Russian Visa Overstay

[Terry&Tigger 4]

When my fiance (USC) visited me in Russia in February, he somehow overlooked the fact that his visa was valid till Feb,23 and bought a return ticket for Feb 24th. When he was leaving Moscow, the customs officers were so nice as to charge him $20 and glue a one-day extension or however it is called visa sticker into his passport.

So, here comes the question - will this unintentional overstay result in his ineligibility for further visas to Russia? I mean, he was not deported... Will he have to go to an interview in a Russian Consulate in person to explain the situation?

If anyone has experienced this kind of problem before, please share.

[ScratchIt 12]

My answer is only my opinion as I have no personal experience with this issue. Here goes... $20.00 and they gave him what amounts to an extension, sounds like it is a done deal. Wish it was that easy here. Keep the "visa extension" as proof. If you want a better answer, that would have to come from the immigration/customs/border dudes on your end or if someone here has actually been thru this situation. My personal experience is that most small issues like this can be "fixed" quickly and reasonably cheaply. My friend Yuriy put it best when he explained my perception of corruption was based on my being a USC. He went on to explain that the poorly paid police need to put food on their table. It is a way of life and generally accepted by all. Completely changed my outlook on actions that would bring to bear the stiffest penalties here in the USA. He paid $20.00 and got a fancy sticker for his visa with stamps and signatures and all the trimmings, IMHO, problem solved.

[Neonred 3,446]

I had a some what similar problem on my first visit to Russia where my visa was not registered. Leaving my girls city headed for Moscow I was stopped at airport security and threatened and told I would never be allowed to return to Russia, however for $20 they could fix everything. I paid and never had a problem. I have made 8 more trips to Russia since that time.

[ScratchIt 12]

$20 bucks seems to make a pretty good band-aid over there!

[SMR 368]

When my fiance (USC) visited me in Russia in February, he somehow overlooked the fact that his visa was valid till Feb,23 and bought a return ticket for Feb 24th. When he was leaving Moscow, the customs officers were so nice as to charge him $20 and glue a one-day extension or however it is called visa sticker into his passport.

So, here comes the question - will this unintentional overstay result in his ineligibility for further visas to Russia? I mean, he was not deported... Will he have to go to an interview in a Russian Consulate in person to explain the situation?

If anyone has experienced this kind of problem before, please share.

I haven't had a problem like this but even if I had it wouldn't really let me say for sure. The actual law changes frequently in Russia and the implementation even more. But all things considered, I wouldn't lose sleep over this. When applying for the next visa, just remember that he got an extension which means he didn't have an overstay. You won't need to flag anything on the application and so he'll probably never have a problem.

[slim 1,514]

Visas to Russia by US citizens aren't granted based on legality - they're granted based on money. That's why we pay $200+ to a company and they handle it. It's also why we can pay $20 on the way out and it's also handled.

Additionally, if I remember correctly, it's not like they kept any of our info in a database. They kind of looked at it, gave it a good once over, and then said, nothing, just kind of grunted and moved to the next person.

It's Russia. Don't sweat it.

[Used to be broken 143]

My husband is from Belarus and flew through Moscow with expired passport.

At the Moscow Airport my hubby was charged exactly the amount of money that he had in his pants pockets which he had been directed to place on the table. He had to concoct and sign a "confession" which they would read and tear up and make him write another one for a couple of hours. They did call his consulate and they had to come down there.

Never really sure if he got "deported" because they didn't do any other paperwork than the "confession". My take, they just need an excuse to shake you down, and like previous poster said they just want some cash.

Traver Tip for Moscow Airport... regardless of your docs in order or not ...don't carry too much cash on your person in case you get fined for something.