New Immigration Laws in Russia Confusing To Foreigners
The official word from the Federal Migration Service in Russia has clarified that foreigners registered in Moscow must notify officials of their whereabouts when they travel to another Russian city for more than 10 days.
For example, if a foreigner is visiting Moscow to visit a potential Russian bride or on business, he must hand over their registration papers to the migration authorities if he travels to St Petersburg for more than 10 days. If he is visiting an employer or beautiful Russian woman, that person (”inviting party”) must then register him with the local migration officials and then also unregister him when he leaves.
Hotels will do this all automatically if the visitor is staying in one. Once the foreigner returns to Moscow, he must re-register within 3 days.
The new laws are suppose to make the registration process easier, but so far many people have been confused about the vagueness of the process. Some people have complained that local officials are refusing to handle the registration documents and admit that they do not know the new rules. Others have been told that for each foreign employee, the company must submit his passport, visa, registration, letter from the company and local building-utilities administrator offices as well as have the foreigner report to the branch with their landlord.
