Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Drworm1990 · Just Starting Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 2

ok, i just recently turned 18 and im am really interesting in visiting my grandparents in Russia
money is not the concern keep this in mind
but my main issue, is the fact that i am still a Russian as well as an American citizen (i currently live in Jacksonville FL).

I was told something about russia not accepting duel citizenship for visitors, so i have to like resign as a russian citizen in order to visit

im very confused and lost about this
in simplest way, can anyone explain to me what i have to do in order to obtain a 2 way plane ticket just to visit over the summer and come back to america, im not very good at this whole traveling thing.

advice greatly appreciated Very Happy

overseas_expat · VIP Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 676 Location: Moscow

Just travel on your American passport.

Problem solved.

camarks · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:55 pm Post subject:

Russia accepts dual citizenship. There are no problems visiting Russia on your Russian passport and returning to the US using your US passport. No visas and no troubles. You simply have both passports available at the various checkpoints to demonstrate that you do not require any visas. My daughter has traveled this way and will again this summer. You can not legally get a Russian visa in a US passport without formally renouncing your Russian citizenship, although many claim to travel this way successfully.

If your Russian passport has expired or you never had one (came to US in parents passport), then you would need to get one. Information may be available at http://www.russianembassy.org/CONSULAT/pasport.htm, but my Russian is not that good.

If you are male, you may read about others' fears that you could be conscripted into the Russian military if you visit with your Russian passport. I do not believe that permanent residents of other countries are subject to this, and no one has ever posted a credible news story that suggests this has happened. I am aware of a handful of young men who were adopted by US families and who have traveled back to Russia. Again there has never been a case where one has been detained for military service. None of this stops scare mongers from saying it will happen to you.

Drworm1990 · Just Starting Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 2

ah so i dont need any letter of recommendation or anything?

yea, i came here with my mom, and my name was under her passport, so i figured i had to get my own

so both american and russian passports, and me booking a 2 way flight is basically all i need?

camarks · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 10:17 pm Post subject:

That's all you need.