The US updates visa appointment rules for Russians: apply in Astana, Warsaw, or country of residence

The United States has changed the rules for scheduling interviews for non-immigrant visas. Now applying and scheduling an interview must take place in the applicant's country of citizenship or in their country of permanent residence. The updated guidance was published by the US State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs.

"Applicants for US non-immigrant visas must schedule an interview at a US embassy or consulate in their country of citizenship or residence," — Bureau of Consular Affairs, US Department of State.

If the US does not conduct regular non-immigrant visa operations in a particular country, applications must be submitted at specially designated US diplomatic missions in other countries. For Russian citizens, the designated locations are Warsaw and Astana. The list of designated locations is posted on the Travel.State.Gov website.

The department stressed that already-scheduled interviews will generally be honoured. At the same time, longer waiting and processing times are expected for applications filed outside the applicant's country of citizenship/residence. In addition, the applicant will need to confirm their residence in the country where the application is filed.

The new rules do not apply to categories A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO visas, travel under UN agreements, or diplomatic and official visas (regardless of classification). Exceptions may be made in individual cases for humanitarian or medical reasons, or for foreign-policy considerations.

What this means for Russian citizens

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• If you live outside Russia and have confirmed residence status in another country, schedule your interview at the US embassy/consulate in your country of residence.
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• If you are a Russian citizen without confirmed residence in a third country, the designated filing locations are Astana and Warsaw.
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• If filing outside your country of citizenship/residence, waiting times for appointments may increase significantly, and visa eligibility assessment may be stricter. Fees paid for such applications are non-refundable and non-transferable.
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• Be sure to prepare proof of residence in the country of filing (if applying based on residence).
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Additional fees in US visa policy in 2025

In 2025, US visa policy was supplemented with two fees aimed at improving travel discipline and reducing overstays. On 27 July 2025, a "visa integrity fee" was introduced — at least $250 for all non-immigrant visa applicants: it is charged upon application and may be refunded after the trip is completed if there is no violation of visa conditions (administered by DHS; the amount may be increased and is indexed annually). For Visa Waiver Program participants, ESTA remains in place, with its fee raised to $40. On 5 August 2025, a bond of up to $15,000 was introduced for applicants deemed high migration risk, as a guarantee of timely departure once the authorised period expires. Details of both measures are being clarified in official guidance.