Russia - 3 year, multiple entry, no invite (?)

Any update on this? Or is it just Kremlin/Washington, politeness?

See
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/05/26/joint-statement-presidents-united-states-america-and-russian-federatio-0

I'm debating what to do next year (renew the business visa or wait for this to be implemented)

I know my Russian friends would be ecstatic.

It's still in process and hasn't been completely signed off on yet.

http://www.kyivpost.com/news/russia/detail/114439/

I know my Russian friends would be ecstatic.Why would they? The treaty is major advantage for all Americans traveling to Russia, and only a medium advantage for some Russians traveling to America.

For smart guys like myself it is of no improvement - I always was issued 1-year visas because of my education in technology. And after 1 year the security clearance expires and I have to pay and wait 1 month again.

Or are they hosts? If so, yes, they'll avoid much hassle with making the invitations.

I think the agreement is reciprocal, 3 year, multiple entry for both sides.
Based on what I've read.

It would not surprise me if the US steps up their standards a little (for Russian Federation citizens), in my honest opinion more I think a lot more people world get turned down, since the visas are for 3 years, if that is the case. I would imagine higher standards would apply, or in some cases not everyone will get the 3 year visa..

I hope I pass the Russian test : I've been to the country multiple times, never overstayed, never got into trouble, dutifully registered (even back when it was 3 days, draconian as it is)

This would be absolutely amazing. I can't wait for this to happen & am avidly awaiting an update of the Houston Consulate's Website. I would definitely be the first to sign up. Being able to go "home" whenever I want.....it would mean a lot to me.

It would not surprise me if the US steps up their standards a little (for Russian Federation citizens), in my honest opinion more I think a lot more people world get turned down, since the visas are for 3 years, if that is the case. I would imagine higher standards would apply, or in some cases not everyone will get the 3 year visa...I don't think so. Consuls are not obliged to issue visas with max. possible validity, it's the upper bound, not lower. They even sometimes do issue 3-month 1-entry visas if they see a person's status is likely to change soon, esp. to last-year students. And the proposed agreement doesn't limit their authority to do so.

RIA Novosti:

http://en.ria.ru/world/20111119/168839192.html

Kyiv Post:

http://www.kyivpost.com/news/russia/detail/117260/

American Ambassador's Blog:

http://beyrle.livejournal.com/30594.html

Three year visas, for both sides, will be the norm.

Question is : when will this be implemented?

The duma has to approve it. (my guess this won't take long)
Does this need congressional approval (I hope not)

Assuming so, my guess it would be policy after February, March next year.
After the Russians are done with their Christmas in January holidays.

Question is : when will this be implemented?

The duma has to approve it. (my guess this won't take long)
Does this need congressional approval (I hope not)

Assuming so, my guess it would be policy after February, March next year.
After the Russians are done with their Christmas in January holidays.

Because it was an exchange of notes and not a treaty, it does not need Senate approval. Hopefully it will be implemented early 2012.

According to this VOA story (only in Russian, sorry):

http://www.voanews.com/russian/news/USA-Russia-visas-2011-11-19-134173023.html

Once the Duma ratifies the agreement, a second set of notes will be exchanged and the agreement will go into effect 30 days after that second exchange.

My only hope is that Duma won't ratify this. It'll be unfair if tourists who have special education like me only get 1-year visas because of all that "security clearance" stuff while American businessmen get 3-year visas even if their businesses are in the same professional field.

As far as I can see the proposed treaty contains no reservations about reciprocating American security paranoia.

My only hope is that Duma won't ratify this. It'll be unfair if tourists who have special education like me only get 1-year visas because of all that "security clearance" stuff while American businessmen get 3-year visas even if their businesses are in the same professional field.

As far as I can see the proposed treaty contains no reservations about reciprocating American security paranoia.

Three years should be the standard for citizens of both countries:

The agreement stipulates that U.S. visas issued to Russians and Russian visas issued to Americans will automatically be valid for three years and allow multiple entries, thus significantly reducing the cumbersome bureaucracy hitherto faced by travelers.


http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/us-and-russia-reach-visa-deal-but-duma-vote-awaits/448208.html

Also no more invitations! :p

As long as this does not need congressional approval, looks like this will be law. And a changed landscape.

I doubt that anything this useful is going to come out of the EU-Russian Visa negotiations.

