No Need for Expats to Return Home for Visas

[Wallace]

No Need for Expats to Return Home for Visas
The Moscow Times

Foreigners are not required to obtain Russian visas in their native countries, despite a recent decree that toughened visa rules, the Federal Migration Service said Monday.

The decree, signed by Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov on Oct. 4, contains language suggesting that foreigners must obtain visas in their native country, ending the expat practice of going on a visa run to a neighboring country.

But foreigners will still be able to obtain visas at Russian consulates in third countries, Alexander Aksyonov, director of the agency's visa and registration department, said by e-mail.

The decree restricts the amount of time foreigners can spend in Russia on multiple-entry business visas. Previously, foreigners could use the visas to stay in Russia for a year. Now foreigners can only stay 180 days a year and no longer than 90 consecutive days. Those who wish to stay longer must get a work permit or residency.

Visas will now state the number of days a foreigner is allowed to stay in Russia, Aksyonov said, and authorities will check whether a foreigner exceeded the allotted time when he or she leaves the country. Those who overstay may be fined the first time, while a second violation could result in being denied entry into the country.

[Peasant]

That is a serious relief, but it makes sense.

Say an Aussie businessman needed to travel to Moscow for business but was posted in the UK, why the h#ll would he need to travel to Australia first to get the visa?

[Potato Junkie]

Originally Posted by Peasant That is a serious relief, but it makes sense. Say an Aussie businessman needed to travel to Moscow for business but was posted in the UK, why the h#ll would he need to travel to Australia first to get the visa?

That was never an issue. If he was posted to the UK then that would be his normal place of residence and he would be entitled to apply for a new visa there. What he would not have been entitled to do would be apply for the new visa in Helsinki.

It's nice to read about this email from the FMS but it contradicts the new law so I don't see it as a guarantee that this still won't happen in practice.

Some Russian consulates in German had a similar rule in place for many years.

[DPG]

I assume also that any EU citizen could in fact apply for a visa in any EU country because there are no residency permits between EU members??

[trampler]

The rule has been there for quite a while

It just gets enforced more heavily

Has been discussed in length already, partly due to the new visa rules between EU and Russia.

[Potato Junkie]

Originally Posted by DPG I assume also that any EU citizen could in fact apply for a visa in any EU country because there are no residency permits between EU members??

Sorry, but no. There are residency permits within the EU but they are supposed to be granted automatically. If you, as an EU citizen, move to another EU country then the host country is allowed to require you to get a residency permit, or some equivalent form of registration, after 90 days. The effect of the EU rules on freedom of movement is that they are not allowed to deny you this registration except in very restricted circumstances.

The Russian consulates in Germany were denying visas to citizens of other EU countries who were not officially registered in Germany.

[kazachka]

So I can go to Kiev when I switch to work visa? Oh this is GREAT news!!!! Sigh of relief!!!

[bohemia]

Sorry, but I am still a bit confused... If you have a visa (year long, multi-entry, business) issued before the new law was signed on October 4th, what happens to you? Is the new law retroactive immediately or do the terms of your visa carry you through the period in which that visa was received?

Thanks for any info!

[jmchoward]

French friend, with a pre-October 1 ME visa flew in Friday. The visa does not specify any restrictions in line 14, and passport/border control did not stamp any restrictions about length of stay in.

[Wallace]

My understanding too.
If it's not stated on the visa now then it doesn't apply.
But it will be on the next visa