Russian Consulate General

Beware of a rude and inconsiderate safeguard. First, my appointment started at 3.15pm but at 4pm I still had 2 people ahead of me in line. Next, at 4pm cashier got closed regardless of people in line and safeguard won’t let u in back in case if u need to step out. I needed to get money order across the street but the safeguard told me to come tomorrow instead all the way from New Jersey with 1year old baby on hands. Giving 3 stars because the ladies in the window seemed nice and working attentively with people.
Update to 4 stars: the lady in the window was indeed exceptionally helpful. Waited for me to get money order and submitted it to cashier on my behalf. That was behind her office hrs, felt thankful!

I remember standing near this consulate in the 1970’s with thousands of angry people and 100’s of cops behind barricades, pumping my fist in the air and protesting something or another. It was somewhat anti-​climactic showing up there today to find a peaceful and accessible bureaucracy nestled in an urbane, upper east side brownstowned block — so a family member could get her papers in order. The menacing looking, speznaz consular officials notwithstanding, the experience was efficient and quick and for that I am grateful.

Came here to process my tourist visa for a trip to Russia, had to wait in a small line, but I had an appointment so it wasnt so bad. The people in front of me were an american older couple and they didnt have one, and the guy running the door let them in (with the help someone on line translating). Once inside I had to wait about 15 minutes to get a window open, it for sure had an old soviet feel to the buildling with 2 rooms with around 10 windows or so. It moved pretty smoothly and I went to the window with all my paper-​work in tow. The lady spoke english well and asked me why I wanted to go to Russia, I replied «i heard it was nice», she said «how do you know if you havent been?» Not sure if that was russian humor or a KGB like inquisition, nevertheless everything was fine and she gave me a receipt to pay the front with (cashiers check is mandatory BTW) and then i had to go to a different location in downtown to pick up the actual visa, quite a bit of work and money ($ 190 when all is said and done, plus $ 25 fee to get an invitation for the visa). Leaving was interesting, as the exit is locked until the security guy comes by and that took a few minutes. I just cant picture an american keeping you locked in like that, but it is what it is. Overall my parlay into the russian world in New York wasnt too bad and took about an hour or so.

I recently got my Russian visa by coming to the NY Consulate directly. I was there shortly before 9am and had all my documents submitted by 9:30, with pick-​up date a mere 6 business days later. Everything was a lot easier than I expected. I brought all the «recommended» documents but they only took the basic stuff like the invitation, application, photo, money order, etc. Even though the place can be intimidating, the people who work there were generally courteous and professional.

Maybe the doorman had a bad day or they changed their policy, when I came there today everyone with a simple visa application was sent away with a piece of paper stating that only applications via ILS visa center are accepted.
So if you simply want to apply for a visa, don’t bother coming here anymore.

It’s nice to live in New York and be able to go to the consulate directly. I didn’t want to pay a company to process my visa. I spent 2 days very confused by all the different information online. Be sure to book your hotel and get the invitation first as this info must be referenced on your visa application. I had to fix mine and come back. Also she advised me to choose a multi entry because it’s the same cost. Although I only have immediate plans it’s nice to know I can go to Russia for the next 3 years without doing this all over.
What you need:
Visa application (they say 2 copies but I was only asked for one)
Passport
Invitation
Money order for $ 160 (or current fee)
Once it is processed they give you a receipt and in about a week you can pick it up at the downtown office.

I’m afraid to give this consulate anything less than five stars. Don’t want to have my passports revoked. Help. Me.
Seriously though, if you’re looking to visit Russia and need a visa… listen to the other reviewers and come here directly, don’t use a 3^rd party service. Cheaper, easier and faster (it helps if you live in NYC).
I just recently came here have my Russian passport renewed. The security guard was nice and let us in by appointment. It’s unfortunate that the consulate is impossible to reach by phone, but the plus side is they are generally very responsive via email.
It’s a pain in the butt to commute all the way to NYC to pick up a passport or have it renewed.
Once the renewal documents are processed, they refuse to mail the passport or have a family member pick it up for you which is cumbersome for those that do not live in NYC.
Aside from those inconveniences, I think this consulate is A-​OK.

Was there today to renew my passport. Old lady with red hair was extremly rude and unprofessional, talk things, absolutely unexeptable and humilating. Acted as if i came to her home to ask favor. Its disaster!

