Way to Russia Talk Lounge

jesuilife · Just Starting Joined: 29 Apr 2009 Posts: 2

I'm flying in recently, and I was wondering if anyone could tell me the types of questions asked in the passport control.

obviously, they'll ask where im flying from..

but really, my question is, i am on a tourist visa but i am not staying in a hotel - i'm staying with friends. will they ask me who i'm staying with? and in that situation, should i just say hotel or should i give them my friends address?

i don't really know the process. would appreciate anyone helping me out!
thanks so much.

camarks · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 3:55 pm Post subject:

They probably won't ask you any questions on the way in, but if they do just make sure your answers are consistent with your invitation and visa. The same pretty much applies on the way out. Make your answers consistent with your registration, and by all means make sure you properly register your visa.

gaijin · Lounge Lizard Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 155

If you have a tourist visa you are supposed to register at a hotel. If your friends know people working at a hotel, that can help. If not, the chance of being controlled in Piter, Moscow or cities of the Central region has become quite small. I've had the feeling, during the past 2 years, that cops have been instructed to not bother tourists in touristic cities. Especially after I was stopped (I was running, don't do anything unusual if you want to avoid controls) without registration by a cop in Moscow, and let go with a smile. Even when I'm in full tourist mode (back pack, camera...), which happens several times every summer, I haven't been controlled in 2 years. It was quite different a few years back.
However, don't count on not being controlled if you have darkish skin (Arab, Indian... types).
Don't worry about airport passport control. Just don't lose the immigration card. They will never ask any question unless something is unusual with your passport or visa (the only thing I can think of is emergency passports).

Forgot the obvious : in Moscow and Piter some agencies will get you a registration for a reasonable fee.