New U.S. Consulates assigned for Russian Parents of U.S. Citizens Immigrant Visa Cases
The Department of State has recently assigned new U.S. consular posts to process immigrant visa cases for certain categories of Russian citizens. This change is currently only applicable to the IR-5 category, which is for Parents of U.S. Citizens. The new designated consular posts are U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and U.S. Consulate General in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
This is certainly a welcome change as it gives more flexibility to Russian citizens who are trying to reunite with their family members in the United States.
We would like to remind our readers that due to the suspension of immigrant visa services at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, the U.S. Department of State has designated the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw to process immigrant visas for residents of Russia. The new designation of consulates in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan affects only the IR-5 category, which includes parents of U.S. citizens. Immigrant visa appointments for this category of applicants will be scheduled in these consulates through the National Visa Center.
For all other immigrant visa cases, including family and employment-based cases, K fiance visas, and diversity visas, the U.S. Consulate in Warsaw still remains the assigned processing post.
The U.S. Consulate in Warsaw provides Frequently Asked Questions and Answers regarding the immigrant visa process in English and Russian.
Below are the most common questions.
Do I need to stay in Poland the entire time during the case processing?
You will need to arrive in Poland to attend your immigrant visa interview. Visa processing is often completed and the visa is ready for pick up within two to three days of the visa interview, but sometimes the process can take longer. If additional administrative processing is required, applicants will be notified of any additional instructions about the processing of their case. They may return to Russia while their case is pending.
Can I process my immigrant visa case at another U.S. embassy or consulate?
Aside from U.S. Citizen parent cases, all other immigrant visa applicants will be automatically assigned to U.S. Consulate in Warsaw.
Immigrant visa applicants may request that National Visa Center schedule their application at another immigrant visa processing U.S. embassy or consulate by contacting the Ask NVC online contact form. If the U.S. embassy or consulate agrees to accept the case, and the case is qualified for scheduling, NVC will transfer the case to the requested U.S. embassy or consulate.
If the case file has already been transferred to U.S. Embassy Warsaw, applicants may submit a transfer request directly to the Immigrant Visa Unit at the chosen alternate U.S. embassy or consulate. That embassy or consulate will confirm the availability of appointments and will advise on the steps necessary to begin the case transfer.
What are the requirements for Russian nationals to enter Poland?
Russian nationals traveling to Poland for an immigrant visa appointment at U.S. Embassy Warsaw will need a Schengen visa. The Polish Government makes determinations regarding the entry of foreign nationals into that country. Please refer to the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the nearest Polish embassy or consulate with specific questions.
How much time will I have between receiving notification of my immigrant visa interview and my appointment date at U.S. Embassy Warsaw?
The applicants usually receive a notice of their interview date one or two months prior to the appointment.
Where can I complete the required medical exams?
Russian applicants have the option of conducting their medical exams in Warsaw, Minsk, or Moscow.
If granted an immigrant visa, can I travel straight from Poland to the United States, or do I need to return to Russia and travel to the United States from there?
With an approved immigrant visa and all the other necessary documentation, you may travel directly to the United States from Poland.
How will U.S. Embassy Warsaw handle immigrant visa cases for Russian-speaking applicants?
U.S. Embassy in Warsaw has Russian-speaking staff.
If you wish to discuss your immigration options, feel free to contact our law firm.