Job Discussion Forums

[lonach]

...if I will need to show a return trip when entering Russia. I will be entering Russia on a one year visa with an invitation from my employer. I then plan to apply for a temporary residency permit (wife is Russian), so I don�t want to spend the money for a round trip ticket if I don�t have to. Anyone have any current info on this topic? Thanks!!!

[canucktechie]

Assuming you are a citizen of a Western country, the Russians never ask to see a return ticket. They know you don't want to stay.

[ekatelnikoff]

Ha - oh the ever amusing Canuck techie.

I do not think you need a return ticket.

[maruss]

I've been in and out of Russia several times and never been asked for a return ticket,probably because they know you can buy one to almost anywhere abroad nowadays at quite low prices.My overall impression,even at ghastly Sheremetyevo 2 where they have finally removed that awful and inadequate copper design lighting system from the ceiling of the interior,is that even the younger men and women on passport control are less severe than they used to be and as long as your passport and visa is bona-fide you won't get the 'Spanish Inquisition' from them although the queues can still be very frustrating, depending on the time of day and number of arrivals etc!Domodyedovo is run by American East-Line and nicer in every way so use if if you can and avoid the terrible traffic jams on Leningradsiy Shosse!They have a train service to Paveletsky Vokzal from there too.

[ekatelnikoff]

However, I have heard now that anytime you leave Russia you must inform the authorities that you are leaving and then upon return you must re-register. I do not know, but does this spell the end of the multi-entry visa or is this just the Russian govt again cracking down on some but not all foreigners?

According to a new Russian law that came into effect Jan. 15, foreigners are from now on required to hand over their registration papers to migration officials -- via their employer or other sponsor -- every time they leave the country and re-register upon subsequent entry into the country.

The new law says a foreigner's "inviting party" -- an employer, landlord, hotel or other Russian host -- is required to inform local migration officials of the foreigner's arrival within three working days of entering the country. The inviting party is also required to inform authorities if the foreigner leaves Russia and it has two working days from the day of departure to do so. The foreigners residing in Russia also will also have to re-register one he or she leves for another Russian region.