Way to Russia Talk Lounge

DJStira · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 8:51 am Post subject: Quick and easy visa question

Hi,

I will be receiving a private homestay visa for when I go to teach English in Biysk this summer. I got the invitation, but the visa itself is in progress.

I'm going back to Moscow via the Trans-Siberian Railway. After that, I would like to get a hotel room and take one night to relax before my flight back to the States. My program director seems to think that since my visa will be registered in Biysk, that this might pose a problem. But on my invitation, under "points of visiting" it says Moscow-Barnaul-Biysk. That makes me think that staying a night in Moscow would be OK. Is staying a night in a Moscow hotel going to be trouble, or is the visa OK?

( You can see an edited copy here -- I know the color is off, it's just the scanner -- http://picasaweb.google.com/davidjstira/Untitled/photo#5071568459783731938 )

Thanks everyone!

-David

danbrew · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 3:57 pm Post subject:

I'm certain that you will be ok. While the visa application does ask for your itinerary, plans can and do change. The only thing that is really "important" is the visa registration. By Russian law you must register with the OVIR within 3 days of arriving in a city. Your host will be doing this for you in Biysk. You're only going to be in Moscow for a night, so you really don't have to register at all. Simply keep your train tickets & hotel receipt in case you receive questions at the airport. The border guys at the airport in Moscow are fairly easy going - I've never had to spend any time discussing my stays, registration, etc.