Russian Customs and Immigration

Entering Russia

I. Migration Cards - Important!

In all cases, you must fill out a migration card to enter Russia. The folks checking documents at the border will keep one part of the card you must keep the other half safe for when you leave the country. Unfortunately, the cards are currently available only in Russian. Click here to find out more about how to fill it out and access a printable side-by-side translation of the card. Please note that your "Purpose" or "aim" (цель) of your visit should be marked as "Education" (Учеба). The "information about the person who invites you" (сведения о приглашаюшей стороние - the large blank in the middle of the form with four lines) should be listed as the Russian University you will be attending (such as Moscow State University, St. Petersburg State University, etc.) DO NOT LIST SRAS AS YOUR INVITING ORGANIZATION. Your visa number is the large number (two numbers followed by seven) in the upper right of your visa (it is not the "visa ID number"). Your invitation number is listed in the middle right of your visa as "INVITATION No."

II. Entering By Air

What to expect at Sheremetyevo II (Moscow) or Pulkovo (St. Petersburg) airport

Sheremetyevo II (Moscow) or Pulkovo (St. Petersburg) international airports in most cases will be your first point of arrival into Russia. You can roughly expect the following sequence of events to occur upon arrival:

Disembark and follow flow of passengers to passport control. Usually one line is for Russian citizens, but all others are for foreign nationals.

Passport control will take your passport (where the visa is glued in) and your migration card. Both will be stamped and returned to you. The migration card will have been given to you on the plane. Fill out both portions of the migration card – they will tear off one copy as you enter the country (at passport control) and you must submit the other half when leaving Russia. Don’t lose it!

Exit to the baggage claim area. It is not generally marked which carousel your luggage is coming in on, but there are not many carousels to choose from and everyone just figures it out. Collect your bags and head toward customs (indicated by red and green signs).

If your luggage has been lost, go to the booth inside the luggage area and fill out a claim slip. You should give the address of where you want the luggage to be delivered and in the case you are not sure of this address (it is somewhat complicated for them to deliver to the dormitory without some advance planning) then give them the most relevant phone numbers and tell them you will call and give them delivery instructions. A SRAS representative will assist with this process.

Customs. If you have less than $10,000 in cash/travelers checks AND don’t expect to bring this money out with you, go through the “Nothing to Declare” GREEN line. If you have more (for whatever reason), OR expect to take a very large amount money back out, fill out a customs declaration and go through the RED line. The rules change both officially and unofficially often but these guidelines are the safest bet. You can usualy receive a declaration on the plane or you can take one from the stands in the baggage claim area—try to find an English version. The customs officer will stamp this declaration; without the stamp, the form is not valid. THIS FORM MUST BE KEPT AND SHOWN TO CUSTOMS AGENTS WHEN YOU DEPART RUSSIA. Failure to comply may result in confiscation of currency or possessions, removal from the train/plane and/or a fine. Many will point out instances where this declaration is not necessary, but the rules change often. To avoid problems, take the time to go through the red line and get the stamp. If you are carrying a sizeable sum (more than $2-3000) they may ask you to show it to them. Don’t be surprised; there is logic to this that we will be happy to explain to interested travelers.

As you exit the customs area, you will see a "mob." If you have requested a transfer, look for someone holding a sign with your name. If you do not see someone right away, do not go far. There is an information booth nearby where you can request to have an announcement made and you can also ask them where the nearest telephone is to call (most airport attendants do not speak English). If your flight has arrived early, wait in that area. Drivers usually plan to arrive no earlier than 30 minutes after your flight is scheduled to land since it is impossible to exit customs faster than that.

It is not a bad idea to change a bit of money ($50-100 max - the rate is not very good) at the airport and there is an exchange where you can exchange and an ATM where you can withdraw rubles very close to the customs exit.

Transferring from the airport to a different airport or to the city, etc., is a whole 'nother ball game. We've listed that separately in How to Leave the Airport (the next topic of the guide).

III. Entering by train If you are entering Russia by train, you will face a long process at the border where 3-4 different officials will go through each cabin checking passports, luggage, looking around for contraband, illegal immigrants, etc. The system is roughly the same as if you flew in except that you are sitting still while the officials move about. There can occasionally be some unpredictable moments on the train and it seems at times that each border control station has its own understanding of various points of the law. Also, for those entering via Europe, do not plan on stopping in Kaliningrad on your way into Russia with a single entry visa unless it is planned out very well, and confirmed by the Russian consulate. Without planning, your entry into Kaliningrad could use up your only entry visa into Russia and you will not be able to enter again via the Baltics. Also, please heed the customs warnings listed in #4 above.

Welcome to Russia!