and security issues.
After answering the questions, you should fill out information about two friends. This page is only to be completed by students applying for a student visa.
The next page is also filled out by people who intend to study in the United States of America.
After this, you should upload a photo. The photo is checked by a special system. If the photo has passed the test, the inscription Photo passed quality standards appears at the top. Then click Continue Using This Photo.
After this, you can check the accuracy of the entered information. If everything is correct, you should sign it electronically and send the file. After this, a confirmation window with the form number will appear on the monitor. You must print this document and visit the diplomatic mission of the United States of America with it.

You need to clearly formulate your plan for staying in the USA. You also need to prepare a package of personal documents, and the list is indefinite. You need to demonstrate that you have a permanent job, family, real estate, or other grounds for returning to Russia.

The chances of successfully obtaining an American visa greatly depend on the correct completion of a complex application form. Therefore, we recommend that you seek help from professionals who have been working with the USA for more than 7 years 100viz.com.

The consulate requires an interview as part of any visa. To prepare for it, we need to obtain personal information from you; the questions can be anything, but most often they are tactful and clear. The same applies to filling out the form, which must be filled out online on the official website and then printed. Everything is done very simply.

You can fill out Form DS-160 to obtain an American visa here.

So, you fill out an electronic application form, check your foreign passport (validity must be 180 days longer than the end date of your tourist trip) and scan one 50*50 mm photo (it must show you in your current image, a radical change is not allowed image).

Requirements for photographs in electronic form:

Resolution – no less than 600*600 px, but no more than 1,200 px.
Allowed format is jpg.
Color profile – sRGB (24bit).
The human head should occupy from 50 to 70% of the total frame space.
Size – no more than 240 kilobytes.
Background – light or white.

Photo requirements:

The background is light.
The quality of the photo must be clear.
Size: 50*50 millimeters.
The size of the applicant's head in the photo must range from 25 to 35 millimeters.
The location of the eyes is from 28 to 35 millimeters from the bottom edge of the picture.
Ears should not be covered with hair or hats.
It is prohibited to take photos with glasses.

The next step is to book your interview online. To record, you will need to specify the bank transaction number when paying the fee (it will either be printed on the receipt, or you will find it in the account statement by clicking on the completed payment), as well as the barcode number from your application form. After you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email.

Registration process

The procedure for obtaining an American visa for Russians planning to visit the country for tourism purposes is as follows:

Registration on the official portal of the American representative office.
Opening and uploading a photo.
Filling out the form.
Preparation of documents.
Making payment for the consular fee.
Set a date for the interview.
Interview at the American representative office.

If the conversation and document verification are successful, you will be able to pick up your passport with the visa attached on the appointed day.

US Tourist Visa

What documents are needed

The traveler is required to prepare the following documents:

a foreign passport valid for at least six months from the end date of the trip, with one or more blank pages for affixing a visa;
photocopies of a civil passport;
color photography 50 × 50 mm;
a printed form with a visible barcode;
a receipt confirming payment of the consular fee;
bank account statements;
documents confirming ownership of real estate in the homeland;
certificates from the employer about the position held and earnings.

Other evidence of a sufficient level of income, family and social connections may be needed: a copy of a pension certificate, a certificate from a university, and others, depending on the status of the visitor. There is no need to translate papers into English.

The traveler must submit documents during an interview at the American embassy.

If a child goes

For a minor, they provide a birth certificate, a notarized consent to travel abroad from a parent who will not travel with the child to the United States.

Fingerprinting, insurance, examination

During the interview, the tourist's fingerprints are taken. Fingerprinting is carried out without the use of paint using an electronic scanner, so the procedure does not take much time. Fingerprints are not required for persons under 14 or over 79 years of age.

A medical examination is not required for a tourist visa. Medical examinations are required for recipients of immigration entry documents.

Insurance is also not a requirement for foreign tourists. But having a policy will save money if a citizen needs medical care during a trip.

