URGENT: need visa registration advice

[TwoBitBandit]

I'm in Novosibirsk for two weeks on a one-year business visa.

The flat owner I'm renting from is having a problem registering my visa because I didn't state I would be in Novosibirsk on my visa application.  Apparently, the local migration service says I'm here "illegally".  I don't know much more than that: my information is second-hand from the flat owner.

The options I can see are:

1) Bribe the local authorities.  (I have no idea how much this will set me back or if it will be successful.)

2) Try to find some other organization to register the visa.  (Perhaps someone at a hotel might do it?)

3) A flat owner I know in Moscow will register me there and send me the scanned copy of the registration to print out.  Then I'd claim I was in Moscow.  I'd only have a problem if (a) I was stopped by the militisia here or (b) they check my registration at the airport on my way back to Moscow or (c) the passport control people look at my itinerary and ask about it

I have until the end of tomorrow to solve this due to the 3-day rule.

[Kuna]

I'm in Novosibirsk for two weeks on a one-year business visa.

The flat owner I'm renting from is having a problem registering my visa because I didn't state I would be in Novosibirsk on my visa application.  Apparently, the local migration service says I'm here "illegally".  I don't know much more than that: my information is second-hand from the flat owner.

The options I can see are:

1) Bribe the local authorities.  (I have no idea how much this will set me back or if it will be successful.)

2) Try to find some other organization to register the visa.  (Perhaps someone at a hotel might do it?)

3) A flat owner I know in Moscow will register me there and send me the scanned copy of the registration to print out.  Then I'd claim I was in Moscow.  I'd only have a problem if (a) I was stopped by the militisia here or (b) they check my registration at the airport on my way back to Moscow or (c) the passport control people look at my itinerary and ask about it

I have until the end of tomorrow to solve this due to the 3-day rule.

Do you kow anyone else other than the flat owner who can give you reliable advice / help you with the local authorities?

If someone locally could help you with the "facilitation" of the local authorities... or help you with a Hotel...  it'd be much more preferrable than you Moscow option to my mind.



Anyone here with local Novosibirsk knownledge???

[Shadow]

Can not offer any direct help as my last experience with dodgy registrations is from 2005.
That time I visited MrsShadow on a hotel invitation from St Petersburg, but registration was done in Moscow.
Nobody ever asked any questions.

[BC]

http://www.waytorussia.net/RussianVisa/Registration.html

Seems to be pretty up to date and was pretty much what I did (err rather MIL) during my last stay.

There is also a section on landlords that rent apartments.. might be the problem you are confronted with.

FWIW

[TwoBitBandit]

http://www.waytorussia.net/RussianVisa/Registration.html

Seems to be pretty up to date and was pretty much what I did (err rather MIL) during my last stay.

There is also a section on landlords that rent apartments.. might be the problem you are confronted with.

Thanks, that was a helpful link.
I don't know it will help with my current problem or not.
I was hoping Jooky would get online and give me some advice since he has spent a lot of time in Novosibirsk.  I sent him a sideband email but so far no reply.  It's only 9:30 am in his time zone so I might get something later.

This is the first time I had a problem like this.  I've been everywhere in Russia and never any problems.

Maybe the local official is just trying to shake down a bribe.

Does anyone know if the place to register is the same in every city?  I think that most registrations are now done by the post office, but this flat owner said she wasn't going to the post office.  She was going to some other authority.  Perhaps some channels are easier than others?

On my first couple of trips local hotels would do it for a fee even if you weren't staying at the hotel, but I've heard that practice has stopped since the government put their foot down about it.

[TheTraveler]

That link on waytorussia.com had a lot of great information.

I've always gotten my visas through visatorussia.com (same company, I think).

Here's another link with some info...
http://www.visatorussia.com/russianvisa.nsf/visa_registration.html

They may be able to help you, also.  Their contact info is on both websites.

[TwoBitBandit]

I've always used Go To Russia travel to get visas.  http://www.gotorussia.net/  They've always been helpful with getting visas.  However, today I called their Moscow office and they were absolutely useless.  I guess I could try calling their United States office tonight but I already know I'm just going to get more useless advice.

[TheTraveler]

I've always used Go To Russia travel to get visas.  http://www.gotorussia.net/  They've always been helpful with getting visas.  However, today I called their Moscow office and they were absolutely useless.  I guess I could try calling their United States office tonight but I already know I'm just going to get more useless advice.

