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The new Russian visa registration procedure came into force on 15 January 2007. We've been waiting for a few days before posting this information to get some clarifications from the officials and now have all the details to explain the changes.

Basically, the registration procedure is much easier now. The registration can be submitted by post and you get a special confirmation that this was done, which is the proof of registration (no more stamps).
You don't have to do everything by yourself. Just go to the agency that provided your visa support and they'll do the registration for you instantly just by submitting a special paper to migration officials by post. Doing it once will suffice.
If you order your visa support through the companies advertised on Way to Russia, they will all be able to provide you the registration, whether you're on a tourist or a business visa. It's going to be instant, as they will just have to send your info to the authorities and give you the confirmation.

The other good news is that the Russian police (in all cities!) was instructed NOT to stop foreigners for registration checks any more. They can still do it if they have a special operation against terrorism going on. But from now on if anybody stops you for a routine check, just demand their number ("vash nomer") and tell them that you'll complain in MVD (Ministry of Internal Affairs). That will send them off.

Note, that even though the rules came into force on 15 Jan, it'll take a couple of month for the authorities to get used to them and to issue the new registration forms.
In the meanwhile, just get your registration in the office of your inviting company or at OVIR if the city you're visiting doesn't have an office of your inviting organization (a copy of your invitation will suffice for them to register you and if any other document is required, our partner visa company will provide them at no charge for those who ordered invitations through way to russia).

Since there's no paperwork and no centralized computer database available yet, a simple answer that registration took place in the
cities visited during the trip should suffice if you are inquired about your registration at the passport control or by police. It's still recommended to register, but the new rules make it very hard for the authorities to prosecute you before they issue the official new registration form and set up the database.

Here is a detailed explanation of the new registration process:

1. Every foreigner who arrives to Russia still has to register the visa. However, the procedure became much easier.

2. The registration can be made by the "accommodating" party, which can be anything: from the hotel where you're staying, to your landlord. It can also be the organization, which provided your visa support, but not necessarily. Basically, now you can choose who registers you, whatever is easier.

3. The "accommodating" party just needs to fill out a special registration form and send it by post to the officials. You will get the second part of this form confirming that your registration has been submitted (called "talon"). That is your registration and you should carry it with you. No more stamps.

4. Migration cards will still be required, but they are completely separate from the registration now.

5. When you leave Russia you should give the second part of your registration form to the "accommodating" party and they should submit it to the migration officials within 24 hours. If that doesn't happen, you're blacklisted, which may incur problems when you visit Russia again.
That's why we recommend you do your registration through reliable organizations (or people). Basically, if you want to be 100% sure it's better to do everything through your hotel (if you trust them) or the company that arranged your visa support.

6. You still need to inform the authorities about your stay in each city where you spend more than 3 business days. But then of course they don't have any way of knowing when you arrived... Smile

Note, that this information is temporary and we will soon be posting more updates

nikir · Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 5:07 am Post subject:

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

...and still it is an un necessary head ache. Russia just needs to do away with this registration process. But I guess when it comes down to it...if people are paying for the registration then why get rid of it.

Kesha · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 1:28 am Post subject:

Okay, so if I have a multiple-entry, one-year visa, do I only register once? If so, what will I hand to the officials as I'm departing my second, third, forth, or fifth time?
Honestly, I believe Russia would probably get more tourist dollars if things were a little easier.....at least to understand.

WayToRussia · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 12:30 am Post subject:

Ok, I checked and the 90-day business visa registration limitation was not yet officially approved and maybe it will never be. At the moment some people reported that they had their business visas registered even for the whole year, because of all this registration "mess". So no worries about the 90-day rule: at least now everything seems to be OK with it.

WayToRussia · Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:33 pm Post subject:

We compiled an outline of the registration procedure if you're staying in an apartment. It's available here: http://blogs.waytorussia.net/item/59

nikir · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 1:38 pm Post subject:

Dmitry this is good. Just a question on point 5 below.

5. The procedure can be acomplished by post. In this case the same documents are presented to the post office, they check them and give you the coupon back and when the foreigner leaves, you can send the coupon back by post as well. This procedure (submitting the registration by post) should work in Moscow, we do not yet know if all the post offices in Russia are aware of this procedure.

Does this mean that the foreigner can do the whole process at the post office without the landlord, or does the foreigner only present the coupon just prior to leaving and the landlord has to do the initial part.

The Russian post office can be a nightmare at the best of times for the uninitiated so it would be great if you could clarify this point.

runeschj · Just Starting Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Posts: 1

I really hoped that this new law would actually make it possible for me to have a registration in Russia. I am pretty tired of staying here illegal. For two years I have been travelling constantly between Norway and Russia. Spending primarely equal amount of time in each country. And when I travelled on a tourist visa the OVIR gave me a registration at a private apartment. But since july last year I have been travelling with a one year business multivisa. And they refuse to give me registration.

It's a long story and they tell me alot of different reasons why they can't give me registration. The problem is really that they don't know the procedures and the purpose of a business visa. They confuse this with a work permit. I got a official letter from Intelservice, who is the inviting organization, where they asked the local OVIR to register me. But they still refused and said that I have to go to Moscow to register. But of course I can't make registration in Moscow when I am staying at a adress in Efremov Raion, Tula Oblast.

Anyway I got information from Intelservice that I could register at the post office after 15th january. They even gave me the document. So i tokk the train to Riga on the 13th January, and went back on the 16th. Just to get a new migration card so everything would be legal when the new law was to enforce. But of course I coukldn't register neither at the post office or OVIR when I tried.

So now I stay here illegal again. And I don't know what to do. Because if I understand things right I could be blacklisted if I fail to register. I don't think it will happen during this stay because of all the mess regarding the new law. But I am worried about next time I have to leave and come back. I am sure it will take a couple of years before they will know about the procedure in the post office here in town. And I know the woman down at the OVIR not will register me.

So the question is; I am pretty sure it's a longshot, but do you think it would be possible to make registration in a Moscow post office, on a adress in Tula oblast?

I am pesimistic and am sure the answer would be no.

Anybody have any good tips? I have run out of ideas.

WayToRussia · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 6:21 pm Post subject:

WayToRussia · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 6:26 pm Post subject: Re: Registration cirkus

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

Gosh it's all such a nightmare! I have a business visa and really I am worried now about where to register it when I go to Russia. Sounds like it will be difficult to stay with friends while I am there.

WayToRussia · Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 12:21 am Post subject:

Surfguy,

I don't understand your concerns. The registration procedure actually became easier: if you're staying with your friends, one of them just needs to go to a post office and submit the form, that's it. No more paying $50 to registration companies, no more queuing at OVIR.

nikir · Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 12:48 am Post subject:

[quote="WayToRussia"]

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

Yeah that sounds simple enough...I was just worried about it being a business visa. But if I understand correctly...it's the place/person where I stay that is responsible

rik1912 · Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 9:07 am Post subject: Visas etc

Thank you for attempting to clear up some very difficult-to-understand policies and procedures about invitations, visas and registrations. I've read your website from "cover to cover" and I have now got all my papers ready to take to the Russian consulate in Sydney to apply for my visa. I've read on your website that the Sydney office is very difficult to deal with so here's hoping all will go well. Laughing