UrBC, Yekaterinburg, August 22, 2017. Russia-based U.S. Consulates will have to have their nonimmigrant visa operations suspended due to the Russian Government-imposed cap on the number of diplomatic personnel they can have, effective August 23, 2017, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Russia report.

According to the Embassy, nonimmigrant visa operations will resume eventually, but on a much more limited scope. Starting September 1, 2017, nonimmigrant visa interviews will only be available in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. The U.S. Consulates in Saint Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, and Vladivostok will offer no visa interviews for the time being.

Currently scheduled visa appointments will get cancelled at 9 AM (Moscow time) on Monday, August 21. Applicants will have to reschedule for an interview in Moscow at a later date. The same applies to applicants with appointments in Saint Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, and Vladivostok.

The diplomatic personnel downsizing will also affect the timeline for a number of immigrant visa operations.