At least some of the Schengen countries are fairly easy to do business with. Some don't even require a visa applicant to turn up in person.

My main problem is with the UK-Russia visa situtation.

Currently my in-laws have to go through the following waltz in order to enter the UK.

Make online application to book a visa appointment. Often distant (i.e. cheaper applications are not available, and only those in the next few weeks show up.)

IKT-MOW - Not a cheap flight (Equivalent to flying from UK to Halifax Nova Scotia).
1 or 2 nights in a Moscow hotel - again, not cheap.
Get fingerprints taken at British Embassy. Submit printed application.
MOW-IKT

Some undisclosed time later....
IKT-MOW 1 or 2 nights in a Moscow hotel
Collect Passports from the British Embassy. Check to see if the visa has been issued.
MOW-IKT.

Now book the trip, probably back through Moscow.
IKT-MOW-LON
LON-MOW-IKT.

So that's 3 or 4 nights in a pricey Moscow hotel. 4 additional flights and 10,500 miles just to find out if they'll let you travel. I can't see this as coming in below $1500 or £1000. Luckily there is a high level of authorisation for visas in Russia, so if you follow the process, you'll probably get one.

Of course you can apply at the various consulates around the country, but all will involve flights, hotels etc. The nearest visa issuing centre is actually Ulan Batoor, so that's an option.
The way that we play it is to get a schengen visa and then apply within a schengen country (Malta), whilst they stay the week with us in Malta. Much cheaper, much more comfortable.

.....and to then have the indignity of not having your fingerprints taken when you enter the UK! If you'd spent all of that time and money in order to provide your bio-metrics, wouldn't you insist that you were tested when you arrived in the UK? ;)

Thankfully the Russians have made it slightly easier for Brits to get visas, although it is still a pain to pretend to be in a hotel when you really staying with a family. At least you can self register in the pochta now.

Hoping for ratification by the end of the year (which would mean implementation by the end of January) and confirmation that there would no longer be a requirement for invitations:

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/us-visa-deal-may-be-set-for-new-year/448299.html

Gnarly, there is some mention of progress in the article on the EU visa situation as well, although if I had to guess, I would bet "EU" in this case really means Schengen and would not include UK visas. :(

Three years should be the standard for citizens of both countriesAccording to this draft (http://giod.consultant.ru/page.aspx?1574443), there is no obligation to issue 3-year visas only. Countries may issue shorter-validity visas if they find it desirable in particular cases (article 8). As far as I understand, the paranoid US legislation only mandates 1-year visas to persons who have education in certain professional areas, and security clearance must be obtained for each new itinerary (no matter which citizenship).

I have education in information security, and it means that each time I wish to go to the US I will have to pay another $140 and wait 3 or 4 weeks for the clearance. The US will probably issue 3-year visas to sissy girls, housewives, truck drivers and businessmen but not to guys like me. I find that they possess every right to do so if they choose; but our country must ensure the priority of our citizens and reciprocate by only issuing 1-year visas to those US citizens who possess education or work in same fields of science and technology.

Yesterday I wrote a letter to our MFA asking if they're going to do so. The treaty allows for that, so I hope they will issue proper guidelines for their consular posts.

Sissy girls? LOL. We want them to come to New York and Beverly Hills, and shop till their hearts content.

Case in point :
"I spent $900 on it in Paris." To which Boris Nikolayevich replies: "You fool! You could have stayed in Moscow and paid $2,000.
Source : Time magazine Moscow : 10 things to do
(http://www.time.com/time/travel/cityguide/article/0,31489,1850865_1850705_1850569,00.html)
Its sunny all the time in California. I'm sure any Russian will appreciate that.
Especially the sissy girls. Come on over!

Point is : Life is fundamentally unfair, and you can't please everyone.

A 3-year multi would be amazingly useful for me. I'm on the edge of my seat--my next trip to Moscow is set for January 28. The $64,000 question: should I wait to put in my visa application until after Russia comes back from New Year's holidays, hoping for the new regime to be in place by then? Or should I assume that things will not change for months, so I may as well do the paperwork now?

New Year holidays would of course be the orthodox Christmas, 1st week of January. The duma has to approve it, and then a 3rd series of notes has to be exchanged.

I figure Spring at best, Summer at worst.

