Any tips for registering Tourist Visa in St. Petersburg?

[Chris59]

I'm currently renting an apartment via Airbnb in St. Petersburg. I'm almost overdue to have my Tourist visa registered. Anyone have any agencies or tips on registering my visa? Of course, I can always go to the address listed by the agency that provided my visa. Last year, I was in Ekaterinburg, and registered my visa for about 300 rubles and a box of chocolates for the lady working the counter. Most agencies seem to want 1000 to 2000 rubles or more. (That seems a bit high - 1000 rubles I could live with, but anything higher seems like a waste). I sent a message to my Airbnb host, but he didn't respond. So, before I call him, just thought I'd see if anybody has any other ideas. Thanks!

[Faux Pas]

I'm currently renting an apartment via Airbnb in St. Petersburg. I'm almost overdue to have my Tourist visa registered. Anyone have any agencies or tips on registering my visa? Of course, I can always go to the address listed by the agency that provided my visa. Last year, I was in Ekaterinburg, and registered my visa for about 300 rubles and a box of chocolates for the lady working the counter. Most agencies seem to want 1000 to 2000 rubles or more. (That seems a bit high - 1000 rubles I could live with, but anything higher seems like a waste). I sent a message to my Airbnb host, but he didn't respond. So, before I call him, just thought I'd see if anybody has any other ideas. Thanks!

Hotels will generally register it, for a fee of course.

[CanadaMan]

Hotels will generally register it, for a fee of course.

Will they really register them for people not staying as guests?

[GoodOlBoy]

Will they really register them for people not staying as guests?

Yep, at least 8 years ago they would (with a bribe of course).
 
GOB

[Faux Pas]

Will they really register them for people not staying as guests?

Yep, at least 8 years ago they would (with a bribe of course).
 
GOB

True dat. I think a normal fee is something in the area of $25-30 bucks or was 7 years ago. Drop it off in the morning and pick it up in the evening. Usually, they have paying guests that need it and are happy to do any extra. I did this is Piter when I was staying at an apartment. My transfer guy showed me the hotel that was close by. I don't remember the name of it.

[BillyB]

I'm currently renting an apartment via Airbnb in St. Petersburg. I'm almost overdue to have my Tourist visa registered. Anyone have any agencies or tips on registering my visa?

 
Call your apartment manager who has experience with this and can take care of you right away.

[mendeleyev]

If the apartment manager continues to ignore, go to a hotel and get the cheapest room available for one night. They have no choice but to register you. They know the score so it is easy.

Just for fun, stay in the room. Take the soap and shampoo, most have them just as in the West, home as a souvenir of the one night you slept in a Russian hotel. Take some photos inside and out for memories.

Some hotels may offer these types ofl categories:

Russian standard: $
Russian modern: $$
Western standard: $$+
Western modern: $$$

The difference between standard and modern is whether that floor has been remodeled recently. Standard is 1960-70s usually and modern is obviously more European/Western.

If you don't plan to stay take the cheapest. Ride the lift up to your floor and take the photos and grab the soap souvenirs and leave the premises.

Now you are registered. In the olden days they would take your passport and return it in the morning when you turned in your key. These days in a big city like Leningrad you should be able to have your passport back by the time you get a room key as they're all connected online with the migration services these days.

By the way, airbnb are big boys, based in California and they do a lot of apartment rentals in Russia. You should let them know if your manager doesn't help as they may intervene if that service was promised. Since airbnb owners are just ordinary folk and not "professional" landlords in most cases, you don't always rent from someone who is familiar with the process. At the same time because you're renting from a normal person, you don't get bent over and screwed on rental fees in most cases.

[Boethius]

These days in a big city like Leningrad you should be able to have your passport back by the time you get a room key as they're all connected online with the migration services these days.

Slip of the "tongue".

[mendeleyev]

    busted. My MIL still uses this old name constantly so guess it rubs off from time to time.

[Chris59]

Thanks guys for all the suggestions!
 
Normally, I'm no stranger to Russia. This is my 6th trip to Russia since 2001.
Again, last year my female acquaintance managed to get me registered at the local post office in Ekaterinburg for about 300 rubles ($10 US). Thus, I'm not about to fork-over 2000 rubles ($60) to the company I ordered my visa through.
 
As for my Airbnb "host", there was no mention or promise of registration support, and I don't want to be a burden to him, so...
 
