Job Discussion Forums

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

Hiya,

Recently, three of my acquaintances have been denied visas to return to Russia. Although I can understand one of them (he got into with a cop) being denied, the other two are a mystery (to me and them: one is a teacher, another with a charitable organization). This had me worried, as I was soon to apply for another visa (which I have subsequently got).

Have any of you noticed a crack-down on visas in the last few months? Anyone ever been denied?

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

This is a real bind,but unfortunately there is very little you can do about it unless you have contacts with either your Embassy in Russia or maybe the Foreign office at home, who could probably at least help you find out the reason why.Of course if you are really desperate to get back in there, you could apply for a tourist visa to Belarus-if they have an embassy in your home country.There is no passport control on trains between there and Russia but remember not to tell them you have been refused a Russian visa or they will probably do likewise and also don't try asking for a transit visa only or they will want to know where you are going from there and then say you have no Russian visa etc!Although you will be able to return to Moscow or wherever via this loophole, it will mean you are illegal and consequently unable to register your stay so be prepared for the worst when you finally go to the airport and may be black-listed from future entry to Russia etc!Also don't try flying from Belarus to Russia as they do ask for passports etc. that way!
Maybe divine providence is at work anyway and you are not meant to go there again, so why tempt fate???

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

Actually, I got my visa (phew), but two of my friends didn't. I was just wondering if anyone had noticed a crack-down for visas as of late. Thanks for the tips, though (might need them in the future!).

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Well the charitable organisation refusal is understandable, within the context of Mr Putin stamping down on these.

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

It seems Putin and his regime are cracking down on just about anyone who for some pretext or another,they consider to be ' against Russias interests etc'.Although this is unfortunately not unusual in many other countries too,what really disturbed me during the time I was in Moscow recently is that the majority of people are not concerned about this or are at best, indifferent.This is a country where the past has never really been openly examined and expurgated,as it was, for example in Germany after 1945 and I just hope history does not have a habit of repeating itself because it would be a tragedy for the long-suffering people of Russia.

kazachka · Joined: 19 Nov 2004 Posts: 220 Location: Moscow and Alaska

Hmm I've read recent threads on ppl being denied an invite if they were late on their registration and paid a fine in the official manner. I hear that if you do this twice it means no invite the following yr Shocked

so be careful and be sure to register ON TIME!

BELS · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 402 Location: Moscow

Is it true that you must leave the country every three months instead of every 6months for a years visa? I remember Putin stating that he is going to make it easier for business visas. I don't understand.

About eight years ago they stated they were going to make it easier to get a residential visa for married couples, instead they made it more complicated. Why don't they simply ban complex visas for western Europeans like they do in most other countries.

demoiselle · Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Posts: 25

I am on a year's visa and I don't have to leave until the 6th month mark.

GF · Joined: 08 Jun 2003 Posts: 238 Location: Tallinn

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

Visas, rules. bureaucracy and red- tape are what corrupt dictatorships thrive on and slowly but surely,Putin is bringing it back again, Soviet style!But do most Russians realise it, or even care????

alenka · Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 1

[quote="maruss"]Visas, rules. bureaucracy and red- tape are what corrupt dictatorships thrive on and slowly but surely,Putin is bringing it back again, Soviet style!But do most Russians realise it, or even care????[/quote]

I am Russian, I am a student in one of the schools here in Moscow. Not all Russians like what going on in Russia now, but it is the same in the US or UK. Have a look at this http://p10.hostingprod.com/@spyblog.org.uk/blog/2005/06/tony_blairs_press_conference_t.html
Let me know if that looks like simplifying the rules!
And I have to register when we come to any European country and that is not that cheap, I would say.

As for visas I can tell, that working visas have been simplified a lot recently. The registration now is only a form you have to give to the officials.

I don't really understand why should they simplify all the process with business visas?! And why you people are that angry about that?! Well, I understand. However you should keep in mind that working on a business visa is illegal, you are not paying taxes. I don't think your home country would've been happy with not paying taxes, why Russia should?

I don't want to be mean at all, but it's just unfair when you blame Russian bureaucracy in everything and absolutely the same is going on in your home countries.

Nexus · Joined: 08 Mar 2004 Posts: 189 Location: Moscow

[quote="alenka However you should keep in mind that working on a business visa is illegal, you are not paying taxes. I don't think your home country would've been happy with not paying taxes, why Russia should?[/quote]

Paying taxes! ho ho ho ! woooo hoo hoo! That's a good one that is! Pay taxes in Russia!! ha ha ha

canucktechie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 343 Location: Moscow

jonniboy · Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 7:59 am Post subject: Re: Why....

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

Some good viewpoints,all of which are correct in one way or another.I appreciate why Alenka feels peeved about what she believes is unfair discrimination against Russians in many western countries and a good example is the way that very wealthy Russians are able to get into the U.K. and buy up places such as Knightsbridge and Kensington etc yet a decent and honest person like her would probably not get a visa without good contacts in the British Embassy in Moscow etc.It's no secret that most Russians with mega-money are either crooked or obnoxious-usually both,yet the British Authorities are prepared to turn a blind-eye to that for the financial advantages they offer the country!Cyprus, where I have lived for nearly 30 years on and off, is another example of this,although much worse than the U.K.
The unfortunate fact remains that Russia is a country run by a largely corrupt and often criminal elite, and cannot be compared even remotely with western countries as regards a civil society and institutions etc.So many young people there told me that they would go abroad if they could,simply because, in their own words, people who are decent and honest in their country get trodden on, while those who without principles thrive!Very sad but also very true!!But because they have oil and gas they have power which is as strong as nuclear weapons were in Soviet times, perhaps more so!