Way to Russia Talk Lounge

alanh · Frequent Guest Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 22

I have a Russian friend in the US, and once he gets his green card we would like to take a trip to Moscow. He's been out of Russia for a long time (years) and has a passport renewal issued byt the consulate in San Francisco.

I noticed on on the US Consular Information Sheet for Russia it says "Russian external passports extended by Russian Consulates or Embassies overseas are not considered valid for departure from Russia no matter how long the extension. Bearers of such passports will have to apply for a new passport inside the country." It also says this process can take months.

So, will he be unable to leave Russia until he gets his pasport reissued?

AliceFromMoscow · WayToRussified Joined: 10 Jul 2004 Posts: 411

i don't think it'd take months...

scholar · Frequent Guest Joined: 08 Nov 2004 Posts: 18

Russian passports are NO LONGER BEING EXTENDED, previously, the consulate would put stamps that extended the expiration date.

Your friend needs to get a new Russian passport (every 5 years) at the Russian Consulate. It should about a week or less for expedited service - unless he still is "registered" as living permanently in Russia, then he either goes through the consulate to remove this registration and move him to registration with the consulate, or does this himself in Russia.