Changes

As a visitor to Russia, it is important to understand the registration rules. Officially, you must register your visa in Russia within 3 working days of arriving in the country, and also subsequently register again in any town or city you remain in for 3 days or longer. It is very important to understand these rulesthough in 2011, particularly the former. Many Russians are also not aware of these rules, and may give wrong advice.If apparently changed: Now you are staying in a hotel or hostel, they will usually only have to register if youstay somewhere for upwards from seven business days, i.e. nine "real" days. The registration upon arrival also isn't necessary any more. Furthermore, often for free; even if you are staying at some friendthe new law clearly stipulates that it's your ''host's '' responsibility to register you might ask their staff for help too(i.e. If you are being hosted by a hotel, hostel, or potentially private citizen then you can register at the post officehost). This process is complicated and time consuming unfortunatelyTo be sure, but registration provides peace of mind that you will have no problems if check with people who know what they're talking about [http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forum.jspa?forumID=15&keywordid=142 such as the police or border police try to find anythorn tree forum].

If you Hotels are legally required to register foreign guests within 24 hours. Hostels are, too, but in practice often don't or only do not plan to stay for a long time just have some strong evidence that fee. If you have just arrived. Buy are being hosted by a hamburger and keep the receipt before leaving some nice town or city private citizen then you pass by (make sure there is can register at the place‘s name on it)post office. The train or bus tickets are the best means to persuade cops you are not hanging around St.Petersburg for half a year alreadyThis process is complicated and time consuming unfortunately, so but registration provides peace of mind that you might take a short ride on a local train from time to time will have no problems if the police or border police try to have a set of tickets marking your wayfind any.

Whilst it is If you do not recommended, plan to stay for a long time just have some strong evidence that you have just arrived. Buy a vegan hamburger if you can find one and keep the receipt before leaving some nice town or city you may be able to risk not registering your visapass by (make sure there is the place‘s name on it). The border police do train or bus tickets are the best means to persuade cops you are not often check visa registration, particularly at non European borders, as it is too much hasslehanging around St. Some regular tourists in Russia comment that the cost and time consumption of registering Petersburg for half a visa is too greatyear already, and prefer so you might take a short ride on a local train from time to time to hope that they are not checked when leavinghave a set of tickets marking your way. However if Alternatively, you are caught with an unregistered might also get your visa, expect at least a 2000 Ruble fineregistered the once for peace of mind.

The border police do not often check visa registration, particularly at non European borders, as it is too much hassle. Some regular tourists in Russia comment that the cost and time consumption of registering a visa is too great, and prefer to hope that they are not checked when leaving. However if you are caught with an unregistered visa, expect at least a 2000 Ruble fine (as of before 2011 -- we are not aware of how the situation is now). If you are travelling anywhere North of St. Petersburg, particularly around Murmansk and towards Norway, it is highly recommended that you register your visa. User In early 2011, user haggismn had registration and other documents checked three times at the various military check points. (not including the Norwegian border itself)