Job Discussion Forums

neil1979 · Joined: 15 Nov 2003 Posts: 33

Sorry if this is a naive question, but I just wanted to ask: is it possible to get a new visa or extend a current one without leaving Russia at the expiry of the old one?
I am on a 1 year business visa which runs out in three months. I will be visiting my home country (Ireland) later in the summer and wondered is it possible for me to apply for a new visa there, which would start the day after my present one expires, meaning that when i came back to Russia i would not have to leave again a few weeks later just to get a stamp? So basically my questions are: is it absolutely obligatory to (a) leave the country at the expiry of one visa and (b) only apply for a new visa after the old one is expired?
The thought of spending a week and probably half a month's wages in Helsinki in October doesn't appeal, but I don't know is there much other option.
If anyone can clear up the issue I will be grateful.

rusmeister · Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 867 Location: Russia

Unfortunately, no.
You need to leave the country, because you need the entry stamp on that little white paper they give you on the plane on re-entering in order to legally register, and they won't let you leave the country later if you don't register.
It's a great money-maker for their embassies, airlines, trains and what-not.
I'm a resident who has been through many of the circles of hell here, for the record.
When you go back to Ireland you should come back on a new visa. It's not worth the couple of weeks to make an extra trip.
All I can say is try to make the best of it, and good luck!

neil1979 · Joined: 15 Nov 2003 Posts: 33

Thanks for the info Rusmeister. So basically you're saying I should postpone my trip to Ireland so that it will coincide with the expiry date of my visa? I suppose I can do that.
Then I just have one more question: I will need a HIV certificate, do you know does the Russian Consulate in foreign countries accept an HIV cert obtained in Russia, or do you expect I will have to get the cert in the country where I am applying for the visa, ie Irish cert in Ireland, Finnish cert in Finland etc?
Thanks again

rusmeister · Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 867 Location: Russia

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

BaltikaTroika · Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Posts: 7

It *IS* possible to extend your visa or even switch it to a completely different one while still in the country.

Yes, I know, everybody on the net says it's impossible. I'm sure 90% of the border guards would tell you the same thing. Smile

I went to Arkhangelsk State Technical University to brush up on my Russian. Here's part of a post that I made a while back about getting a new visa while in the country:

"They say (ie. 99% of people on this or any other site about Russia) that you MUST leave the country in order to get a new visa... not true. I went there with a single entry three month visa, and while I was there, paid about $20 for an "upgrade" to a six month multiple entry visa. I wouldn't count on being able to get this same deal - make sure you ask a million questions about getting visa extensions before you go. "

Keep in mind that this visa extension/modification was done legally through the university and the militsia/OVIR. I have a feeling that this kind of thing is impossible in Moscow and St. Petersburg, but I know for a fact that the rules are different in smaller cities. Smile

Best of luck!

PS: The coolest thing about getting this new visa was that they demanded a special kind of passport photo - taken with an old fashioned wooden camera! (now half of you think I'm lying!). Seriously. It was just like a big shiny wooden box with a lens sticking out of it. The pictures took a couple days to develop and were the most horrible black and white shots I've ever seen. I don't look at all like I did in those pictures (I hope!). There was only one place in Arkhangelsk that has that kind of camera, too (the place was called Rapid, I believe, in case you are ever up in that neighbourhood).

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

I was never asked for an AIDS cert. to get my 1 year business visa so maybe I was just lucky.Try Infinity Travel for advice.Most of all, make sure you can get registration at either the address where you will actually live or somewhere else becasue without this you are in stuck!There are agencies who offer to provide an address etc. if your landlord can't or won't do it for you but they rip you off!One tried to get $150 per month from me!