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Great100
Just Starting
Joined: 09 Apr 2011
Posts: 5
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 Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 3:59 am Post subject: Entering Russia via St. Petersburg w/ Moscow-only invitation |
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| Hi, I have just received my invitation ordered via WaytoRussia. So far the service is very good. Here is the problem, I followed the order form's instruction "if you don't know where you are going, put the capital". So right now, I have landed a Moscow-only invitation. Is this going to cause any problems if I decide to enter the country from St.Petersburg? Thanks! |
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romdur
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 197
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| Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 12:55 pm Post subject: |
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This should be no problem at all!
It is quite normal, that tourists travel to multiple cities, and also that they enter at a city other than their destination.
In the extremely unlikely event anyone were to ask you about this, you could answer (for example) "I will take a train to Moscow." |
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Great100
Just Starting
Joined: 09 Apr 2011
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 4:18 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the help romdur! So on the immigration card, should I fill out the Moscow hotel address stated in the invitation, or my reserved St. Petersburg hotel address? Would they ask me to show them the invitation or any train tickets?
Would they ask me the proof of those train tickets at the immigration? My worst fear is that the immigration official will ask me to show them my return ticket - because I was going to buy those inside Russia. |
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romdur
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 197
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| Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 12:59 am Post subject: |
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1. As for the address to write on the Migration Card -- I don't have any good information, about what is best. As far as I recall, my practice has been to write where I am actually staying, and I have had no problems so far.
However, it is hard for me to see how you could go wrong using the address from the invitation -- probably, this is the safest procedure. But I am guessing from my experience, that normally nobody is checking this.
2. Travelers on tourist visas are supposed to carry copies of the invitation and voucher with them, because in theory officials could ask to see them. I have traveled on probably at least 5 tourist visas, and was never asked to show them -- but do bring copies, to be on the safe side.
3. I would not expect any officials inside Russia to ask you about tickets either for internal travel, or your return home. I think it is quite common that people are buying internal travel tickets after they arrive to Russia -- or they are provided by a travel agency, and the traveler won't have them on entry.
As far as I know, if there were a question about return tickets, to show that you are able to leave Russia when you are supposed to, I believe this would come up in your home country, during your visa application process. When you arrive to Russia, you will of course already have your visa.
I can't answer these questions with absolute certainty -- first, I am no authority, and second, in Russia "rules" can be quite fuzzy. However, I have more than once entered Russia on a business visa without a return ticket, not having yet firmed up my plans by that time.
Also, when we speak of a "return ticket," Russian officials would not in any case care whether you return home, only that you will leave Russia. If (for example) you are in Sankt Peterburg, your "exit ticket" could be an inexpensive plane ticket to some other Baltic city, or an even cheaper train ticket (to Riga, for example), or even bus fare for the short trip north to the Finnish border.
With the reservation that I am a US citizen who is obviously middle-aged, middle-class (not poor), and to put it plainly light-skinned (not looking like someone from the Caucasus region) ... no Russian passport control officer has ever asked me any questions, or to see anything other than my passport and Migration Card. Though one officer, noticing that my date of birth was only a couple of days away, wished me happy birthday  |
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Great100
Just Starting
Joined: 09 Apr 2011
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 2:44 am Post subject: |
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Hey thanks! That was very helpful. I think I will put down St. Petersburg on my migration card and if they won't take - too bad. I will just have to half-plan to fly from Helsinki to BeiJing in that case  . I'm a young Asian American woman traveling alone this summer. Since I am going to be traveling alone, I think they might give me a second look on their system - pray hard that they won't look too close.
I was stopped and detained for an hour for no reason while getting out of Amsterdam 4 years ago - I was just a plain stupid American tourist. No idea why they stopped me. I really hope similar or worse problem won't happen in Russia. |
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romdur
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 197
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| Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 1:38 pm Post subject: |
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It is hard to know, why something happens like you experienced in Amsterdam.
As far as I know, the people who get the most "attention" from immigration officials in all countries (not just Russia) are those from poor countries, or who "look" poor. Because you are a US citizen, if you are dressed normally (not like a scruffy street person ), then probably you will fit the profile of somebody they don't worry about.
I wish you good luck, and great experiences in your travel! |
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Great100
Just Starting
Joined: 09 Apr 2011
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 5:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Hey thanks for the help. The invitation service from WaytoRussia was very helpful too, I would recommend any of my friends to get theirs via this website. |
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