Foreigners Visiting Russia Now Required to Submit Detailed Travel Plans

[Larry1]

Foreigners Visiting Russia Required to Submit Detailed Travel Plans

Foreigners planning to travel to Russia will have to provide detailed itineraries along with their visa applications as of Monday, according to the country's Association of Tour Operators.

Travelers will now be required to list all cities and towns they intend to visit in Russia, along with information about their Russian hosts or visa sponsors, the Interfax news agency reported Monday, citing the tour operators' association.

Tourists will also be required to submit the address of a migration service office where they intend to register as a visitor, the report said. The new rules were introduced by the Federal Migration Service and are mandatory for all visitors, regardless of their visa type.       

"This isn't great for the country's image among tourists," the tour association's deputy chief, Vladimir Kantorovich, was quoted as saying Friday by the Rossiiskaya Gazeta newspaper. "It is annoying when you have to answer too many questions on a form, and the wish to visit such countries disappears."

Additionally, many foreign tourists do not have a detailed itinerary prepared in advance and plan to modify their travel plans as they go along, Kantorovich said.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/foreigners-visiting-russia-required-to-submit-detailed-travel-plans/514880.html

[lmshima57]

When I went to St. Petersburg a few years ago, my visa application asked
where I was going to stay and where I would be until I left the country.
In addition, they asked for the address and phone number of where I
attended college 30 years prior and dates of military service.  Fortunately,
I only went to St. Petersburg and stayed at a single hotel.  The office at
the consulate in Washington was open 0900-1200 Monday through Friday.
The day I went to take my application, there were Secret Service agents
outside the consulate and they were not allowing anyone to enter the
building.  I think there was a dead body outside the consulate.  They do
allow agents to take care of the process for a fee and this may be the
easier route.  I think that St. Petersburg is a wonderful city, but I do not
plan to visit Russia due to the visa process in addition to the present
political climate.

[Larry1]

They do allow agents to take care of the process for a fee and this may be the
easier route.  I think that St. Petersburg is a wonderful city, but I do not
plan to visit Russia due to the visa process in addition to the present
political climate.

Using an agency is the best way to obtain a visa. Agency fees are modest and using one avoids the annoyance of doing it yourself. I've used Cinderella Travel in NYC to obtain all my Belarusian and Russian visas. I complete the applications as far as I can and Dasha fills in the remainder.

[mendeleyev]

This goes beyond the registration process in which one already has to register when visiting a new city or region. This is a weeding out process to deny permission to travel to those who might be desired about politically dangerous.

Welcome to the CCCP.2

[Anotherkiwi]

I'm not sure what all the fuss is about.  Except for stating which migrant registration office one intends to use, the items listed in Larry's original quoted release are exactly the same as I've had to comply with when requesting my visas to Russia in the past.

As far as the itinerary requirements are concerned, which I did query in detail, the Russian Embassy here told me to simply supply a list of the cities which I intended to visit, as well as the dates of arrival to, and departure from, Russia itself.  They weren't worried about a day by day timetable, nor about whether I kept exactly to the list or not, so long as I registered my visit where appropriate (which was done by the hotels I stayed in at the start of each trip).

I don't know what the service is like in the embassy and consulates in the US, but I have absolutely no complaints about the embassy here.  The staff were always very quick to answer any questions I had (so long as I rang them in their restricted office hours - 9 am to 9.05 am, on the third Thursday of each month with a "y" in it!  ).  Seriously, no problems here.

[The Natural]

This goes beyond the registration process in which one already has to register when visiting a new city or region. This is a weeding out process to deny permission to travel to those who might be desired about politically dangerous.

Welcome to the CCCP.2

Well, I can well understand if they want to have some sort of Control. I reckon Russia doesn't have the sort of digital Control that the western world have, particularly the US. How come we can go to the US without a visa IF we have these New digital Passports but if we have the old ones, like I do, we need a visa? Ha! It's the western delusion that we are sooooo free here and that in Russia they are so unfree.

It's no surprise they want to have some Control of westerners travelling around in Russia, With the hundreds of NGO's there, funded by western governments to try to set the stage for regime change, under the pretence of being all kinds of good Things, from pro-Democracy, womens rights, animal rights and whatever might serve the real agenda.

In my opinion it's about time the Russians face the facts and get serious about this. The west are not partners, they're the enemy. No more Mr. Nice Guy, they will eat Mother Russia alive if they don't come up With some countermeasures and I'm not talking about war here. What's this site for example; Russian Women Discussion ! Well, in the past it was. Now it's more like Russian Bashing Discussion. I really hope someone in Russian intelligence keeps an eye on all the hate here in the west, including RWD, and if not outright deny visa, at least monitor those from this site visiting Russia, those maybe 95% of all posters who post Russian hate Speech With their pro-neonazi- con Russian propaganda, which I have personally read Direct suggestions to commit terrorist attacks on Russia!

