Re-visiting Russia

[centurion 0]

My first trip I registered with the hotel which is no problem.

The second trip we stayed in an apartment. I took some bad advice and booked a hotel room for one night. The intent being to bribe the hotel clerk to register the visa for my entire stay. No success on that.

Thus we went to the OVIR. Olga filled out a form and they registered the visa no problem or payment.

This was in Bashkortistan.

Hopefully the process will be a smooth and easy when I travel there next month.

Though as was previously stated all areas of Russia are different.

[slim 1,514]

It is amazing the differences in everyone's experiences in Russia.

While I was there, I was never checked by anyone. On the way out from SVO, the guy checked my papers, but didn't look at them too hard. I remember thinking to myself "next time, I'm going to save my money and just not register." Especially since my next trip will be to the Far East where there is slim to no chance of registering at the hotels without getting hosed and the OVIR is "closed," or open, but the rate to register is another $50. I'll probably just play dumb at the airport if they ask.

Speaking Russian definately helps. If you don't speak it well (which I don't.... not enough to talk my way out of trouble or a $50 bribe with the militsa anyway) I've heard the best approach was to play dumb and say over and over in English... "I don't understand... I'm going to have to call the American Embassy." But, like I said, I was never stopped. I think maybe I was never checked because while there I tried to blend in with locals as much as possible. I hung out with a group whenever I was without my fiancee. A group of drunk twentysomethings will hardly ever raise an eyebrow from the cops. It seems that most cops only messed with "obvious" foreigners or people by themselves. Or, the older guy speaking English to the young beautiful girl. Just speaking English is enough. Take a long pull from your Baltika 6 and just say "AAAAAAAhhhhhh!" while briskly walking by them.

[Neonred 3,445]

I stayed in my girls apartment on my first visit and we tried to skirt the system. She had a friend that worked at the local Intourist hotel and I went and payed some money for her to register my visa and stamp my immigration slip. Unfortunately it was stamped for a 2 day stay but I was there for 2 weeks. I knew there might be trouble when her and her friends prompted me about what to say, a few days before we were to fly to Moscow from her home in Rostov-on-Don. Sure enough at the airport for the domestic flight when they checked my ticket and passport they pulled me aside and started with me. I just kept telling them I didn't understand, and that I stayed in the Intourist hotel 2 days then moved to another hotel and didn't bother to register. Fortunately my girl was helping me and asked me if I had $20 US. I gave her a $20 bill and she stepped into a room with the man and returned just a few minutes later. For $20 we were off the hook and even "escorted" the rest of the way through security! My girl was furious and told me he just wanted the bribe.

Of course I was very nervous in Moscow leaving the country and wondered what troubles I might have. NONE. They hardly even looked at my papers. From then on we registered at the OVIR and never had any trouble.

The only other time I was stopped was leaving Red Square because I was running my mouth in English. A policeman pulled me aside and wanted to see my documents. We had just arrived and the hotel had my passport for registering so I only had to show my hotel card and that was sufficient. He let me continue and no bribe was necessary. I did see many young men being stopped by police in the Metro following the rash of Metro bombings.

[Nick'n'Nat 0]

Getting a homestay visa may take a very long time, mine took 3 months and then forever to reach me by mail, had to scramble to get a tourist visa instead and then getting the OVIR to register it required a letter from the tourist company to the OVIR office stating I had changed plans and was going to stay with friends, it also required a good friend to someone in the office helping us out. Russian tourism is down like 10 percent this year, if they would use a friendlier approach to people in regards to visas it would certainly help. Anyway its easier to stay in Moscow and use an internet visa provider who has an office in Moscow, thats a slam dunk.

[teukros 0]

Holy Smoke! I'm glad I didn't try to get a homestay visa last fall when I was planning my first trip!

