Passport Question

[smilingjake]

As a first time overseas traveler I have passposrt question. I realize that under no circumstances would I ever allow someone to have physical control over my passport. I will take along a copy of my passport. My question is while I am out and about, ex. out walking through a park, must I have my original passport on my person? I would think that if someone in authority asked you to see your passport, you had best have it on you.

Jake

[BillyB]

Keep your original passport on you at all times and/or a lot of money to bribe your way out of a problem. I've had to show my passport to the cops in the FSU before. What other identification from foreigners would they accept?

[viking]

I always kept my passport on my person. Never got stopped, so I never had a need to show it. I thought keeping in my front pants pocket was safe but in a crowd in St. pete I found one hand going into my left front pocket, where I had my passport  and another into my right where I had my cell(two people working in unison). I lost my phone but managed to save my passport. I found a safer place.So be careful.

[ScottinCrimea]

I used to carry my passport with me, but after I almost lost it one time, I stopped the practice.  It was also putting wear and tear on the passport carting it around all the time. I started carrying a copy in my wallet. In all my visits to Ukraine and in my two years of living there, I was never once stopped and asked to show my passport.  I know others have had this happen to them so maybe I've just been lucky.  In either case, I have enough contacts among the higher ups in the government, police, etc. that it would be the officer that would have the problem if he gave me any hassles.

For those visiting for a short trip, I would recommend keeping the original with you, somewhere that it is safe from prying hands.  The odds of being stopped and asked for it aren't that great, but better to avoid the problem.

[Shadow]

Keep the original on you with the border registration document, and have a photocopy in your room or a safe place. In case of loss the embassy can replace it faster ifyou have a copy of the original document.

Regarding bribes, understand that the only way you have to pay one is if you actually committed an offense. If they stop you, show your passport, do not attempt to understand them and smile like an idiot. If they can get easy money they will, but if they feel it will be complicated usually they will let you go.

[diverboy70]

I allways have my passport with me, and you should!

I never got stopped by the police, and never even got a look by a policeman. This may differ in diferent part of the FSU. I have only been to St:Pete and I guess the police there is so accustomed to tourists.

My tacticts to avoid thefts and other problems is to try to blend in with the locals.I also quess I look a bit like a russian beacause I can't even count the time people came up to me to ask me something in russian Everyone from drunks to babushkas!

[BC]

My tacticts to avoid thefts and other problems is to try to blend in with the locals.I also quess I look a bit like a russian beacause I can't even count the time people came up to me to ask me something in russian Everyone from drunks to babushkas!

Seems I blend in also.. also a few asked me questions..

When I'm in my wife's home town I never carry a passport, but I do know enough RU to fumble my way through or would just call MIL and watch them catch hell.

[ScottinCrimea]

I used to think I looked Russian because people would stop me on the street and ask questions, but then I realized that they probably knew I was a foreigner but just assumed I spoke Russian.  It is similar to someone in the US asking a foreign looking person a question because it is assumed that if they are in the US, they must speak English.

[diverboy70]

I used to think I looked Russian because people would stop me on the street and ask questions, but then I realized that they probably knew I was a foreigner but just assumed I spoke Russian.  It is similar to someone in the US asking a foreign looking person a question because it is assumed that if they are in the US, they must speak English.

Yes it may be like that also But I don't really know what the "Russian look" is like. I would say that people in Russia and Finland look quite the same. Off course there is the -20% in weight for the women and +20 cm in legs 

[apple47]

   Don't say where you expect to be jake,so the best anyone can do is offer their experience in the places they were at.    I was in Almaty, Kazakhstan and I never carried my passport with me ,as it isn't required to do so.   In what I think is an effort to stop shakedowns of travelers ,you need to register at the American Consulate  [ if from USA] .There you will receive a piece of paper [as many copies as you would like to buy],I don't remember exactly what was on it,but,IIRC it was the ID page and the visa.   This paper also explains in English and Russian[I think now in Kazakh] that this paper is official ID and you are not required to give up your passport,or carry it. A cop in the street or other officials cannot legally demand that you hand over your passport.  There are some that can but I don't remember who.Actually advises not to give it up.

          I suggest you do a bit of research on where you are going to find out what is required there.


                                                                   ...Larry

[Lee08]

Always carry the original passport and migration card if in Russia. I was stopped my very first time to Moscow in my first hour out in the city! They looked over everything in it completely but I had it all in order.
 I hate to think of the extra trouble, time, and expense I would have had if carrying a copy, or nothing.