Ban on Americans (and maybe EU citizens!?) obtaining Russian border permits?
Hi,
I don't want to be spreading any rumours if I'm wrong here... but... I'm wondering if anybody has recently tried to apply for border permits in Siberia (Altai/Tuva/Buryatia)?
I understand that I can apply via here online Подробно :: Федеральная Служба Безопасности. However, I contacted two/three local travel agencies familiar with border permits. Each followed a similar pattern of basically 'yeah, we can help you apply. What is your route?'... 'I'm going via Altai/Tuva/Buryatia'... then silence, I check in again a couple weeks later and each gives me basically the same response - 'sorry we can't help you any more'. With each directly stating in one way or another that there's problems with Americans trying to get border permits now (one also saying this applied to EU citizens).
The blunt response I get is almost as if they've enquired with someone more official (FSB/Rosgranitsa?) and then been told 'go no further in helping him! No Americans allowed in the border zone!'
Could this actually be true? Has anybody tried to recently apply? I'm unsure if I should try to apply directly via the FSB.ru link at the minute, as I'm wondering if it's better to try and sort this once I've arrived in Russia (I know there's a two/three month waiting time for some permits)...
I'd appreciated anyone's input/wisdom as if it's true my plans might be a bit screwed!
Thanks,
Matt
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