Hello from Eastern us

[testinwaters]

I am a bit late co,king to the table here.  I already met a nice girl only 7 years my junior.  Will be flying to Moscow in a few weeks to meet in person.  I'm looking for some travel information on Russia.  Will find the appropriate forum to post my questions.  Mostly interested in avoiding immigration hassles upon arrival/departure. 

[Anotherkiwi]

   to our wonderful world!
 
Avoiding immigration hassles is easy - make sure that you get the correct visa, for the correct dates, and don't even THINK about staying past the expiry date!  Also, ensure that the registration card which you get on arrival is properly stamped by each hotel or accommodation agency, and shows the dates you stayed (I'm assuming here that you will have an ordinary tourist visa).  You have to present this when leaving.
 
Good luck!

[testinwaters]

Thank you for the quick response.  I had heard the line to go through immigration and customs can take a couple of hours.  I was hoping to get a service that could expedite that line and move me to the front.  Any ideas?

[Anotherkiwi]

Thank you for the quick response.  I had heard the line to go through immigration and customs can take a couple of hours.  I was hoping to get a service that could expedite that line and move me to the front.  Any ideas?

Waving a Diplomatic Passport should do the trick!  Seriously (and without meaning to appear rude), what makes you so special that you need to jump the queue?  I've never had to wait more than about 15 minutes when entering Russia, as Immigration and Customs are VERY efficient - it's waiting for your baggage which may take more time.  If you have a physical handicap (e.g. some sort of back or leg injury which makes it painful to stand up for any length of time) talk to the airline.

[I/O]

I had heard the line to go through immigration and customs can take a couple of hours.  I was hoping to get a service that could expedite that line and move me to the front.  Any ideas?

Get an earlier flight.
 
As for the rest of it, Russia is fairly civilised (for the most part), it isn't Upper Volta in the '40's. I suspect you might need to adjust your thinking a little................

[Faux Pas]

The registration card is not so much for leaving the country as much as helping to avoid any hassles while you are in-country (I've never had any problem) . Be sure you register after you arrive. Your hotel or your lady can help you accomplish this relatively menial task. The only problem is, that it is all in Russian. Passport control when leaving Russia generally gives me an annoyed look if I present the registration card in my passport. They have no use for it. If you happen to get checked by the militia and do not have your registration card they can fine you.

I'm sure you can find some agency to sell you an expedited hurry through customs. Don't waste your money, it's a rip off. Have your passport and visa in order and you'll get through just as quick without any problems. Stop thinking about the KGB. It's just PP Control and Customs like any other country. Nothing at all to worry about. In fact, you'll have a longer wait in line when returning to the US than you will arriving in Moscow.

Good Luck

[Turboguy]

Thank you for the quick response.  I had heard the line to go through immigration and customs can take a couple of hours.  I was hoping to get a service that could expedite that line and move me to the front.  Any ideas?

My wife just flew through Moscow a few days ago.  She was amazed at how SVO has changed.  She said there were no lines at all and even more suprising everyone she dealt with was smiling and friendly.  Even the bathrooms were spotless and modern,  She commented the airport is beautiful and compared to Milan where she stopped on her way to Moscow was first class in every way.  You may find you have virtually no lines to deal with and as long as you follow the advice the others have given you
Her comment made me think back to the first time I landed at SVO back around 1994 or 1993.  The airport was small, dark and dingy, the bathrooms were terrible and the only things you could buy were from a small snack bar and a half dozen kiosks.  The lines were through the roof and you felt like you were being interrogated for murder with anyone you dealt with.   I noticed a lot of changes over the years but it sounds like the best has been since I was there the last time.
 

[BC]

TG,

Milan is one of the worst.... been there, done that many, many times..  More than an hour there and I go nuts.

Reflecting back, it did save my butt once.... there are showers...  i overslept the day I was to go to RU to marry my wife.. I doubt she would have recognized me without this convenience.

[Gator]

Her comment made me think back to the first time I landed at SVO back around 1994 or 1993.  .... The lines were through the roof and you felt like you were being interrogated for murder with anyone you dealt with.   

    Times do change.
 
My first tip was 1987, but to meet friends, not women (considering I was happily married).  No lines but long interrogation plus the inspector punching a thin needle through my passport photo and visa photo.  Exiting was the problem as I did not stay at a hotel where they could watch me.  Long interrogation by three who were good at interrogating.

While there in 1987 we parked at the entrance to the Kremlin where no cars are allowed today.   And we paid no money for parking.  Streets had little traffic and my friend drove fairly fast with his diplomatic immunity.  The exchange rate was 1 p = $1.50 vs. today's 32 p = $1.00

[Gator]

TestinH2O,
 
There is no need to go too past through passport control as you still must wait for you checked baggage.
 
Which company did you use to obtain your entry visa?

[testinwaters]

Thank you all for the information.  The women I am going to see has mentioned long lines, as had a relative of mine, but he hasn't been in all,most 10 years, so his information is probably just out of date. 