Coronavirus restrictions require a negative test result taken no more than 72 hours before passport control.

In 2021, air traffic between Russia and the United States will operate in a limited mode. But there are weekly scheduled flights from Moscow to New York by Aeroflot.

Photo requirements

The tourist submits a paper photograph in the package of documents during the interview and attaches an electronic image when filling out the application form on the US Embassy website.

The resolution of a digital photograph is from 600 × 600 to 1,200 × 1,200 pixels per inch.

The photo must be in color, with a clear image against a light background. The image size is 50 × 50 mm with a head height of 25 to 35 mm.

Accessories covering the face and hats are excluded. Glasses are left if the applicant uses this accessory for constant wear according to medical indications.

How to fill out the form

The application form is filled out electronically on the website https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/. To fill out you need:

log in to the resource;
indicate the state, locality and click the button to activate the request;
upload a photo and enter personal data in the appropriate fields of the application form.

Each application is assigned a ten-digit code, which is indicated in the confirmation sent to the applicant’s email. This document must be printed and included in the general package of papers during the interview.

DS-160

Interview

A mandatory condition for issuing a visa is the successful completion of an interview at the American Embassy.

How to sign up

You can sign up for an interview on the official website of the US Embassy. To do this, a foreigner must register, indicating personal and passport data, and the registration code of the submitted application form. You can make an appointment by phone. Citizens determine the date and time independently, choosing from the nearest available days and hours.

Submitting an application

The list of documents for an American visa differs from a Schengen visa in that it is difficult to predict. And therefore, people take many certificates and extracts with them to the American embassy, many of which do not even require presentation. There is, of course, a basic set of documents to apply for a tourist visa on your own.

You must submit all documents along with the application form to one of the Pony Express offices.

The cost of consideration is not considered, since the US Consulate has already included any costs of working with you in the amount of its fee.

There is no need to translate documents into English. Please note that if you are planning to travel to the USA, apply for a visa at least 6-9 months before your trip.

Required documents

So, the basic documents for applying for a tourist visa in 2021 include:

A foreign passport, in which it is preferable to have Schengen visas, American or Canadian.
An old passport with similar types of visas (only those for the last 5 years are considered).
An application form filled out as completely as possible.
Receipt for payment of duty.
Color photograph (the original of the one scanned during online submission).
Certificate from work about your position, salary and expected vacation dates. If you are an individual entrepreneur, then documents on registration and tax registration. The employment certificate template can be downloaded in both Russian and English.
A letter of sponsorship from your immediate family stating that your trip is at their expense. Sample in Russian (), in English ().
Invitation from the American side (hotel voucher or tour package).
Confirmation of payment for the tour or availability of sufficient funds for the entire duration of the trip.
Documents of relationship (marriage or birth certificate).
Documents for real estate in Russia.
It is advisable to have health insurance, but this is not required at the time of obtaining a visa, nor is it necessary to book air tickets.

List of documents

Getting a US visa on your own is not difficult. This will require a number of documents. Some of them are mandatory for submission, others are of secondary importance. But the role. which they can play is significant, so it is not recommended to neglect the collection. It is also worth noting that it is advisable to provide them in the original.

A photo of the established type, taken no later than 6 months ago. From November 1, 2016, photos taken with glasses will not be accepted for consideration.
A foreign passport that is valid for at least 6 months after your planned departure date from the United States.
A printed letter received in response to the completed “DS - 160” form with an invitation at a certain time for an interview at the Consulate.

List of additional documents

The most detailed plan of events, which will indicate the places of the planned visit:

Hotel or inn booking confirmation.
Return ticket.
Certificate from the applicant’s place of work, which indicates detailed information about the employee: length of service, certificate of income for 6 months; position held; expiration date of the granted leave.
Documentary confirmation of the citizen's sufficiency: any certificates from financial institutions (copies of bank and credit accounts); documents confirming ownership of real estate, securities, tax declaration.
If the applicant has relatives in the United States, it is advisable to present a document confirming family ties and degree of relationship.

