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Russian propriskas
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Posted by: BradIL

Off and on... in various threads... propriskas in Russia emerge among the posts.

It was my understanding it originated as a way to control the process of Russification established by Josef Stalin.

Later... the CPUSSR used it to reward loyal party members by controlling migration among the principal cities in the USSR, especially Moscow.

In other forums I have noticed that propriskas have become an active topic of discussion in the last year. It seems in 2005 the requirements for possessing a propriska for legal residence in Moscow were altered. While previously its importance dwindled, its being enforced more vigorously.

I am confused as to its relevance in today's Russia/Moscow. I ask because a RW I am writing has relocated to Moscow for a new job. I don't know if she has propriska or not (I assumed she did), but have been told that new jobs (no matter how desirable), do NOT automatically generate the issuance of a propriska.

Can someone fill in the details about the propriska. Its importance, and perhaps, the punishment a Russian citizen can face if they are caught in Moscow without one? Are these 2005 reforms dramatic?

Posted by: BradIL

I have had wonderful background information provided to me by JimFL and Eryk... and I hope they decide to post in this thread.

Meanwhile... I have been searching the web and there are several sources with information about the problems a Russian (especially those living in Moscow) encounter without a propiska.

Consider reading: nelegalov.net/

Nelegalov apparently is the nom de jeur of the illegals that live in Moscow and other cities without a propiska. It will take some time to read all of this... but the initial information I'm picking up is revealing!!! To be sure, I now understand why a Moscow propiska is highly prized and highly valued by Russians.

Posted by: Samurai_Bob

Even today, the process of obtaining the registration is usually not as simple as just notifying the authorities of one's residence. There is still much corruption and abuse related to getting a propiska. For instance, Moscow authorities are known to demand "fines" from anyone who does not have a passport with Moscow registration, particularly those who do not look Slavic.

Reportedly, many people prefer to avoid a time-consuming procedure of getting a temporary registration when they visit Moscow and risk to pay a bribe, which as of mid-2005 was 500 roubles (about $15).

In the rest of the country the inhabitants of Moscow are frequently subjected to ridicule because they always have to carry their passports with them, to avoid such "fines". At some point Moscow authorities tried to demand an unreasonable fee (as high as US$5,000) for registration. It was later repealed through court action.

Posted by: PrincetonLion

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradIL

Consider reading: nelegalov.net/

Nelegalov apparently is the nom de jeur of the illegals that live in Moscow and other cities without a propiska.

"nelegalov.net" literally means "no.illegals" (as well as "deneg.net" means "no.money", by the way...

)

Posted by: BradIL

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrincetonLion

"nelegalov.net" literally means "no.illegals" (as well as "deneg.net" means "no.money", by the way...

)

Princeton... this word "nelegalov" seems to be used SEVERAL WAYS...

One would appear to be NOT LEGAL... and then as you say... its NO LEGAL (I guess banish illegals). English also has its share of words with multiple meanings, so I am a little confused, at times, just precisely what I should infer when nelegalov is tossed into a paragraph.