Way to Russia Talk Lounge

jbrice · Just Starting Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Paris

I will be going to Moscow Feb. 29 for a week (till march7). I have booked a hotel room for the entire length of the stay which helped me get my visa. However I have a Russian friend that has invited me to with her for some/all of my stay. My question is how can I stay with my friend and get the visa stamp. Can I just stay in the hotel for the first 1/2 nights and get the stamp or should I wait 3 days and then stay at the hotel for a few nights. I'm not quite sure how the visa exit stamp works - is it stamped for a limited time. i.e if I just stay in a hotel for a few days will they only give me an exit stamp that lasts a few days? Please help! Thanks.

Anya · Lounge Lizard Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 157

HI! It's possible you can stay in the hotel for the initial part of your stay. I had my visa and registration handled by a travel agency that issued my business visa. I stayed in a hotel for a few days, then stayed with a friend. But here are the rules.

The hotel will register you upon your check in, and will give you or exit stamp after you check out. They will not give you an exit stamp that last a few days after you check out.

Following that, you *must* get your friend to help you re-register at the OVIR (immigration) office within 3 working days. Could mean long Qs.

You may want to contact a travel agency or law firm to help you out with the process. Just ensure the firm is reputable.

Probably you won't need to re-register, since the law requires you to register you new place of stay within 3 working days. But it depends on your travel plan.

But please contact with your travel agency or the Russian Embassy to clarify things.

jbrice · Just Starting Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Paris

Hi Anya. Thanks for your reply. I must say it would be less stressful to go on holiday somewhere else!

OK. still trying to get round going to the OVIR as don't want to spend my holiday queuing! I will probably travel to St Petersburg on the sleeper train during my holiday which will mean 2 nights out. This is what I think I'll do - not sure if it works visa wise.

Stay first 3 nights with my friend (one is a Sunday so guess that doesn't count seeing as it's the weekend). Will go to a hotel the next day and stay the night there and get the famous exit stamp. Will then get the train the next night for St Pertersburg which will mean two nights out (I will not stay in St Petersburg but will come straight back on the train). The next day I will go back to the hotel in Moscow and book in again for the last night and get another stamp. There you go. would be great if that worked. If you could let me know what you think it would be much appreciated!
p.s. if we don't go on the sleeper train I would go back to my friends house for those 2 nights.
Thanks again!
Jennie