[Boethius]

Most NGO's have no desire to "change" Russia.


Please point to the "pro neo Nazi" posts here.


When entering the US as a foreigner, one has to have an address of where one is staying.  However, once in country, that can change, and US authorities don't care.  They don't track tourists.

[Larry1]

When entering the US as a foreigner, one has to have an address of where one is staying.  However, once in country, that can change, and US authorities don't care.  They don't track tourists.

That's correct. I knew two FSUW who entered the country on J1 visas and overstayed for several years.  No one tracked them or came to find them.

[Gator]

I really hope someone in Russian intelligence keeps an eye on all the hate here in the west, including RWD, and if not outright deny visa, at least monitor those from this site visiting Russia...

Don't worry, a good source told me this is Belvis's assignment. 

Gee, Natural, just because you look like Putin does not mean you need to act the same. 

[cc3]

This goes beyond the registration process in which one already has to register when visiting a new city or region. This is a weeding out process to deny permission to travel to those who might be desired about politically dangerous.

Welcome to the CCCP.2

+1000

[cc3]

Well, I can well understand if they want to have some sort of Control. I reckon Russia doesn't have the sort of digital Control that the western world have, particularly the US. How come we can go to the US without a visa IF we have these New digital Passports but if we have the old ones, like I do, we need a visa? Ha! It's the western delusion that we are sooooo free here and that in Russia they are so unfree.

It's no surprise they want to have some Control of westerners travelling around in Russia, With the hundreds of NGO's there, funded by western governments to try to set the stage for regime change, under the pretence of being all kinds of good Things, from pro-Democracy, womens rights, animal rights and whatever might serve the real agenda.

In my opinion it's about time the Russians face the facts and get serious about this. The west are not partners, they're the enemy. No more Mr. Nice Guy, they will eat Mother Russia alive if they don't come up With some countermeasures and I'm not talking about war here. What's this site for example; Russian Women Discussion ! Well, in the past it was. Now it's more like Russian Bashing Discussion. I really hope someone in Russian intelligence keeps an eye on all the hate here in the west, including RWD, and if not outright deny visa, at least monitor those from this site visiting Russia, those maybe 95% of all posters who post Russian hate Speech With their pro-neonazi- con Russian propaganda, which I have personally read Direct suggestions to commit terrorist attacks on Russia!

So, you are pro-FSB and pro-chekist: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheka

[jone]

That's correct. I knew two FSUW who entered the country on J1 visas and overstayed for several years.  No one tracked them or came to find them.

It is a dangerous thing to let a J1 Visa Entrant to run around with no supervision.  Especially if it is a red hot FSU woman.  Larry, the next time we find one that does this, we'll appoint you their personal chaperone.  Then you can escort them on their exploits. 

[Larry1]

It is a dangerous thing to let a J1 Visa Entrant to run around with no supervision.  Especially if it is a red hot FSU woman.  Larry, the next time we find one that does this, we'll appoint you their personal chaperone.  Then you can escort them on their exploits.

I think that is a good plan. Everyone, keep your eyes open and PM me so that I can introduce myself to her.

[The Natural]

Most NGO's have no desire to "change" Russia.


Please point to the "pro neo Nazi" posts here.

No use. Not even the real nazis will admit to their disgusting view of humanity, much as those on here that tow the illegal Kievan government line, in which there are neo-nazi elements as well as the usual oligarchs which represents the Mousollini definition of fascism, namely the merger of state and private interests. These posters and those many of you who support them are in my book symphatizers of neo-nazism and russophobia. I have not to this date seen ONE line by the pro-ukraine members here in comdemnation of the many nazi photos and videos emerging form western Ukraine. Not one!

When entering the US as a foreigner, one has to have an address of where one is staying.  However, once in country, that can change, and US authorities don't care.  They don't track tourists.

They don't track tourists around, no. But you'd be very naive if you think they don't know exactly where you are if you should ever become a target of them for whatever reason.
The west in general, and the US in particular, have all kinds of digital monitoring the Russians don't have, I suppose. Besides, the 16 US intelligence services don't have to worry too much as there is nothing to suggest that Russia is funding NGO's in the US working for regime change there, like the US does in Russia.

Don't worry, a good source told me this is Belvis's assignment. 

Gee, Natural, just because you look like Putin does not mean you need to act the same. 

