Moscow Travel Forum

we will be staying in an apartment in both cities- we booked through our local agent who dealt with a wholesaler who again probably dealt with the russian agency

i noted that on the voucher that we submitted to the consulate here to get our visa it states that we are staying in two hotels - not apartments

i know that some hotels do offer registration for a fee so, theoretically, anyone can lob in and pay the money and get stamped that theyre staying there...

but what happens if the police do stop you and actually question you about where youre staying?
is this an acceptable practice over there?

what do i say?
that im staying at an apartment ?

why cant the agency that organises the accommodation just register anyway and state the real address at which youre staying?

Actually, if you make through some official agency, they'll make you a registration even if you are staying at appartments.
If you are stopped and you've got a registration, I don't think there will be further questions. Again, I doubt that lots of our militioneers speak English and will bother themselves to make further queries if your papers are OK.

I don't remember exactly the process of getting registered, but it is common for foreigners to get stopped and asked. Always carry your passport and all documents with you! I stepped out of my hotel, was barely down the street before I was stopped. I didn't have my registration (or train ticket) with me and they threatened to take me to jail or pay a giant fine (sigh). Fortunately someone I was with went running into my hotel room and brought me my entire bag and I was able to produce all papers. It's kind of a pain but the police are often looking to make a quick buck. (and technically you need to be registered properly) I think if everything is stamped and stickered you should be fine. I was never actually asked where i was staying, just if i had all the right documents. The agency that organizes it all should be taking care of all of that.

thanks guys

i already emailed the local russian consulate and i know you haveto carry all original papers on your person at all times ( no copiesallowed)

however i still dont get why any legitimate accommodation agency needs to get a hotel to do the stamping
if it is common practicethen wouldnt the cops know about it and be more vigilant or dont they care?
or is it just fine for another hotel who has never set eyes on you to stamp the voucher

what a system
wish someone could explain!!
i mean even for your own safety officials should know exactly where you are staying- what if there is an accident? who is going to pick up your luggag eand make sure the matryoshki dolls get home safely along with you in the box..... lol

Hello,

So you mention that there are some hotels where you can just step in and pay for a registration.

I might be in Moscow for one week in October and am thinking about staying with a friend or in an appartment.

So getting teh registration from a big hotel would be of much help. So which hotels do you know and how much is it roughly?

Are there any other possibilities to get the registration without much hassle.
I speak some basic Russian, but I am not sure if I can just manage it my self at the OVIR Office.


Thanks for your help

HORSCHECK

i think that most big hotels will register you for a fee
i have no personal experience with this but somewhere i have read that this is so

your best bet is to ring or email your local consulate - emailing is better because you have it all in writing and if you follow their directions you can keep the email and show it to any authorities that might hassle you over there- just in case

good luck
wish it were simpler