Sample income certificate

The list can go on for a very long time. The main thing is to prove to the officer at the interview that the applicant does not plan to stay to work in the United States on a tourist visa and has every reason to return to his homeland, where he still has relatives and material assets.

If for most countries the presence of family or friendly ties is an advantage, for this situation, on the contrary, it is a disadvantage. The consulate may think that the applicant plans to stay in the country for a longer period than required and will refuse permission.

Interview at the embassy

Given the high volume of travelers to the United States, the wait in line for an interview can be long. At the end of the interview you will be advised of the next steps.

If everything is fine, then wait two or three days. At the end of this period, you will find out whether you have been issued a visa or not.

The consulate allows one attempt for an urgent appointment for an interview. This should be used only in case of unforeseen circumstances of an urgent nature, but you understand, tourism is the planned purpose of the visit, so we will omit the details. You must arrive for the interview on time, independently explain the purpose of the trip, the route, and answer the questions of the consular officer.

All capable citizens must be present alone at the time of the interview at the US Embassy. Children can be with a parent. Try to control yourself and not fuss, otherwise additional questions may follow. Sometimes you think that 10-15 documents in a folder will be your ticket to the New World, but this is not so. It is better to answer questions one-on-one and provide missing documents than to have papers in hand and not be able to explain some details.

The most frequently asked questions at the United States Embassy:

Questions directly related to the trip. This means that the consular officer will ask questions regarding the purpose of the trip to the United States, the place where the traveler plans to stay and the route of travel.
Questions regarding work. Often, consular officers are interested in the size of the applicant’s monthly salary, his position, length of service and approval of leave with the management of the organization or company where the applicant works.
Questions about family. The most common question in this category concerns the presence of relatives in the United States of America. The consular officer will also inquire about the applicant’s marital status. If during the interview it turns out that the rest of the family members do not go to the United States, but remain in their home country, this will lead the diplomatic representative to the idea that the applicant intends to go to America for the purpose of illegal employment. Therefore, you need to come up with a convincing response to such a situation in advance so as not to provoke unnecessary suspicion.
American visa example
Questions regarding sponsorship of a trip to the USA. Similar questions are asked if the sponsor of the trip to the United States of America is not the applicant himself. The consular officer will be interested in the sponsor, his type of activity, family connection and motivation for paying for the trip.
Questions regarding the receiving party. If the applicant has an invitation from relatives living in the United States, then take documents confirming the relationship with him to the interview. If the receiving party is a company or organization, then it is better to bring evidence that correspondence (negotiations) were previously conducted with such a company to prove that the purpose of the trip is genuine.
Questions regarding English language proficiency level. Knowledge of English does not in any way affect the result of issuing a visa, but an employee of a diplomatic mission may doubt that a person is leaving for America for the purpose of tourism or conducting business negotiations, without knowing the national language of the country.
Questions regarding filling out the application form. During the interview, the consular officer reviews the DS-160 form and asks leading questions on it to verify the authenticity of the information entered on the form.

Registration through Pony Express

Pony Express is a well-known authorized courier service of the United States diplomatic missions in America. This company delivers ready-made visas to America to owners. But in addition to courier services, Pony Express also specializes in issuing visa permits to enter the United States.

A person’s acquaintance with this company begins at the end of the visa process. When submitting papers for the first time, the courier service only delivers ready-made papers. When re-opening a visa, the applicant submits documents to the Pony Express company, thereby freeing himself from visiting the diplomatic mission. representation and interviews.

In addition to the main package of papers, the organization is provided with:

A photocopy of your previous visa permit.
Dropbox Confirmation Email.
Application form DS-160.

After submitting the papers, the company transfers them to the diplomatic department. American representation. Usually delivery takes no more than 3 days. After the consular officer reviews the papers, they are sent back to the Pony Express office.

