I have just returned from my first visit to Russia and wondered if my registration process was commomnplace. After the third day on Russian soil, my lady, who speaks some english, took me to be registered. This was a lengthy process. Form filling, photocopying etc, First an hour or so in the passport office followed by a trip to the police station. There I had to be fingerprinted all over and then photographs taken, with and without my glasses on. All in all this must have taken about four hours. Will I have to do this procedure every time I go?
I did the registration through my travel agent. She just took $25 an came back with my passport the day after. Haven't seen any police station (but heard of such stories, so I believe I did right)
All foreign citizens entering Russia must register during three business days. He must register in the city where he is planning to stay. In case he moves to another city while being in Russia - he will have to register again in this next city in the course of 3 business days (weekends and holidays do not count). Foreign citizen has to either apply for such registration in person or through a business which issued him an invitation to come to Russia. Application must be filed in the local police station. An applicant must have an international passport with a Russian visa and a migration card (a form of identification issued to foreign citizens when they enter Russia (either on a plane, train, boat, or at the customs office)). This is what the law says.
If I get an invitation from Ukraine or Russia, say in Ukraine somebody sends me invitation from Donetsk, in that case will I be able to see Donetsk only or all other sities of Ukraine too ? And can the registration process be shortened if I use a local dating agency there or some travel agent ?
Ive never registered in Ukraine although Ive never stayed more than a month. I travelled to a number of places using one invitation letter, but never put on more than one address on my entry card.
For those staying longer:
Registering with local authorities
If your stay in Ukraine exceeds 180 days with a one-year business visa or you stay over 3 months with a tourist visa you will need to register at the local authorities (and prolong your visa). You will have to go to what is called the OVIR office, each Kiev district has one. They will require:
1.
Your address in Ukraine
you can bring either your apartment contract which needs to be stamped by the local authorities i.e. the rental agreement has to be legal
or you can bring a document from your landlord stating that you live at the address verified by a notary
2. Two passport photos
3.
Your passport with a valid visa
If you miss the registration you will have to pay a fine from 340 to 640 UAH at the local OVIR (depends on which district of Kiev you live in). When registered successfully you will have a stamp in your passport. If you don't they might demand the fine at the airport from you when you are leaving.
Gemini its a funny thing you mention ovir office true my last trip i went kazan sochi / yoshkar / adler moscow -i forgot all about the registration stuff i did register in yoshkar but after that i roamed everywhere at airport etc nobody hassled me on leaving iam dead sure i did not do it correct but nobody said ''boo'' to me !
Unless sweetheart took care of it all without me twigging i dont know - that was my 10th trip since 1999 now unless memory fails i cant recall going overboard in ovir offices anywhere and i think ive just about been all over russia .
ive never really taken much notice of the ovir stuff --i just roam !
I bank on the fact well if ive stuffed up - somebody il let me know ! i did get checked 2 times militia in a train ! but he gave me no real worries!
I know blokes whom have had worries the ovir check thing then the next two blokes you meet have done it all wrong over thier with checks etc and never get challenged i cant work it all out this ovir stuff! certainly has given me no grief thier .
ive learnt to live with the fact in russia well if you are getting it wrong somebody il let you know --otherwise you seem to get left alone is how ive found it to be .
End of the day i personally dont give it to much thought as if i want to go somewhere believe me i just go there .
mike 00