At least the US Congress does not have to touch this. We would have no chance if the crazies got involved.

I figure Spring at best, Summer at worst.Yeah, that's what I was thinking too, but I was hoping someone would have some inside scoop about the new regime going into force sooner. Oh well.

I read in a Russian paper that April will be the soonest this is possible, so I would say June is more likely.

Bad News.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/mobile/news/article/us-visa-deal-hits-a-snag-in-new-duma/450579.html

Bad News.
:mad:

Just sent in my documents last week for my Nth single-entry. Argh

Sinisterly, I think the Visa business people (expediters and travel agents) may be behind the delay. In some ways I understand, the issuance of invitations and visas at $150 a pop is a money moker. Some people earn their living of this..

However, looking at the bigger picture, I think it would be in Russia's interests to try to loosen some of the red tape, relics of the soviet era. (exchange if ideas, new business, investments etc)

Sinisterly, I think the Visa business people (expediters and travel agents) may be behind the delay. In some ways I understand, the issuance of invitations and visas at $150 a pop is a money moker. Some people earn their living of this..

However, looking at the bigger picture, I think it would be in Russia's interests to try to loosen some of the red tape, relics of the soviet era. (exchange if ideas, new business, investments etc)

As someone who has two companies (one focusing on travel to Russia and the former Soviet Union for business and cultural purposes, and another advising on cross-border investment) I disagree.

Russia could unilaterally say, no more visas for visits of less than 30 or 90 days (which is what Ukraine did in 2005 after a change of government to show its more pro-business face), but that is doubtful from a standpoint of reciprocity: the US requires that Russian citizens obtain a visa in advance (a process that is far more complex and, based reon average incomes in each country, far more costly). The US requirement will not change in the foreseeable future (10+ years), and consequently I doubt the Russians will drop the requirement. In addition, visas are money-makers for the Russian government so there is a bureaucratic imperative to continue to charge. Further down the list is the mindset of keeping better track and control of access to Russia (and remember, many more countries required visas 20-30 years ago than today).

As someone who spends a great deal of time advising on investment issues, I always push for a reduction of barriers whenever possible.

As for the three-year visa, don't hold your breath. We are still advising clients who need to renew their 1 year visas at this point to go ahead and renew, rather than wait for the new regulations to be written and to be implemented by the Russian Federation Consulates in the US.

Having worked in this field for over 7 years, I have seen laws enacted but always wait until I see how the various agencies enforce those laws. We could learn, for example, that the registration requirements are more onerous for a three year visa, or that one can only stay 30 days at a time.

Personally I still view the move toward longer-term visas as a positive, for my family and for US-Russian relations. We do need to see what the practical terms and enforcement turns out to be, however.

meFirst and I had a similar exchange back in July, and nothing has changed since: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/russia/1227710-russian-visa-application-changes-private-visa-1-july-2011-a.html#post16724576

According to this draft (http://giod.consultant.ru/page.aspx?1574443), there is no obligation to issue 3-year visas only. Countries may issue shorter-validity visas if they find it desirable in particular cases (article 8). As far as I understand, the paranoid US legislation only mandates 1-year visas to persons who have education in certain professional areas, and security clearance must be obtained for each new itinerary (no matter which citizenship).

I have education in information security, and it means that each time I wish to go to the US I will have to pay another $140 and wait 3 or 4 weeks for the clearance. The US will probably issue 3-year visas to sissy girls, housewives, truck drivers and businessmen but not to guys like me. I find that they possess every right to do so if they choose; but our country must ensure the priority of our citizens and reciprocate by only issuing 1-year visas to those US citizens who possess education or work in same fields of science and technology.

Yesterday I wrote a letter to our MFA asking if they're going to do so. The treaty allows for that, so I hope they will issue proper guidelines for their consular posts.

I'm kinda of ignorant of this stuff. I have a friend from Russia that wants to visit. You mention a security clearance and specialty visa. I'm now worried that she is applying for the wrong visa. I asked her and she knew nothing about this. Could you give some more info?

I'm kinda of ignorant of this stuff. I have a friend from Russia that wants to visit. You mention a security clearance and specialty visa. I'm now worried that she is applying for the wrong visa. I asked her and she knew nothing about this. Could you give some more info?

