A case-specific consular plan
We review the family relationship, petition type, residence and assigned processing post, and discuss whether a transfer request may be appropriate.
Navigating U.S. family immigration & consular processing for Russian citizens
Bring your family’s questions to a Russian-speaking U.S. immigration attorney—from the petition to documents, interview preparation, and the practical challenges of a third-country appointment.
Schedule a Consular ConsultationWhen the interview is outside Russia
Routine immigrant-visa processing is not available in Moscow. Russian applicants generally need an interview at a designated post outside Russia. You may see this described as processing for a “homeless nationality”; this is a consular-processing term, not a statement that the applicant is stateless.
Your interview location depends on your case
Confirm the assigned post and its instructions before making travel plans. A country being easier to enter does not, by itself, make its U.S. embassy available for your case.
- Warsaw, Poland
- The State Department lists Warsaw for Russian immigrant-visa applicants. Check the separate requirements for lawful entry and travel to Poland.
- Almaty, Kazakhstan / Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- The State Department also lists these posts for Russian IR-5 parent immigrant-visa cases. Confirm which post is assigned to your case.
- Yerevan, Armenia / Tbilisi, Georgia / another country
- These are not interchangeable default posts for every Russian applicant. Residence, the visa category, and an accepted transfer or applicable exception can affect whether another post can handle the case.
Immigrant-visa interviews generally follow the applicant’s place of residence or, if requested, nationality. Transfer requests and exceptions require review; approval is not guaranteed.
K-1 fiancé visas have their own process and post-specific instructions. Do not assume the same interview assignment or document requirements apply as in a spousal immigrant-visa case.
How we help your family prepare
Petition and NVC preparation
We assist with the relevant family petition and, where applicable, National Visa Center processing. We review required civil documents and translation instructions rather than assuming every document needs the same certification or apostille.
Document coordination
We help you organize Russian civil records and identify translation requirements. Where needed, we coordinate document preparation with you and the translators you engage.
Virtual interview preparation
We offer preparation in English or Russian, including remote mock interviews when appropriate. We explain likely topics and the post’s instructions without promising particular questions or an outcome.
Ready to plan your family’s next step?
Discuss your circumstances directly with a Russian-speaking immigration attorney. We serve families in Portland, Seattle, the Bay Area and nationwide.
Schedule a Consular Consultation