|
3 Nov 2005
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 9
|
|
Paperwork for Russian Federation
I am planning a two to three month tour in the Russian Federation entering the country at the border with Vyborg in Finland around August 2006. I am from the UK and hold a British (EU) passport. Can anyone help with the following questions?:
1. It seems that a business visa is the only option (due to the length of the stay). Does anyone know whether you can have problems when presenting this visa at the border or to the authorities (e.g. the police) because it is fairly clear (particularly with the laden bikes) that you are a tourist and not on business?
2. I read somewhere (The Lonely Planet I think) that you need an "auto-tourism visa" to bring the bike in. Has anyone any experience of this visa? Does it exist? Obviously I am aware of the need to have a carnet.
3. I was hoping to bring GPS into the country. I have read in one publication that you are not permitted to bring GPS into the country. I also read somewhere else that GPS is permitted but only if you have a permit. Can anyone shed any light on this?
4. I believe that you need a Russian translation of your drivers licence. Is the international drivers licence sufficient or do you actually need to have your licence translated?
Many thanks. All advice and any experiences will be gratefully received.
Tom.
|
3 Nov 2005
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Germany
Posts: 241
|
|
Hi Tom,
having been in Russia this summer, I can make following comments:
ad 1.)
reggistering my visa in Altai region was denied because I could not provide my LOI expressively including Altai Republik. (Also, authorities in Gorno-Altai warned not to go too close to the mongolian border without registrated visa, this would caus "serious problems". I did not try it.) Apart from this, only the fact that I was travelling on a business visum was mentioned in some hotels.
ad 2) "Obviously I am aware of the need to have a carnet." For Russia, no carnet is needed.
ad 3.) I was hoping to bring GPS into the country.
Had no problems with bringing GPS into Russia, even declared it at the border. Somewhere here there is a long thread about this.
ad 4.) "I believe that you need a Russian translation of your drivers licence."
I believe, this applies only to drivers licenses without photo. I further believe, I got this information from the forum somewhere.
I did not have any problems with just showing my international drivers license.
Regards
Lars
|
4 Nov 2005
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: cardigan,wales
Posts: 249
|
|
Might be worth you contacting the Russian embassy and asking them a few questions,though when i tried 2 years ago i never got any reply! I ended up paying one of those companies to sort out my visa and invite. But next time i'll go down to London and knock on thier door because there was a report on the news about a month ago that the Russian and British governments had reviewed the whole thing.As far as i heard the need for an "invitation" from a Russian source(just a money making scam in my opinion) was not needed now,and certainly for business travellers the visa thing was a lot easier too.You could always get your local rag to do you a letter saying that you were a "reporter" on their behalf.....hey presto,instant "business" trip!
------------------
Just going for a short ride on my bike....
__________________
Just going for a short ride on my bike....
|
4 Nov 2005
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
|
|
I travelled there in May and there was no problems. NO Carnet needed, just compulsory insurance at the Border and UK photo licence. Look on the Country info for russia, there is a guy on there who's name escapes me, who travelled from the same direction as you intend. I used the same Visa service guy I always use and he is brill. If a letter of intro is needed he can sort it for you. Getting a russian visa is a ballache so I would let someone else do the work and pay a bit for the priviledge.
The Visa centre is in Southsea, Portsmouth. His number is 07949602616
andy
landy 101 ambie
TLC H60
morris minor traveller!
www.plymouth-dakar.com
[This message has been edited by moggy 1968 (edited 04 November 2005).]
__________________
1990 Landcruiser H60. Full rebuild completed 2014
|
5 Nov 2005
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Idaho, USA
Posts: 212
|
|
Like Lars, I also traveled in Russia this past summer, in my case from Vladivostok to Latvia via motorcycle. Comments on your questions:
1. I used a business visa and was obviously not in Russia on business, and at no time was this ever questioned in any way. My impression is that the "business" designation is meaningless.
2. In all the preparations for my trip, I never heard ot an "auto-tourism visa." I did have to register my bike after entry into Russia in Vladivostok and was given a registration paper.
3. I used my gps throughout Russia without it ever being questioned, even though it was usually in full view at police checkpoints. As precautions, I did not declare it upon entry into Russia (it was in my luggage, which was not hand searched upon entry) and the one time I was asked what it was at a checkpoint I replied it was an electronic compass. An officer did comment on it at a couple of checkpoints, calling it a gps, but there was no indication of concern about it by the officers. It is my impression that the law about a gps being illegal is a holdover from the Soviet days and it is no longer enforced, as is the case with a number of laws (but I could be wrong about this).
4. The International Drivers Permit has a page in Russian, and that seems to be all that is required. However, I was only asked for the IDP a couple of times - my Idaho drivers license seemed to usually be sufficient, which obviously wasn't in Russian.
