Russian Visa Registration July 2011

[Jooky]

For those interested:
As of March of this year, you now have 7 business days to register your visa in Russia.
For those on business visas or not staying in a hotel, visa registration services are available via email. I've used Go To Russia for this, but other companies provide the same service. You can scan or take a snapshot of your migration card upon arrival, send it in an email, and receive your registration a few days later.
I haven't had any official check my registration at all this year, but I still recommend following correct legal procedures.
 

[Kunstkammer]

Why not just go to the post office or OVIR?

[dogspot]

Yeah, why would you want to send a simple email when you can go spend an hour in line at the post office?

[Chicagoguy]

I don't own a laptop and I did not have access to a computer with a scanner so it was not much trouble to go to OVIR when I was there this May. I don't like Go To Russia's fees and sometimes I am in a place where there are no services available. Upon leaving they couldn't have cared less about my registration. I was there a few times when I even forgot to register and nothing happened.

[Kunstkammer]

Yeah, why would you want to send a simple email when you can go spend an hour in line at the post office?

Before I had my registration stamped in my passport I don't think I ever spent anywhere near that long at the PO.  Maybe because I knew what PO to go to and the best time of day to avoid the line.

[chivo]

I think the point is why go at all if you don't have to. The process is easy and getting easier all the time.
 

Upon leaving they couldn't have cared less about my registration. I was there a few times when I even forgot to register and nothing happened.

You can always take the chance and not register. If caught you will probably have to pay only a couple hundred ruble fine, unless you're a frightened tourist and pay the politsia more or can talk your way out of a fine completely, which is possible BTW.
 
As far as not checking your registration when you leave the country, well it's not their job. Technically you should mail your registration back to the sponsor so you won't have it or need it when you leave.
 
 
 

[Faux Pas]

I don't own a laptop and I did not have access to a computer with a scanner so it was not much trouble to go to OVIR when I was there this May. I don't like Go To Russia's fees and sometimes I am in a place where there are no services available. Upon leaving they couldn't have cared less about my registration. I was there a few times when I even forgot to register and nothing happened.

AFAIK, registering can help you avoid a shakedown if the local  militsa check your documents. I have never been checked by the locals. The Russian customs upon leaving seem more annoyed with my registration document in my passport. I have been once and didn't register. On purpose, I just didn't take the time to do it. Nothing happened.


I too, have stood in line for over an hour to register. In Tomsk it was actually a 3 part process including making the copies and it took well over 2 hours to do. On later trips I learned how to avoid much of that and get registered in about 30 minutes. Still a pain for that. If they can ease up on that I'm happy as a clam

[Kunstkammer]

The Russian customs upon leaving seem more annoyed with my registration document in my passport.

Probably because you are supposed to turn it in before you leave, but regardless like Chivo said, those aren't the people that deal with registration.  Your sponsor can be fined if you don't return your registration, or if it was a private stay visa could have future application for private stay visas denied, but the likelihood of them even noticing is slim.  Though this is dependent on how busy the OVIR is.


I've had my documents checked often but usually during army levy time or at sporting events since I am a 'fan' and am among troublemakers.