TG-this is correct!!!
As of November first last year it became illegal for hotels to register you unless you are actually staying at the hotel. However as in all things Russian there are a couple of local hotels that we have worked with in the past that have found a way around the law & still regiter our clients even though they are staying in our flats & not the hotel. It has made the registration process a little more costly but if you have ever experienced the day long line-up at the OVIR to register, you would gladly pay the few extra roubles to get the hotel to do it in 20 minutes.
I'm in a state of confusion over this myself as I really don't understand the logic of the Russian government. I mean like is their any logic. They want the tourist & buisness people to come here but they continually make the process harder & harder. Like for Christ sake grab a brain!!!
I think these new rules will cost them big time in the tourist industry. When I inquired why the tightening of the rules I was told it was to curb terrorism. My reply was remember Beslan, remember Nord Ost, remember the Moscow subway, hows that workin' for ya'?
In my opinion its just another form of control, control over something they can never control!!! The other reason of course as always is money!! I only hope its hurts them so badly they soon realize the folly of it & change direction. It sure doesn't make living here any easier either.