Hope this is of help. Good luck.
------------------
Mike
__________________
Mike
|
5 Nov 2005
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: melbourne
Posts: 555
|
|
For any stay more than 30 days you need the business visa which you should be able to get through an agency. You need a Letter of Introduction for Toursit visa so I expect business is the same.
No carnet
Need International Drivers licence (get from motoring organisation)
You recieve paper work for the bike at the border, no bike visa necessary.
Check the dates of insurance purchased at the border.
cheers
alec
http://users.netlink.com.au/~asimpson
Adrian Scott has just finished a trip across Russia Mongolia Stans on a KLR
www.users.bigpond.net.au/AdrianScott
__________________
Close to Antarctica and a long way from reality
|
6 Nov 2005
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
|
|
The two people above who said you need an international driving licence are both from outside europe. If you have a uk photo licence you do not need an international driving licence. The AA or RAC can advise you on this and also requirements re triangles, spare bubs first aid kits etc.
Andy
TLC H60
landy 101 ambie
1968 morris minor traveller
www.plymouth-dakar.com
__________________
1990 Landcruiser H60. Full rebuild completed 2014
|
7 Nov 2005
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: melbourne
Posts: 555
|
|
Moggy I met some Swede's who came out of Russia, they did not have international drivers licences. It was not a problem to get in but they were fined by the police for not having them everytime a licence was asked for! The photo licence from home was not enough. This was in 2003 so maybe its changed. For the equivalent of 7 greater british pounds (in AUS) an Int'l licence is no great expense and saved alot of hassle. The policemen always looked to find CIS or Russia on the list of countries in the document.
Within 500 metres of entering Russia i was stopped and the policeman checked, Russian Insurance, Registration, Int'l licence, passport, visa and Custom documents for the bike. Not having any was fineable/ bribable.
Oh and you dont really want to be a Journalist, would be better to get a business visa doing something else. Most countries consider them to be trouble makers or just unwelcome.
cheers alec
__________________
Close to Antarctica and a long way from reality
|
13 Nov 2005
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 9
|
|
Thank you all for such comprehensive answers to my questions. Just to clarify, I actually think that I knew that no carnet is required for the Russian Federation, but I will need to get one for certain countries that I am visiting after that.
Tom
|
13 Nov 2005
|
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Gunma, Japan
Posts: 1,104
|
|
I don't know if all of them have it, but my international permit has a Russian page in it. The police at checkpoints seemed to like being able to read what I showed them. I don't think I ever showed my home country license (which I doubt anyone coud read anyways as it is all in Japanese).
|
13 Nov 2005
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 655
|
|
|
6 Dec 2005
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London
Posts: 88
|
|
Hello Tom
Sorry I didn't see your post earlier.
If you want further information, please leave a thread on the North Asia forum. This is the one which I regularly access. Also best to see www.waytorussia.net for an excellent russian site - I post there as DITTRICH and have made alot of posts about taking cars into and out of russia.
I may also travel to Russia next summer in early august (but by car - hence 4wheels). I travel to russia every summer for about 4 weeks on holiday. I was thinking of going via murmansk but I've just seen that the Ukraine have abolished visas for UK citizens so a trip to the Crimea may well be on the cards. Sort of Poland, Ukraine - Crimea, Russia - Sochi - Moscow, Finland, Sweden, Denmark - and Eurotunnel!
Regards
Les
Edit: You will have to extend your temporary import permit. Customs at the Finland border only give it for 10 working days. My visa was a private visa - yours will be business BUT would it make a difference? I don't know. Now, to extend the t.i.c. you need to register - your migration card - they stamp the back and put details. The customs will need your migration card to process the extension and guess what the extension can only be granted up to the end date on your migration card. You have 2 options - waste 1/2 day to extend your t.i.c. or go without and face the fines/bribes. I went for the t.i.c. option 'cos even though I speak russian and have a russian license, better to have all documents in order. I cannot stress too highly the benefits of having all your documents in order. The 'company' which issues the invitation to russia should ideally be based in StP so you can properly register your visa there (for the WHOLE of your stay) Then pop down to the customs in StP to extend your t.i.c. take some cash roubles £100 s/be more than enough. Take someone who can speak russian. See www.waytorussia.net transportation section and the above will be put into context - don't believe what they say about the 10days - its real - I know!
[This message has been edited by 4wheels (edited 06 December 2005).]
|
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
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2024:
- California: April 18-21
- Virginia: April 25-28
- Germany Summer: May 9-12
- Québec: May 17-19
- Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
- CanWest: July 11-14
- Switzerland: August 15-18
- Ecuador: August 23-25
- Romania: August 30-Sept 1
- Austria: September 12-15
- France: September 20-22
- Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3
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. 11-15
- 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
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...
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™ 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!
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.
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.
|
|
|