New Visa Rules-What does this mean

[milesaweek]

PUTIN SIGNS 3-YEAR U.S. VISA AGREEMENT

The St. Petersburg Times
Published: August 1, 2012 (Issue # 1720)

MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin has signed a landmark visa agreement with the United States, the Kremlin said Monday, allowing the long-delayed reform to come into force in September.

The Kremlin did not say when Putin had signed the agreement, but according to a scan on the official pravo.gov.ru portal, the document was dated July 28 — last Saturday.

To become law, the document needs to be published in the government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta, which is usually a formality.

But the new rules will come into force only 30 days after a final diplomatic exchange of notes takes place between officials from both countries.

Reached by telephone Monday, a U.S. Embassy spokeswoman said the agreement should be implemented by mid-September.

The agreement was originally supposed to enter into force last year, but it was ratified by the State Duma and Federation Council only this month after being held up by government bureaucracy. Under U.S. law, no ratification is required.

The new rules make three-year multiple-entry visas allowing a maximum stay of six months the norm for both tourists and business travelers, provided their applications are approved.

The new rules will be felt by Americans more than by Russians because U.S. consulates already give two-year visas to many successful applicants. However, first-time applicants will still be asked to appear for personal interviews, a practice not required by the Russian side.

The rejection rate for Russian applicants is roughly 10 percent, according to State Department figures.

The agreement also scraps the requirement of a written invitation from a host-country citizen or organization, something that has not been required by the U.S.

In a statement late Monday, the U.S. Embassy welcomed Putin’s signing of the agreement, saying that it would strengthen ties between both countries in the biggest segments of tourism and business.

[Anotherkiwi]

What about the rest of the world?
 
I'm guessing that we still have to go through the same rigmarole as before...

[ML]

What about the rest of the world?
 
I'm guessing that we still have to go through the same rigmarole as before...

Yes, you will  . . . because you don't live in the 'greatest country in the world.' 

[calmissile]

This brings up another important question..... Is the US and Ukraine planning anything similar?  From what I have read, plus the confirmation in the post above, it would appear that a Russian girlfriend could get a tourist visa and come to the US to visit and experience life in the US before starting the K-1 process.  This is a huge advantage over what we currently have to do with Ukrianian girlfriends.

If my supposition is correct, it would seem that fishing in the Russian pond would be a lot more beneficial than continuing to fish in the Ukrainian pond.  Am I missing something?

[Gator]

If my supposition is correct, it would seem that fishing in the Russian pond would be a lot more beneficial than continuing to fish in the Ukrainian pond.  Am I missing something?

A visit is beneficial to both parties.   A sincere FSUW with options may like a man but not be sure about emigrating.   It also facilitates a more informed discussion of how life will be and the resources and accommodations needed by both people.
 
Nevertheless, while both of you may become more sure after a visit, the real trial starts when moving here permanently and facing the adjustment and acclimation obstacles.
 
Regarding ponds, the Ukrainian pond is smaller but has more fish willing to bite a foreign lure.  Finding a "keeper" is the goal, and this takes a lot of time regardless of pond.   BTW a small green lure works fine in both ponds in a "catch and release" program.

[Chicagoguy]

Regarding ponds, the Ukrainian pond is smaller but has more fish willing to bite a foreign lure.  Finding a "keeper" is the goal, and this takes a lot of time regardless of pond.   BTW a small green lure works fine in both ponds in a "catch and release" program.

[SANDRO43]

BTW a small green lure works fine in both ponds in a "catch and release" program.

Like this one ?

[CanadaMan]

Like this one ?

No that one would be unacceptable. I see a crease in the bottom left corner. 

[CanadaMan]

The new rules make three-year multiple-entry visas allowing a maximum stay of six months the norm for both tourists and business travelers, provided their applications are approved.

This has many big implications for many parties.

If we look at the middlemen who have been getting our Russian visas for us (speaking from an American's viewpoint), they will have to re-visit their pricing scheme.

Up until now they would charge approximately $200 for their services for a one-shot tourist visa that was good for one month maximum.

Would they still be willing to charge $200 for a three-year multiple-entry visa allowing a maximum stay of six months?

Why not, they'd be doing the same work right? 

[Anotherkiwi]

Yes, you will  . . . because you don't live in the 'greatest country in the world.' 

That's cruel! 
 
And, by the way...yes, I do!

[BC]

This brings up another important question..... Is the US and Ukraine planning anything similar?  From what I have read, plus the confirmation in the post above, it would appear that a Russian girlfriend could get a tourist visa and come to the US to visit and experience life in the US before starting the K-1 process.  This is a huge advantage over what we currently have to do with Ukrianian girlfriends.

If my supposition is correct, it would seem that fishing in the Russian pond would be a lot more beneficial than continuing to fish in the Ukrainian pond.  Am I missing something?

I doubt it will change things much.  The standard qualifications for getting a visa in the first place will not change, only the time limits.  My wife has a US B-2 visa good for two years.  In the future she will be able to  get a 3 year visa.

Overcoming the presumption that a visa applicant intends to immigrate to the US will likely be unaffected by this agreement so don't get your hopes up too high.  Women that don't can't get one now won't be able to get one in the future either.

OTOH a 3 year multi entry visa for USC's going to RU will allow a bit more flexibility and in-country time if one has the means and vacation time to do so.  For me, I'll sign up just to be able to go over and get dental work done and enjoy the banya on a regular basis.  Spontaneously going over for a few days would be quite feasible whereas now the inflexible invitation / visa process makes it quite difficult and fairly expensive.

[JayH]

Like this one ?

They do print them in the FSU also !