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U.S. Visas > U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country > Russian Federation
Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.
Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).
Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.
Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.
| Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Entries |
Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| A-1 ▲ | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| A-2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| A-2 ▲ | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| A-3 1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| B-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| B-2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| B-1/B-2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| C-1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| C-1/D | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| C-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| C-3 | None | One | 3 Months |
| CW-1 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| CW-2 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| D | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| E-1 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2C 12 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| F-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| F-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| G-1 ▲ | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| G-2 ▲ | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| G-3 ▲ | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| G-4 ▲ | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| G-5 1 | None | One | 12 Months |
| H-1B | None | Multiple | 24 Months 3 |
| H-1C | None | Multiple | 24 Months 3 |
| H-2A | None | N/A | N/A 3 |
| H-2B | None | N/A | N/A 3 |
| H-2R | None | Multiple | 24 Months 3 |
| H-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months 3 |
| H-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months 3 |
| I | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| J-1 4 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| J-2 4 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| K-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| K-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-2 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| M-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| M-2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| N-8 | $75.00 | Multiple | 24 Months |
| N-9 | $75.00 | Multiple | 24 Months |
| NATO 1-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| O-1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months 3 |
| O-2 | None | Multiple | 24 Months 3 |
| O-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months 3 |
| P-1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months 3 |
| P-2 | None | Multiple | 24 Months 3 |
| P-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months 3 |
| P-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months 3 |
| Q-1 6 | None | Multiple | 15 Months 3 |
| R-1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| R-2 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| S-5 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-6 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-7 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| T-1 9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| T-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-4 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-5 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-6 | None | One | 6 Months |
| TD 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| U-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-4 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-5 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| V-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| V-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
| V-3 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
▲. Multiple entries, 12 months validity for A1, A2 visas to be applied for TDY Travelers.
For A1, A2, G1, G2, G3, and G4 PCS travelers, annotate visa as follows:
E/E LTD POES: ANCH, DC(DCA IAD BWI),HOUS,
CHAMPLAIN/ROUSE’S POINT, LA, NY, SEA, SF
(Diplomatic title); (Russian Federation Diplomatic Facility); (U.S. city)
For all A or G TDY travelers, annotate visa as follows:
E/E LTD POES: ANCH, DC(DCA IAD BWI),HOUS,
CHAMPLAIN/ROUSE’S POINT, LA, NY, SEA, SF
TDY; (specifics of TDY)
For Russian G-2 Officials traveling to the UN, consular officers should check the latest guidance.
The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:
An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty. *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used. **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.
*Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.
**Example 2: Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.
The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.
Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.
Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.
There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.
Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.
In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).
However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.
Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.
Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.
Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.
Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.
No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.
V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.
Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:
The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.
The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
Civil documents, except as noted below, are available in the Russian Federation. Individuals may request replacement copies of their civil records from the local office of the Bureau of Acts of Civil Status (ZAGS) in the event of loss of the original document. ZAGS will not issue certified duplicate copies of civil documents except as a replacement for lost or destroyed documents. Documents that have been certified by ZAGS or a local notary office can be affixed with an apostille by the Ministry of Justice or other selected offices empowered to do so. The apostille is accepted in all countries that are parties to the Hague Convention on the Abolition of Legalization of Documents. Documents that bear an apostille need not be authenticated by a U.S. consular officer for use in the United States.
In the United States, Russian documents can be requested through the Russian Embassy in Washington, DC, or the Russian Consulates General in New York or Seattle. The process often takes several months.
Some civil records were destroyed during World War II. Local authorities generally will issue a certificate to that effect, although again, the process may take several months. A replacement statement of identity is also available from local authorities when the birth certificate is unavailable.
The U.S. Embassy in Moscow and the Consulates General in Vladivostok and Yekaterinburg, cannot assist in obtaining civil documents or verifying the accuracy of civil records in the Russian Federation.
