Russian Visa Question: 'Vladikavkaz' Urgent!!!
 

Hi everyone,I hope someone can chip in here...

I plan to cross into Russia from Georgia on the Military Highway early next month. I need to apply for my Russian visa today but the people at 'Real Russia' where I will get my visa are saying Vladikavkaz is a restricted city and hence I need two weeks extra to process the visa if I list that city on my visa.

The problem is I leave in ten days so don't have time. What will happen if I don't list that city on my visa application,will I be extradited or something if I turn up in the city?

Secondly the visa form asks where I will enter Russia. If I put Moscow in order to avoid putting Vladikavkaz will they still let me cross the border into North Ossetia from Georgia or will they say I can only fly into Moscow since my visa application stated that?

I did not realise Vladikavkaz would cause me such trouble. I know a few of you have done the military highway. How did you guys go about it? I need some advice urgently.

Many thanks!

On your visa won't be written a point where you have to enter, nor where you will be in Russia. So giving Moscow as your destination won't impede you from travelling elsewhere.
Permits for border zones are on separate sheets of paper and not in your passport and have nothing to do with your passport, except that they cite your passport details. But usually you have to apply for border zone permits 2 months in advance.
For other restricted areas, I have no idea, but could imagine, that permits are even harder to get.

Cheers

Do you need a permit for the Georgia - RUS border crossing? or can you get across on a regular visa?

G

Thanks for the reply Chris.

I know the place of entry is not written on the visa itself,however I am worried that the border guards can look on their computers to see what I wrote on my application and not allow me in. Also I am concerned by what will happen when I check into a hotel in Vladikavkaz. Will I be in trouble for not having permission to be in the city?

I know a few of you guys have been through this way,how did you go about it? Were there any issues or am I thinking too much? : )

Not sure Griff but I think a regular visa might be enough. I will know soon enough.

Hi

where is the information, that Vladikavkaz is in restricted zone (only from the visa agency?), I cannot find it. For the visa I would just get it now and not worry about possible questions, when entering, put in Moscow or Krasnodar (would be nearer to your destination). My experience was, that I always worried too much in Russia (about registration,..), in practice entry and exit were allways smooth.
Border permits are usually not necessary, when crossing at an internationally open border crossing and staying on the main highway.
Cheers

Good advice Chris,cheers.

Going to apply for the visa today and make no mention of Vladikavkaz or Ossetia. What will be will be.

I'll report back in Feb when I've returned.

Let us know how you get on. We will hopefully take our 4x4 through in April bier

G

You should be fine. We got our visa listing a couple major cities & Moscow. The border formalities were very long and involved lots of stamps, but no special permit.

Just back from Russia.

I crossed from Georgia into North Ossetia via the Georgian Military Highway. No problems at all,in fact the easiest land crossing I have done. The border is definitely open for foreigners.

In Vladikavkaz there is a cheap hotel with gated private parking for vehicles. The hotel costs 1000 Rubles a night and is situated at 38A Markova Street. Look for the big green gates. The hotel has no name but it's spotlessly clean,cheap and safe. The next cheapest is the Hotel Vladikavkaz,it is better located but costs 2400 Rubles a night and no gated parking ( from what I could tell ).

I went on to Ingushetia and Chechnya. The road is full of military checkpoints on the state borders but I was not hassled at all. I do not recommend staying in Nazran ( Ingushetia ) at night. It really is not safe and there is a curfew. Grozny however was perfectly fine in the centre,decent hotel and friendly people.

It was a great trip and I will return next month I think.

Good luck.

Hi All,

I just travelled south from Vladikavkaz to Tbilisi no problem. And I know Griffdog travelled north no problems a few day before me.

Jon
www.BigOAdventures.com

Yes, Thanks for bringing this to the top Jon.

Stayed in Kazbegi overnight which is 12km from the border. Border took 4 hours to cross but this was mostly due to pushy Armenian's and blacked out Land Cruisers. No prblems what so ever.

If your on 2 wheels the road is cack from the last village before the pass to a little way after. There was still lots of snow there to (mid-April). Road is fine from Kazbegi through to Russia.

G