Visa for the United States from Russia: price, documents and processing time 2026

Yes. Russia is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so neither ESTA nor visa-free entry is available. For a tourist or business trip the required visa is the B1/B2 (nonimmigrant visitor), which must be obtained before travelling.

• Government fee185 USD
• Application centre feeVariable, set by the operator
• Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
• ExtrasVariable

Prepare a valid Russian passport, the DS-160 confirmation page, a photo meeting U.S. specifications, proof of MRV fee payment, and documents showing strong ties to Russia (employment, family, property). Do not assume the fee amount: the official MRV rate is published on travel.state.gov.

Start by completing the online DS-160 form on the State Department site, then pay the MRV visa fee and book an interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Because nonimmigrant visa issuance inside Russia is heavily restricted, many Russian applicants schedule their interview at a U.S. post in a third country; check which posts are available on travel.state.gov.

Then the application goes to the post accredited for Russia, often in a neighbouring capital, or to a state acting on its behalf. Confirm which post is competent with the official source before travelling to a third country to apply, a rejected file at the wrong counter costs the trip and the fee.

The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in Russia but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.

Appointment wait times vary widely by the consular post you choose, sometimes running to several months, so plan well ahead and check the posted wait times online. At the interview, present strong evidence of your ties to Russia to overcome the presumption of immigrant intent set out in U.S. law.

Common errors include inconsistencies between the DS-160 and your interview answers, a weak case for ties to the home country, or booking a post that is unavailable to Russian applicants. Never treat paying the MRV fee as a guarantee of approval: the decision rests with the consular officer.