I did a Google search, and found:
 
Website: www.TravelRussia.su

I gave them a call, and they promised registration in about 15 minutes for 600 rubles ($20).
I went to their office near Vosstoniya Ploshchad. The gal I spoke to on the phone, asked me to fill-out the form on their website, where they had a laptop computer setup in their office for such purpose.
 
Apparently, you can do everything over the web, and don't necessarily have to appear in person. They will receive your order over the net, and you go about your business. They will either e-mail a copy of your registration, or you can pick-up the original in their office.
 
This just seems so contradictory to what the actual form wants, which is to have you drag your landlord down to the registration bureau, with all of his information.
 
 
The key to this process to complete online is, to have scanned copies of your passport, visa, and migration card. Since I didn't receive my migration card until I passed through Customs into Russia, I didn't have a scanned copy.
 
In all, for $20, I thought this was a great option, and the price should put to rest the idea of paying for a night at a cheap hotel, as I don't know any hotels that cheap in St. Petersburg (maybe youth hostels, but not a hotel).
 
Thanks again for all the suggestions!

[GoodOlBoy]

I did a Google search, and found:
 
Website: www.TravelRussia.su

I gave them a call, and they promised registration in about 15 minutes for 600 rubles ($20).
I went to their office near Vosstoniya Ploshchad. The gal I spoke to on the phone, asked me to fill-out the form on their website, where they had a laptop computer setup in their office for such purpose.

Good website.
Good information to know guy.
BTW, I loved the Hermitage.
If you like cats, check out the cats down in the basement.
Marina loved them!
Have a great time in St. Petersburg. 
 
GOB
 

[Faux Pas]

20 bucks and online is a good deal. My wife has registered me the last 3-4 times and we always go in person which, is another hassle but not a biggie. I think the actual fee is only about 7 bucks and then there is paying for copies and a few other incidentals

[GQBlues]

OVIR district offices should be able to help register your visa in-country if you're not staying in a hotel. Here's a website showing their offices in SP.

http://www.cityvision2000.com/formalities/visaoffi.htm

For the life of me I can no longer remember the two 'trusted' places I went in SP during my stays in that city. One was located on Nevski Prospect and the other one was about 4 blocks directly across Hermitage, right next to a Mexican restaurant called Conchita Bonita. I had to leave my passport for 3 hours and the fee, IIRC, was no more than 500 r.

[Chris59]

@ GoodOlBoy - Awesome cat video! My gal likes cats, so I'll be sure that she sees this.
 
I was actually surprised at how easy it was to register this time. My Airbnb host offered to help me tomorrow, but I was at business day 7 in Russia, so I wanted to get it done today.
 
In all, I think the registration process is getting simpler. I thought I read about the new 3-year visa, would not require registration, but I guess I mis-read something.
 
In 2001, when I first came to St. Petersburg, we went all the way across town to the Hotel Sovetskaya and had to leave my passport for 3 days. I was not happy having to be without my passport for that long (I've never had any hassles by the police, so it hasn't been a problem).
 
I was in St. Petersburg last in 2004, and I went to an office on Ligovsky Prospekt, which registered me in about 15 minutes, and even then was about $20.
 
I told the gals working in this office this afternoon, that I would try to send them some business.

[mendeleyev]

Cool, glad it worked and so easily. The new 3 year visa still requires registration but that is not a big deal as you've gladly discovered.

[mendeleyev]

Loved the cat video! The Hermitage now accepts strays from any source as in the past couple of years they've entered into an agreement to provide cats to the Russian National Library and several small museums around St P. In addition to the staff who groom and feed, the Hermitage employs a vet who is paid 6 hours daily each weekday to provide supervision and medical care to the Hermitage felines.

Some of the cats in the National Library have had their portraits painted by artists for display in the art gallery.

The common link for the need for cats are the damp basements and hidden hollow spaces in the old palaces/museums which attract rats and mice. Poisoning the rodents leads to some nasty smells in museums so the cats are a much better deterrent.

The cats are considered "employees" for budgetary purposes to obtain food and care. The Hermitage annually receives more cats than needed and that is why they now serve other museums as a "cat out scourer." :-)

A couple of the old ships, now museums, also have adopted the cat idea to combat rodents.

