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If married to Russian girl,is it easier to be able to move to Russia
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Posted by: mistermopar

Ok guys and girls,I wasn't sure where to post this so I stuck it here.

I was wondering

,when a Russian girl marries a American/Canadian,
she can move to the country of her husband.
But,what if you want to move to her country instead,is being married to her make it easier to move there and live?Or,will you only be granted a stay there for so long and have to leave the country for so long and return again?????
Just courious,never know what my future holds....

Randy

Posted by: AngryFisherman

Randy, I think RVRCowboy is certainly the right person to answer this question as he has relocated to Tver.

But as I have understood from my wife (who is from Moscow), things do not automatically get easier just because you are married to a citizen of the Russian Federation. If I remember correctly my wife had planned to file some papers for me this summer if we go to Moscow to stay there for a month. These papers apply for permission to stay (in Moscow / Russia) and will be valid for 1 or 3 years (will ask her later today), I think the latter because there will be some hassle to do these papers due to the fact that I need to be in Moscow this whole month for these procedings (need to return to the issuing office at the beginning and the end when they are finished).

I have also read that a lot of expats choose to apply for 1 year business visas instead to avoid the hassle, but this will probably have a reverse effect if you wish to receive some permanent permission to stay in Russia sometime in the future.

By the way, my wife actually has to apply for permission to stay every year for 4 years before she can apply for permanent residence here in Norway (if not married then 7 years, and this does not include citizenship).

Any trips to Ukraine/Russia in the nearest future?

Cheers,
FisherMan

Posted by: mistermopar

Thanks Fisherman,I some how did not think it would be easy.

I would like to take a trip to Volzhsky in the near future,just have to save a little more money.

Thanks

Randy

Posted by: inlove

There are long-term visas available, but if you are planning on MOVING to Russia, not just visiting for a month or two every year, you have to look into a permanent residency. It is easier to get a permanent residency if you are married to a Russian citizen, than getting it on your own. But if you are planning on getting visitor visas, the procedure is the same as it was before you got married..

Posted by: mistermopar

Quote:

It is easier to get a permanent residency if you are married to a Russian citizen, than getting it on your own.

Thank you inlove,thats the answer I was looking for.
I am not saying this is what I am going to do,but I like to keep my options open.I know it is not every Russian girls dream to move to another country,some love their country.So incase I encounter this situation,I will have the option to move there if she dose not want to relocate.

Thanks again inlove

Randy

Posted by: wavetossed

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistermopar

Thank you inlove,thats the answer I was looking for.

Applying for permanent residency can be a bit complicated. The best strategy for moving to Russia is to get a 1 year business visa, move to Russia, and then gather all the information that you need first hand in Russia. If you can't get everything set for the permanent residency application before the visa expires, it is pretty simple to go to a nearby country like Latvia and apply for a renewal for an additional year.

Also, when you are in Russia, talk to some immigration lawyer who have experience with the process. As you will discover in Russia, it is not unusual to meet people who have immigrated from other countries. It isn't yet as common as it is in Canada, but there are immigrants in Russia from all over the world.

Posted by: mistermopar

Thanks for the info wavetossed.
Like I had said earlier,I am only looking for this info to keep my options open in the future.
But all of the info I recieve is very important to me.

Randy

Posted by: EasyTarget

http://www.ukraineinfo.us/consular/immigration.html
Has the information required to move to the Ukraine.

Posted by: mistermopar

LOL,thanks Easy Target......but it Russia I was looking at going to,if I was going to do so.
But I am sure that link will be helpfull to others looking at moving to the Ukraine.

Thanks
Randy

Posted by: AngryFisherman

A follow up ...

My preliminary research shows that visa / permission to stay can be given for one year at a time (if you are married to a citizen of the Russian Federation that is), and then you probably have to do this procedure for a few years before you will eventually be able to apply for permanent residence. The biggest bugger as I see it is that they will take your passport while reviewing your case (something which seems to take between 1-2 months), so you will for sure need to stay in Russia during the procedings. Now if you are planning on staying there for a prolonged period this is probably not an issue, but if you are, like me, looking for an alternative way of receiving a visa, this will be a major hindrance as there is no way I will be able to stay there for more than 3 weeks at a time.

I have already had a business visa and my experience is in general very positive, but it can be a tad expensive (and you depend on some company for registering).

FisherMan

Posted by: mistermopar

Thanks AngryFisherman,every little bit of info helps.

Randy

Posted by: jeffs

Randy,

I am investigating the same thing. You can get a 1 year multiple entry business visa and just leave each year to renew it. I'd google for some expat forums. You can find alot of information about living there and apartments. According to the people I've spoken with going that direct is pretty simple (aside from the cultural differences, new language, and low paying jobs)

Good luck...

Posted by: mistermopar

Thanks Jeffs,I will try some differant googles on expats.

Randy