Consulate of the United States

Application Forms

Important Notice for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants - New Application Form

C1/D visa applicants in St. Petersburg must now use the new online application form (DS-160) which can be filled out by clicking here. After completing the DS-160, the applicant will electronically transmit the application and will be provided with a confirmation page that includes some biographical information and a bar code with a confirmation number.  Applicants must bring this confirmation page with them to Pony Express for scheduling the interview appointment.

Beginning December 6, 2009, all nonimmigrant visa applicants in St. Petersburg must use the new online application form (DS-160) described above.

For more information on the DS-160, please click here.

Effective September 01, 2008, the U.S. Consulate General in St. Petersburg requires that all applicants for nonimmigrant visas must use the DS-156 Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF). Handwritten visa application forms are no longer accepted. After filling out the EVAF online at http://evisaforms.state.gov, applicants must print a copy of their visa application, which will include their data in a barcode format.

The Electronic Visa Application Form is not available in the Russian language. Answers to the questions on the application must be in English and must use English characters. The applicants are welcome to use the pertinent Online Electronic Visa Application instruction (PDF - 94 KB).

• All nonimmigrant visa applicants must submit a complete DS-156 form. Men aged from 16 to 45 must also complete DS-157.
• All applicants seeking F-1, J-1, and M-1 visas must also complete DS-158.

Scientists are requested to submit DS-156, DS-157 (regardless of age and gender) and DS-158 (if applicable) forms in English.

Photo Standards

The DS-156 requires one full-face photograph. The photograph should measure 2 inches by 2 inches (approximately 50 mm by 50 mm) with the head centered in the frame. The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure between 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25mm to 35mm), with the eye level between 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches (28mm and 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo. Photo must be in color and taken against a white or off-white background within the last six months. Please do not staple or glue the photograph to the application form. (All applicants, even infants included in their parents' passports, are required to have photographs.)

Valid Passport

A valid passport must be submitted along with the visa application and must contain at least one blank page on which to affix a visa. There is no requirement that the passport should be valid for at least six months after the end of the proposed stay in the U.S., but your trip should take place completely within the validity of your passport.