Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Pedekins · Just Starting Joined: 18 Nov 2008 Posts: 3

Hello!

I am planning to go to Russia in January. I'm about to start the expensive process of getting a year-long multientrance business visa.
I do not look like a businessman. I am a scruffy, long haired 22 year-old. I will be carrying a large rucksack and wearing walking boots. You get the idea. The man - the russian man - is going to look at my papers, ask me a question that I will only partially understand, watch in quizzical amusement as I spectacularly fail to explain myself, and finally tell me that there is no way that he would ever allow such a lowlife, such a hideous faker, into his noble nation. I, suddenly in the grip of deep, frantic red-faced panic, will find myself without papers, without dignity and, above all, without my trip.

So my question is - Should I be worrying?

It would be fantastic if somebody could ease my ignorance.

Thanks

Paul Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1011

not really, I think you will have more problem at the US customs than Russia. A rule of thumb is have one set of nice clothes to get through the airport security (or a dinner engagement) then dress down afterwards. I know it is prejudice and unfair and so on, but it is life.

overseas_expat · VIP Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 619 Location: Moscow

You are aware that a 1 year multiple entry business visa only allows you to stay in Russia for 90 days at a time?

David T · Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:45 pm Post subject:

hi,
I don't think you need to worry. I have a multiple entry visa, and nobody ever asked me anything at the passport control, in any russian airport. As long as you have a valid visa and you filled in the migration card, you're ok.
Just be careful to register in every place you stay 3 business days or more and to respect the 90/180 days rule.

Pedekins · Just Starting Joined: 18 Nov 2008 Posts: 3

Hello.

Very kind of you all to get back to me so quickly, keep the information coming.

Iam aware that I can only be there for 90 days. This is unfortunate, as I would like to be able to spend at least 4 or 5 months in the country. I was under the impression that the multi-entrance visa was the best you could get, so I was just going to live with it - maybe go to the Ukraine or Georgia or something. If you know better, I'd love to know too.

I don't know if it makes any difference, but I was planning to get the train from Tallinn deep into Russia somewhere. Perhaps then I may be in for a different experience than the airport scenario.

What I'm really after is a cast-iron assurance that however dirty and bedraggled I look (and I will) , I will not at any point be asked exactly what business it is that brings me to Russia and exactly why it is that they shouldn't throw me out on my behind.
Or as close to this assurance as I can get.

Thanks

overseas_expat · VIP Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 619 Location: Moscow

Nah, as long as all your documents are in order they won't bother you further.

I have taken the Tallinn/Moscow train and I've landed at the SVO2. The biggest difference is that on the train you sit at the border for a couple of hours at 4 AM while the Russians search the train and process all the passports. Everybody looks like crap at 4 in the morning. They usually speak Russian only so if they did try to hassle you for some reason, you wouldn't understand a thing they said anyway. Don't worry.

They are looking for drugs and undeclared cash above the legal limit. So my advice is not to smuggle drugs nor carry excessive amounts of cash. You'll be fine.