Job Discussion Forums

[FireRunsWyld]

And now I get to jump through all of the paperwork crap to get a temporary residence visa which is only good for 4 months. Now, I'm confused about this... you have to get the temp 4 month res visa in order to get the 3 year res visa. But they won't issue you the three year visa until you've resided in the same place in Russia for one full year. ... Brain... melting... eye... twitching... And some websites say you need an extra work permit on top of the residence visa, while other sites say if you're married to a russian, then all you need to work is the temp res visa. Has anybody been through a similar situation? My wife has to finish one more year of university in Ulyanovsk, so I was also wondering if anybody knows of any good mcschools there that might take on a newbie. If not, I'll try and get in at LL Samara. Thoughts? Comments? Concerns? Thanks folks!

-edit: And the reason I ask you all about this is because my wife has tried looking for the info in Russian and she's just as frustrated as I am. There seems to be a whooooole mess o' contradictions.

-Justin

[jpvanderwerf2001]

I, too, am married to a Russian. One thing to remember is that the process of getting the Temp. Living/Residency is that every city...no, wait, every district in each city (or different desks at the same office) may have varying requirements and rules. That's the FUN of living in Russia! Isn't it FUN?!
What your wife needs to do is get down to the immigration services in the city where you live, deal with ONE person if possible (and the highest ranking person she can), ask that person exactly what you need and when, and then do it.
Now, there'll be a very good chance that no one in the office will have the first clue what you're actually supposed to have/do, and might get surly at you for expecting them to know (what to do...at their jobs). Sound like fun? It IS!!
Ok, perhaps after a "favor" or two (in our case a nice home furnishing), someone at the office might be able to produce a list of what is needed. Do so, and do it quickly as possible. But remember: Make sure you have EVERYTHING you need the first time, or you'll be looking at many, many more moons--and possibly many more documents, before anything transpires.
Some things we needed off the top of my head (either the originals or notarized copies):
* Your marriage certificate;
* Your visa/migration documentation;
* Your passport;
* Your work documentation (pay slips from the last year, if I remember correctly);
* Documentation from your home country which states that you're not a criminal;
* Health certificates (AIDS, total check-up; this should be done in Russia);
* The application forms for Temp/Permanent residency themselves; and
* A partridge in a pear tree .
The biggest issue we had was making sure all the documents were timed appropriately. What I mean by this is that the health certification might only be good for three months, and you have to get all the docs in before that expires (this happened to us ).
It would help exponentially if you wife gets to know the people who work in the immigration/police departments (a personal contact is always most helpful), as they are just as likely to say "no" to "yes" in any part of the process. My wife logged some serious hours (for which I'm forever indebted) and greased a few palms to get it done. The whole process took six months on the button.
As far as I understand, if you have a job, you have the right to stay in Russia while the process is going on (meaning you can stay in Russia and wait for that six months to finish). But you must be gainfully employed and your visa must extend to when you hand in your papers. Please check on the current (or local) rules in this regard!
That's my experience. If you look on www.expat.ru you will see people who've had much more difficult--and easier, times getting this done.
Best of luck!

[zeke0606]

And you make it sound soooooooooo easy!

Yes, I am married to a Russian woman too and jpvanderwerf2001 - you are spot on!

Especially about every office and every desk having different requirements and finding a 'friendly' among the sharks and bribe takers!

We were lucky, even the chief director at the passport office was one of those 'friendlies'. But equally opposite and mean and very nasty - was everyone at the old OVIR office - we had only antagonism and misery. A letter to Persident Putin (back when we applied) and his reply to the chief of OVIR really helped the dictator to understand the improtance of keeping his word.

Zeke

[maruss]

Everyone in Russia is petrified of Uncle Vlad and the power he has behind him,even if they pretend to just admire him!Anyone who really isn't is not brave,just a complete fool!

[zeke0606]

maruss

Just what does your ranting about Mr. Putin have to do with this thread? When are you going to grow up a little and get off that soap box of railing against the Russian government in general and Mr. Putin in particular? In every post, this is your rant no matter what the thread is about. You don't even live here. You haven't even been here in years (and I think - never).

Are you the president of the SPOILERS CLUB? I'm asking because in every post you throw a wet blanket on everything that is said by everyone.

Maybe you need to get a life wherever you DO live!

Zeke

[maruss]

Because you are becoming as hyper-sensitive about any criticism of the Russian system as some Russian ultra- nationalists!Sorry to have to correct you but I did live in Russia for quite some time not so very long ago and had travelled around the place for about 10 years previous to that so I think I can claim some first hand experience?As other people will have noted,I do not ALWAYS write bad things abouit everything to do with Russia and its people but am a strong believer in being frank and saying what may not please everyone, but then that's what democracy is all about?I I told you about some of my experiences and what happened to people I knew such as journalists,I think you would not get so upset about my criticism of the regime there.You only have to consider what happened to a well-known human rights lawyer right in the centre of Moscow a couple of weeks ago,and the unfortunate young reporter who was with him to see where I am coming from!
So rather than over-react when someone says anything critical about something,why not try to see the reality which lies benetath the surface
If you have broadband out there,go to Google videos and watch 'Railway of Bones' then send me another posting.
Meanwhile,sorry if I have offended you and I'm always glad to read anyones comments on Russia on the principle that the right to say what you believe is sacred, no exceptions!