From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Russia Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Wed, 7 Feb 1996 14:43:14 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:937 Path: world!root Message-ID: <960207144313_76702.1202_CHN55-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: root@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 228 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Russia ============================================================ Russia - Consular Information Sheet February 6, 1996 Country Description: Russia is a nation undergoing profound political and economic change. Travel to the Caucasus region in the south, especially to the Republic of Chechnya, is extremely dangerous due to the ongoing conflict and political tension in the area. While tourist facilities exist in Moscow and some other large cities, they are not developed in most of Russia and many of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries are not yet available. Travelers may need to cross great distances, especially in Siberia and the Far East, to obtain services from Russian government organizations or from the U.S. Embassy or its consulates. Entry Requirements: All Americans traveling to or transiting through Russia by any means of transportation must have a passport and visa. Travelers who arrive without a passport entry visa may be subject to large fines, days of processing requirements by Russian officials, and/or immediate departure by route of entry (at travelers expense). Travelers should also keep a photocopy of passports and visas in a safe place to facilitate replacement should either be stolen. Visas are issued based on support from a Russian individual or organization - - the sponsor. Transit visas, however, do not need a sponsor. It is very important to know who your sponsor is and how they can be contacted, as Russian law requires that the sponsor apply for replacement, extension or changes to your visa. The U.S. Embassy cannot act as a sponsor. Tourists should contact in advance their tour company or hotel for information on visa sponsorship. HIV Testing Requirement: Under a 1995 Russian law, any person applying for a visa for a stay of more than three months must present a certificate showing that the individual is HIV negative. However, as of this date, the government has not finalized procedures for its implementation. Exit Requirements: All foreigners must have an exit visa to depart. For short stays, the exit visa is issued along with the entry visa. For longer stays, the exit visa must be obtained by the sponsor after the travelers arrival. All travelers who spend more than three days in Russia must register their visa through their hotel or sponsor. Visitors who stay for weeks may be prevented from leaving if they have not registered their visas. Errors in dates or other information on the visa can occur and it is helpful to have someone who reads Russian check the visa before departing the U.S. For information concerning entry and exit requirements, travelers can contact the Russian Embassy Consular Division, 1825 Phelps Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 939-8918, or the consulates in New York, San Francisco or Seattle. Air Travel: Air travel is often unreliable, with unpredictable schedules and difficult conditions including deterioration of airplane maintenance and quality of service. Travel by U.S. Government personnel is only permitted on airlines certified by the Russian Department of Air Transport. It has provided a list, available from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, of those airlines certified by Russia for international operations. Airlines certified to operate internationally meet higher standards than domestic-only air carriers yet also fly to most domestic destinations. Safety certification of the airlines on the list is provided solely by the Russian Department of Air Transport. The Federal Aviation Administration only certifies the safety of U.S. airlines. Areas of Instability: Travel to the Caucasus region in the south, especially to the Republic of Chechnya, is extremely dangerous due to armed conflict and political tensions in the area. Russian armed forces remain in the neighboring republics of Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Dagestan. Two U.S. citizens have disappeared in Chechnya and remain unaccounted for. Chechen separatists and those sympathetic to their cause, have taken hostages on several occasions. As a result of these terrorist incidents, security in Moscow has been tightened, particularly in the metro (subway) system, at government facilities, and at entry and exit points from the city. U.S. citizens are advised to carry their passport and visa with them always and to remain patient when delayed by security checks. While there have been no specific threats made against Americans, travelers should exercise caution because of the possibility of street demonstrations or acts of terrorism. Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: Inclement weather and lack of routine maintenance make road conditions throughout Russia highly variable. Drivers and pedestrians should exercise extreme caution to avoid accidents, which are commonplace at all times. Traffic police sometimes stop motorists to extract cash "fines" and bandits occasionally prey on travelers, particularly on the road between St. Petersburg and Vyborg. Medical Facilities: Medical care is usually far below Western standards, with severe shortages of basic medical supplies. Access to the few quality facilities that exist in major cities usually requires cash, dollar payment at western rates upon admission. The U.S. Embassy and consulates maintain lists of such facilities and English-speaking doctors. Many resident Americans travel to the West for virtually all of their medical needs; such travel can be very expensive if undertaken