Way to Russia Talk Lounge

charles · Lounge Lizard Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 179 Location: USA

It's possible to fly directly from Novosibirsk to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Altyn Airlines. Couldn't find an available ticket for at least a few weeks, but the web reservation system seemed a little screwy.

I'm going to ask my landlady to go to the immigration office with my official invitation letter first, before I buy any plane tickets. If that resolves the problem, I might go to Kyrgyzstan anyway! I could use a few days in the mountains...

gomer · WayToRussified Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 430

Dalavia Airlines out of Khabarovsk flies to Kiev, Ukraine with a stop in Novosibirsk both ways. Their website says they fly air cargo and have scheduled passenger service. You don't need a visa for Ukraine if you stay less than 30 days. Don't know what the price of a round trip ticket is, but it's something you might check out.

Again, I don't know how current the information is. You will probably be flying on domestic Russian aircraft.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalavia

charles · Lounge Lizard Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 179 Location: USA

Hi, here's the current situation. I hope WayToRussia staff are reading this.

Today I went to the main office of immigration (УФМС) in Novosibirsk, the one responsible for the entire oblast. I went there alone to find out what documents I need to register my business visa, and to make sure there won't be a problem when my landlady goes to register me. I showed them the official invitation letter sent to me by IntelService (purchased through this website). The invitation lists Novosibirsk as one of the cities on my itinerary. I thought this would be enough. No, because "Europarnas" (the organization who invited me) is in Moscow, it's necessary that they send a letter to the УФМС office in Novosibirsk, and explain what business I have here WITH THEM (Europarnas). If "Europarnas" doesn't have an affiliate here it's going to be difficult to explain. Also, if I understood correctly, the inviting organization needs to arrange my for my lodging. I was trying to find out of if I can stay in an apartment, but I didn't really understand their answer. It wasn't a simple yes or no.

Furthermore, it was obvious to them that I'm not here on genuine business. I told them I'm here to make business contacts, but they know that people pay a lot of money to get business visas, in order to stay a year in Russia. They seem to have a problem with this!! Smile

I'm not blaming WTR for this hassle, but I think they should warn people about the potential problems with getting a visa through this site, and thyen living outside Moscow or St. Petersburg. I'll write to IntelService next, and see if they can arrange to send the letter I need. At this point, I don't think there's any guarantee that leaving Russia & coming back in will allow me to register at the post office, because they might question the business visa, too.

There's an American living here I can contact, to find out how she gets around this issue, assuming she's here on a business visa as well.

I'll keep you posted

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

Charles...contact to the office there and they should take care of it...normally they should have a connection as to where to go to get your visa registered where you are at. Good luck

charles · Lounge Lizard Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 179 Location: USA

You mean, the WTR office? or IntelService in Moscow?

charles · Lounge Lizard Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 179 Location: USA

I already sent an email to IntelService asking for some help.

nikir · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 12:21 pm Post subject:

OK it looks to me like you will have 2 potential problems.

Firstly you did not follow all the procedure in Moscow and have the paper returned when you left. Easily done, and out of your control, but may come back to bite you on the bum at a later stage.

Second is the current one, where you did not register in the required time and are now running around in circles.

Russian bureaucracy being what it is you will probably end up running in ever increasing circles with no real joy at the end. In fact, the end may be that you fall into the big hole that you are digging.

If I were in your situation, I would be quietly going about finding whose palm to grease, do it, and then relax for the rest of your time there. It will very likely be far cheaper ,and easier than the alternatives you are considering.

charles · Lounge Lizard Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 179 Location: USA

First of all, today I mailed the tear-off portion of my registration form back to my host in Moscow. It's a month late, but I figure better late then never.

Second, how am I supposed to go about "quietly finding whose palm to grease"? And that would be cheaper? I believe the fine for not being registered is only 500-1500 roubles. Am I correct? If I can't register through the proper channels, I'm going to forget the whole thing.

nikir · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 12:53 pm Post subject:

I don't know what the fines are, however in addition to the fine, you may be blacklisted for up to 5 years. If that is not a problem, then sure, just cop the fine as you leave.

When I said it would be cheaper, it was in comparison to leaving the country and re entering with no guaranteed outcome.

As for how to find out, make discreet enquiries. Your landlady should know how to do it. It's common practise.

charles · Lounge Lizard Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 179 Location: USA

goDutch · Frequent Guest Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 64

Jorge · Lounge Lizard Joined: 10 Aug 2007 Posts: 162

It seems to be vague on purpose, this would give them the ability to arrest you whenever they see fit.

charles · Lounge Lizard Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 179 Location: USA

In Novosibirsk the police are not very visible, except at night, and they don't seem concerned with unregistered foreigners. There are plenty of drunks making trouble to keep the police busy.

I'm looking for a company who will agree to do registration for me, and IntelService in Moscow is going to send a letter of support. Since I do architectural work, I decided I might have some luck visiting architectural offices and offering them some free services in exchange for their time. I went to the firm closest to me today & spent 45 minutes talking with them, trying to explain why I need registration, what they have to do, and no I'm not looking for a job, etc. etc. They didn't quite agree yet, but want to meet again on wednesday and discuss it further!! I've already been here almost four weeks without registration, so what's another week? I'll get it eventually. I might actually end up with some genuine business contacts, imagine that.

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

4 weeks and no registration...this interesting...whoa!

charles · Lounge Lizard Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 179 Location: USA

Well, I went back to this company today and they said they can't help me register. They suggested I go to an English-language school & maybe I can get registration from them, but probably i'd have to teach some classes? I'm not sure. I went right away to another firm, and they also said no, because they don't have enough people in their office to take time to go to immigration. I can't afford to take more time dealing with this!

It seems Nikir was right, that I'll end up running in ever increasing circles with no joy at the end! Smile