visa application - do I need to set up an appointment in the NY consulate

I would err on the side of caution and make an appointment if you are only there a short time. If you are unsure, call the consulate to confirm their procedures.

Definitely call; I believe some consulates have limited hours for accepting visa applications.

You absolutely will need to arrange a separate appointment if you wish to go directly to the consulate on East 91 st , between Fifth and Madison Avenues . Assuming you have completed everything accurately , processing time is about six days . When ready , you would need to pick it up at the ILS office in the financial district . A better way for you would be - Prepare your application and associated materials and take them directly to the ILS office at 80 Maiden Lane in lower Manhattan . When the Visa is completed ( and attached to your passport ) they will return it to you in Boston by mail . Here are links to the consulate and ILS - http://newyork.mid.ru/web/newyork_en/main-page and http://ils-usa.com/ Let me know if you need more detail

It is good to go to a consulate. We did this and they were able to look over our application and tell us any changes we needed to make before we send our application off with the fees. Our final applications we approved quickly.

Thanks all for your replies, I'm going to go the ILS office rather than the consulate as per your suggestions. I would like to get a 3-year multiple-entry Tourist visa, can I really put that I'm going to enter on 23 April 2017 and exit on 22 April 2020? Medical insurance, how do I deal with that, I'm covered overseas by Blue Cross Blue Shield (paying out of pocket and then reimbursed). Seems like that's not sufficient. Do I need to get private insurance, anyone have a suggestion? Do I need to show I have enough for 3 years? Really appreciate the help!

I obtained my visas in May 2015 - On the application I listed the dates of my first stay ( Three weeks in St Petersburg , from the end of August to late September ) At the end of my visit , we departed for Helsinki . I did not list dates for a three year visa , but only applied for it ( Dates on Visa as follows - issue date 20.05.15 - dates of validity 31.08.15 - 30.08.18 ) You only need to indicate for stays on your first entrance , as well as a formal invitation , which you can easily obtain from your hotel , and the information about your valid health insurance at the time of application . If there is any question about the validity and/or applicabilty thereof , I would buy appropriate travel insurance ( I use Travelguard ) . both the invitation and health insurance will need to be entered on your original online application , which you will print out for submission at ILS . I am sending you a Private message as well .

I obtained my visas in May 2015 - On the application I listed the dates of my first stay ( Three weeks in St Petersburg , from the end of August to late September ) At the end of my visit , we departed for Helsinki . I did not list dates for a three year visa , but only applied for it ( Dates on Visa as follows - issue date 20.05.15 - dates of validity 31.08.15 - 30.08.18 ) You only need to indicate for stays on your first entrance , as well as a formal invitation , which you can easily obtain from your hotel , and the information about your valid health insurance at the time of application . If there is any question about the validity and/or applicabilty thereof , I would buy appropriate travel insurance ( I use Travelguard ) . both the invitation and health insurance will need to be entered on your original online application , which you will print out for submission at ILS . I am sending you a Private message as well .

Thank you Steven, extremely helpful. I bought a Travel guard health insurance policy and have made the date adjustments to my application. Really looking forward to the trip. You have made the visa application much easier!