Reciprocity Schedule Russia Updated 09 December 2005 Reciprocity Schedule Visa ClassificationFeeNo of ApplicationsValidity Period A-1NONE [A] [B]MULTIPLE36 MONTHS A-2NONE [B]MULTIPLE36 MONTHS A-3 [1]NONEMULTIPLE12 MONTHS B-1$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS B-2$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS B-1/B-2$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS C-1$100.00 [C1]MULTIPLE24 MONTHS C-1/D$100.00 [D]MULTIPLE24 MONTHS C-2NONEONE3 MONTHS C-3NONEONE3 MONTHS DNONE [D]MULTIPLE24 MONTHS E-1 [2]NO TREATYN/AN/A E-2 [2]NO TREATYN/AN/A F-1NONE [E]MULTIPLE12 MONTHS F-2NONE [E]MULTIPLE12 MONTHS G-1NONEMULTIPLE24 MONTHS G-2NONEMULTIPLE12 MONTHS G-3NONEMULTIPLE12 MONTHS G-4NONEMULTIPLE12 MONTHS G-5 [1]NONEONE12 MONTHS H-1B$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS [3] H-1C$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS [3] H-2A$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS [3] H-2B$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS [3] H-2R$100.00 [C]MULTIPLE24 MONTHS [3] H-3$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS [3] H-4$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS [3] I$100.00 [F]MULTIPLE12 MONTHS J-1 [4]NONE [E] MULTIPLE36 MONTHS J-2 [4]NONE [E] MULTIPLE36 MONTHS K-1NONEONE6 MONTHS K-2NONEONE6 MONTHS K-3NONEMULTIPLE24 MONTHS K-4NONEMULTIPLE24 MONTHS L-1$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS [3] L-2$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS [3] M-1NONE [E]MULTIPLE36 MONTHS M-2NONE [E]MULTIPLE36 MONTHS N-8$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS N-9$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS NATO 1-7N/AN/AN/A O-1$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS [3] O-2$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS [3] O-3$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS [3] P-1$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS [3] P-2$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS [3] P-3$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS [3] P-4$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS [3] Q-1[6]$100.00 MULTIPLE15 MONTHS [3] R-1$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS R-2$100.00 [C] MULTIPLE24 MONTHS S-5 [7]NONEONE1 MONTH S-6 [7]NONEONE1 MONTH S-7 [7]NONEONE1 MONTH T-1 [9]N/AN/AN/A T-2NONEONE6 MONTHS T-3NONEONE6 MONTHS T-4NONEONE6 MONTHS T-5NONEONE6 MONTHS TD [5]N/AN/AN/A V-1NONEMULTIPLE120 MONTHS V-2NONEMULTIPLE120 MONTHS [8] V-3NONEMULTIPLE120 MONTHS [8] [A]DIPLOMATIC COURIERS NO FEEMULTIPLE12 MONTHS [B]DIPLOMATIC PERSONNEL ON TDYNO FEEMULTIPLE12 MONTHS [C] TIERED FEE SCHEDULE $100.00MULTIPLE24 MONTHS NONEMULTIPLE12 MONTHS [C1] TRANSIT VISA $100.00MULTIPLE24 MONTHS NONETWO6 MONTHS [D] CREW C1/D & D (AIR CREWS ONLY)NO RECIPROCITY FEE IS CHARGED FOR AIR CREWS. HOWEVER, THESE APPLICANTS MUST PAY THE APPLICATION (MRV) FEE. SEA CREWS MUST PAY BOTH THE RECIPROCITY AND MRV FEES. [E]OR DURATION OF IAP-66 OR I-20, WHICHEVER IS SHORTER. [F]JOURNALISTS ON TDY. MULTIPLE ENTRY VISAS MAY ONLY BE ISSUED TO JOURNALISTS ON LONG-TERM ASSIGNMENT.NONEONE3 MONTHS DOCUMENTS Civil documents, except as noted below, are available in the Russian Federation. Certified copies of available documents may be exported. The person to whom a civil record pertains may obtain a certified copy of the record from the local office of the Bureau of Acts of Civil Status (ZAGS). Documents which 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 an American 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 San Francisco, 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 Embassy in Moscow and the Consulates General in St. Petersburg, Vladivostok and Yekaterinburg, cannot assist in obtaining civil documents or verifying the accuracy of civil records in the Russian Federation. BIRTH, MARRIAGE, DIVORCE AND DEATH CERTIFICATES Available. Certified copies of these documents may be obtained by applying to the Bureau of Acts of Civil Status (ZAGS) of the locality having custody of the records. POLICE AND PRISON RECORDS Available. 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. 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. 