Visas and Immigration
From Moscowiki
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Traveling to, through, or residing in the Russian Federation is bound by strict and sometimes complex rules.
To enter the Russian Federation as a non-resident foreigner, you need a valid passport and a visa. Visas are issued through Russian Embassies and Consulates around the world. In all cases, there must be a Russian sponsor for the visit, whether a business contact, relative, spouse, travel agency or hotel. Work permits and residency permits can be obtained by those who stay in the Russian Federation for a longer period, for work or personal reasons.
Every visitor staying for more than three working days is required to register at the local authorities.
On January 15, 2007, new visa and registration rules were put into effect, aimed to combat illegal immigration. Four months later, the Russian Federation and the European Union signed a treaty that should make the visa process "simpler, easier and cheaper", eventually aiming at a visa-free traveling regime between the both, however adding complexity for many in the short run.
[edit] Requesting a visa
[edit] Sponsors
Visits to the Russian Federation always need a Russian 'sponsor'. For tourists, this can be a travel organisation or a hotel. For business travellers, this is a company. For private visitors, this is a relation (e.g. spouse, friend, family). Without a sponsor, requesting a visa is pointless.
[edit] Tourist visas
[edit] Types and validity
Tourist visas are valid for a maximum of 30 days and are always 'single entry', meaning that entrance to the Russian Federation is admitted once for a visa.
[edit] Requirements for application
An original passport with at least 2 blank visa-designated pages. The passport must be valid up to three months after the expiry date of your visa.
A filled in and signed Russian visa application form. These forms can be often downloaded from Russian consulates' websites, and are available at the consulates. Take a pen with you!
One passport-size recent photo signed on the back.
If you are part of a tourist group or arranged an invitation from a Russian tourist company: A letter (of Invitation)from a tourist company or travel agency confirming itinerary and including a copy of the confirmation from an authorized Russian tourist company which shows the reference number and confirmation number for the visa.
For individual travelers - a confirmation of hotel reservations from an authorized Russian tourist company or travel agency, showing reference number. Be ready, however, to be asked for a proof of payment and Letter of Invitation of an authorized Russian tourist company. If you book at a hotel individually, check beforehand if they provide full visa support.
[edit] Registration
The travel agency that has invited you is responsible for registering you. It is a normal practice that hotels register their guests upon arrival. If they take in your passport for this purpose, be sure to have a copy of your passport and visa with you.
[edit] Guest (or, Private) visas
[edit] Types and validity
Guest visas are valid for a maximum of 90 days and are always 'single entry', meaning that entrance to the Russian Federation is admitted once for a visa.
[edit] Requirements for application
An original passport with at least 2 blank visa-designated pages. The passport must be valid up to three months after the expiry date of your visa.
A filled in and signed Russian visa application form. These forms can be often downloaded from Russian consulates' websites, and are available at the consulates. Take a pen with you!
One passport-size recent photo signed on the back.
An original invitation (Izveshenie-Извещение)from your host. Your host will have to obtain this invitation at the local branch of the Ministry of Foreign affairs.
[edit] Registration
The person that has invited you is responsible for registering you. All people registered at the same address as your host will have to sign that they agree with your staying.
[edit] Business visas
[edit] Types and validity
Business visas can be: - Single entry (90 days) - Double entry (90 days) - Multiple entry (1 year) The Multiple Entry Business visa has been popular with both frequent business travellers and those who have a Russian partner and are in Russia for private reasons.
[edit] Requirements for application
An original passport with at least 2 blank visa-designated pages. The passport must be valid up to three months after the expiry date of your visa.
A filled in and signed Russian visa application form. These forms can be often downloaded from Russian consulates' websites, and are available at the consulates. Take a pen with you!
One passport-size recent photo signed on the back.
For a stay exceeding 3 months or multiple-entry visa an HIV test is required.
A formal invitation from an appropriate Russian organization designating the purpose of your trip to Russia on business. This invitation is provided by your inviting company to the embassy where you apply for the visa by telex.
[edit] Registration
The company that has invited you is responsible for registering you. The way registration is done depends on where you stay: - If you are staying in a hotel, the hotel will normally take care of it - If you are staying in a rented apartment, registration has to be done in co-operation with the landlord, similarly to the Guest visa registration process. - Some companies register their foreign employees at the office address by default.
[edit] Entering Russia
Always carry a pen with you!
If you are carrying a non-Russian passport, you need to fill in a Migration Card. These cards are available at passport control. If you are travelling by airplane, you are likely to get one handed in-flight. In a train, these cards are handed out as well. At passport control, you need to hand over your passport and the migration card (both sides filled in and signed). One half of the migration card will remain with the passport control officer, the other half will be returned to you. Make sure you carry this half of the migration card always with your passport. It needs to be returned upon leaving the Russian Federation.
In the past, migration cards were used as a proof of registration. Your host would get it signed and stamped. Now the rules have changed, the role of the migration card is unclear.
[edit] Registering at the local authorities
When not supported by a travel agency or an inviting company, you or your host has to do the registration. One of the biggest improvements of the new immigration law of January 15, 2007, is that it can be done through the post office. However, this has to be the post office in the area where your host is registered. If this is in another area than where you are actually living, it may be faster, quicker and cheaper to go directly to your local branch of the Federal Migration Service (FMS). Their addresses can be found at: http://www.fmsmoscow.ru/otdelenija.html
In order to go well prepared to either the post office or the local FMS office, make sure you have the following documents ready: 2 copies of your passport & visa 2 copies of your host's passport 2 signed copies of a filled in registration form If you go to the post office, make sure that you have the address of your closest FMS branch with you. This will be filled in at the post office on another form (and a copy).
If you go to the FMS office by yourself, you will get the registration immediately (after spending some time queueing). In case of the post office route, the registration will be sent to the address on which you are registered within a few days.
