On August 21, 2017, the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Russia announced a temporary suspension of all nonimmigrant visa (NIV) operations across Russia?beginning August 23, 2017. The halt is?a result of the Russian government?s personnel cap imposed on the U.S. Mission to Russia.?Beginning September 1, nonimmigrant visa interviews?will only be conducted at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow; NIV interviews at the U.S.?Consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, and Vladivostok are?suspended until further notice.
Because of the cap on staff numbers, visa operations will resume on a greatly reduced scale. The staffing?changes will also affect the scheduling of some immigrant visa applicants. Affected applicants will be contacted if there is a?change as to?the time and date of their interview.