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thmaesbe
Just Starting
Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 2:45 pm Post subject: Border stamp pitfall? |
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Hello,
I have read about a potential bureaucratic pitfall when travelling to Russia by train: apparently there is sometimes no immigration check at the border between Belarus and Russia, leading to foreigners not getting their visa stamped at the border and not being issued a migration card, as well as their supposedly "overstaying" in Belarus due to not receiving an exit stamp on their transit visa. I have three questions about this:
-is this true, and does this problem also occur on trains transiting direct through Belarus on the way from Poland to Russia?
-is there a way to avoid this problem while on the train (e.g. attracting the attention of whatever police may be present at the border station or enlisting the help of the train conductor)?
-if we do get landed with this problem, is there a way to regularize the situation upon arrival in Russia?
More generally, I would also like to know if Belarusian or Russian border guards at the railway borders generally speak English, German or any other Western European language, in order for us to be able to explain the problem to them if it occurs.
Thanks in advance,
Thomas |
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overseas_expat
VIP
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 741
Location: Moscow
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| Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 5:15 pm Post subject: |
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I can only answer parts of your questions.....partially.
It is true that the Belarus/Russian border has no passport control, they will not stop the train at the border for passport inspection and stamping. And then yes, you will find yourself in Russia with no proof of legitimate entry.
How one fixes this problem, I do not know.
And no, you should depend on not having a English speaking official to explain things to. I have yet to meet a militsia or passport or customs person who spoke anything but, Russian only. Ever.
You did not include your nationality but I'm thinking you're British?
Americans should be advised against traveling through Belarus by train. |
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thmaesbe
Just Starting
Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 5:36 pm Post subject: |
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As for my nationality, I am Belgian. As far as I know, Belgium and Belarus have no diplomatic quarrels whatsoever, so I don't think that will cause any problems.
I would like to add another element to my question: I have also seen images of migration cards saying "Russian Federation // Republic of Belarus" at the top instead of Russia only. Could this perhaps mean that the border control at the Poland/Belarus border will immediately include Russian immigration?
Thomas |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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| overseas_expat wrote: | I can only answer parts of your questions.....partially.
It is true that the Belarus/Russian border has no passport control, they will not stop the train at the border for passport inspection and stamping. And then yes, you will find yourself in Russia with no proof of legitimate entry.
How one fixes this problem, I do not know.
And no, you should depend on not having a English speaking official to explain things to. I have yet to meet a militsia or passport or customs person who spoke anything but, Russian only. Ever.
You did not include your nationality but I'm thinking you're British?
Americans should be advised against traveling through Belarus by train. |
good info and thanks...I was almost considering this too |
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thmaesbe
Just Starting
Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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Follow-up:
I went ahead and travelled to Russia by train through Belarus. Even though there is indeed no border check whatsoever between Belarus and Russia, the problem does NOT occur: Belarusian officials at the Poland/Belarus border stamp both visas at once and, rather amazingly, hand out blank but already stamped Russian migration cards.
Also, I encountered an American couple on the way back, and they, too, made it back to Berlin alive.
Thomas |
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