"Grace period" for foreigners in Russia extended from three to seven days

[TwoBitBandit]

I've been reading some sources on the internet that say that on March 25th, 2011, a new law about registration for foreigners came into effect.  The law, #42 FZ entitled “Making amendments to the law on “Registration of foreign citizens and stateless people in the Russian Federation” appears to extend the time a foreigner has to register from three to seven days.

The new law eases registration rules by extending the period that foreigners can be in the country without notifying the authorities from three to seven working days. It also ends a Feb. 15 requirement that landlords register foreign tenants at their factual addresses, reinstating instead the previous rule of registering at the employer's address.

Registration period: the registration period of foreign citizens and stateless people to the migration services is now 7 working days from the entry day into the Russian Federation. Foreign citizens and stateless people being in Russia for less than 7 days don’t have to be registered. Highly qualified specialists and members of their family keep the right to stay in Russia 90 days without registration. However, at the end of this period they have to register within 7 days.

From http://megaconsult.travel/eng/news_eng/federal-law-n-42-fz%2C-which-amends-the-law-on-migration-registration-of-foreign-nationals-and-certain-legislative-acts-of-the-russian-federation-is-signed-by-the-president.html
From 3 to 7 days increased the period during which temporarily residing (located) in Russia, a foreigner is obliged to register at the place of residence. Similarly, the modified deadline host to immigration authorities announcing the arrival of such a person, place of residence. These amendments relate to well qualified professionals and their families. From 3 to 7 days increased the permissible length of stay of foreigners in Russia without registration.

If it's true, then something that is always a tremendous pain in the ass is now slightly less of a pain in the ass.

[Aloe]

My hubby was in Russia 3 times longer than 7 days, first 2 times with registration and last time without, all 3 times he said nobody checked it at the border. I'm not promoting to break the rules, but just saying, if you wanna be adventurous you could probably forgo it altogether   Or just stick it in your pocket and count how many times they actually ask for it, just for the sake of it 

[Gator]

My hubby was in Russia 3 times longer than 7 days, first 2 times with registration and last time without, all 3 times he said nobody checked it at the border. I'm not promoting to break the rules, but just saying, if you wanna be adventurous you could probably forgo it altogether   Or just stick it in your pocket and count how many times they actually ask for it, just for the sake of it 

"The Times they are a changing" - Bob Dylan

When I did not register, I was interrogated at Passport Control by three men representing the military, the KGB and the Soviet foreign department.  However, that was 1988, when the shoes sold at Gum on Red Square were plastic, hordes of people lined up outside the TV store to watch TV thru the windows, and the exchange rate for the rouble was 1 P = $1.50.  The interrogation left an indelible impression such that if I attempted what your hubby did I would be sweating like a stuck pig.

More details of my episode:

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=6830.msg124263#msg124263

[wicheese]

My hubby was in Russia 3 times longer than 7 days, first 2 times with registration and last time without, all 3 times he said nobody checked it at the border. I'm not promoting to break the rules, but just saying, if you wanna be adventurous you could probably forgo it altogether   Or just stick it in your pocket and count how many times they actually ask for it, just for the sake of it 

I would highly recommend against not registering as its true most times I have never been bothered and neither will you.  But, I was once pulled out of the security line in Rostov sat in a back room until an appropriate number was reached to resolve the differences due to not having the registration form (I was there over New Years so it had been less than 3 working days and just received a stamp at the hotel and not the typical form which they played dumb to, plus they knew the departure time of my flight and as the clock ticked I lost leverage and a few thousand pyb).  That was at the beginning of 2008 and later that spring I heard of a man who was hit up for 5,000 pyb at SVO who was not registered.  So you can take your chances, but make sure you are a good negotiator first  .   

One of the changes of the law is that the police will not be able to stop you and check registration, instead a mandatory check will be made of you at the passport control on the way out and if you do not have the proper forms (original, not a copy) then the fines start at 2,000 pyb.  Supposedly, this is to end the abuse such as I endured, but with Russia being Russia, I'll not expect too much different.

Related to the new law, I'll be in Russia from April 30th to May 10th, which is only 4 working days, so I'll test the letter of the law and not bother getting registered as it's usually a pain when stay with friends.