As a previous poster wrote, do NOT go through an agency or other outfit that says they will process your tourist Visa. Just go directly to the Consulate. The base fee is $ 160. I checked a few travel agents in the Brighton Beach/​Coney Island area and they all wanted $ 250 for a single visit and nearly $ 500 for a multi visit, 3 year visa. Well, the actual Consulate fees are $ 160 for either of those, and they actually recommend US citizens applying for a Visa get the 3 year multi visit. The turnaround time quoted on their web site is 10 business days, yet one travel agent insisted that if I buy through them it would take up to 3 weeks.
SO I arrived at the consulate on a Friday morning at 10am on E.91^st street in Manhattan. I was out at 1030, paid and done. Oh, and they told me I could pick up my Passport and Visa in ONE WEEK.
Just have the application fully filled out, have your hotel confirmation and voucher (or official invite from a Russia travel company or personal host), a passport sized pic, your passport and, of course, a $ 160 money order (NO cash, check or credit card). There’s a Food Mart around the corner on Madison between 87^th and 88^th that gave me a Western Union money order for 99 cents.

Great experience! It took few minutes! Everything is organized, great and quick service! Pleasantly surprised!

Russian tourist visa. Do not use «expediters.» Complete the online application and write down and bring your password. Go directly to the consulate at 9 am mon-​fri. They do not take appointments. Most of the people on line were Russians and are queuing for a different purpose and so are not really ahead of you. I got there at 9:15 and it took me over an hour to get in but then only 15 min for the visa and another 15 to pay. Be prepared and it will got smoothly. Your online app must be for the consulate NOT ILS downtown. It must be complete. Two people left to fix theirs. The fee is $ 140 for one visit and $ 160 for three years so the latter seems the obvious choice if there is any likelihood of return. (Bank check only.) These fees apply only if you come ten or more business days before departure. I could not fit my list of countries traveled online and made a separate typed list which she looked at but it didn’t seem to matter. You definitely need your hotel invite and the accompanying voucher … which seems to include the nebulous federation number mentioned on the website. My hotel offered it for free by email (with a $ 35 fee if reservation canceled.) I also included, my flight reservations, a bank statement and proof of health insurance. My word that I have been at my present work for 20 years sufficed. If you have been at your present work for a short time they may ask about prior work (require letter?). I provided an HIV test which I was told was only necessary for a work visa. She thanked me for showing her the documents, copied nothing and only kept the hotel voucher. She said «wow you have everything» initially and wished me a nice trip at the end. In short if you are thorough it will go smoothly. Of note, despite going directly to the consulate, pickup is at 80 Maiden Lane.

The first thing I’ll say is that if you’re applying for a Russian visa for the first time you’re better off doing so downtown at the ILS processing center rather than at the consulate. The processing center is much more service oriented, much more relaxed and for a small fee will actually guide you in filling out the application or make necessary corrections. The consulate, on the other hand, is not nearly as accommodating. or patient.
But if you want to experience a remnant of Soviet-​era protocol and bureaucracy here’s what to expect:
1. You’ll wait outside, in front of the building in a narrow area enclosed by an iron fence. This leads to an iron gate that is opened and shut after each person is allowed inside.
2. Once you’re inside the door will be locked behind you and you’ll be told to turn off your cell phone. You’ll then pass through a metal detector and your bag (s) will be inspected.
3. You’ll be handed a number and told to sit down in a cold room. You’ll then be escorted to another room where you’ll sit before someone who understands English a little better than they speak it. You’ll communicate with this person through a large staticky microphone mounted to a thick glass window.
4. When your business is concluded they’ll unlock the front door and allow you to leave.
In conclusion, I wouldn’t say this was the worst thing I’ve ever lived through. It’s somewhere between a visit to social services and sitting in a police station. And they aren’t overtly rude but they seem to have very little patience when it comes to forms being filled out incorrectly. I had papers abruptly shoved back under the window for missing information and was given almost no indication of what was needed. So be sure that every document is in perfect order because smiles and small talk won’t win any favors.

Horrible service, in the winter people have to wait outside the building in long lines that are all out of order. If you try to reach them by phone it will take weeks because they NEVER answer. Every time I need something from Russian consulate I drag it out until it’s absolutely necessary to go there. Not a pleasant experience AT ALL !!!

We had a scheduled visa interview at 2 o clock. I had read many negative reviews of this consulate so I was expecting the worst. We arrived a half hour early in case of lines — there were no lines. By the time two o clock rolled around there were only five people waiting. They ushered us in promptly at two and we were out of there 15 minutes later. The Russian lady who interviewed was pleasant and straight to the point. I was worried about this whole experience because I read a lot of bad reviews and had no idea to expect. My advice — if your prepared and have all the right documents then your time at the consulate will go smoothly!
In contrast to us, there was a young man who was not prepared, and was refused entrance. He made a huge scene, yelling and cursing. FYI — this is a BAD IDEA. If you have made a mistake with documents, correct it and come back. Making a scene will only cause you trouble.

I’ve had only the best experience with them! Very prompt and polite staff! I emailed with the date and time I would like to come and they responded right away confirming my appointment!

