Job Discussion Forums

Peg Leg Pete · Joined: 12 Feb 2010 Posts: 80 Location: Moscow

When an employer arranges visa support they obviously are making an investment. However, is it normal for them to then seek to place your passport in a secure place and "if you ever need it, just ask us for it"? To me it looks a little bit like I'd be a prisoner.

Has this happened to any of you before? I'm not to happy about doing it.

smithrn1983 · Joined: 23 Jul 2010 Posts: 320 Location: Moscow

Don't do it. Aside from the implication that they want to keep you on a leash, you need your passport just for daily living here. If you need to change money, or decide to open a bank account, or even need to enter certain buildings here, you have to have your passport with you. Copies will not suffice. Keep it with you.

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

No. Nope. Never. No way.
There is NO reason for an employer in Russia to keep your passport, apart from the odd bureaucratic reason (which should be hours, not days).
smithrn is totally right. You never know when you're going to need it.

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

Unless it's for one day for registration to be completed etc. there is no reason for ANYONE to keep your passport and that includes the notorious Russian police!They are entitled to see it to prove your identity and check that you have valid registration and visa but NOT to keep it!Anyone who needs it, such as an employer can always make a photo-copy or you can have a few made yourself for such eventualities...
This sounds as if your employer may not have honest intentions towards you and is not a good sign....

VladJR87 · Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 87 Location: Moscow RU

Crazy, they must know you would never fall for such a thing. Are you sure you understood correctly?

If you get checked by police and do not have your passport on you I am pretty sure you end up in jail until they can identify you. Surely that is not in your employer's interest?

Peg Leg Pete · Joined: 12 Feb 2010 Posts: 80 Location: Moscow

I agree with all that you guys have said. The employer claims that I will be ok with a notarised copy, but to me it looks like a form of detention. I can only exit the country if they agree.

Peg Leg Pete · Joined: 12 Feb 2010 Posts: 80 Location: Moscow

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Keep your passport and, if you're worried about being seen as difficult, tell them that you know another teacher who has been arrested for not carrying it around with him (i.e. me). I know you don't really have to justify your refusal, but it might help.

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

If they give you heck about this, I would think twice about working for them. As Maruss wrote, they only probably don't have the best of intentions.
The whole thing sounds shady.

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Just a slight possibility: they may be truly solicitous about your welfare (in a rather cloying way - I can remember one boss trying to persuade me not to travel to another part of Russia over new year, I guess because they were officially responsible for my welfare if anything went wrong) and are not thinking sensibly about the penalties for you for not carrying documents. If so, then the response I've suggested should clear the air. Certainly if I they continue to request your passport, you need to think about clearing out.

Peg Leg Pete · Joined: 12 Feb 2010 Posts: 80 Location: Moscow

Thanks for the support and advice. I have managed to clear the air. They have been stung before for a bloody big fine because some teachers didn't inform them of a short break. The teachers went out of Russia-and were not deregistered-and then returned. The company were held to be liable. So I do understand the frustration and general annoyance. However, they did understand that looking after my passport for me was a bad idea.

So, thanks again for your help. The moral of this story? Stand up for yourself and don't be afraid to ask for advice.

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Well done.

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

Right, well done. That makes sense. Enjoy

smithrn1983 · Joined: 23 Jul 2010 Posts: 320 Location: Moscow

Agreed. Well done on your part.

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

speaking of registering deregisterng and all that bee ess....this is not looking good-
http://www.redtape.ru/forum/showthread.php?t=43500

If it comes down to having to pester my landlord every time I want to go anywhere or if in any way I feel this will restrict my travel in any way, this will be the final straw that causes me to just up and leave.