I remember using them, too.  At the time, I  dealt with their Atlanta office, but I see they have an office in SF now, too.

I remember them helping me out of a (minor) jam once.  Best of luck!

[BillyB]

I'm in Novosibirsk for two weeks on a one-year business visa.

The flat owner I'm renting from is having a problem registering my visa because I didn't state I would be in Novosibirsk on my visa application.  Apparently, the local migration service says I'm here "illegally".  I don't know much more than that: my information is second-hand from the flat owner.

Call your airline company and ask them if a tourist visa could be bought at the airport in Novosibirsk and register your stay for Novosibirsk this time. I know visa can be bought at SVO airport in Moscow and printed on the spot so maybe you'll have some luck at the Novosibirsk airport. I don't know if it'll void your business visa though. Be careful who you ask and how you ask questions otherwise it can open a can of worms costing you big bucks.

[chivo]

I'm in Novosibirsk for two weeks on a one-year business visa.

The flat owner I'm renting from is having a problem registering my visa because I didn't state I would be in Novosibirsk on my visa application.  Apparently, the local migration service says I'm here "illegally".  I don't know much more than that: my information is second-hand from the flat owner.

The options I can see are:

1) Bribe the local authorities.  (I have no idea how much this will set me back or if it will be successful.)

2) Try to find some other organization to register the visa.  (Perhaps someone at a hotel might do it?)

3) A flat owner I know in Moscow will register me there and send me the scanned copy of the registration to print out.  Then I'd claim I was in Moscow.  I'd only have a problem if (a) I was stopped by the militisia here or (b) they check my registration at the airport on my way back to Moscow or (c) the passport control people look at my itinerary and ask about it

I have until the end of tomorrow to solve this due to the 3-day rule.

1) Always an option but make sure you talk to the right person. Should be no more than 2000ru.

2) I'd give the post office a try. What is confusing is why they have a copy of your application. Very unusual. A hotel might do it but it will still cost you.

3) If push comes to shove why not? I wouldn't worry about sending a scanned copy unless there's no way to pick it up by meeting your friend a) highly unlikely, but yes it could happen and still would only warrant a 3-500ru bribe b) it's a passport control issue, so they "technically" shouldn't do this but it is Russia c) should only happen as you exit Moscow and your itinerary is not an issue. I mean how could they possibly know if you've been to Novo unless you registered your visa there, well unless you tell them.

A few things; the 3-day rule will not apply if you "bribe" someone 2) nobody but your sponsor can help you legally, so any other visa company can't do a thing even if they wanted to 3) remember Russia doesn't have a national data base system so your information is filed strictly where you register. IOW what happens in Novo stays in Novo. 4) most flat owners refuse to register their guests because it involves them to file a lot of paperwork, including the possibility of being accountable for taxes associated with your stay. Might be your flat owner is feeding you a line to avoid this.

good luck.

 

[Chicagoguy]

A few times I was there I just forgot to register my visa. When I was leaving they said nothing. I have read before that others have had to pay a small fine at the airport when leaving. I doubt they will make you stay in Russia or even be late for your plane.

Maybe others have had more recent similar experiences.

[ECOCKS]

You should have posted on expat.ru or redtape.ru for helpful advice on a topic like this.

http://www.expat.ru/

http://www.redtape.ru/

[Jooky]

When I read my email I find out that there’s some problem registering my visa

Not once have I been able to successfully register in Novosibirsk, despite a lot of hassle. My business visa directly states I will be in Novo, but I've been unable to get official registration through OVIR, the post office, agencies or paying at hotels.

At this point, I just register always in Moscow and don't bother registering in Novo.

I would recommend option 3, if you can't find a better way.

a) In this case I doubt the Militsia will bother you, and you can always say you're just passing through Novosibirsk by train.

b) I've never had a problem at Tolmachevo having just a Moscow registration.

c) With the current process, you're supposed to turn in your registration form before passport control leaving the country, so as you leave there is no record presented at all of where you've been or where you registered. (Unless they changed things again).

I had this problem before and I had to fly to Moscow to register, late, with the help of GoToRussia and some extra 'fees'. I wasn't bothered at the airport for having no registration though.

[BillyB]

Not once have I been able to successfully register in Novosibirsk, despite a lot of hassle. My business visa directly states I will be in Novo, but I've been unable to get official registration through OVIR, the post office, agencies or paying at hotels.

I stayed at Hotel Sibir(Siberia) in 2004 and they registered my visa.

