How to Apply
How to Apply for a U.S. Nonimmigrant Visa
The visa application procedure for permanent residents of Russia begins at the nearest Pony Express office, where applicants will pay the standard $131 non-refundable application fee in Russian Roubles. Each visa applicant must present a valid travel passport, one 2”x 2” color photo (taken against a white or off-white background within last six months), and a completed and signed Russian or English version of the DS-156 electronic visa application form. Male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45 will also need a supplemental form DS-157 in the English language which may be handwritten. The supplemental forms are available at the Pony Express offices or online.
At the Pony Express office, visa applicants will schedule an appointment to appear at the U.S. Consulate General (Furshtatskaya Street, 15; “Chernyshevskaya” Metro). On the assigned date, visa applicants will arrive at the U.S. Consulate General with all supporting documents. After being fingerscanned and interviewed, successful applicants will receive their passports and visas from a Pony Express courier at their home or office address.
Fingerprint Re-use/Appearance Waiver
Starting in November 2008, any person renewing a B1, B2, or B1/B2 visa issued in Russia on or after 06 November 2007 with an expiration date within the last 12 months, may qualify for a waiver of personal appearance at the Consulate.
If you think you qualify:
- Please bring the original passport containing said visa to Pony Express when you submit your application and pay your Consular fee.
- If you are a scientist and received a special clearance with your last issuance, please also submit to Pony Express: an invitation with explanation of purpose of travel, your resume (CV) in English, Application DS-157 in English, and a list of your publications in English.
Please note:
- The standard issuance is a multiple entry visa valid for 12 months. If you would like to request a multiple entry visa valid for 24 months, you must schedule an appointment at the Consulate to pay the additional $100 reciprocity fee.
- Photos must be taken within the last six (6) months. If you submit a photo used in a visa issued more than six (6) months ago, your application will be returned to Pony Express, and the processing of your visa will be delayed.
- If you are eligible for a waiver of personal appearance and do not require additional administrative processing, you will receive your passport and visa through Pony Express within five (5) days of submitting your application.
- If the Consulate determines that you are not eligible for a personal appearance waiver, you will be contacted to schedule an appointment.
Visa applicants who reside outside the city of St. Petersburg should initiate applications through their Northwest Russia regional Pony Express representative in Murmansk, Petrozavodsk, Pskov, Vologda by calling (800) 200-7669. Residents of Velikiy Novgorod should apply through the Pony Express office at Gzen River Embankment 11, office 410, or by calling (8162) 335167. Applicants from Kaliningrad should apply at Portovaya Street 1 or call (4012) 750896. The office in Arkhangelsk is located at Vyucheyskogo street 25, office 8; tel. (8182) 204464. The handling fee for these applicants is 1300 Roubles per passport.
For residents of St. Petersburg, the handling fee for Pony Express services is 700 Roubles per passport.
Pony Express Offices in St. Petersburg are located at:
Marata Street 47-49, office 201
Business center "Helios"
("Ligovskiy prospect"/"Vladimirskaya" Metro)
Tel: (812) 449-7756
-or-
Zastavskaya Street 22 B-V, office 210
Entrance from Tsvetochnaya Street
("Moskovskiye vorota" Metro)
Tel: (812) 449-7756
Monday - Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM (except Russian National holidays)
http://www.ponyexpress.ru.
Applicants should bring the Pony Express appointment ticket to the Consulate at the proper date and time to ensure speedy admission to the interview.
When applicants come for their visa interview, they must possess a valid internal passport to provide to militia officers at the Consulate entrance.
The U.S. Consulate General kindly requests visa applicants to refrain from bringing large bags, briefcases, or luggage to the interview. Prohibited items include weapons (not limited to guns, knives, explosives, mace and pepper spray), flammable and hazardous materials, and any electronic devices. These regulations are designed to minimize waiting time and maximize safety and security for both the applicants and Consulate employees. We recommend that visa applicants do not plan any other activities for the first half of the interview day. Depending on circumstances, the entire procedure may take up to three hours.
The Сonsular Section of the U.S. Consulate General does NOT take any visa-related calls.
For general information, please contact:
The Call Center (812) 346-6046
All calls from Russia are $2.68 per minute (minimum three minutes).
Calls by credit card are $12 regardless of duration.
From the U.S.A.: 1-888-222-5673. Payment by credit card only. Cost $12 per call regardless of duration.
Operators are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday through Friday.
(St. Petersburg is 8 hours ahead of Washington, DC).
For inquiries about a specific case, please submit your questions by email to: visastpete@state.gov.