On the note of my visa, I used Travisa, as they were recommended by AAA (I was a bit nervous about mailing my passport to a company I just found on the net).  The AAA recommendation went a long way, but it wasn't cheap.

I do have a question about the visa, I just received it back today, but they did not attach my photo.  They left a box with nothing in it.  Is that customary?  I sent one in with my application and had even included a spare for them.

[Faux Pas]

I've used Travisa for many years and different visas. Always a good result. On the lack of photo, if there is a box for a photo I would contact Travisa and inquire. Did you send 2 photos? 

[LAman]

Thank you all for the information.  The women I am going to see has mentioned long lines, as had a relative of mine, but he hasn't been in all,most 10 years, so his information is probably just out of date. 

On the note of my visa, I used Travisa, as they were recommended by AAA (I was a bit nervous about mailing my passport to a company I just found on the net).  The AAA recommendation went a long way, but it wasn't cheap.

I do have a question about the visa, I just received it back today, but they did not attach my photo.  They left a box with nothing in it.  Is that customary?  I sent one in with my application and had even included a spare for them.

Don't worry...I never had mine attached.....
Thet were sent directly to the KGB agents to be able to indentify you!!!! 
As far as imigration lines...it is what it is. Was it mentioned which airport you are flying into? I know in SVO, immigration lines can be long if you fly in on a larger flight.....and the wait for luggage even longer.
 
To add.....it hs been 4 years since I applied for visa....is there a change?

[testinwaters]

I've used Travisa for many years and different visas. Always a good result. On the lack of photo, if there is a box for a photo I would contact Travisa and inquire. Did you send 2 photos?

I planned to do exactly that tomorrow during normal business hours.  Yes, I attached one to the Russian visa application, and a second in the document packet just in case.  Just seemed odd to me, but then again, needing a visa is odd to me having traveled internationally for years in the Western hemisphere.

[testinwaters]

Don't worry...I never had mine attached.....
Thet were sent directly to the KGB agents to be able to indentify you!!!! 
As far as imigration lines...it is what it is. Was it mentioned which airport you are flying into? I know in SVO, immigration lines can be long if you fly in on a larger flight.....and the wait for luggage even longer.
 
To add.....it hs been 4 years since I applied for visa....is there a change?

I am glad to hear that I am not unusual in not having a picture attached.  KGB doesn't bother me.  I have nothing to hide, and no secrets to tell.  They are welcome to follow, as long as they don't put any salt in my game. :-)   

I will be flying into DME

[Faux Pas]

I planned to do exactly that tomorrow during normal business hours.  Yes, I attached one to the Russian visa application, and a second in the document packet just in case.  Just seemed odd to me, but then again, needing a visa is odd to me having traveled internationally for years in the Western hemisphere.

Nothing to be overly concerned about unless you are leaving tomorrow   I highly doubt Travisa would send an invalid visa but it's worth an explanation. Without looking at my PP I think all to Russia had a photo but I have some to other countries that didn't even though I submitted one

[testinwaters]

Nothing to be overly concerned about unless you are leaving tomorrow   I highly doubt Travisa would send an invalid visa but it's worth an explanation. Without looking at my PP I think all to Russia had a photo but I have some to other countries that didn't even though I submitted one

Spoke to Travisa today.  No photo is normal for Russian visas.  The multi,ate test will be in two weeks in moscow

[Spoon]

Russian visa's in my passport have never had photos (although issued in Australia I'd assume the format is the same) even though 2 photos needed to be sent to the Russian Consulate with the application - I don't recall there being a 'space' for a photo either? I'm sure it's legit.

Some literature talks about filling in your 'migration card' before arrival (usually can be obtained on the flight or upon arrival at desks before immigration/passport control) this was the case when I went through DME in 2010, in 2011 the airline had none on board the plane and I couldn't find any upon arrival (again at DME) - but don't worry - they now print them out at the passport control booth and get you to sign in the 2 required spaces.

Passport/immigration control has been less than 15 minutes wait each time, then waiting for checked luggage is the longest (around 30 - 45mins last time), and finally customs is pretty much straight through the green lane - unless you want to declare something.

No need to register your stay unless you are staying more than 7 working days (used to be 3 working days)

[testinwaters]

Russian visa's in my passport have never had photos (although issued in Australia I'd assume the format is the same) even though 2 photos needed to be sent to the Russian Consulate with the application - I don't recall there being a 'space' for a photo either? I'm sure it's legit.

Some literature talks about filling in your 'migration card' before arrival (usually can be obtained on the flight or upon arrival at desks before immigration/passport control) this was the case when I went through DME in 2010, in 2011 the airline had none on board the plane and I couldn't find any upon arrival (again at DME) - but don't worry - they now print them out at the passport control booth and get you to sign in the 2 required spaces.

Passport/immigration control has been less than 15 minutes wait each time, then waiting for checked luggage is the longest (around 30 - 45mins last time), and finally customs is pretty much straight through the green lane - unless you want to declare something.

No need to register your stay unless you are staying more than 7 working days (used to be 3 working days)

This is a great deal of help.  Thank you for the information!