Sent to Siberia - AGAIN

[msmobyone]

Well hello, Russia...I'm back...

A few loose ends to tie up here... It's above freezing - the snow is melting - piled up atthe airport and by the road-side   - and the the taxi drive from the airport to the hotel was great..driving through huge muddy puddles - felt like I was in a car rally  :chuckle:

For those of who who've never been to Siberia .... there's a reason why the model agencies come here...On the plane here..I've never seen so many good looking lasses.

When I went through passport control, I was puzzled - the lady didn't ask me to sign the immigration slip..the one that one normally signs twice  - keeping one part until leaving.

Is this new ?

I did ask the passport lady..''Ni dolzhen delat resolutzi ?'' - sorry about my Russian - and she smiled and waved me through..I was the last through...I sat and waited for the queue to subside....passport control was doing Russian citizens in 30secs, or less - so not long to get through.

[Shadow]

They seem to have lapsed on the immigration papers already some time. Last time we traveled to Russia we went by train. The transit visa for Belarus was stamped and checked, however there was no border control between Belarus and Russia either way, making the Russia visa seem unused.

[msmobyone]

They seem to have lapsed on the immigration papers already some time. Last time we traveled to Russia we went by train. The transit visa for Belarus was stamped and checked, however there was no border control between Belarus and Russia either way, making the Russia visa seem unused.

How recently was that, please? I last ENTERED .. on 29th Dec 2015 and in left in Jan  ..If they hadn't stamped / checked me in - I could not register my presence - or if stopped it might have been interesting for Mrs Shadow to explain

You need that bit of paper to register

[Faux Pas]

Well hello, Russia...I'm back...

A few loose ends to tie up here... It's above freezing - the snow is melting - piled up atthe airport and by the road-side   - and the the taxi drive from the airport to the hotel was great..driving through huge muddy puddles - felt like I was in a car rally  :chuckle:

For those of who who've never been to Siberia .... there's a reason why the model agencies come here...On the plane here..I've never seen so many good looking lasses.

When I went through passport control, I was puzzled - the lady didn't ask me to sign the immigration slip..the one that one normally signs twice  - keeping one part until leaving.

Is this new ?

I did ask the passport lady..''Ni dolzhen delat resolutzi ?'' - sorry about my Russian - and she smiled and waved me through..I was the last through...I sat and waited for the queue to subside....passport control was doing Russian citizens in 30secs, or less - so not long to get through.

IIRC your S.C. lives in Sochi? What takes you to Siberia and where exactly did you go? Actually I noticed long ago  Passport Control seemed quite passive in Siberia. More of a mere formality.

[msmobyone]

IIRC your S.C. lives in Sochi? What takes you to Siberia and where exactly did you go? Actually I noticed long ago  Passport Control seemed quite passive in Siberia. More of a mere formality.

Hi FP

She does, but I have some biz, here and will leave for Sochi, when it is done  - hopefully, by lunchtime

I'm in Novosibrsk

[Faux Pas]

Hi FP

She does, but I have some biz, here and will leave for Sochi, when it is done  - hopefully, by lunchtime

I'm in Novosibrsk

Novosibirsk is an impressive city. It's a shame you didn't take time to enjoy it some. Not that I have had more than a cursory look.

[Shadow]

How recently was that, please? I last ENTERED .. on 29th Dec 2015 and in left in Jan  ..If they hadn't stamped / checked me in - I could not register my presence - or if stopped it might have been interesting for Mrs Shadow to explain

You need that bit of paper to register

We stay at our inlaws, did not need to register. As for explaining when stopped, the Belarus visa would have explained it and they would probably have pointed us at some obscure office at the train station where foreigners would be supposed to get their paperwork. No idea actually, we might find out next time.... or not.

[mendeleyev]

Russia and Belarus are officially a "Union State" and you'll notice that those migration forms you receive mention that. Thus, while both still require a visa and registration, in some areas that is treated more laxly than others.

Russia has finally entered the computer age via migration. While you should still receive that migration form, today what is typed into the computers at your point of entry simultaneously registers in computers across the entire federation, from Omsk to Vladivostok to Arkhangelsk and everywhere in between.

Registration has to do with how many business days (7 or more) you stay in country. Weekends and holidays do not count. However, if you are in Russia for some official business, say like getting married at a ZAGS or appearing in court, then you must register no matter how many days are in your stay.

If you leave Russia to visit another country, and then return to Russia during the same period, you must register again just like you did upon the first entry.


What happens if I don't register?

