Even though I am semi retired from flyer talk, I thought I'd post something I noticed yesterday at the NYC consulate.

Saw a sign that the NYC consulate will no longer be processing visa applications at the consulate - this is being "outsourced", to another agency that operates at 80 Maiden Lane (downtown). Did not get the name. There is a $30 fee for this, in addition to the usual fees. Starting after the spring holidays, May 2012.

Sign was only in english. I guess if you can read cyrillic that you don't need to know. LOL.

Hopefully this will alleviate the chaos that people who apply in person have to endure. This I think is unique to NYC, I've been to the Embassy in Washington, its much more pleasant.

This does not affect Russian citizen services (passport/pensions, etc)

My visa is good though next year...so I won't be affected by this. Hopefully the new visa agreement will be in effect by then.