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. Federal and more serious criminal records in Russia are kept at the Main Information Center (MIC), while convictions related to minor offenses (interpreted as when the punishment was to to 3 years of imprisonment) are stored in the local police (militia) archives. Court records are generally available upon a request from the individual. Prison records are generally not available. Under Russian law, a prior conviction is expunged from the MIC's databank after a specified period of time has passed following the completion of the sentence. For "grave" crimes the period is six years; for "especially grave" crimes it is eight years. Thus, if an applicant committed a grave crime and more than six years have passed since the completion of his/her sentence, the MIC will not show a record of this crime. In the absence of a Russian police certificate, and when dealing with applicants who could have theoretically served prison time more than eight years prior to the date of IV application, key features to look for are knuckle tattoos. Russian prison culture is vibrant and unique to itself; tattoos serve a role of establishing rank and status, and it is quite common for males to have served time in prison to have such markings. MILITARY RECORDS Available. Individuals who have served in the military are issued a military service document (voyenniy bilet) which contains information on the length of service and circumstances of discharge. Those who have served in the military may also have this information reflected in their Russian internal passports. INTERNAL RESIDENCE DOCUMENTS There are four types of documents with which a person may reside in the Russian Federation: Internal passport; Temporary certification in lieu of an internal passport; Foreigner’s residence permit; and Residence permit for stateless persons. The internal passport is issued to all citizens over the age of sixteen by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The document contains information on the bearer's civil status, lists bearer's children, and contains a residence registration stamp (propiska). There are currently two modes in circulation, an older "CCCP" model, and the new, purple Russian Federation document. These documents are obtained from the bearer's local militia precinct. RUSSIAN TRAVEL DOCUMENTS Available. The Russian Federation (and many of the other former republics of the Soviet Union) continues to issue foreign travel passports which are virtually indistinguishable in design from the old-style Soviet passports. These ‘regular’ passports will be valid until the stated expiration date, or some future announcement of a complete changeover. The Russian Federation began issuing “Russian Federation” official and diplomatic passports on September 16, 1996. The old-style Soviet official and diplomatic passports are no longer valid. With implementation of the new exit/entry law in 1993, citizens are no longer required to obtain exit permission from the Office of Visas and Registration (OVIR) before traveling abroad. Citizens who are emigrating permanently must obtain a passport endorsed for permanent emigration from OVIR. Under the present regulations, OVIR has sole authority to issue regular foreign travel passports, although the Foreign Ministry has been authorized to continue issuance of such passports on an interim basis. Passports are not routinely issued to children under the age of sixteen. They are usually included in the passport of a parent or other adult with whom they are traveling. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sole authority to issue diplomatic and official passports. VISA ISSUING POSTS Moscow (E)All Categories Address: PSC-77 APO AE 09721-5430 St. Petersburg (CG)NIV Only (except K visas) Address: Box L APO AE 09723-5440 Vladivostok (CG)NIV Only (except K visas) Address: APO AE 09721-5880 YekaterinburgNIV Only (except K visas) Web Addresses: GEOGRAPHIC AREAS SERVICED MOSCOW IVAll republics of the former Soviet Union, except Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Belarus and Ukraine are serviced by the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, Poland. Moldova is serviced by the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, Romania. Estonia is serviced by the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki, Finland. Latvia and Lithuania are serviced by the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, Poland. IVKazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are serviced by the U.S. Embassy in Almaty NIVThose parts of the Russian Federation not contained within the consular districts of St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg or Vladivostok. ST. PETERSBURG NIV Only Regions, autonomous republics, and cities of:Arkhangel'sk (except for Kanin Peninsula and Kolguyev Island) Murmansk Novgorod Pskov St. Petersburg and Karelskaya Autonomous Region VLADIVOSTOK NIV Only Regions, autonomous republics, and cities of:Amur Kamchatka Khabarovsk Magadan Primorskiy Sakhalin Sakha (Yakutia) YEKATERINBURG NIVThe