Changes to the Russia US Visa

The US welcomes citizens from around the world who want to visit, study, and do business in our country. However, following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 we have had to make the following changes in processing visas for visitors. These changes in procedures reflect our concern for ensuring the safety of US residents and visitors alike, not a desire to make it more difficult for legitimate travelers to enter the US.

1. New Personal Appearance Requirements for Non-Immigrant Russian US Visa Applicants: As of 1 August 2003, virtually all non-immigrant visa applicants worldwide will be required to appear in person before a consular officer. As this will significantly increase the workloads of all consular sections, applicants should expect the waiting time for appointments to increase significantly. We recommend that you submit your visa application at least 6-8 weeks prior to your estimated travel date. The only people who might be eligible for a visa without an interview are:

• Children under 14 years of age;
• Persons over 80 years of age;
• Applicants for diplomatic or official visas.

2. Change in Photo Standards: All Russia US visa applicants must continue to submit 1 (one) photograph with their application. However, as of 22 July 2003 the photo standard will change.

• As of 22 July 2003 the photograph of each visa applicant must be an unmounted full-face photo taken within the past six months. A "full face" photo is one in which the applicant is facing the camera directly, not looking down or to either side. In addition, the face should cover approximately 50 percent of the area of the photo. This means that the head of the applicant, including both face and hair, should be shown from the crown of the head to the tip of the chin on top and bottom, and from hairline side-to-side. It is also preferable that the ears be exposed.
  
  
• The photograph should measure 2 inches square (approximately 50 mm square) with the head centered in the frame. The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure between 1 inch to 1 3/8 inch (25mm to 35mm), with the eye level between 1 1/8 inches to 1 3/8 inches (28mm and 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo. Photos may be in color or black and white, but must be taken against a white or off-white background. Photos may be stapled or glued to the application form, but staples should be placed as far away as possible from the applicant's face.

3. New visa application form. All visa applicants will now be required to submit 1(one) application form. ALL fields on the application form MUST be completed and should be completed in block letters. Incomplete or unsigned application forms will not be accepted by the Embassy. All other documentation requirements (including the DS-157 and DS-158) remain the same.

4. Machine-Readable Passports Required for all Visa Waiver Travelers: Beginning 1 October 2003, each Visa Waiver Program traveler must present a machine-readable passport in order to enter the U.S. visa-free. While the Visa Waiver Program does not apply to citizens of the Russian Federation, it does apply to many third-country nationals currently resident in Russia. Twenty-seven (27) countries currently participate in the Visa Waiver Program: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

While most VWP countries began issuing machine-readable passports in the early or mid-1990s, travelers from countries such as Italy, Spain and Switzerland may find that they will either require a replacement passport or a non-immigrant visa to enter the U.S. This change includes all categories of passports—tourist, diplomatic and official. However, non-machine readable passports will remain valid for transit without visa purposes. Families and groups should obtain an individual passport for each traveler, including infants, as families may be denied visa-free entry into the U.S. if the biodata for only one traveler is machine-readable.