Available
Fees: There are no fees
Document Name: свидетельство о рождении (Birth Certificate)
Issuing Authority: Bureau of Acts of Civil Status (ZAGS) of the locality having custody of the records
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Varies depending on date of issuance. The modern version is printed on a green certificate with security features.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Director of ZAGS
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: The person to whom a civil record pertains may obtain a replacement copy of the record from the local office of the Bureau of Acts of Civil Status (ZAGS) in the event of loss of the original document. ZAGS will not issue certified duplicate copies of civil documents except as a replacement for a lost or destroyed document.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available. To obtain a replacement copy, see “Procedure for Obtaining” above.
Exceptions: None
Comments: If a Russian citizen legally changes his or her name (excluding name changes due to marriage or divorce), a new birth certificate will be issued under the new name and the old record purged.
Available
Fees: There are no fees
Document Name: свидетельство о смерти (Certificate of Death)
Issuing Authority: Bureau of Acts of Civil Status (ZAGS) of the locality having custody of the records
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Varies depending on date of issuance. The modern version is printed on a brown certificate with security features.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Director of ZAGS
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: The surviving spouse or child of the deceased may obtain a replacement copy of the record from the local office of the Bureau of Acts of Civil Status (ZAGS) in the event of loss of the original document. ZAGS will not issue certified duplicate copies of civil documents except as a replacement for a lost or destroyed document.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available. To obtain a replacement copy, see “Procedure for Obtaining” above.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: There are no fees
Document Name: Свидетельство о заключении брака (Certificate of Marriage)
Issuing Authority: Bureau of Acts of Civil Status (ZAGS) of the locality having custody of the records
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Varies depending on date of issuance. The modern version is printed on a red certificate with security features.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Director of ZAGS
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: The person to whom a civil record pertains may obtain a replacement copy of the record from the local office of the Bureau of Acts of Civil Status (ZAGS) in the event of loss of the original document. ZAGS will not issue certified duplicate copies of civil documents except as a replacement for a lost or destroyed document.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available. In case of loss, see above instructions to obtain a replacement copy.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: Same-sex marriages are not recognized in Russia. Religious marriage ceremonies are not valid in Russia, unless a civil ceremony and registration is also conducted at ZAGS.
Crimea and occupied territories of Donetsk and Lugansk: Marriages and divorces in occupied Crimea or in the non-government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts (the “Donetsk People’s Republic” [DPR] and the “Luhansk People’s Republic” [LPR]) are not legally recognized in Ukraine and therefore do not establish a valid legal relationship for U.S. immigration purposes. Only marriages and divorces performed by Ukrainian authorities and evidenced by official documents issued by the Ukrainian authorities are valid.
As marriages and divorces performed in Crimea or in the non-government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts are not legally recognized, individuals will need to legally marry outside Crimea or the non-government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts to create a legal relationship.
Available
Fees: There are no fees
Document Name: Свидетельство о расторженнии брака (Certificate of Divorce)
Issuing Authority: Bureau of Acts of Civil Status (ZAGS) of the locality having custody of the records
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Varies depending on date of issuance. The modern version is printed on a blue certificate with security features.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Director of ZAGS
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: The person to whom a civil record pertains may obtain a replacement copy of the record from the local office of the Bureau of Acts of Civil Status (ZAGS) in the event of loss of the original document. ZAGS will not issue certified duplicate copies of civil documents except as a replacement for a lost or destroyed document.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available. In case of loss see above for instructions to obtain a replacement copy.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: Same-sex marriages are not recognized in Russia. Religious marriage ceremonies are not valid in Russia, unless a civil ceremony and registration is also conducted at ZAGS.