Oh no, we don't act the same. Not at all. I'm afraid if I were in charge, we'd all be offline at this point. Vladimirovich on the other hand is a diplomat and calculating on behalf of the interests of Russia which is Natural. I'd wish the European politicians could act in the interest of their respective countries too, but they're not. For some reason most of them are Quislings and act in the interests of the neo-cons in Washington and we all see the mess both in Europe and in Russia, as a result. Meanwhile they're toasting With Champagne in Washington. For now......

[Boethius]

No use. Not even the real nazis will admit to their disgusting view of humanity, much as those on here that tow the illegal Kievan government line, in which there are neo-nazi elements as well as the usual oligarchs which represents the Mousollini definition of fascism, namely the merger of state and private interests. These posters and those many of you who support them are in my book symphatizers of neo-nazism and russophobia. I have not to this date seen ONE line by the pro-ukraine members here in comdemnation of the many nazi photos and videos emerging form western Ukraine. Not one!

The number of "nazis" in Ukraine is miniscule.  Most of those you brand neo Nazis are far from it.  The Ukrainian government is neither Nazi nor fascist.

They don't track tourists around, no. But you'd be very naive if you think they don't know exactly where you are if you should ever become a target of them for whatever reason.

If you become a target.  But, you don't have to register where you are going to be with the police, nor are your movements monitored.

The west in general, and the US in particular, have all kinds of digital monitoring the Russians don't have, I suppose.

What makes you think the Russians don't have that? 


Furthermore, unlike in Russia, Americans are not jailed for years on end for crimes such as protests.

Besides, the 16 US intelligence services don't have to worry too much as there is nothing to suggest that Russia is funding NGO's in the US working for regime change there, like the US does in Russia.

Please name all the US government controlled NGO's in Russia bent on world domination (or even US domination of the world).

Oh no, we don't act the same. Not at all. I'm afraid if I were in charge, we'd all be offline at this point. Vladimirovich on the other hand is a diplomat and calculating on behalf of the interests of Russia which is Natural.

So you don't respect individual thought?  As for Putin, he is no diplomat.

I'd wish the European politicians could act in the interest of their respective countries too, but they're not. For some reason most of them are Quislings and act in the interests of the neo-cons in Washington and we all see the mess both in Europe and in Russia, as a result. Meanwhile they're toasting With Champagne in Washington. For now......

That is simply untrue.  There are many areas where the EU and Americans disagree.  The fact they happen to agree on Russia should tell you something about what Russia is doing (i.e. - fomenting war in Ukraine).  Russia is as responsible for the deaths of those civilians on the bus in Donetsk and in Mariuopol as are the terrorists.

[jone]

Those of us who watched the 'Nazis' moving through the Maidan activities were rolling on the ground laughing. 

Natural, if you couldn't understand that dressing up in Nazi uniforms was a staged event of disinformation, you're farther along in your psychosis than previously diagnosed.  The Ukrainian government does not burn Jews at the stake.  It does not subscribe to Adolf Hitler's philosophies.  The current government has no territorial ambitions, except to keep the territory agreed by the US and Russian in the Budapest Memorandum.

I am a fully subscribed Russophille.  Have been for most of my life.  But I can love the Russian people and hate the fact that Russians and Russian equipment are killing Ukrainians.  That, to me, is an act of a Fascist government.  Moreover, the constant lawmaking reducing personal freedoms in Russia is also the act of a fascist state.  When a government has only one individual whom the entire country depends on to make a decision and make laws, that is the definition of a dictatorship. 

I am not enthralled with the Ukrainian government.  Having lived there for a summer, I have seen, first hand, the graft and corruption endemic to the society.  The simple fact that today the Rada voted to continue to allow Russian investors to dominate the media markets in Kyiv tells you that the government is far from unified.

Natural, next time you think you see Nazi photos originating from Western Ukraine - don't inhale.

[Chris59]

Greetings,

I am in the process of planning my next trip to Russia in May. I currently have a 3-year visa, which expires next year. The article states that you must submit your itinerary with your visa application. I already have a visa, so I won't be submitting an application. I've been to Russia 8 times since 2001, and once each of the last 3 years. I always rent an apartment whenever I travel to Russia, if that makes any difference.

Last year, I was in St. Petersburg, flew to Moscow, AND took a 5-day bus excursion through the Golden Ring cities with my girlfriend. I only registered my visa 1 time in St. Petersburg.

Is there any form or anything I'd need to fill out with the Russian immigration officials?  Otherwise, I'm just going to wing it, like I always have, and just register my visa when I get to Piter...

[Chicagoguy]

Chris - I too have an almost new unused 3 year Visa and since we are not applying for new ones now I assume we are good to go. This will be my 17th visit but I imagine when this visa is up it all will be coming to the end for me. I take all this as an unwelcome sign.

And for what it is worth I can now add Venezuela to my list.