Obtaining a visa

Delivery of a passport with a visa to your home or office is carried out by the Pony Express service. You can also independently pick up your passport and documents for your closest relatives at one of the company’s offices (all addresses are listed on the service’s website). All expenses are already included in the consular fee.

Consular fee receipt

To receive your passport, you will need to present your ID to the courier. If a relative will pick up the document, you will need to issue a power of attorney in advance.

If a visa was issued for a minor child, then only one of the parents with a civil passport receives it.

How to get a passport

If an applicant is refused a visa, his passport will be given back to him immediately. If approval is received, you will have to wait a few days while the administrative check for a US visa in 2021 is carried out. In this case, you need to pick up your documents containing the entry permit at one of the offices of the Pony Express courier service (a diagram of their location is on the official website). If you can’t leave your home or office, you can order targeted delivery to your home or work.

Thus, obtaining a tourist visa to America for Russians in Moscow is quite simple. But you need to be as attentive and confident as possible from the very beginning.

Refusal of a tourist visa

If you are refused an interview, this does not mean a complete refusal to issue a visa. You will be informed that either an administrative review of the package of documents is required, or additional information in the form of documents or answers to questions.

If we are talking about documents, then they will need to be brought to the delivery service within the next 12 months, otherwise you will have to go through all the stages again, including paying the consular fee again. The administrative review lasts up to two months from the date of the interview; after this period, you can submit a request for dossier review status.

Possible reasons for refusal to obtain a visa to America:

Limited connection with home country. If the applicant does not have relatives, a stable job or real estate in his home country, then most likely he will be denied a visa due to suspicion of illegal immigration to America.
A small number of trips abroad.
An invitation written by a blacklisted person.
Unconvincing purpose of trip.
Insufficient financial resources.
Violation of migration regulations. If the legal period of stay is exceeded from 6 to 12 months, the person is banned from entering this country for 3 years. If the permitted period of stay was exceeded by more than a year, then the person is blacklisted and “rewarded” with a ban on entry into America for 10 years.

Women may also be denied a re-visa due to having previously given birth in the United States. If a girl gave birth in America, but did not pay for the birth, then she will not be able to obtain a second entry permit.

Refusal of a visa

“Those who really need to go to the USA are not given visas.”

Despite the spoiled diplomatic relations between the countries, the US Embassy refuses Russians less often than other citizens of the CIS countries. According to statistics for 2021, 15% of Russians were denied a US visa. For comparison, in 2010 there were 10% refusals.

Statistics on refusals of US tourist visas for 2021 for citizens of nearby countries:

A country	Failure rate
Russia	15,19%
Türkiye	19,19%
Belarus	21,93%
Azerbaijan	25,43%
Kazakhstan	42,58%
Ukraine	45,06%
Armenia	51,65%
Turkmenistan	56,26%
Moldova	58,03%
Tajikistan	60,97%
Georgia	63,85%
Kyrgyzstan	67,75%
Uzbekistan	68,06%

Reasons for refusal

The main reason for refusal is insufficient evidence of tourist intentions. These are denials under Section 214(b) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act.

“Any foreign national must be considered a potential immigrant until the consular officer, at the time of review of the entry request, receives sufficient evidence that the applicant is eligible for nonimmigrant status.”

Here's why a visa officer may refuse:

A single young man, without children, unemployed or working in a low-paid position.
The answers at the interview do not inspire confidence: there are discrepancies with the questionnaire, a nervous state, and great interest in obtaining a visa.
The certificates provided raise doubts about their authenticity.
Clean passport. Lack of visa history indicates low income.
The declared length of stay does not correspond to the purpose of the trip.
Previous violations of visa deadlines or prolonged stay on a tourist visa within the permitted period.
Relatives in the USA. There is a chance that you will want to join them and live illegally.
A girl is traveling to the USA at an invitation from a guy. The consul may see a desire to marry and stay. For such purposes, a “fiancé visa” is obtained.
Previous trip to the USA was under the Work and Travel program or a student visa.

