Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Northern and Central Asia
Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 29 Jun 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: uk
Posts: 57
Visa Registration in the Russian Federation & the Stans?

We're shortly to leave on a bike trip through Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Have trawled through numerous posts on the HUBB and Google searches - still remain unclear about the exact current regulations for visa registration upon entering each of these countries.

Russian Federation: register within 72hrs of entry at OVIR office / Post Office?

Kazakhstan: Within 72hrs - But where? (we will be entering from the north)

Kyrgyzstan: UK citizens don't need to register at OVIR office? Is this correct?

Tajikisatan: must register with OVIR if staying 72hrs+. If entering at Kyzyl-Art Pass (from Kyrgyzstan) register with OVIR in Khorig within 72hrs.

Uzbekistan: register within 72hrs of entry at hotel/guesthouse. Correct?

Would very much appreciate feedback from recent travellers on this - and the consequences if any, you suffered for infringing regulations! - last thing we want is another unnecessary fine on top of cash extracted by less than upright 'officials' for so-called infringements!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 29 Jun 2009
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
Russia is 3 working days, not 72 hrs. The end of the 3rd working day.

Kazakhstan is 5 days, at the Immigration Politsiya. . but it doesnt seem strictly enforced.

Kirgizstan , you dont need to

Tajikistan, new rule this year, you dont need to. If you want to play it safe go to the police station in Murgab (you said you are entering from kyzyl art) its next to lenin statue. Side door, rhs of bldg.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 29 Jun 2009
farqhuar's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oztralia
Posts: 646
I concur with Colebatch.

In Kazakhstan it is definitely NOT enforced.
__________________
Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 29 Jun 2009
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 277
The easiest way to get it done in Russia is to stay at a nice hotel!
Sometimes the Post office and OVIR office don't really know how to do it and get it wrong. When stopped by the police and they ask about your registration lacking I just said cam-ping its that same word just said differently. Have a great trip!
__________________
For more information on my adventures, please visit either of the following:
w.http://www.motomonkeyadventures.com/
fb. facebook.com/motomonkeyadventures
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 29 Jun 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Manchester
Posts: 190
For Russia make a beeline for the BIGGEST city you can find on the map and stay at a BIG hotel and swallow the 3000 rouble per night fee , and they will register it for you, smaller hotels will NOT do this for you and I ended up doing it myself as well as getting a hotel registration so I'm covered on both fronts, remember its working days ! and thus if you arrive 11pm Friday you have the weekend as a breather...

In Sochi many of the hotels wouldn't let me in thinking I was a vagrant of some kind, Krasnodar doesn't have a hotel big enough , Rostov had the rostov hotel who registered me.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 29 Jun 2009
Banned
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Cracow, Poland
Posts: 202
The rules has been changed in Tajikistan. You don't have to register in OVIR, I am not sure if registration in GBAO is necessary
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 29 Jun 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: uk
Posts: 57
Thanks all ...... makes things a lot clearer!

Anybody know what's the present situation in Uzbekistan with visa registration?

Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 29 Jun 2009
Banned
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Cracow, Poland
Posts: 202
Quote:
Originally Posted by mystic View Post
Thanks all ...... makes things a lot clearer!

Anybody know what's the present situation in Uzbekistan with visa registration?

Thanks
Is a must. Uzbeks are very serious... I have spent some hours in jail there.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 30 Jun 2009
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
Agree with Sambor ... customs and visa registration are big deals in Uzbekistan. Stay in a proper hotel at least every 3rd day. And make sure they register you.

On the customs form, when you enter, declare every cent in every currency you have, including anything hidden ... and every electronic device. If its not on the entry form when you leave, they can and will take it. Uzbekistan can be a frustratinglybanal country.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 2 Jul 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: uk
Posts: 57
Thanks for the replies all.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 2 Jul 2009
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London UK
Posts: 59
Russia: Just a thought on Hotels. If using hotels in larger City for 'Registration' try to find the old 'Soviet' Hotels, often called ''Hotel Tourist'', or ''Hotel *name of City''. They tend to have cheap rooms (but you must specify ''Cheap' rooms) and they will 'Register' you if you stay for 3 nights. The beauty of the Old Soviet Hotels is the experience .. they're all the 'Same' but 'Different' .... Toilets in the middle of your bathroom, 'Grannies' .. the custodians of your room key on every floor, ladies of the night plying their trade in the bar, ... it's a wonderful thing .... you'll see.

As said above ... if stopped by Police 'Cyam-ping' (camping) and 'Pak-a-let' (tent) covers a multitude of sins. If not 'Registered' on a regular basis, some Hotels might refuse you a room..... in which case 'Brothels' can be a cheap alternative outside of weekends :-)

In 65 days, I registered on entry in Sochi (3 Days) and Vladivostok (3 days). East of Irkutsk, nobody seemed to care about ''Registration'' until we arrived in Vladivostok.

More Smiles than Miles .... relax and enjoy ... Geoff
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 2 Jul 2009
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: London, England
Posts: 141
Never did any of this in 2007. We were asked for receipts for accommodation at various checkpoints / borders, however maximondo is right - 'cam'ping' seemed to be a good enough answer in the majority.
__________________
http://bigben.to/ London to....? The big bike annual rally.
http://www.mongolbikers.com 125cc London -> Mongolia.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Where in the Stans for a British citizen to pick up Pakistan Visa? CornishDaddy Route Planning 5 16 Jun 2009 05:23
Russian visa registration at each stop? Chris D (Newcastle NSW) Northern and Central Asia 12 27 Jul 2007 10:51
Registration/Insurance for bike purchased in Kazakh and riden thru Stans to Europe. Braaart Trip Paperwork 0 13 Jun 2007 13:55
Paperwork for Russian Federation Tom Horovitch Trip Paperwork 11 6 Dec 2005 16:28
Planned travel to Russian Federation and Former Russian Repu Tom Horovitch Trip Paperwork 2 3 Nov 2005 15:28

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:53.