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!

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.

I concur with Colebatch.

In Kazakhstan it is definitely NOT enforced.

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 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.

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

Thanks all :thumbup1: ...... 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.

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.

Thanks for the replies all. :thumbup1:

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

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.