USA visas are now online
On the 1st of August the USA Embassy introduced new visa application scheme for Russian citizens. The major improvement is that now the Russians can provide all the relevant information through a designated web-site by filling out a renewed application form. Thus the Pony Express shipping agency lost its monopoly in delivering the documents to the consulate services. The Embassy officials explain that this has been done in order to facilitate the application procedure for the tourists, and tour operators reckon that the reason for Pony Express’s suspension was the agency’s attempt to enter the tourist market.
Those who are going to travel to USA must register at http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ru_ru and fill out the online application form DS-160. It is in English language, but the Russian translation is provided as well – all you have to do is highlight an unclear sentence you want to be translated.
After the form is filled out one has to pay a consular fee ($140-$390 depending on the type of visa) through any branch of VTB24 bank (the Embassy press service failed to explain why this particular bank was chosen). When this is done an applicant should enter the receipt number on the web-site and than he will be able to make an appointment for the interview with the consulate officials. “According to USA law, valid passport, receipt and form DS-160 are the only documents an applicant must provide – commented at the Embassy press service – However, the law demands to present strong arguments that an applicant will return from USA”. That is why the Embassy highly recommends bringing along a proof of employment, children’s birth certificates, bank account statement and other similar documents.
Formerly the Russians had to use the services of an agent – Pony Express Company. An applicant had to fill out an application form on the Embassy’s web-site and attach a photo. After that the web-site generated a barcode that should have been forwarded to the Embassy along with the passport by Pony Express. These obligatory services cost from 900 to 1600 roubles (depending on the place of residence).
Moscow office of Pony Express refused to disclose neither the extent of their financial losses nor the reasons why the USA Embassy broke partnership with the company. They only said that the tourists that failed to study out the new procedure had been calling them all day. “We recommended them to contact the Embassy, but it seemed all their phone lines were engaged” – said a Pony Express spokesman.
“As for now we don’t have any statistics of arisen problems or improperly filled-out application forms” – reports the Embassy press service, adding that they always receive numerous calls regarding visa issues. “We are still working with Pony Express – they will be delivering documents from the Embassy back to an applicant. And this service is already included in the consular fee.”
The tour operators confirm that many Russians do face problems when filling up the new form. “Now it has more questions concerning the sources of income, marital status – explains Mrs. Elena Goubareva, Executive Director of American Travel Company – An ordinary tourist finds quite hard to get it all right”.
“New rules always cause problems at first, but the tour operators are happy that they got rid of Pony Express anyway” – pointed out Mrs. Irina Tiurina, Press Secretary of the Russian Unioun if Travel Industry. She revealed that earlier this summer this company published an offer for trips to USA from one of the tour operators on its web-site. “In such a manner the visa agent entered into competition with professional travel companies, having one obvious advantage in its pocket – access to personal information of any USA-bound person” – said Mrs. Tiurina – “Pretty much it might be the reason for the changes at the Embassy”.