I had been thinking I would just go back on a tourist visa and stay with my fiancee for about 8 days (not at a hotel), and if a 1000 ruble fine is the worst that can happen, well that is less than one night in a hotel. But reading this thread just now I was reminded about having to go through passport control in Moscow so now I am wondering if I should take the time to (try to) register at the Almetyevsk OVIR (on my tourist visa).

[russ 1]

I was reminded about having to go through passport control in Moscow so now I am wondering if I should take the time to (try to) register at the Almetyevsk OVIR (on my tourist visa).

For the amount of time and effort involved in even trying to register a tourist visa, I wouldn't even bother. You (at a miniumum) still end up paying some type of fine, plus wasting a day with OVIR. If you think US GOVT offices are depressing, you will be shocked. The exception to this advice is if you are in a hotel anyway - let them register your visa there. You can legally get away with 3 day "gaps" in registration if you claim you were travelling. Not sure how much I would push this, but in theory, as long as you change cities every three days you are ok. Someone looking for a bribe won't see it this way.

On the practical side, I have not heard of anyone having a problem bigger than the 1000 rbl fine for unregistered visa. I don't know of anyone being denied exit from Russia because of this. It doesn't seem to be a major offense.

(Visa overstay is a big deal - don't consider it).

DISCLAIMER: These are my opinions, but know what you are doing before following my advice. My advice includes breaking Russian laws, which is sadly a fact of life in some cases. Don't blame me if you are arrested/deport/sent to the gulag.

[Neonred 3,445]

I was reminded about having to go through passport control in Moscow so now I am wondering if I should take the time to (try to) register at the Almetyevsk OVIR (on my tourist visa).

For the amount of time and effort involved in even trying to register a tourist visa, I wouldn't even bother. You (at a miniumum) still end up paying some type of fine, plus wasting a day with OVIR. If you think US GOVT offices are depressing, you will be shocked. The exception to this advice is if you are in a hotel anyway - let them register your visa there. You can legally get away with 3 day "gaps" in registration if you claim you were travelling. Not sure how much I would push this, but in theory, as long as you change cities every three days you are ok. Someone looking for a bribe won't see it this way.

On the practical side, I have not heard of anyone having a problem bigger than the 1000 rbl fine for unregistered visa. I don't know of anyone being denied exit from Russia because of this. It doesn't seem to be a major offense.

(Visa overstay is a big deal - don't consider it).

DISCLAIMER: These are my opinions, but know what you are doing before following my advice. My advice includes breaking Russian laws, which is sadly a fact of life in some cases. Don't blame me if you are arrested/deport/sent to the gulag.

I sure worry about not registering and thinking you will just "pay the fine" and everything will be OK. That puts you at their mercy and you never know... I seem to recall one guy telling me it cost him $100.

I have not had a problem registering my visa at the OVIR, but we did check in advance and made a contact at the office so we had a persons name and they were expecting us. Payed the small fee at the bank and brought the receipt and were in and out in less than half an hour. Not sure what one would expect if they just showed up at the OVIR.

[russ 1]

I seem to recall one guy telling me it cost him $100.

Does anyone know of anything worse than this happening?

[Neonred 3,445]

I seem to recall one guy telling me it cost him $100.

Does anyone know of anything worse than this happening?

The guy at the airport that got my $20 told my girl that I could be banned from returning to Russia, but I really believe it was just a scare tactic to get some money. I have never heard of anything worse than the $100 fine.

[teukros 0]

sent to the gulag.

I sure worry about not registering and thinking you will just "pay the fine" and everything will be OK. That puts you at their mercy and you never know... I seem to recall one guy telling me it cost him $100.

I have not had a problem registering my visa at the OVIR, but we did check in advance and made a contact at the office so we had a persons name and they were expecting us. Payed the small fee at the bank and brought the receipt and were in and out in less than half an hour. Not sure what one would expect if they just showed up at the OVIR.

Hmm, well if a 100 dollar fine is the worst thing that can happen that is still less than the cost of staying in a Kazan hotel for two or more nights... way less than staying for five nights or so.

What is the bank fee you mention?

