Round trip airfare needed?

[Bluestraveler49 2]

I am going to visit my wife in the Russian Federation, to stay with her family and attend her interview in Moscow. I have applied for a private multi entry visa, is there a requirement to have a return ticket upon entering the country, as with some others (ROK comes to mind) or is a one way ticket acceptable for entry?

[implife 318]

I have never been asked for a return ticket at Russian passport control. They just look at a visa. Do  you speak Russian by any chance? You'll have to explain who you're visiting.

From the practical stand point, it's always a good idea to have a return ticket. How long do you plan on staying?

Edited May 14, 2019 by implife

[Bluestraveler49 2]

11 minutes ago, implife said:

I have never been asked for a return ticket at Russian passport control. They just look at a visa. Do  you speak Russian by any chance? You'll have to explain who you're visiting.

I would think that my invitation letter should be enough to explain the reason for visiting. Are you saying that even in a large city with an international airport, passport control has no billingual persons? I plan on staying several months, our interview will be in December if all goes to plan.

Edited May 14, 2019 by Bluestraveler49

[implife 318]

8 minutes ago, Bluestraveler49 said:

I would think that my invitation letter should be enough to explain the reason for visiting. Are you saying that even in a large city with an international airport, passport control has no billingual persons? I plan on staying several months, our interview will be in December if all goes to plan.

No, I'm just asking if you speak Russian. 🙂

I don't know how non-Russian speakers are interviewed by passport control. It's not a friendly affair.

Make sure you don't exceed the limit of stay permitted by visa (most likely, 90 days). The department of state paints a bleak picture of mother Russia, and for good reasons. 

[Nigelblk 2]

I’ve been to Russia multiple times on a one way flight without being sure when I would return. Generally, customs don’t really ask any questions especially on a 3 year multi-entry visa. 

[Helena_Siberia 26]

5 hours ago, Bluestraveler49 said:

I am going to visit my wife in the Russian Federation, to stay with her family and attend her interview in Moscow. I have applied for a private multi entry visa, is there a requirement to have a return ticket upon entering the country, as with some others (ROK comes to mind) or is a one way ticket acceptable for entry?

My fiance visited me in Russia (Moscow and Novosibirsk ports of entry) 5 times and he has never been asked for a return ticket

[millefleur 5,038]

Been to Russia countless times, lived in Russia for 5 years...USC here. Never had any issues whatsoever at the border in airports and was never asked to show a return ticket. I currently have a 3 year private multi-entry visa.

 

It's usually very straightforward....the border agents have so-so English on average and will most likely only ask very pedestrian questions such as "Why are you visiting Russia?" "How long will you stay?" and nothing more. The only reason I've ever heard of a USC being grilled at the airport was if they were suspicious for political reasons and probably flagged upon entry....this is VERY RARE. The overwhelming majority of USC's enter and exit Russia with zero issues.

 

5 hours ago, Bluestraveler49 said:

I plan on staying several months, our interview will be in December if all goes to plan.

This is totally fine. Your 3 year multi-entry visa will allow you to stay for up to 6 months at a time. Just DO NOT lose your migration card (I knew a British guy who was banned from Russia upon exit merely because he lost that little piece of paper!) and be sure to register your visa once inside Russia.

 

Edited May 14, 2019 by millefleur

[RS77 5]

You don't have to have a return ticket, in most cases from USA at least a round trip ticket is cheaper than a one way ticket though.  I don't speak any Russian and at entry they just stamp you through or they say "tourist" in english and you node your head.

[Bluestraveler49 2]

1 hour ago, RS77 said:

You don't have to have a return ticket, in most cases from USA at least a round trip ticket is cheaper than a one way ticket though.  I don't speak any Russian and at entry they just stamp you through or they say "tourist" in english and you node your head.

Sounds easy enough. I can speak a few words that were picked up from my wife and online. Not nearly enough to hold a conversation with an unassuming customs officer.

[millefleur 5,038]

4 hours ago, RS77 said:

You don't have to have a return ticket, in most cases from USA at least a round trip ticket is cheaper than a one way ticket though.  I don't speak any Russian and at entry they just stamp you through or they say "tourist" in english and you node your head.

That sounds about right. Airport entry into Russia is by far the easiest. Going via train, boat or bus is when you tend to get more questions.

[Shiran 1,134]

On 5/29/2019 at 6:52 AM, RS77 said:

they say "tourist" in english

I suspect they actually might be saying tourist (турист) in Russian actually  

[millefleur 5,038]

33 minutes ago, Shiran said:

I suspect they actually might be saying tourist (турист) in Russian actually  

Probably, lol.