Unless she has specialized training in specific fields (mostly scientific) it is not an issue. I would, though, look for an online forum which could advise her on what the US Embassy is looking for on visa applications (in terms of assets and other criteria).

Nothing special she is getting her masters in electrical engineering and works now as a consultant part-time. She is also on the volley ball team (university). She just wanted to get the tourist visa. Hold on, are you talking about a work visa?

BadTime,

It is not about a special visa type: the visa type is determined by the purpose of the trip. It is about an additional clearance for people who possess education in certain sciences, which is administered during visa process for any type of visa.

It works like this. During interview for a non-immigrant visa the consul first seeks satisfaction that the applicant has ties with his/her country of residence which will compel him/her to return from the US. If the consul is satisfied, he/she approves the visa and defines the term of its validity within limits set by the reciprocity schedule (http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html). Most applicants get their passports with an affixed visa within 2 or 3 days after that.

But, if there is a suspicion or factual knowledge that the applicant is educated or experienced in a professional field on Technology Alert List, an additional processing is administered to get clearance from Washington. They request your resume, planned itinerary and invitation (if there is one), and then spend at least 3 weeks trying to expose your intent to do espionage or sabotage. If they find nothing suspicious on you, a clearance is granted, for no longer than one year.

The US requirement will not change in the foreseeable future (10+ years)
This, by the way, may be a too pessimistic estimation. During the last several years, Russia has approached quite close to the fulfilment of most objective criteria for inclusion to the US VWP, and was recently included to the Guam and Mariana VWP.
Further down the list is the mindset of keeping better track and control of access to Russia
I do not think this matters. I remember an FSB official quoted by press saying that they don't have any objections to abandoning visas, because they are of no help in preventing special service activities. Russia now has visa-free regime with many countries, among them Israel which is notorious for the activity of its special services.

As to immigration, most migrants to Russia come from within CIS and don't need visas to enter.
(and remember, many more countries required visas 20-30 years ago than today).
It depends on the point of view. :-) 15 years ago Russians might go to Poland, Czech Repuplic, Hungary, Latvia etc. without visas. Not so now.

(OTOH now we can go to some much more inteersting places like Peru, Brazil and Indonesia.)
wait for the new regulations to be written and to be implemented by the Russian Federation Consulates in the US.
As far as I understand, the regulations have already been written.
We could learn, for example, that the registration requirements are more onerous for a three year visa
Registration requirements are completely unrelated to visas, so it is not something one has to expect. And the requirements have been gradually relaxed over the last years.
or that one can only stay 30 days at a time.
AFAIR, the MID's note proposes 6 months as a rule (article 3 here (http://giod.consultant.ru/page.aspx?1574443)).

Does anyone have an update on this?. Specifically when this will become reality?

Still waiting on Duma ratification.

Prognosis..?

I think it will be ratified, but I doubt any movement is made on it before the presidential elections in March.

'Kommersant' (Ъ) published an article (http://kommersant.ru/doc/1913733) on the topic yesterday.Western experts have speculated that the Russian Parliament was deliberately delaying the ratification of the agreement in order to use it as a bargaining chip when dealing with other issues. Official representatives of Western countries raise the bar even higher. A senior Western diplomat working in Moscow, who asked to remain anonymous, even questioned the ability of the Russian Federation - as it was publicly announced - 'to fulfill the voluminous requirements from the list of joint steps towards the abolition of visas with the EU' in a year. 'If Moscow drags the ratification of the agreement with the US out for six months, what is to be expected from a much more complex dialogue with the EU?' - the perplexed diplomat told Ъ.

In Moscow, all of these assumptions and fears are rejected. As Ъ was told by the first deputy head of the Duma Committee on Foreign Affairs Andrei Klimov, the State Duma never got the document in question for ratification. 'We don't have the agreement, respectively, there's nothing to ratify so far,' - he explained.

Ъ's source in the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that the document hasn't yet been passed to the Parliament. According to him, the agreement is still being worked on in the Ministry of Justice. The matter is that three-year multiple-entry visas which will be issued to tourists and businessmen of the both countries are not provided for with Russian legislation. Therefore, along with the ratification of the agreement on visa facilitation itself, the Duma will have to pass a series of regulations that are now under preparation in the Ministry of Justice. Though, the Ministry of Justice told Ъ that a positive conclusion on the legal agreement examination results was sent yesterday to the Foreign Ministry.

