Residents of Crimea Must Apply for U.S. Visa at Kyiv Embassy

To obtain visas for the United States, residents of annexed Crimea should contact the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. This was stated on the website of the U.S. Visa Information Service for Russia.

“Crimea is in the consular district of the U.S. Embassy Kyiv. All [immigrant and fiance visa] applicants, irrespective of citizenship who are residents of Crimea must apply in Kyiv,” the statement said.

It also underscored that all consular fees paid in Ukraine cannot be used to apply for a visa at U.S. embassies and consulates in Russia. Likewise, consular fees paid in Russia cannot be used to apply for visas at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv.

“ Applicants cannot pay U.S. consular fees through Crimea Post,” the statement added.

Earlier, the New York Times reported that due to a shortage of U.S. diplomats, Russians are being refused travel to the United States more often. The U.S. Embassy in Russia also announced the suspension of issuing non-immigrant visas in Russian regions.

BACKGROUND:

In February 2014, Russian special forces seized control over key government buildings on Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula. Under occupation on March 16, an illegal referendum was held on Crimean independence resulting in broad international condemnation. Three days later, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Crimean separatist leaders signed a draft treaty admitting Crimea into the Russian Federation, which was later ratified by the Russian legislature.

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