Way to Russia Talk Lounge

kolobed · Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 10:55 pm Post subject: renouncing russian citizenship

hey peepsels. does anyone know how long it takes until my russian citizenship will officially be in the toilet, given no unusual circumstances, from the time that all of the documents have been submitted?

i recently became a US citizen and i'm preparing for my return to the "mother land" for the first time in 12 years. i haven't been able to visit due to the risk of being drafted the moment i step onto the russian soil.

thanks in advance...

overseas_expat · VIP Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 577 Location: Moscow

If you are traveling on a US passport and all your visa /registration documents are in order, you have no worries about the draft. Expect no problems.

kolobed · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 9:34 pm Post subject:

i wish that was the case. unfortunately, unless i formally renounce my russian citizenship, my US passport has very little, if any validity while i am on russian soil. it's a very common misconception that many russian immigrants have fallen victim to and have paid dearly for underestimating the relentless inconsistency and incompetence of russian bureaucracy.

U.S. citizens who have at one time held Russian citizenship are often required to renounce Russian citizenship before applying for a Russian visa in their U.S. passport. Unless a former Russian citizen has formally renounced his or her Russian citizenship through a Russian Embassy or Consulate, he or she always risks being considered a Russian citizen and not allowed to depart on any travel document except a Russian passport. This can also interfere with access to U.S. consular services in case of an emergency.

source: US consulate in st. petersburg.

http://stpetersburg.usconsulate.gov/citizen_visas.htm

tuller · Talk Show Host Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 238

My wife and I travel to Russia several times a year for visits with her family and friends.
She has her Amercian citizenship, American Passport and dual citizenship.
She's never had any problems entering or exiting Russia.
We travel on tourist visas and she always carries a copy of her green card.

tuller

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

kolobed · Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 4:16 am Post subject: Re: Travel

kolobed · Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 4:23 am Post subject:

guys...

i really appreciate everyone's input... but i do not need to be advised as to whether or not i should remain a russian citizen and whether or not it is safe to travel to russia as a "dual" citizen. however, if anyone is curious and would like to hear my input pertaining to this matter, i would be more than happy to share it. it seems like a lot of people do not take the necessary precautions until something serious happens to them.

but my question is for those who have gone through the process and have renounced their russian citizenship.

tuller · Talk Show Host Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 238

a. russia does not recognize dual citizenship
b. ins confiscates the green card at the time of the oath, so i don't know how it's even possible that your wife has both a green card and a US passport
c. your wife is not in danger of being drafted into the russian army
d. if you ever do have a problem and your wife is a russian citizen, the problem will be severe and she will not be able to receive any assistance from US consulate.[/quote]

My wife "does" have a dual citizenship. She never renounced her Russian Citizenship....She "does" have a copy of her Green Card....
She goes to Russia on her American Passport...
As an American Citizen, which she is, the American Counsulate "would help her"....
Since she got her American Citizenship she has been in and out of Russia 18 times with NO problems...so has her Russian friends here...NO problems.
We just returned from a trip to Russia...NO problems.
She is an American Citizen...she has to have the same thing as I do to travel to Russia....a US Passport and Visa....NO questions asked.
If you're so paranoid about going back to Russia then stay at home where ever you live. Call your Russian Consulate and ask "them" about you returning to Russia.
You can't believe all the "horror stories" you read about traveling to Russia. ..seek the facts for yourself.

tuller

kolobed · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 6:10 am Post subject:

dear tuller,

although your enthusiasm on this issue is quite admirable, perhaps even endearing to some degree, i am not seeking advice on whether or not i should take certain legal precautions prior to entering the country. i am simply attempting to approximate the length of time that it takes to renounce a russian citizenship, so i can plan my trip accordingly. obviously, you cannot provide me with a satisfactory level of assistance on this matter.

however, i highly recommend that you familiarize yourself further with russian law, practice and enforcement thereof, considering your wife's frequent visits to the country. in case you missed the link that i included in one of my earlier posts....

http://stpetersburg.usconsulate.gov/citizen_visas.htm

this would be a good start. i would like to quote certain important sections:

Russian immigration and visa laws have been recently changed, and, reportedly more changes are being contemplated. The implementation of these laws has not always been transparent or predictable. In addition, Russian Immigration officials at times implement the laws and regulations governing entry and exit inconsistently

The Russian government does not recognize the standing of U.S. consular officers to intervene in visa cases.

Unless a former Russian citizen has formally renounced his or her Russian citizenship through a Russian Embassy or Consulate, he or she always risks being considered a Russian citizen and not allowed to depart on any travel document except a Russian passport.

and finally...

Males of conscript age (18 - 27 years old) who are deemed to be Russian citizens may experience problems if they have not satisfied their military service requirement.

i assume that you are an american citizen and were most likely born here in the states. you have to understand that russian government does not always recognize or cherish such values as liberty, freedom, justice or even honesty. in light of a recent heightening of the nationalistic drive initiated by putin and co, the situation and attitude towards visitors from foreign countries, especially those that once were "fellow country(wo)men" is becoming.... well, let's just say it ain't so great already.

remember what your mother told you... it's always better to be safe than sorry. and "sorry" in this case may turn into a "oh shit, we're fucked..."

stavrom · Just Starting Joined: 07 Jun 2007 Posts: 1

You are just a f**king dipstick and have no friends..... Brick wall

kolobed · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 5:45 pm Post subject:

Generation P · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 8:10 pm Post subject:

mister_wizzz · VIP Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 551

Generation P · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 3:59 pm Post subject:

Of course the way is money, but it seems to be very popular method in big cities, just what I read that 15% per cent is attending to the army in St. Pete. But don't they accept schooling as a reason for not going to army? Thou would be interesting to know if they consider schooling abroad to be reason not going to army? And medical report as well? I've never met a Russian who had been to the army... unless here is someone

mister_wizzz · VIP Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 551