Inside Russia: Registration, Migration Cards, Transfer

Your passport and your visa will be thoroughly checked at immigration. All visitors are required to fill out a migration card. You should keep this safe along with your passport and visa.

The migration card is a key document in the process of your registration. All foreigners are expected to register with OVIR (Visa Registration Dept) within three days of arrival.

Hotels do the registration for their guests. If you have been invited privately, you will be in the position of registering at the branch of OVIR that issued your invitation. If you used a tour company as the inviting body, do come in person to their office no later than on day following your arrival. Do bring your passport with your visa and the migration card. Please bear in mind that visitors who “forget” to register are committing a criminal offence and are liable to all sorts of punishments from fines to deportation. Whatever the punishment may be you will not be disappointed: they will make you pay handsomely. Whats more, your host will also suffer some inconveniences and most likely will be fined too.

It is likely that on your arrival you will need a car to get to your accommodation. If you don't have a friend with a motor waiting for you at the airport, the best thing is to arrange your transfer with your tour company. If nothing else it will save you money as taxies at the airport charge astronomical fares.

Last but not the least: make some copies of your documents such as your visa page, your registration slip and your migration card. Put your originals in the security deposit box at the front desk of your hotel or leave them at your private accommodation. This is the usual precautions against petty crime. The general rule when you are moving about is not different from being in any other country: avoid stopping if somebody you don't know wants you to and keep a good hold of your possessions. Your safety is your responsibility. However if you do get mugged or get into some other trouble, the first rule is not to panic and simply to get in touch with your country's official representatives.