Recently, the US Consulate General in Vladivostok received an official notice from the Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia reminding us that American citizens may travel in so-called Border Zone Regime Territories (See section 1 below) only under very limited circumstances as regulated by FSB decree # 458 issued on September 10, 2007. In order to enter such Border Zone Regime Territories, a foreigner must have a passport, a migration card, and an FSB permit. An American who does not have the required documents may not enter.
There are also several other restricted areas (See section 2 below.) in the Russian Far East. The information below is, to the best of our knowledge, accurate as of 1 March 2008. The US Consulate, however, strongly encourages American citizens to check with the FSB before traveling to these regions, since access to the Border Zone Regime Territories and other restricted areas is subject to change.
Please note the following Border Zone Regime Territories in the Russian Far East:
Chukotskiy Autonomous Okrug:
The entire region is restricted.
Kamchatskiy Kray:
Specific, limited towns and areas may be visited without special permission: Ivashka, Voyampolka, the south slopes of the Klyuchevskaya Sopka Volcano, the cities of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, Yelizovo, and the villages of Paratunka, and Termalnyy. To enter other territories on the Kamchatka Peninsula, please check with the local Border Guard office.
Khabarovskiy Kray:
The city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur is restricted.
Primorskiy Kray:
The following towns and regions are restricted and require special permission:
Khasanskiy region – Khasan, Lebedinoye, Tsukanovo
Ussuriyskiy city okrug – Korfovka
Lesozavodskiy city okrug – Busse, Markovo, Verkhnemikhaylovka
Also please take note of these other restricted areas in the Russian Far East:
Primorskiy Kray:
The following areas are restricted: Russkiy Island, Bolshoy Kamen, Fokino, Petrovka, Sukhodol, Dunay, Putyatin.
Americans living or traveling in Russia are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the Department of State’s travel registration web site, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Russia. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs web site at http://travel.state.gov, where current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and health-information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
This warden message provides information for U.S. citizens in the Russian Federation regarding areas bordering the conflict zone in Georgia.
Areas Adjacent to the Conflict Zone — American citizens in the Russian Federation are advised to avoid North Ossetia, and all areas near the Russian-Georgian border. Although there is no information to suggest that the security situation in other areas of the Russian Federation has changed, the Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Stavropol, Karachayevo-Cherkessiya, and Kabardino-Balkariya. American citizens residing in these areas should depart immediately, as the safety of Americans and other foreigners cannot be effectively guaranteed.
Demonstrations — Spontaneous demonstrations in Russia, while infrequent, do occur. We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.
For information on the situation in Georgia, travelers should consult the website of the Embassy in Tbilisi: http://georgia.usembassy.gov/ or the Department of State’s website at http://travel.state.gov.
The U.S. Embassy’s consular section is located at Novinskiy Bulvar 21, Moscow, metro station Barrikadnaya. The Embassy’s switchboard is tel. (7) (495) 728-5000, and the American Citizen Services Unit at tel. (7) (495) 728-5577, e-mail moscowwarden@state.gov. In the event of an after-hours emergency, please contact the main switchboard.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, Country Specific Information for Russia, and health information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
U.S. Consulates General are located in:
St. Petersburg
15 Ulitsa Furshtadtskaya, St. Petersburg 191028
Tel: (7) (812) 331-2600
Fax: (7) (812) 331-2646
Email: StPetersburgACS@state.gov
Web site: http://stpetersburg.usconsulate.gov
Vladivostok
32 Ulitsa Pushkinskaya, Vladivostok 690001
Tel: (7) (4232) 30-00-70
Fax: (7) (4232) 30-00-91
After-hours emergencies: (7) (4232) 71 00 67
E-mail: vladcons@state.gov
Web site: http://vladivostok.usconsulate.gov
Yekaterinburg Ulitsa Gogolya 15a, 4th floor, Yekaterinburg 620151 Tel: (7) (343)379-3001
Fax: (7) (343) 379-4515
After-hours emergencies: (7) 8 902 84 16653
Email: consulyekat@state.gov
Web site: http://yekaterinburg.usconsulate.gov
Thanks!
Stanley
There has been some changes in Russian visa regulations, which were implemented a few days ago.
1. A foreign citizen can now obtain a Russian visa ONLY in the country of his/her citizenship. One can also obtain a Russian visa in another country but will need to present to the Russian consulate a permit of stay in that country valid for more than 90 days. A visa may also be issued in a country other than an applicant’s own in case of urgent necessity, such as participating in international, governmental, official, scientific, sport and cultural events. A final decision in these cases would be left up to the consulate.
2. A multiple entry business visa allows nationals of all countries to stay in Russia up to 90 days out of the period of 180 days.
3. A multiple entry visa is only available for people who have been issued a Russian visa before. If this is your first visit, you are only eligible to obtain a single or double entry visa for 1 to 3 months, which is the only way now to stay in Russia for longer than 50% of time if you plan to live here (apart from getting a residence permit or an official work permit, which enables you to stay in Russia for as long as you are employed here). A copy of your previous Russian visa should be enclosed in your application for a multiple entry invitation.
A possible workaround for the 1st rule would be to get a simple registration, not an official visa-permit of stay and try to get a visa with it. It’s still an official document, and the consulate might be OK with it. For example, in Germany one can get a “registration” (anmeldung) quite easily in a local area council office. If anybody knows about this possibility in other countries, please, post it here.