Russia - Obtain a Migration Card

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Procedure

The migration card should be filled out by every foreigner entering Russia. It consists of two sections. The top part of the card is collected by the passport/visa control officials, while the bottom part is collected when the person leaves the country to return home. Migration cards serve as a statistical tool and a record of entry, exit, and registration. The card is also necessary to register at hotels.

Migration cards are available at all ports of entry from Russian immigration officials (Border Guards). Every time one enters Russia, he or she needs a new card. Please remember that you cannot stay longer on the territory of the Russian Federation than it is stated in the migration card, so be careful filling your migration card out.

• Entry (Card A) and Exit (Card B) sections of the migration card shall be filled out personally by the owner of the documents eligible for entry to and stay in the Russian Federation in legible handwriting, free of erasures and corrections, using a fountain- or ball-point pen (black, blue or purple ink). Make sure to fill out both parts of the migration card.
• If a foreign national lacks any knowledge of the Russian language, personal data may be written in English as they are spelled in the passport or any other ID. Columns of the migration card shall be filled out in legible print.
• Mark a relevant box with X to identify sex and purpose of visit.

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Required Documents

• ID
• Passport
• Travel documents

Office Locations & Contacts

Federal Migration Service of the Russian Government
FMS of Russia
Address: 109240, Moscow, ul. Upper Radishevskaya 4, building 1, office 107
Phone: Reception: (495) 698-00-78
E-mail: [email protected]

Eligibility

• A foreign national or a stateless person shall receive and fill out a migration card form upon arrival. The card contains personal data about the foreign national and helps to monitor the said nationals temporary stay in the Russian Federation, and shall be returned at the passport control upon departure from this country.
• Migration card forms are usually available aboard the aircraft. One may also find them in the arrival halls on special desks prior to the passport control line. We suggest you should fill them out in advance, aboard your plane, to avoid lines at the passport control.
• At the passport control, foreign passengers shall present their passport and filled out migration card form, along with other ID and travel documents. No seizure of the passport and the migration card is allowed.

Fees

Explain the fees structure which is required for obtaining the certificate/document.

Validity

Please note that you cannot stay in Russia longer than stated in your Migration Card. For instance, if your visa is valid for 1 month, and you have written that you would stay for 20 days, you are not allowed to stay more than 20 days.

Documents to Use

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample Documents

Sample of a migration card

Processing Time

Once filled in, immigration officials will stamp your migration card, and return it to you.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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Instructions

The migration card consists of two sections and the top portion is immediately collected by the passport/visa control officials, while the bottom part is collected when the person leaves the country to return home.

Thus, you now need to make sure that when arriving to Russia, you have the full name and address of the company that made your visa support letter (an invitation). This information is given on your visa support documents, please, copy it for further use.

Required Information

• It is required to put in the migration card the
• Personal data
• Terms of stay in Russia
• Purposes of visit
• Prospective stay of residence
• The name of the inviting company
• Address of the inviting company

Need for the Document

Since February 10, 2003 all foreign citizens entering Russia are requested to fill out the Migration Card that contains your personal information, terms of stay, purpose of visit and prospective place of residence.
Migration Cards are presented to the Border Control Officer along with a passport upon arrival and departure.
Foreign visitors shouldn't worry where to take Migration Cards, as they will be given such cards upon entry to Russia. Every time you enter Russia a new card is given.

Information which might help

This small form has to be completed (in English or Russian) in duplicate before you go through Russian passport control. Some airlines hand out migration cards before landing. If you are entering Russia by train, then you will be provided with a migration card by the conductor before you reach the border. Otherwise, you will be able to find migration cards in stands in the waiting halls for passport control at airports or border points.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

To register your Russian visa, you need to present your migration card. Visitors who have not put a registration mark in the migration card will be considered illegal. The only type of visa that is not supposed to be registered is transit visa. Also note that if you are going to stay in Russia for less than 3 days there is no need to register your visa.

External Links

http://www.getrussian.com/migration-cards-for-russia/

http://www.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/main_eng

http://www.fms.gov.ru/

Others

In case of loss of migration cards foreign visitors should report the loss to regional bodies of domestic affairs domiciliary within 3 days. Foreign visitors not submitting migration cards during their last stay in the Russian Federation will be restricted to reentering the country. The proof of visa registration is a rectangular stamp in your Migration Card indicating period of validity, date of registration, registration number, name of registering authority and signature of executing officer.