Visa refusal or approval will be communicated during the interview. If the visa is approved, the passport will be ready in 3-7 days.

After the refusal, you can formally pay the consular fee again and sign up for an interview. After a Section 214(b) denial, it is recommended that you reapply in approximately six months when circumstances have changed.

For scientific or technical workers, in rare cases the application may be sent for administrative review. The passport will remain under inspection at the US Embassy for 30 to 90 days.

Re-obtaining a visa

Re-applying for a US visa after you have already been to the country and returned is a slightly simplified option. That is, you visit the Pony Express office again to hand over a package of documents, but you do not have to undergo an interview.

However, this applies only to those citizens who have already had their fingerprints taken, whose current visa will expire in the near future or has recently expired, and who are also requesting a visa similar to the previous one. The cost of the consular fee for re-submission is the same 160 USD.

Visa for children

Thanks to the American government for the concessions in obtaining a tourist visa for a minor child. This translates into no need to undergo an interview. All you have to do is prepare documents similar to your kit and bring them to the Pony Express service office.

Receipt for payment for Pony Express services

By the way, you will be asked to provide electronic confirmation that there will be no interview. Usually, if you already have a valid visa, then this is how everything happens, and if not, then you need to sign up yourself and your child for an interview, but formally only you will go through it, you do not need to take your child with you.

Visa validity periods

A tourist and visitor visa to America is issued for 3 years. It allows you to stay in this country for 180 days. This visa is a multiple-entry visa, which means that a foreign national has the right to enter the United States an unlimited number of times over a period of 3 years. But as practice shows, it is better not to cross the American border more than 5 times a year.

A visitor visa allows you to visit America only 2-3 times a year.

A business visa is also issued for 3 years. But it implies the possibility of frequent trips. With this permit you can visit the United States of America up to 10 times a year.

Educational (student) is issued for 1 year.

Example of a US student visa

For how long is a US visa issued?

Typical validity periods of American visas and their prices:

transit (D, C) - up to 2 years, 160 USD;
for students (M, F) - year, 160 USD;
for newlyweds (K) - 90 days, 265 USD;
tourist and business (B1/B2) - up to 3 years, 160 USD;
working (Q, H, P, L) - 2 years, 190 USD;
for reporters (I) - from 3 months to a year, 160 USD.

From January 1, 2021, Russians can visit the United States once a year by paying $160. The consul may, at his discretion, offer you a 3-year multiple entry permit. In this case, you will have to pay an additional $143. This will increase the fee to $303.

If you are applying for a visa for the first time, the length of stay in the United States will depend on your citizenship and the outcome of the interview. Applicants from Turkey, Ukraine and other countries are granted admission for 10 years, and Russians - for 3 years. Sometimes they issue a one-time permit for a month.

Re-entry in 2021 requires an interview or only one-time admission will be granted. If you regularly use the services of the embassy and cross the border often and without problems, you can request a multiple visa for 5 or 10 years.

The period of stay in the United States is determined by the Bureau of Migration Supervision officer at the airport at the border. He stamps the passport, enters information into the I-94 form and into the computer. You can find out from him how many days you can stay in the States.

The longest period of residence in the USA is up to 180 days per year. This quota can be used over multiple visits. The inspector will deny your entry or shorten your stay if he doubts your trustworthiness.

An American work visa is issued for the duration of the employment contract, but not more than 2 years. You can cross the US border 10 days before going to work. The dates are listed on the employer's letter and on Form i-797.

Students can enter the States 30 days before the start of their studies, which is noted on Form I-20.

Type of short-term visa - student visa.

About short-term visas

The US Attache will approve travel on a short-term visitor, sightseeing or student visa if he is confident that you are not trying to come to America illegally. The period for which the permit will be issued depends on the results of the consultation at the embassy.