If you make friends with a Hermitage cat while on the grounds it is okay to take him/her home if you'll provide a loving environment. Just let a member of the cat staff know of your intention and complete an application.

Several of the Hermitage cats have been named after US states.

[Faux Pas]

Loved the cat video! The Hermitage now accepts strays from any source as in the past couple of years they've entered into an agreement to provide cats to the Russian National Library and several small museums around St P. In addition to the staff who groom and feed, the Hermitage employs a vet who is paid 6 hours daily each weekday to provide supervision and medical care to the Hermitage felines.

Some of the cats in the National Library have had their portraits painted by artists for display in the art gallery.

The common link for the need for cats are the damp basements and hidden hollow spaces in the old palaces/museums which attract rats and mice. Poisoning the rodents leads to some nasty smells in museums so the cats are a much better deterrent.

The cats are considered "employees" for budgetary purposes to obtain food and care. The Hermitage annually receives more cats than needed and that is why they now serve other museums as a "cat out scourer." :-)

A couple of the old ships, now museums, also have adopted the cat idea to combat rodents.

If you make friends with a Hermitage cat while on the grounds it is okay to take him/her home if you'll provide a loving environment. Just let a member of the cat staff know of your intention and complete an application.

Several of the Hermitage cats have been named after US states.

I was once told by someone who is supposed to know (a veterinarian)  that cats are ineffective for rodents if they are fed. He said a hungry cat will keep the populations down where as a fed cat just wants to play. Stands to reason. Thos cats appeared well taken care of and it said they were fed once a day

[mendeleyev]

Supposedly it is smell that deters. Rodents are very fearful of cats, a natural predator and the rodents don't like to live in the same area where they can sense that cats reside. And every once in a while a cat does catch something which of course they carry to their favourite person for visual inspection. 

[Shadow]

Supposedly it is smell that deters. Rodents are very fearful of cats, a natural predator and the rodents don't like to live in the same area where they can sense that cats reside. And every once in a while a cat does catch something which of course they carry to their favourite person for visual inspection. 

Their actual wish is to have it cooked and served on a plate.
Well fed cats may not eat, but they are still capable of killing their toys as an ex-hamster in my sisters family found out.

[GoodOlBoy]

Well fed cats may not eat, but they are still capable of killing their toys....

Ditto!
 
My other Siberian princess, Shony (see RWD gallery) has brought several gifts to our bed during the night.
 
You see, Shony likes to hunt at night.
 
Her favorite prey you ask?
 
We may be on the 12th floor of our building, but she has no problems catching and mangling to death some poor lizard who happens to find his or her way into our condo. 
 
Believe me, you haven't lived until you find the bleeding tail (tailectomy) of some poor lizard twitching on your marble tiled floor (with wifey freaking out). 
 
GOB

[BobFeltham]

Hi! I think I may be of help here. I always use a travel agency on Sovetskaya Street to register my visa when I go to St Petersburg. They're very helpful and have it done for you in a day. It's in Business centre "Senator", 2nd Sovetskaya St. 7, office 408 (working hours: 10am - 7pm).   

[jmana]

So I never quite understood the reason for registering a visa?  When I was in St. Pete in June for 9 days I never registered, and never had any issues because of it   I wasn't going to register it thinking that stays of 7 days or less didn't have to register (and originally my trip was to last 7 days, but then I missed the flight home ), but then I was told the rules had changed and it had to be done sooner now, I think within 24 hours if I recall correctly, so I just figured I'd take my chances.  Nobody said a word to me about it when I went to fly home.  Guess I just got lucky?

[ML]

Yep, otherwise you would be using internet from the gulag.

[mendeleyev]

Guess I just got lucky?

On leaving, yes. They obviously notice such things because you went thru immigration control upon leaving and your details, as well as your lack of registration, was noted in the system. Someone was nice because they knew you wanted to go home.

The potential issue comes the next time you apply for a visa. That will still be in the system and flagged. Even if you already have one of the long-term visas, the job of migration control is to keep track of such things...and they did.

Registration is so simple these days so protect yourself from future travel problems by following the process. Russia views the ability to travel to her is a privilege and not a right. When you abuse that privilege it is eventually taken away.

[CanadaMan]

Russia views the ability to travel to her is a privilege and not a right. When you abuse that privilege it is eventually taken away.

Exactly which countries view the ability to travel to them as a right?