Available
Fees: There are no fees
Document Name: свидетельство об усыновлении (удочерении) (Certificate of Adoption)
Issuing Authority: Bureau of Acts of Civil Status (ZAGS) of the locality having custody of the records
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Varies depending on date of issuance. The modern version is printed on a blue certificate with security features.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Director of ZAGS
Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: The person to whom a civil record pertains may obtain a replacement copy of the record from the local office of the Bureau of Acts of Civil Status (ZAGS) in the event of loss of the original document. ZAGS will not issue certified duplicate copies of civil documents except as a replacement for a lost or destroyed document.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available. In case of loss, see above for instructions to obtain a replacement.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: There are no fees
Document Name: Passport of a Citizen of the Russian Federation
Issuing Authority: Russian Federal Migration Service
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Dark red passport; inside is the stamp of the Federal Migration Service, a bio page with a photo and Machine-readable zone
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: Russian citizens are issued internal passports at age 14; new passports are issued at age 20, and again at age 45
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available
Alternate Documents: None
Exceptions: None
Comments: All Russian citizens are issued internal passports at age 14, which is their National ID. Internal passports show where the bearer is legally registered, any marriages or divorces, any children under age 14, and information about military service, if applicable. It also shows information about any external (travel) passports issued to the bearer.
Available
Fees: There are no fees
Document Name: СПРАВКА (Police Clearance)
Issuing Authority: Ministry of the Interior
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Original police certificate will have the stamp of the issuing MVD office and the signature of the official
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: Russian law (MVD Order no. 965, dated November 1, 2001) mandates that the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) provide police certificates both to Russian citizens and to foreigners who have lived or are living in Russia. The law states that in Russia, MVD offices must provide the certificate within 30 days of application. Those residing outside of Russia, both Russian citizens and non-citizens, may either delegate a Power-of-Attorney to apply for the certificate on their behalf in Russia, or apply directly to the Russian Consulate where they reside. Police certificates should note all names that the person has used in Russia, and should note the MVD branches in all locations that were queried.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions None
Comments:
Available
Fees: There are no fees
Document Name: военный билет (Military book)
Issuing Authority: The regional military Kommissar
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Contains information on the length of service and circumstances of discharge.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The regional military Kommissar
Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: If lost, a military book can generally not be replaced.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available
Alternate Documents: Those exempt from the draft may have a military “white book” showing their exemption, usually related to education responsibilities.
Exceptions: None
Comments: Those who have served in the military may also have this information reflected in their Russian internal passports.
Types Available: Regular, Diplomatic and Official
Fees: There are fees associated with obtaining a passport
Document Name: Passport
Issuing Government Authority: Federal Migration Service
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Since 2010, Russia has issued 10-year ICAO/EU compliant passports with enhanced security features, such as holographic images on the hard plastic biographic data page. However, Russian citizens still have the option of receiving a five-year passport of the previous style, which contains a photograph laminated to a bio-data page and fewer and less sophisticated security features. As of January 2015, all 10-year biometric passports issued in the Russian Federation must include fingerprint data.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: In Russia, Russian passports can be obtained from the Federal Migration Service. Outside of Russia, Russian embassies and consulates provide passport services.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Other Documents Available: There are no other documents available
Available
Comments: There are four types of documents with which a person may reside in the Russian Federation:
Post Title: U.S. Embassy Moscow, Russia
Address:
Bolshoy Deviatinsky Pereulok No. 8
Moscow 121099, Russian Federation
Phone Number: +7 (495)728-5000
Comments / Additional Information: None
| Location |
Areas Serviced |
|---|---|
Moscow |
Immigrant visas: All IV and K applicants, irrespective of citizenship, who are residents of the Russian Federation, must apply in Warsaw. All IV and K applicants, irrespective of citizenship, who are residents of Crimea, must apply in Frankfurt. Nonimmigrant Visas: Due to the severely limited consular operations in Moscow, the U.S. Department of State has designated multiple posts for processing certain nonimmigrant visa applications from persons resident in Russia. Under this designation, Russia-based student visa applicants (F and M categories) as well as academic exchange visitors (student, professor, research scholar, short-term scholar, and specialist J visa categories) and participants in U.S. government-funded exchange visitor programs may apply at the following posts: Mission Kazakhstan and U.S. embassies Belgrade and Yerevan. Applicants are encouraged to check each post’s website for the latest information on services and appointment availability at that specific post. This designation does not prevent Russia-based F, M, and J applicants from applying at another post where they are physically present. |
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
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