Way to Russia Talk Lounge

azaslavsky · Just Starting Joined: 18 Aug 2009 Posts: 1

Hello!
I am going to russia in a couple of weeks. I have my US passport and both of my Russian passports -domestic and international (non that are expired). I know that I can travel to Russia using my int'l Russian passport but i am comfused as to what passport to use when i check in in US, before boarding the plane to Russia, and what passport (US or Russian) do i show when i get to passport control in Moscow. Same question applies to when I leave Moscow, do I show my US or Russian passport at the passport control?
I want to avoid any visa questions/issues when I enter/leave Russia and US. Please help!

Also, anythink that I should keep in mind when filling out the customs declaration in Russia?

thank u !

romdur · Lounge Lizard Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 151 Location: USA

I am not writing from experience here, but I think that the rules are clear. As far as the Russian Federation is concerned, its citizens must travel to and from Russia on Russian documents, regardless of citizenship in other countries.

This could be a problem, for example, if your заграничный passport were expired - it would be almost impossible to get a visa to Russia on your U.S. passport. Of course, since all your passports are current, you are fine.

So when you deal with any Russian government official, show your Russian passport. Also, when you check in for your flight into Russia, the airline will want to see your Russian passport, to verify that you are legally able to enter the Russian Federation.

There are two places where I expect you will need to show your U.S. passport: at the airline check-in for your flight back to America (again, to confirm you have permission to enter your destination country), and of course at passport control/customs in the U.S.

When I travel to Russia, I don't bring gifts or large amounts of currency, so I simply walk through the green aisle (nothing to declare). I don't think I have even seen a Russian customs form - other folks on the forum can advise you on this.