<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by epi231:
Yes, but there are GOOD reasons for having a long application for a US visa while not really for a Russian versa. </font>
Have you ever tried to fill up a DS-158? Some of the questions they ask there are ridiculous.
And my pet peeve is the DS-157 box 9 where they ask you to list every country you have visited in the last 10 years, but don't allow you to attach an extra sheet. Yes, I know the form says you are SUPPOSED to be allowed an extra sheet, but they tend to give you a new form to fill from scratch and tell you to "write smaller".
Plus, various posts have documentary requirements more obscure than anything the Russians can throw at you. Ever had to dig up your mother's original birth certificate??? How about a copy of your brother's tax returns from 2 years ago??? No matter if you haven't spoken to him in 2 decades. And lets not even go into the inhuman treatment while waiting to meet a consular officer (is it really neccessary to take everyone's belt, tie and shoelaces away???). Plus, the fees are ridiculous (for a single entry US transit visa at the consulate in BOM, you will pay over US$200 including all fees).
For an American to criticize any other countries' visa regimes as excessive and/or unneccessary is truly the pot calling the kettle black.