The most kind, attentive, amazing experience I’ve had in my 20 years in the United States. Everyone was prompt and polite. A large, air-​conditioned terrace with cushioned seating, free and fresh amuse-​bouche selection and open-​access Wi-​Fi was provided for the waiting customers (not that there was much waiting involved). Security service personnel spoke impeccable, British-​accented English. Shostakovich’s First Piano Concerto streamed unobtrusively through the recessed speakers. Our passports were issued on the spot after a brief, but sincere exchange of pleasantries. Bottled water was offered upon exiting.
Wonderful. Just wonderful.

Okay, so it’s busier than the other NYC consulates I’ve dealt with. But why should that come as a surprise? There is a huge number of Russian emigrants in the city, and they need to use the consulate’s services. There are also a lot of people in need of visas, since the US government and RF have not negotiated a reasonable visa treaty yet. It’s not that unusual to have to wait. If this is your first time dealing with a consulate, welcome.
I have dealt with the Russian embassy/​consulate in DC several times, and the NYC consulate measures up quite nicely in the comparison. They are reasonably polite and not nearly as bureaucratic as the DC consulate. My only complaint is that it was kind of cold in the building.
It was very funny seeing all the pissed-​off Americans in the Visa line. Perhaps you think you’re being treated unfairly? Check out the American consulate in Moscow when you get there.

Well, this was an experience. It’s a real slice of Moscow bureaucracy right here on the Upper East Side.
When you arrive there will be a long line of pissed-​off Russians arguing with the security guy and each other on the RIGHT. If you’re just there for a tourist visa or etc, ignore this line. Go to the smaller, quieter line on the LEFT that says «Visa service» (it’ll be in English). The main entrance is really only for people leaving. Angry Russian women will occasionally try to sneak in this door when someone leaves, and you get to chuckle as the security guy tosses them back out
sneak in the main entrance while security continually tosses them back outside.
I got there at 9, the visa line was only about 4 – 5 people, and we luckily were ushered inside about 9:30. Note: dropping off visa applications seems to be accepted starting at 9:30, but picking them up doesn’t happen until 11 AM. This caught the woman ahead of me by surprise and she predictably became irate.
Once I got to a window, I was done in under 60 seconds. Make sure to bring cashier’s check, not cash, have your paperwork ready to go, etc, etc. If you’ve never been to Russia before, consider this a little taste of what’s to come.

The prior rating is definitely not the same experience I had. First off, I waited in the line marked «Visa Section», which I found out 30 mins later was not where one actually gets a visa. If you’re going for a travel visa, go to the door on the left as you face the building.
Once I got to the correct line (outside), I waited for 2 hours in the morning and was told to come back after their lunch break. Came back and waited another 2 hours while people speaking Russian constantly shoved and talked their way into the door. I thought the Chinese consulate was bad, but that was Nirvana by comparison.
Hoping my experience was an exception…

I had initially written a review of this consulate basically saying that aside from the bureaucracy involved, it was one of the better consulates I’d dealt with in New York. I’ve lived in Russia before so I kind of approached it knowing what it would be like. Russia is not America. Your timid politeness doesn’t work there; neither does your sarcasm. Accept this or learn the hard way. If Russians are throwing elbows and asking questions and being let in, do the same thing.
Keep in mind (I’m a Soviet historian so I can say this) that this is an entire culture largely centered on waiting… for men to come home from war, leaders to die, food to hit the shelves, jeans to be smuggled in from Germany. Everything follows from that. BE PATIENT.
Well, they just closed one of the doors to the place, and it looks like they’re only using half as much of the building as they had in the past, and it looks like it’s for good. You have to wait outside, and every ten minutes or so a security guard lets people in and out. Do NOT just get in line and wait.
He might answer your questions, if you can get his attention. He (there are more than one; I spent several days there this week getting a work permit together) is clearly overwhelmed by having to deal with twice as many people as in the past.
In the past I have waited outside the Russian Consulate for two hours, only to get to the head of the line and have the guy tell me they can’t take me today. For that reason, if you’re there for any reason OTHER than to APPLY for a visa (i.e. legalize documents, pick up a visa, pay for something), wait and ask what you should do; it will probably save you a lot of time and they could just let you in without making you wait in line. I’ve done that before.
Bring a good book, or be prepared to watch a movie on your iPod. Got a friend who speaks Russian? Bring him along.
Once inside, as long as everything is in its right place, they’ll probably work with you instead of just turning you away if you screwed something up. Just go on the website and make sure you have ALL the right paperwork and that you’ve done everything correctly before trucking up here. I translated my diploma so that it could be notarized as a legal credential in Russia, and apparently translated the, like, two most important words poorly but the woman that I always work with for this stuff basically re-​translated it for me so I wouldn’t have to go do it myself.
And use this as a metaphor for your actual trip to Russia. I’ve known so many guys who had breakdowns due to the culture shock of being in Russia and had to come home. Just be patient and accept that it’s not America. It’s not even Hungary.