under emergency conditions. Travelers may wish to check their insurance coverage and consider supplemental coverage for medical evacuation. Elderly travelers and those with existing health problems may be at particular risk. More complete information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline, tel: (404) 332-4559. Crime Information: Crime against foreigners is a problem, especially in major cities. Pickpocketings, assaults and robberies occur day and night, most frequently on city streets, in underground walkways and the subway; on intercity trains, especially the Moscow - St. Petersburg overnight train; in train stations and airports; at markets, tourist attractions and restaurants; and in hotel rooms and residences, even when locked or occupied. Members of religious and missionary groups have been robbed by people pretending to be interested in their beliefs. Groups of children are known to assault and rob foreigners on city streets or underground walkways. Foreigners who have been drinking alcohol are especially vulnerable to assault and robbery in or around night clubs or bars, or on their way home. Robberies may occur in taxis shared with strangers. Travelers have found it safer to travel in groups organized by reputable tour agencies as solo travelers are more vulnerable to crime. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you receive a replacement for your lost or stolen U.S. passport from the U.S. Embassy or a Consulate in Russia, your exit visa must also be replaced, with assistance from your sponsor, so that the passport number written on the visa matches your new passport. This requires a Russian police report. The Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" provides useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad. Additional information on the region can be found in the brochure "Tips for Travelers to Russia and the Newly Independent States." Both publications are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402. Crime Against Foreign Businesses: Extortion and corruption permeate the business environment. Organized criminal groups target foreign businesses in many cities and reportedly demand protection money under threat of serious violence. Many western firms hire security services, but this has not always proven effective in avoiding armed extortion attempts. Currency Exchange: The ruble is the only legal tender. It is illegal to pay for goods and services in U.S. dollars, except at authorized retail establishments. Old or very worn dollar bills are often not accepted at banks and exchange offices, even though this is also a violation of currency laws. In anticipation of the introduction of the new-design 100 dollar bill, travelers may find some exchange points not accepting pre-1996 series 100 dollar bill notes. Travelers checks and credit cards are not widely accepted; credit cards are only accepted at establishments catering to westerners. Major hotels or the American Express offices in Moscow or St. Petersburg may be able to suggest locations for cashing travelers checks or obtaining cash advances on credit cards. Western Union has agents in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and some other large cities which disburse money wired from the U.S. Customs Regulations: Russian customs laws and regulations are complicated and highly discretionary. A 30 percent duty is required to export any personal item(s) worth over $10,000. Moreover, export duties may be imposed on any items which are determined by customs officials at the point of departure to be of commercial use. All items which may appear to have historical or cultural value -- icons, art, rugs, antiques, etc. -- may be taken out of Russia only with prior written approval of the Ministry of Culture and payment of 100 percent duty. Certain items, such as caviar, medications, jewelry, precious or semiprecious stones or metals, and fuel may be exported duty-free in limited amounts only. Failure to follow the customs regulations may result in confiscation of the property in question and imposition of fines. All travelers must present a customs declaration upon arrival in which the amount of currency brought into the country is declared and any items of value are listed. Travelers should ensure that this declaration is officially stamped by customs officials at the point of entry in order to prevent possible difficulties in taking currency and valuables back out. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Registration and Embassy Location: All Americans who reside in Russia for three months or longer are encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy or at one of the U.S. consulates. Americans who will remain for shorter periods may also register and inquire about updated travel and security information. Registration allows for quicker replacement of a lost or stolen passport, as well as contact in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located in Moscow at Novinskiy Bulvar 19/23; tel. (7)(095) 252-2451. After hours emergencies: tel. (7)(095) 252-1898 or 255-5123. U.S. Consulates are located at: St. Petersburg: Ulitsa Furshtadskaya 15; tel. (7-812) 275-1701. After hours emergencies: (7-812) 274-8692. Vladivostok: 32 Pushkin St; tel. (7-4232) 268-458 or 300-070. Yekaterinburg: 15A Ulitsa Gogolya, 4th Floor tel. (7-3432) 564-619. No. 96-010 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated June 30, 1995, to update information on entry and exit requirements, HIV testing, areas of instability, currency exchange, customs regulations, road conditions and consulate locations. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. To unsubscribe, send a message containing the word "unsubscribe" to: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL: "http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher: gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories