Due to the ongoing diplomatic confrontation between the United States and Russia, the procedure of issuing nonimmigrant visas to the United States for Russian citizens was significantly hampered. However, despite the prolonged crisis in Russian-US relations, close ties between people living in the two states (in particular, the important factor is the presence of a large number of former compatriots in the United States) and the growing globalization will not allow citizens of the two countries to refuse from traveling to each other.
In this respect, there is an interesting report by RIA Novosti with reference to the US Embassy in Russia that "Russians can apply for a visa at US consulates in any country in the world." "The US law does not prohibit Russian citizens from applying for a visa in another country," the embassy noted. It is likely that given the high "demand" for US visas, which is not covered by "proposals" from the US consulates in Russia, in the near future the views of Russians wishing to visit the United States will rush to neighboring countries with the current US consulates.
What Russia's neighbors can become a "transit point" for Russian citizens planning to visit the US? It is unlikely that post-Maidan Ukraine or NATO-oriented Georgia can claim this role - Russian citizens may feel rather uncomfortable in these countries, whose governments regularly say about "Russian occupation", including because of their attitude to Russia's language. The same applies to the Baltic republics (a Schengen visa is required). Friends in the EEU - Armenia, Belarus and Kazakhstan - do not offer direct flights to the United States.
Out of all Russia's neighboring countries, Azerbaijan is the optimal country for obtaining a US visa, for several reasons.
First, three direct flights to New York are carried out weekly from the Azerbaijani capital with modern Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, which are optimal for intercontinental flights. Baku is already a regional air hub for flights to the United States, and is quite able to accept the flow of Russian citizens wishing to visit the New World.
Second, a large number of professional travel companies operate in Baku, which tourism industry is booming, which can help Russian citizens to apply for a U.S. visa. Another important benefit is that Baku is a "Russian-speaking" city. The Russian language continues to be the language of instruction in public schools and universities of Azerbaijan, unlike in neighboring Georgia and Armenia. Thus, communication problems are absolutely ruled out. Since Azerbaijan is part of the CIS, Russian citizens can travel to it without visas.
Finally, after the devaluation of the Azerbaijani national currency in recent years, the cost of living in Baku is not too expensive for Russians, while the city's numerous attractions, rich national cuisine, beaches and, most importantly, friendly and hospitable people will make waiting for a visa a great entertainment.