Formally, such permits are valid from 12 months to 3 years. According to the inter-migration rules of the States, you have the right to reside in the country on a tourist visa from 1 to 6 months. Sometimes you can ask for an extension of the stay by 2 months.

The length of stay in the States on a visitor visa is determined by the attaché and border guard officers. Educational short-term visas are valid for 5 years, but they allow you to live in the country for the entire duration of your studies. From time to time you will have to bring certificates from the educational institution stating that you are a student. Otherwise, access may be closed.

The following documentation will be required for the interview:

A passport with space for a visa. Must be valid for at least 6 months after entry into America.
If you have previous visas (for a 5-year period) that were open for visits to the USA, Great Britain, Schengen states, Canada, show them to the attaché, because this will increase your chances of getting your trip approved.
Completed DS-160 questionnaire.
Receipts for payment of visa fee and duties.
One photo with parameters 50x50 mm, made according to all the rules, and one more, placed in an electronic form.
To open a study visa, you must have a letter of invitation from the educational institution and confirmation of payment for classes.

It is also necessary to provide information:

Any confirmation of your solvency in America: certificates from work and from the tax office, a letter from a sponsor, a bank statement, papers on registration of individual entrepreneurs.
Tourist route (optional).
Certificates proving your connection with your native state (about marriage/birth of children, your real estate).

There are no temporary detention zones in the United States.

About transit visas

Visa-free travel through the United States is not permitted for travelers from the CIS and Russia. There are no transit zones at the ports or airports of the state for temporary stay.

Documents for opening a transit permit:

A passport with one blank page and valid for 6 months after entry into the States.
Previous visas (for 5 years), opened by diplomatic missions of the Schengen countries, England, America, Canada. If they are in your previous passport, give it to the attaché.
Completed DS-160 questionnaire.
Papers confirming the payment of embassy fees.
Photo 50x50 mm.

The interview is conducted in Russian, many papers are filled out in the same language. If it is difficult for you or you are tired of filling out documents on your own, ask for help from the embassy employees (sometimes this service is paid).

Price

The cost of a tourist, work and study visa is $160. A fiancée visa costs $240.

The consular fee can be paid in two ways:

Cash transfer via Russian Post.
Cashless payment using a bank card.

To pay the consular fee, the applicant will need to fill out a receipt electronically. Then it is printed and the payment is already made using this receipt. The receipt confirming payment of the fee is attached to the main documents for obtaining a visa.

Visa for pensioners and unemployed people

It is very difficult for pensioners to obtain a visa to the USA, but it is possible. To obtain an entry permit, a pensioner must prove that he has strong ties with his homeland (real estate, family, work, business, etc.).

To obtain a visa, pensioners submit a standard package of papers. If a pensioner does not work, then it is better for him to prove the source of his income or have an invitation letter from a US resident who is ready to act as his sponsor for the duration of his trip to this country.

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Unemployed people will need to prove their solvency. They are required to assure the diplomatic mission staff of their good financial condition and provide cards or bank account statements as proof.

Additional fee for US visa

There are additional fees, such as the Fraud Prevention Fee, which is currently $500. All additional fees apply to individual cases and do not apply to general practice and popular visas. You can always find out the current cost of a US visa on the consulate’s website; there is always information about the rate at which the consulate calculates the visa fee.

In order not to pay for an American visa in vain, we recommend the following video, in which you will learn how not to get a visa rejected, but we will correct only one fact. Insurance is not needed for a tourist visa, but it is necessary for you personally, so it is worth buying.

US Embassy and Consulate in the Russian Federation

Moscow

The consulate is located at the address: Novinsky Boulevard, building 21.
Open on weekdays from 9:00 to 18:00.
Call.
Write

Saint Petersburg

Located at: Furshtatskaya street, building 15.
Open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:30.
Call the number: +7 812 331‑26-00.

Yekaterinburg city

Located on Gogol Street, house 15.
Open every day except holidays and weekends from 9:00 to 17:00.
Call.