Way to Russia Talk Lounge

mtepsic · Just Starting Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 9

Hello everyone,

I was trying to search for an answer to my question all over the Internet, but couldn't find anything. I have a Croatian passport, but I live in Germany (was born there and have a permanent allowance to stay in the country in my passport). I have been studying in the U.S. though for years now and met my Russian girlfriend there. I would like to plan a trip to Russia for this upcoming summer so I can meet her family, but I don't know if I need a visa or not and what kind of regulations would apply to my specific situation. I would appreciate it very much if somebody in this forum would be able to help me out.

Thank you

european · Frequent Guest Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 48

If you google a bit you find:

Unfortunately, almost every foreign visitor still needs a visa to enter (and leave) Russia. The only exceptions are citizens from the former USSR republics of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldavia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

It seems that there is an agreement with Israel for visa-free travel in the future.

mtepsic · Just Starting Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 9

The user "icicovacki" wrote in a different thread that Russia is visa free for Croatians as long as they hold official invitation. It would be great to know where I would be able to find that information.

european · Frequent Guest Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 48

The most logical place to check is the Russian embassy in Zagreb:
http://www.croatia.mid.ru/ind_xo.html
I cannot read what is written there, I suppose you can.

european · Frequent Guest Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 48

At
http://wikitravel.org/en/Russia#Get_in
is written

Citizens of most non-Russia or CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries must obtain a visa prior to arriving in Russia. Citizens of Croatia (3 months, invitation required), Cuba (30 days), and Thailand (30 days) do not need a visa.