I'll ask Diana if she knows anyone who knows anyone in the OVIR to see if she can arrange something ahead of time.

[Neonred 3,445]

I think the bank charge was 25 rubles although one time we did not even have to have that receipt.

Of course if you plan on just "paying a fine" on your way out of the country and you get stopped at the airport they can really screw things up if they pull you aside and keep you for a while. Just long enough for you to miss your flight.

Edited March 12, 2006 by Neonred

[Satellite 1]

I have not had a problem registering my visa at the OVIR, but we did check in advance and made a contact at the office so we had a persons name and they were expecting us. Payed the small fee at the bank and brought the receipt and were in and out in less than half an hour. Not sure what one would expect if they just showed up at the OVIR.

I am in the same boat as you here. Twice my fiancee ordered the private invitation without any troubles paying half of what it costs for a tourist visa. I received the invitation with no problems in 2003 and 2004. Similarily we registered at the OVIR in less than 1/2 an hour + 1/4 hour at the bank with the 25 ruble fee. No fines or bribes. All legal. No hotel tricks and the like. Nobody was even expecting us at the OVIR and we didn't know anyone there. My fiancee simply called and asked what time they do visa registrations and we showed up accordingly.

I guess some people just have more trouble than others.

[workin4somethin 0]

My first 4 visas to Russia were all tourist visas. On my fourth trip, although I properly registered my visa in Moscow, I traveled to areas of Russia where my official invitation and visa ‘did not’ specifically authorized me to travel. I was stopped by local police and fined 3 different times for not having a visa or invitation specific to my place of travel. The total of the 3 fines was 3800 rubles.

I have never been asked for my visa (passport) by authorities in Moscow or St. Petersburg, except when arriving and departing the airport or stepping on a train.

You should be able to acquire a tourist visa from a visa-related business in Moscow, and list Almetyevsk as one of your cities to visit. You have 72 hours (not counting the weekend) to register your visa after your arrival. You could arrive in Russia, go to Almetyevsk, get your fiancé, and then go to Moscow for some days and to register your visa.

I have traveled in Russia with a business visa during my last 3 visits. I acquired the invitation and received a 1-year multi-entry within a period of 3 or 4 weeks.

The business visa costs a little more to acquire, originally, but you can make up the difference in cost with multiple entries.

You are supposed to carry proof of a recent (within 6 months) HIV blood test -- I went to the nearest AIDS clinic and had it done for free. I simply carry the test results with me while in Russia.

You must register the business visa a second time once 6 months has passed from the date it was originally registered.

I do not know if the option of using a business visa is available to you in Almetyevsk - that is - receiving the invitation and registering it there. You may want to contact some of the visa-related businesses that are there and ask them about it.

It seems to me that you could use the same company I use in Moscow. They sent my invitation and registered the visa. It took 5 days for the actual registration, but I was given a receipt to use in place of my visa while my visa was in the process of being registered. You could list Moscow, Almetyevsk and a third vicinity as the areas you will be visiting. Although you are legally allowed to list 6 or 7 places, this particular business limited me to 3.

The company I use: http://www.visatorussia.com

I certainly wish you the best.

[teukros 0]

The company I use: http://www.visatorussia.com

I used this company for my first tourist visa and will probably use them again. They seemed pretty good.

I'll be there for a little over a week, maybe a week and a half... A one stop flight from JFK to Kazan. We'll stay in a Kazan hotel on the first and last nights and I was considering registering at the cheapest, seediest hotel in Almetyevsk for a day or three in the middle of that period (the hotels in Almetyevsk are either very bad and full of prostitutes, or very expensive and full of oilmen).

[Neonred 3,445]

I have used www.russia-visa.com and they have been very good. All my information is in their files so all I need to do is type in my passport number and name and pay. I send them my passport and they keep me informed with e-mails when they receive it, when it goes to the embassy and when it will be returned to me. They also have affiliates in Moscow and St Petersburg that can register your passport.