Sverdlovsk, Chelyabinsk, Omsk, Orenburg, Kurgan, Tyumen and Perm Oblasts The Republics of Bashkortostan and Udmurtia The autonomous okrugs of Khanty-Mansisk, Yamal-Nenetsk and Komipermski SPECIAL CLEARANCE AND ISSUANCE PROCEDURES GENERAL Submission of Visa Applications and Photographs Applications for nonimmigrant visas may be processed without Departmental clearance in most cases, provided: The applicant is not subject to one of the telegraphic name check (Visas Eagle or Visas Horse) procedures listed below. A copy of Form DS-156 should be retained at post. When Telegraphic Clearance Required OFFICIAL TRAVEL VISAS BEAR The cases of official and diplomatic visa applicants for permanent or temporary assignment of any duration to the United States, including to the United Nations, must be submitted by means of a Visas Bear telegram, regardless of the results of the CLASS name check, unless the applicant qualifies for the Visas Pegasus procedures as described below. VISAS PEGASUS Russian applicants who normally would be subject to the Visas Bear SAO requirement as stated in paragraph A but are coming solely to attend pre-ministerial, ministerial, pre-summit, or White House meetings may be issued visas without obtaining the Department's clearance in advance, even if they are subject of a "DPT-00" entry in CLASS, provided that a Visas Pegasus telegram is sent to the Department immediately upon visa issuance. The Pegasus procedure may also be used in lieu of a Visas Bear clearance for officials with the rank of deputy minister or above, regardless of any CLASS entries; Duma members, regardless of any CLASS entries; Federation Council members, regardless of any CLASS entries; and members of delegations accompanying officials listed in this paragraph, unless such member of a delegation is subject of a "00" CLASS entry. In such instances Visas Bear clearance procedures must be followed. Port of Entry/Exit Restrictions For A, C-3 and G Visa Holders Designated Ports of Entry and Exit Russian bearers of A, C-3, and G visas may enter and exit the United States through one of the designated ports listed below: Designated Ports of Entry and Exit Anchorage, AK. Atlanta, GA Baltimore, MD. Boston, MA. Chicago, IL. Houston, TX. Los Angeles, CA. Miami, FL. All Ports of Entry/Exit in New York San Francisco, CA. Seattle, WA. Washington, D.C. Annotation of Visas Consular officers must annotate A, G, and C-3 visas issued to Russian nationals as follows: “ENTRY/EXIT LIMITED TO POE’S IN BALT, NY, WASHDC, BOS, SF, HOUS, MIA, LA, SEA, ANCH, CHI, ATL, (OR NAME OF SPECIALLY DESIGNATED PORT(S)”. The applicant's intended port(s) of entry/exit should also be stated in the Visas Pegasus telegram. NONOFFICIAL TRAVEL VISAS EAGLE Name Check Requests VISAS EAGLE telegrams must be submitted for K nonimmigrant visa applicants, immigrant visa applicants, and applicants for refugee status who are ages 18-65. Both the Department and NVC Portsmouth must be included as action addressees on the Visas eagle cable. Visa Applications From Russian Citizens Who Are Ethnic Chechens There are no special processing requirements for ethnic Chechens, but in the instances noted below or when the officer is in doubt about an ethnic Chechen applicant who is otherwise eligible, an SAO request should be submitted. Some Russian citizens who are ethnic Chechens have applied for visas to the U.S., claiming to be officials of their government. National passports of Ichkeria issued by Chechen authorities, are not considered to be issued by competent authorities as required by INA section 101(a)(30). Such documents do not meet the definition of passport, thus may not be visaed. Visas issued to ethnic Chechens and other Russian citizens are to be placed in their Russian passports. The consular officer will need to consider the applicability of INA 212(a)(3)(B) and (3)(C), as well, on a case-by-case basis. For example, if the consular officer believes the visa applicant's purpose of travel will be to conduct fundraising, as defined by INA 212(a)(3)(B)(iii)(IV), to support a terrorist activity or a terrorist organization, the post must submit an SAO. If an otherwise eligible applicant seeks to travel to the U.S. to conduct official business on behalf of the Government of Chechnya, post should submit an SAO for possible 212(a)(3)(c) ineligibility on foreign policy grounds. To support a finding of ineligibility under 212(a)(3)(c), post would need to provide sufficient detail about the applicant and his/her political agenda during the proposed visit in order for the Department to make a thorough evaluation of the foreign policy considerations involved.