OK .. AFAIK here are the
OFFICIAL rules!
Hope this assists others in future as these appear quite clear.
http://www.delta.com/planning_reserv...t_information/
This service is what all the airlines use
FROM the USA to determine if you will be admitted or not to Russia with no Visa.
If any Russian speaker might be so kind as to email the relevant part in RUSSIAN writing it may save me some grief if I get a tough official!
Thanks so much
ozstamps at gmail.com
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/ 29MAR09 / 1906 UTC
National Australia (AU) (Same wording below applies to USA citizens)
Transit Russian Federation (RU)/Destination U.S.A. (US)
ALSO CHECK DESTINATION INFORMATION BELOW
Russian Federation (RU)
TWOV (Transit Without Visa):
Visa required, except for Those continuing their journey
within 24 hours without leaving the airside (international)
transit area:
- if continuing by a domestic flight (also including Belarus)
or if the airport of arrival is different from the airport
of departure within the same Russian city (e.g. arriving at
Sheremetyevo-2 and departing from Sheremetyevo-1 airport in
Moscow) then a transit visa is required, as one is entering
territory of the Russian Federation.
Additional Information:
- Passengers are required to hold return/onward tickets and
documents required for the next destination.
- Valid visas in expired passports or other expired travel
documents are not accepted.
Warning:
- Non-compliance with entry or transit regulations may result
in fines for carrier For details, click here
FOR U.S.A. (US)
Passport required.
- Nationals of Australia may enter with passports valid for
period of intended stay.
Passport Exemptions:
- Holders of a valid on arrival Form I-512 ( Authorization for
Parole of an Alien into the United States").
- Holders of a Temporary or Emergency passports.
Visa required, except for Those entitled to travel under the
U.S. Visa Waiver Permanent Program (V.W.P.P.), travelling on
holiday, business or for transit purposes only, and stay does
not exceed 90 days (see V.W.P.P conditions below):