Yesterday the agreement officially received approval from the Government and was passed to the State Duma.

By the time my business visa expires next year, hopefully this will be implemented.

I wonder what will become of the outsourcer? (here in the US)

Just thought a link to the most recent news might be helpful:

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20110527/164277910.html

Just thought a link to the most recent news might be helpful:

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20110527/164277910.html

Thanks Dave but this is from last year.

Sure nice to see the honorable John Beyrle mentioned.... his removal from office is a major loss to US/Russian relations.

Thanks Dave but this is from last year.

Sure nice to see the honorable John Beyrle mentioned.... his removal from office is a major loss to US/Russian relations.

DOPE! I forwarded that on to a colleague before reading the date from one year and 3 days ago. My bad.

Rumors still abound here in Russia but so far...nada.

1 year ME's will have to do for now.

So eliminating the invitation was mentioned -- what about visa registration?

So eliminating the invitation was mentioned -- what about visa registration?There is no such thing as visa registration in Russia. There are alien registration procedures, but they are not dependent on whether there's a visa involved.

:rolleyes: All right then. Are there any changes being made to the alien registration procedures, which are commonly known as visa registration?

I personally gave up on this ever happening and just went through with the onerous requirements to get temporary residency. Just got my permanent residency, after much travail, a month ago; it would be just like Russia to finally get this passed immediately after I did all that!

Not that I'm complaining. It was a lot of hoops to jump through to do everything legally, but I've had friends immigrate to the US and it's the same on that end. In the end, I'm glad I have permanent residency and now don't have to worry about the constantly shifting visa landscape any more.

Still interested to see if this happens, for the sake of a few friends who still get visas. Is the new 3-year visa supposed to adhere to the old 90-days-in, 90-days-out requirement, or can people live here permanently on them?

:rolleyes: All right then. Are there any changes being made to the alien registration procedures, which are commonly known as visa registration?What changes do you expect and why?

The draft of the law on ratification of the agreement is included into the preliminary backlog for July.

:rolleyes: All right then. Are there any changes being made to the alien registration procedures, which are commonly known as visa registration?Technically, isn't it really called some sort :)f 'notification' these days?

From a June 13, 2012, article in The Moscow Times about a new EU/Russian visa agreement:

Meanwhile, a similar but wider facilitation agreement with the United States has been scheduled for a first reading in the Duma by the end of July, according to official documentation on the parliament's website.

The lower house should vote on the bill just before presidents Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama meet for a Group of 20 summit in Mexico on June 18 and 19, according to Andrei Klimov, first deputy chairman of the Duma's International Affairs Committee. "We will try to create a positive atmosphere for them," Klimov said in an interview.

The agreement with the United States envisages that all travelers get three-year multiple-entry visas as a rule.


Maybe some meaningful movement on this come June? Let's hope so.

I think realistically, if all goes as reported, this will be in effect in September/October.

Even after the agreement approved, there has to be a trickle down to the consulates as how to implement it.

I'd be curious how this is done in the US, with this new "outsourcer"

Maybe some meaningful movement on this come June? Let's hope so.Given the current state of relations, I wouldn't be holding my breath. Do a google search for "Jackson-Vanik Repeal." Here's some light reading on the subject:

From Foreign Policy (http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/06/12/magnitsky_act_will_be_linked_with_russian_trade_bi ll_in_senate)

Info on Jackson-Vanik Repeal (http://en.ria.ru/russia/20120619/174119356.html)

Duma reps say they will vote on the proposal on July 6th.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/duma-to-vote-on-us-visa-deal-in-july/460924.html

The agreement was ratified today.

The agreement was ratified today.Yes - according to the Moscow Times (http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/us-russia-visa-deal-wins-approval-in-duma/461722.html) the agreement n:)w needs to be ratified by the Federation Council and signed by Putin.

The last piece of the puzzle will be ambassador McFaul having to hand it in. I can't help but cringe with the thought that he is going to mess it up somehow.

On the lighter fantasy side of things, I can only hope this initiative leads to a better and easier way for Russians to enter the country, USA that is.

Nuts, still won't get the benefit of this for my next trip (September). I'm applying for a one-year ME this time, which by Murphy's Law will ensure that the new visa regime will go into effect a week or so before I arrive in Moscow...you can all thank me!:D

Approved by Federation Council.

