Visa for my son

[Lyuba 0]

I have dual citizenship (Russian and American) and I want to go to Russia to visit my family with my son who was born here and is an American citizen.

What would be the best way to get a visa for him? I don't want my mom to deal with OVIR in Moscow because it is hell to get an invitation issued. Is there any other way for us to go?

Thanks!!!!

[mox 298]

I have dual citizenship (Russian and American) and I want to go to Russia to visit my family with my son who was born here and is an American citizen.

What would be the best way to get a visa for him? I don't want my mom to deal with OVIR in Moscow because it is hell to get an invitation issued. Is there any other way for us to go?

Thanks!!!!

If your son has a US passport, just get a visa through one of the many visa issuing agencies. I've used Visa Express on 3 different occasions, never had a problem. They'll take care of the invitation and visa.

On a side note, I didn't think Russia recognized dual citizenship. How's that work?

Edited March 25, 2009 by mox

[gogal2020 0]

I have dual citizenship (Russian and American) and I want to go to Russia to visit my family with my son who was born here and is an American citizen.

What would be the best way to get a visa for him? I don't want my mom to deal with OVIR in Moscow because it is hell to get an invitation issued. Is there any other way for us to go?

Thanks!!!!

If your son has a US passport, just get a visa through one of the many visa issuing agencies. I've used Visa Express on 3 different occasions, never had a problem. They'll take care of the invitation and visa.

On a side note, I didn't think Russia recognized dual citizenship. How's that work?

He just needs to get a visa, as Mox was saying, from one of the agencies, they provide the invitation and registration when you arrive. Russia's policy on dual citizenship is they dont care if you are a citizen of any other country, as long as you didnt renounce your Russian citizenship, in their eyes, you are still a citizen of Russia. So you have to use your Russian passport to go to Russia.

[Lyuba 0]

Russia does recognize dual citizenship.

Thank you for your advice!!!!!

[John24689 0]

I don't know how long you intend to stay in Russia, but a Visitor Visa is only good for 30 days. Good luck.

[Satellite 1]

Your son is also eligible to receive Russian citizenship at a Russian consulate near you.

http://www.consulrussia.org/ru/citizen.html#2

If you do that, no visa will be needed for him.

Edited March 27, 2009 by Satellite

[mendeleev 68]

If you opt to get Russian citizenship for your son, he may not want to travel there when he is 18-27 years old, unless he wants to get drafted into the army! Something to think about.

[Lyuba 0]

That's exactly why I don't want him to become a Russian citizen. Russian army is scary.

[Satellite 1]

If you opt to get Russian citizenship for your son, he may not want to travel there when he is 18-27 years old, unless he wants to get drafted into the army! Something to think about.

I wouldn't be so pessimistic about this anymore as the Russian government is striving for an army of volunteers by 2010; considering that they have already implement a smaller mandatory term.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/wor.../army-intro.htm

But I can't seem to find a media source for this.

And I suppose you could surrender the citizenship at age 18 here in the US if nothing has changed in that time frame and depending on how many trips you make to Russia from 0 to 18, you might still come out ahead.

Edited March 29, 2009 by Satellite

[mox 298]

I'd heard this also--about the volunteer army by 2010 thing. The article cited mentions "70% volunteers by 2010," which, even if this is accurate, still means 30% conscription. The article also mentions that by 2008 the conscription term should be down to 1 year, but aren't they still at 2 years?

I attended a talk about 6 months ago, where one of the minor topics was on Russia's future military options. The gist that I got was that the Russians have seen how well a professional (non-conscript) military has worked for the US and our allies, and is very keen to emulate it. As the old Soviet-era hierarchy ages and retires, the new generation of Russian soldier understands that an army of bullied and mistreated conscripts who want nothing more than to just finish up and go home, is more of a liability than an asset. What's more, they're not (as) constrained by the old Soviet system, and more free to suggest and implement change. Like everything else in Russia, change is slow. I personally think 70% non-conscripts by 2010 is a pipe dream, but over the next 10 years is possible.

Very interesting article Sat, thanks for linking!

[slim 1,514]

There was a time when I was thinking, "what would I do for work in Russia if I were to live with my wife?" Long and short of it, I considered moving there and joining the military. I figured they'd have me do something like "foreign liason" or "intel-training officer" or something like that and I'd fast-track to citizenship if I served. But, after watching more than a few heads getting chopped off in Chechnya, I decided I'd better just stick to good ol' American manufacturing.

And the whole treason thing didn't exactly have me going either.

[K1researcher 0]

re: military service in Russia

Do you guys know someone who served in post soviet Russian military?

I do ... you wouldn't want to. My friend explained that Devyatnaya Rota looked like disneyland compared to actual service.

Now with Medvedevs new military spending the volunteer army idea might pay off. So wait a couple yeas slim ;-)

[mox 298]

I dunno...if you could somehow swing being an officer, it probably wouldn't be so bad. I think typical conditions would still be worse than what even our lowliest enlisted enjoy, but it would probably be tolerable for an officer. Especially if you were stationed at a big headquarters or school.

We have a military school here that teaches Russian. I have a Ukrainian friend who speaks perfect Russian and tutors on the side. But she refuses to take military students because she's worried that when she goes back to Ukraine and Ukraine becomes part of Russia again (she's convinced this will happen), that she could be found to be a traitor.

[slim 1,514]

Devyatnaya Rota looked like disneyland compared to actual service.

Pretty decent war flick.

I have a Ukrainian friend who speaks perfect Russian and tutors on the side. But she refuses to take military students because she's worried that when she goes back to Ukraine and Ukraine becomes part of Russia again (she's convinced this will happen), that she could be found to be a traitor.

Why would she go back when she could stay here and earn a great living as a tutor?

[mox 298]

Why would she go back when she could stay here and earn a great living as a tutor?

Tutoring doesn't even begin to pay the bills for her, not here in sunny/expensive Northern California. She could bring in a lot more if she took military students, but she won't do it.