[jone]

Greetings,

I am in the process of planning my next trip to Russia in May. I currently have a 3-year visa, which expires next year. The article states that you must submit your itinerary with your visa application. I already have a visa, so I won't be submitting an application. I've been to Russia 8 times since 2001, and once each of the last 3 years. I always rent an apartment whenever I travel to Russia, if that makes any difference.

Last year, I was in St. Petersburg, flew to Moscow, AND took a 5-day bus excursion through the Golden Ring cities with my girlfriend. I only registered my visa 1 time in St. Petersburg.

Is there any form or anything I'd need to fill out with the Russian immigration officials?  Otherwise, I'm just going to wing it, like I always have, and just register my visa when I get to Piter...

Chris,

Did you, by any chance, see Suzdal?  I love the Golden Ring, having spent much time there.  The enamels that are done in Vladimir are my favorite.  I have also spent much time in Ivanovo, known as the City of the Brides because of the textile mills there that sprang up during the Soviet empire.  Nizhny Novgorod and Yaroslavl are nice too.  I envy you your tour as those are my old stompin grounds.

Please, tell us your story.

[Chris59]

Jone,

I did not see Suzdal. We should have taken the 7-day tour, which would've included Suzdal. From a religious perspective, I was most impressed with Dineeva, Murom, & Sergeiv Posad, to name a few. From a town perspective, Yaroslav looked like a nice, livable town, but we didn't spend much time there.

My story started in 2001 with a curiosity trip to St. Petersburg, where I personally met a Russian lady whom I had been writing for several months. A subsequent trip revealed that she had changed, and I determined that we were not compatible, which led us to break-off that initial relationship.

Over the last 14 years, I've communicated with dozen's of women throughout the FSU, and have had close relationships with 3 FSU women. The latest gal is from Yekaterinburg, and I traveled there 3 years ago to meet her in her hometown. Oddly, she admitted that she had never been to St. Petersburg. So, I took her there 2 years ago. I had been to St. Petersburg about 4 times at that point, and I find it ironic that an American guy would play host and tour guide to a Russian lady, who had never been to St. Petersburg.

I'll leave it at, as the moderator might consider this a trip report. Thanks to you and Chicagoguy for reviewing my original question.

[AC]

The latest gal is from Yekaterinburg, and I traveled there 3 years ago to meet her in her hometown. Oddly, she admitted that she had never been to St. Petersburg. So, I took her there 2 years ago. I had been to St. Petersburg about 4 times at that point, and I find it ironic that an American guy would play host and tour guide to a Russian lady, who had never been to St. Petersburg.

I'll leave it at, as the moderator might consider this a trip report. Thanks to you and Chicagoguy for reviewing my original question.

I suspect the moderator might be doing cartwheels if you did a trip report.

[jone]

Updated my passport.  Now I am getting a new three year visa for Russia.  So I thought I'd dive in to see what has changed with the new rules.

I was advised that NOTHING has changed.  While the voice from the top says detailed travel plans, two visa agencies that I contacted said that these rules were never implemented.  So, I am having a visa company do all of the work for me and am submitting the usual drivel about tourism and Russia and will get my visa.  I will update if anything changes. 

Am anticipating a trip in early April.

[Noch1]

I have no plans to visit Russia in the near future, but it seems silly to me, to
complicate the process anymore than really needed.
People  coming to your country to visit and spend tourist dollars, should be welcomed, as long as no criminal record or issues, why make it such a pain.

[Chris59]

After reading several posts in this thread, I'd like to add a few comments:

1. I have already been to Russia 7 times. I have successfully obtained a Russian visa 5 times now. Hopefully, someone like me, with a history of compliance with Russian immigration, won't have any issues in the future. As Jone said, hopefully nothing has changed with the visa process.

2. For those of you that do not have a girlfriend, or someone that you are seriously corresponding with, why not consider Ukraine instead? No visa requirements, the women are almost identical to Russian women, and maybe, just maybe, they might have a more favorable attitude towards westerners. One gal I recently chatted with from Kiev asked, "Where are the UN troops"? She was quite upset about the current situation. OTOH, most Russian women I've chatted with recently do not seem to hold any vitriol towards western men. However, there were 2 that I met online, and 1 immediately told me "I hate USA" (ok, fascist, whatever), and the other said "We have Putin",...blah, blah, blah. Needless to say, I ended both conversations quickly. Not to mention that there is a lot of nationalistic attitude in Russia right now, that is not favorable to westerners. I will admit, the next time I go to Russia, I would hope that relations are better, otherwise I'm going to keep my trap shut in public.

[Boethius]

I would not recommend Ukraine currently.  Currently, life there is very difficult, and that leads to decisions that are made out of desperation.