Consulate General of the Russian Federation in New York — Attraction in New York

V E R Y P O O R S E R V I C E !!!!!!

I only went there three times in the past 15 years, it got a tiny bit better but it's still a representation of Mother Russia at its WORST.

Their website is crippled, try locating their email address on their contact page... That's correct, it's not there, it's on a totally different page, took me an hour to find it Their contact phone is not in service, do not even bother calling, I've tried for three days straight for hours and hours, it's always busy and once you actually get through it just keeps ringing until it disconnects you (no voice mail either). For reference, if you have a question, call Washington Consulate of RF, they pick up their phone right away Staff is RUDE beyond belief. Perfect example is the cashier lady who sits in the first window. Phrases like... "do I look like I work in a bank to you"... as a reply to a customer was the nicest thing she said to customers in an hour I waited on line in front of the window. I asked her if there was another phone number for contact that someone actually picks up to which she said ... "you are not the only one who cals us, millions of people call us every day". The cashier lady is so full of hatred it's hard not to notice, every phrase that came out of her mouth was to offend a customer in front of her. The door / security guard barely speaks English and when an american guy was asking him some questions about fees for visas (he wanted to go to Sochi olympics with his young son), all the guard was replying with was ... call the embassy on the phone or come tomorrow (see above about the dead phone line). Poor guy kept asking if he could come in and talk to someone in person and even though the website stated that the consulate was open until 5.30pm and it was only 4pm, he kept saying that it was already closed for the day. Another thing you'll notice right away, none of the staff ever smile. One sincere smile goes a long way. God Bless America, Russia is doomed with people who represent it overseas, these folks all need to be sent back home for...

Very efficient and good experience if you followed the instructions on the website. I made the appointment online. You are allowed to enter the building 10 mins before your appointment. Arrive earlier and you will just have to wait outside. They do not accept walk ins. If you didn’t make an appointment you will be directed to the Russian VFS.

Some people showed the door man their printed email with their appointment time. I just showed him the email on my iPhone. That was acceptable. The door man was stern faced but pleasant. Once inside there are free lockers to stow your items. You’re permitted to bring in your smaller totes, back packs, and purses but I chose to leave my small back pack in the locker. You are not permitted to bring your cell phone in so I left it in the locker. I received a number and didn’t have to wait too long, maybe 20-25 minutes.

There is an electronic board mounted on the wall to indicate who is next and which window you should report to. The person in front of me didn’t know you needed to pay by money order made out to the Russian Consulate. Fear not because there’s a CitiBank right outside. The official who helped us was quick once he arrived and easy to work with. Dropped off my application, necessary documents and passport then went back home! We are supposed to pick up our passports at the Russian VFS. Hope that experience is as smooth as nice as this one! Thank you...

Only one star people they need to get new workers because all the people that work there are really rude and don't really help. They answer the phones once at 100 times you try to call. When you make your appointment to come in and do your passport you get a email about bringing money order but they don't remind you about bringing envelope to send it back to you. When I came to do my passport in the Russian embassy The first thing I see is two ladies sitting in the chairs and just chatting not doing the work when the phone was ringing. I forgot my envelope and they make me go to Post offices and get it in envelope it was ridiculous . It was 20 minutes before they close so I had to run to the post office. This should make a rule is to provide envelopes. I'm not saying you have to pay out of your pocket just make money order separately like $10 per envelope. Oh do some kind of payment system like give you $10 cash so you can get a envelope and send back to me my paperwork. If people forget. Other thing we had to stand outside It was so cold waiting for an appointment. My appointment was 3 PM in the mail they said come five minutes early. We did but we still had to wait another 25 minutes to get inside. And when they talk to you they need to speak up because you barely can understand one lady that works there that she's the older one. I couldn't understand what she was saying half...