- Russian police can detain you up to, but no more than, 3 hours.

- Failing to register is a civil, not a criminal offense (the first 2 times), and Russian police have no power of deportation. However, they do have the power to report your details to the migration service where upon the 2nd instance, your name is forwarded by computer to all Russian consulates worldwide and it is likely that you may have to sit out a 5 year waiting period before traveling to Russia again. A 3rd time generally means a free pass to the exciting and luxurious Russian prison system.

- Fines are 5,000 rubles max. If stopped by police and being pressed for fines, stand your ground--you will win if you are in the right. You pay the fines to the migration service, not some local boy will a badge and bad breath.

- If you are stopped (rare) and do not have your documents on your person at the time, Russian police do have the right to escort you back to your hotel or place of residence, and enter the premises while you find them. You do not want to experience that scenario.

- If you find yourself in serious difficulty (criminal or civil) with a police matter, remember that Russia does not recognize the right of foreign embassies to assist their citizens. Demanding to have a visit from someone in your Embassy will go unheeded.

[Gator]

Passport control is much different now than in 1987 in Moscow.  Upon arriving at Sheremetyevo,  a young man with eagle eyes examines my passport and visa, poking them with an ultra thin needle.   

When departing 8 days later, a young official looked at my passport and quickly reached for his phone.  Within 30 seconds, a burly man in a dark leather jacket took me to another room.   A military officer with epaulets and scrambled eggs  appeared in about one minute.  Soon a man in a three piece suit arrived.  He spoke with an impeccable Oxford accent. 

The interrogation began.  The problem:  I had not registered my visa, having stayed with my Dutch diplomatic friends rather than at a hotel. 

The three followed a circular method of interrogation.    Sweat ran down my sides.  The Oxford man makes phone calls, and in about ten minutes, he says, "You can go to your plane."

After that ordeal, I want a drink.  I see a  bar and park myself on a stool between a Cuban pilot and some Arab.   Almost immediately, a beautiful RW enters the bar and looks around.  She sees me.  She is looking at me.  She walks towards me.  Oh my God!  She stops in front of me, blue eyes sparkling.   Nervous pressure builds inside me.  From her full lips, she says, "Mr. Gator, your plane is waiting.  Follow me."  They knew where I was, and they wanted me out of the CCCP. 

[mendeleyev]

Gator, you have a career waiting as a writer. Good stuff! 

[Gator]

Gator, you have a career waiting as a writer. Good stuff! 

A compliment from you is indeed an honor. 

I enjoyed immensely my 1987 trip to Moscow.  Starkly different place then.  No traffic problems.  We drove up next to the gate to enter the Kremlin, and parked in one of many open parking spaces.  No attendant rushed over to us wanting money because it was free.  Upon returning people were posing for photos in front of my friend's car, a Mercedes Benz.

We had dinner at a restaurant for which Hitler already printed invitations  to celebrate the fall of Moscow.  Live band playing dance music.  One song got everyone up from seats and onto the dance floor  - "Rock Around The Clock."  The Russians knew their music history

The restaurant flickered its lights around 10 PM, perhaps earlier.  Everyone left.  Undercover police, perhaps KGB, were outside observing the customers as the filed out.  Little did I know I would return in 15 years for romance.

[msmobyone]

Russia and Belarus are officially a "Union State" and you'll notice that those migration forms you receive mention that. Thus, while both still require a visa and registration, in some areas that is treated more laxly than others.

Thanks, Mendy - I had never noticed the Belarus 'bit' mentioned on the immigration slip

Now, another question;

I come to Russia on a biz visa and when I register it costs 450 Roubles - all the forms are printed out for SC and she just signs - copies of her internal passport and my passport are taken. The process takes 10 mins at a post office

Other visitors - to different parts of Russia - on a family invitation visa - are charged 115 Roubles - but must print put all the docs, themselves

Another person I know, goes to Crimea - it costs about 250 Roubles - but they most go to at least two difference offices and wait all day

It seems that registration is not 'standard' - or is it because the visa types are different ?

I CAN understand that Crimea is 'adjusting' and things will be fun - until all systems are Russified.

[mendeleyev]

Moby, perhaps Crimea is not yet standardized.

You are traveling on a visa that costs more than the tourist visa, assuming that you will conduct business.

[msmobyone]

Moby, perhaps Crimea is not yet standardized.

You are traveling on a visa that costs more than the tourist visa, assuming that you will conduct business.

Hi Mendy

Ah,interesting point .. my comparisons were family / tourist visas ... Thanks