Chicagoguy probably has the best idea. Forget about it, act like you did nothing wrong and they probably won't do anything when you leave. If you act like you did something wrong, they will make you pay.

[Manny]

I remember reading about this city and I just looked it up on Real Russia. They say:

NOVOSIBIRSK
While Novosibirsk is not technically a "restricted" city, we have had reports from clients who have had difficulty registering their visas with the local OVIR. As we currently do not have a partner in Novosibirsk you should either register before you arrive (for example in Moscow), or, check in to a local hotel. We have been informed that the "Siba Hotel" will register your visa for the full duration of your stay for the cost of one night for their cheapest room.

As BillyB got registered there before, and RR recommend them, I think that would be my next stop.

[Jooky]

I stayed at Hotel Sibir(Siberia) in 2004 and they registered my visa.

Billy, did you have a tourist or business visa?

My problems have been because of the business visa (Just making that clear for all readers).

Hotel Sibir did offer to register me for only the days I stayed there and only if I actually stayed there, but even so they indicated that there would be problems because I had a business and not a tourist visa.

I don't know about the 'Siba' hotel though. TwoBit should look that up.

[BillyB]

Billy, did you have a tourist or business visa?

My problems have been because of the business visa (Just making that clear for all readers).

Hotel Sibir did offer to register me for only the days I stayed there and only if I actually stayed there, but even so they indicated that there would be problems because I had a business and not a tourist visa.

I don't know about the 'Siba' hotel though. TwoBit should look that up.

I had a tourist visa.

[Vaughn]

2) Try to find some other organization to register the visa. 

TwoBit ~ FWIW, check out the administrator at this site ~ perhaps you might get them to
step up for you....

"You can help yourself navigate the quagmire of Russian officialdom - or avoid having to do it yourself altogether - by having local contacts in the cities where you be staying. This may be the people who issued your invitation, a hotel or hostel, or kind individual Russian friends who will go out of their way to help you. If you will be in Novosibirsk, for example, the administrators of this website are an excellent resource."

http://novosibirskguide.com/visa-registration/

[Gtex]

I have been in the same vice, same place.  Much of the previous is spot on.  The lease /rentors play dumb because they are avoiding a paper trail.  Hotels now only register for time stayed.   Try a tourist agency for a connect to OVIR or passport control at the airport.

Novosibirsk is a different animal for rules.  I traveled there also on the one year business visa and they pulled the "no specific" for Novo on me at the airport.  I was staying at the Sibir and they couldnt pull the chord to get me past control.

Finally, one of the business guys came out with all the paperwork and stamps to bring an "Invitation."  This seemed to interrupt the obvious play for pay.

Technically, you have 72 hours (not counting weekends or holidays [OVIR closed]) to register.  You will leave through the airport and they will check your papers, so use them if possible.

[wendaaaal]

Made a few trips to Volgograd last year on a 1 year business visa. Hotels didn't seem to want to touch it. However, had no problems registering at the post office. Done by girls or agency owners. Approx 200 RUB. They registered me as if I were staying at their home. Everything gets stamped, and mailed off to local OVIR office. Had no problems flying out of Volgograd. Nobody seemed to give it a second look @ SVO or Domodedovo. The one time I didn't register, got shook down for $100 by cops at Volgograd airport.

[TwoBitBandit]

All of the data seems to indicate that the local authorities in Novosibirsk are a PITA.  I've been all over Russia and never had this kind of problem.

I just got registered in Moscow.  As long as they don't check my papers at the Novosibirsk airport I should be fine.

[TwoBitBandit]

I made it past the airport police when they asked for my registration by pretending not to speak Russian and saying “it’s on the computer, it was done electronically” and they guy waved me past after some frustration.  Passport control in Moscow accepted the Moscow registration and didn’t ask me about being in Novosibirsk.  So, it all worked out in the end.

[ML]

How did you get a Moscow stamp on your visa when you were not physically in Moscow?

[Al_C]

Is there a local agency that will take care of that for you?  I do not know of any specifically in Novosibirsk; perhaps Google might help.

What the agencies do to "encourage" the police to overlook certain things is more than I want to know about.  All I know is that they get the job done.

[Chicagoguy]

I almost traveled on a Business Visa and sometimes forgot about registration. But on one of my last trips I was in Omsk and OVIR wouldn't even talk to me about registration. My friend [ a police Captain ] and I went from one office to another. Finally he told them I was visiting the Mayor [ true ] and things turned around very fast.