Job Discussion Forums

[hofeizai]

I think this question has been addressed elsewhere, but hoping someone will tell me I'm right. I like it when people tell me I'm right.

I am currently working for a school, and things are not working out. I plan on leaving the job and the country next month. I do not expect the school will be happy about this, but am not losing a lot of sleep over it.

My plan is to head to Moscow for about a week while I apply for a visa to the next country. My question is whether there is anything the school can do to make life difficult for me in regards to my visa. I have a work visa that is good until next year. My assumption is that if I show up with a valid visa in my passport, immigration officials will be happy to let me leave, but I'd rather not be surprised at the border.

[coledavis]

I think that you can get out without problems as, assuming it is a multiple visa, they have no way of knowing if you are on holiday. I do not think, however, that you will be able use your visa for working for another Russian school, as your visa is predicated on working for the issuing employer.

Applying for a visa for another country from Russia seems problematic. Don't most countries expect you to apply from your country of origin?

[Sashadroogie]

To the very best of my knowledge, there is precious little that your employers can do about your visa. They may bluster about cancelling it, and tell you you have 48 hours to leave Russia, blah blah. But so long as you have your passport in your possession, and never let them get their mitts near it, then there is not much they can do. They have no power or authority to do anything. Only the Migration Service can cancel visas. They only do this when they can stamp your passport. So, technically, you should have no problems until the expiry date of your visa. A week or two after you stop working? No chance of immigration issues, that I can see.

However, not sure where in Russia you are based, but if you stay in Moscow for a week, you'll need to be registered here by your hotel etc. Not a problem, unless you then wish to return to your place of employment, whereupon your employers would need to register you in that district again. Here, they may be stupid enough to get shirty, even though they are the ones who face massive fines were you to be caught by the boys in grey without this document. May not matter. All depends on your travel plans. Again, though, this is not an area of concern for the border guards in airports. They do not ask for registration. No authority to ask for it, officially, I'm told by my legal team.

Hope that helps set your mind at ease. Best of luck with your future plans.

[hofeizai]

Thanks, that is reassuring. Cole, you are right, it is often required you apply from your home country, but not always. I'm applying to one of those that doesn't. I think I'll be registering wit the police, then just moving on from Moscow. Maybe I'll try switching hotels and see if I can just not register.