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importance of registering your visa
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Posted by: BluesTraveler

Recently I traveled to Russia - Moscow to be more precise. And I would like to remind everyone how important it is to register your visa. I knew I was supposed to do it, but I was thinking, what is the big deal???

Well walking through the streets of Moscow I figured out what the big deal was. I got stopped by a local policeman who decided he needed to get some rent money from ME. After going back and forth for ages I had to cough up a bribe. $300.00 later and I was able to get my passport back.

I am sure even if I did register he would have found some other reason to shake me down for some rent money. But maybe the fine wouldn't have been so expensive.

Just a heads up for those traveling to Russia.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Very true BT. You don't have to register if you will be staying less then 3 days. It is also important to register your passport in every country you visit even if you don't need a visa. I traveled to Moldova, Ukraine, and Bulgaria. I didn't need a visa but I needed to register my passport.

The important "thing" about all this is to blend in with the crowd and you won't be hassled by the police. Let your lady do the talking when you're shopping or getting a taxi. Even registering at a hotel or buying tickets. She can get a better price then you.

Leave your Hawaiian print shirts at home!

Posted by: brian92

What exactly does registering your passport get you? If you register your passport, now the embassy knows you are there.. Great! But, so what? If you loose your passport or it is taken by the police how will having your passport registered help ease things?
Thanks
B

Posted by: sidney

If you lose your passport you'll need a copy of it. I always keep several in different luggage with phone number of the us embassy. The police will fine you an amount they believe can be taken. They seem to set the bribe price by how afraid you appear. It's best to not be shaken in these situations. I was stopped and only had a copy of my passport. They wanted an original. I told them the hotel had it and if they wanted it to go to the hotel. When they saw I wasn't afraid or gonna give a bribe they said that next time I better have it. I said thank you and left. My only loss was about 45 minutes in time. This was my only time and several years ago so things may have changed.
Sid

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian92

What exactly does registering your passport get you? If you register your passport, now the embassy knows you are there.. Great! But, so what? If you loose your passport or it is taken by the police how will having your passport registered help ease things?
Thanks
B

If you don't register and are asked for your passport, you could be fined, interogated, put in jail, deported, or all of the above.

The hotel you stay at will usually do this for you. If not, then visit the police station to have your passport registered within 3 days of arrival. It is also wise to register your passport with the U.S. Embassy before you leave. You can do this on-line. If something goes wrong in the country you're visiting and request help from the embassy, they will have you on file along with your passport number. Saves a lot of time and hassle if you need their assistance. Also call your credit card company and tell them you will be using these cards in Europe during a certain timeframe.

Posted by: Jutman

yep

Tried it.

We were supposed to made the reg at OVIR, but they did'nt wanna do it. So when we came to Moscow and wanna check in a hotel, we could'nt, before we have visited the local police station. Took about 1 hour and 1500 rubles. No bribe or anything, and there were friendly. 1500 rubles, a lot cheaper than booking a hotel for 2 weeks.