Approved by Federation Council.

Awesome news! I hope President Putin signs it into law soon.

Putin signed the ratification law. Looks like in September the agreement will come into force.

MFA has announced (http://www.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/newsline/FF947816BE37016044257A59005462B3) that the agreement will come into force on 9/9.

MFA has announced (http://www.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/newsline/FF947816BE37016044257A59005462B3) that the agreement will come into force on 9/9.
Grr. I just sent off my documents and hundreds of dollars to Travisa for a 1-year multi-entry, for a trip in which I will arrive in Russia on Sept. 9.

Grr. I just sent off my documents and hundreds of dollars to Travisa for a 1-year multi-entry, for a trip in which I will arrive in Russia on Sept. 9.

And I was about to do the same. Whew.

Curious to see on what basis they approve/reject applicants. Very interesting indeed.

I never thought I'd see this day come. Never!

The Washington Embassy site says nothing about it yet btw. Hmmm...

Are invitations going to become completely unnecessary now?

Are invitations going to become completely unnecessary now?

TBD and TBA apparently. I can't find that anywhere in the Russian or English language info going out about this. My "guy" in DC says the Embassy is not saying either.

Hurry up and wait I guess...

My "guy" in DC says the Embassy is not saying either. I'm sure all the pe;)ple who make $ off of the invitations are exerting pressure on the relevant government officials to keep that part of the arrangement as-is.

I'm sure all the pe;)ple who make $ off of the invitations are exerting pressure on the relevant government officials to keep that part of the arrangement as-is.
That is a pretty easy bet to make! The money I've paid in visa and invitation fees over the last 15 years is depressing to contemplate. Somewhere, someone's yacht is going to have to be downsized if this goes into effect.

Are invitations going to become completely unnecessary now?

The MT articles says invites won't be needed: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/eased-us-russia-visa-rules-go-into-force-sept-9/466530.html

The RF MFA press release says (in respect of Russian visas) "по прямым приглашениям принимающей стороны" ("by direct invitation of the receiving side"). This is just a guess, but that could be taken to mean that a simple letter (e.g., from a company) rather than an official invitation would suffice for the application. After all, the nature of a three-year multi is such that the receiving side could change from trip to trip.

Yeah, I read the Russian as well and was confused by that language as everything up to now has suggested that invitations would no longer be necessary. I wasn't sure what to make of that specific language, however.

It is, however, a silly requirement and I hope it hits the fabled "ash heap of history" sooner rather than later.

As far as I read the Russian announcement, it's not clear at all that invitiations will no longer be required. The language is ambiguous--who on the receiving side gets to do the inviting? The way it reads, it could be exactly the same situation as today, that is, МИД.

Nevertheless, at least the automatic 3-year multi thing is a gigantic step forward.

Information from the US Embassy in Moscow:

http://moscow.usembassy.gov/pr_visas-082912.html

The language on invitations is still unclear:

"No formal invitation will be required to apply for a business or tourism visa, although applicants seeking Russian tourist visas must continue to hold advance lodging reservations and arrangements with a tour operator."

It's unclear to me how a tour operator could give you advanced lodging reservations for up to 3 months.

I found these passages in the embassy release t:) be quite interesting:At the same time, the United States will be reducing the fee charged to Russians issued visas for business or tourism from $100 to $20.
...
For Americans in Russia, the agreement lifts the previous restriction limiting stays in Russia to 90 days within any given 180-day period—just like Russian travelers, they will now be permitted stays of up to six months. In addition, “exit visas” will no longer be necessary in the case of U.S. citizens who lose their passports while in Russia.

.....and to then have the indignity of not having your fingerprints taken when you enter the UK!By the way, I was fingerprinted in Heathrow for the first time last Saturday.

By the way, I was fingerprinted in Heathrow for the first time last Saturday.

Yay...I think.
:confused:

As the new visa rules have been implemented, those posts regarding the new procedures have been moved to a new, sticky thread entitled NEW Russian more liberal Visa rules (Sep 2012) (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/russia/1392072-new-russian-more-liberal-visa-rules-sep-2012-a.html).

This thread, which contains mostly posts speculating and reporting milepoints in the process, is now obsolete and has been left for archival purposes.

JDiver, Senior Moderator