Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:756 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Path: world!cutter From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Russia Message-ID: <950703163618_76702.1202_CHN59-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: cutter@world.std.com (daemons) Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA Distribution: wstd Date: Mon, 3 Jul 1995 16:36:18 GMT Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 220 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Russia ============================================================ Russia - Consular Information Sheet June 30, 1995 Country Description: Russia is a nation undergoing profound political and economic change. Travel to the Caucasus region in southern Russia is considered 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: A passport and Russian visa are required for all U.S. citizens traveling to, or transiting through, Russia by any means of transportation, including train, car or airplane. Travelers who arrive without an entry visa may be subject to large fines, days of processing requirements by Russian officials, and/or immediate departure by route of entry (at traveler's expense). Carrying a photocopy of passports and visas will facilitate replacement should either be stolen. Visas are issued on the basis of support from a Russian individual or organization - the sponsor. Transit visas, however, do not require a sponsor. It is 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 your sponsor. Tourists should contact in advance their tour company or hotel for information on visa sponsorship. All foreigners must have an exit visa to depart Russia. 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 traveler's arrival. all travelers who spend more than three days in Russia must register their visas through their hotel or sponsor. Visitors who stay in Russia 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. U.S. citizens 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 for current information on visa requirements. Air Travel: Air travel within Russia is often unreliable, with unpredictable schedules and difficult conditions including deterioration of airplane maintenance and quality of service. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and Russian Civil Air Authorities recently concluded a joint safety evaluation of Russia's civil aviation. As a result of their findings, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow removed restrictions on travel by U.S. government personnel on certain airlines. Travel by U.S. Government personnel is now permitted on airlines certified for international air service 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 this list is provided solely by the Russian Department of Air Transport. The Federal Aviation Administration only provides safety certification of U.S. airlines. Areas of Instability: Travel to the Caucasus region in southern Russia (near the Georgian border) is considered dangerous due to armed conflict and political tension in the area. Chechen nationals recently took hostages in the town of Budennovsk, to the north of Chechnya. Security forces remain in the neighboring republics of Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Dagestan. Security in Moscow has been tightened, particularly in the metro 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 at all times and to remain patient when delayed by security checks. While there have been no specific threats made against U.S. citizens, travelers should exercise caution because of the possibility of street demonstrations or acts of terrorism. 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 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. Health Concerns: Diphtheria outbreaks have been reported in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other parts of Russia. The Centers for Disease Control recommend diphtheria immunizations before traveling. Typhoid can be a concern for those planning to travel extensively. Drinking only boiled or bottled water will help guard against cholera, which has been reported, as well as other diseases. More complete information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers' hotline, tel: (404) 332-4559. Crime Information: Crime against foreigners continues to increase, 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. Traffic police sometimes stop motorists to extract cash "fines" and bandits prey on travelers on the highway between St. Petersburg and Vyborg. 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. Useful information on safeguarding valuables, protecting personal security, and other matters while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad", which is 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: Travelers checks and credit cards are not widely accepted; credit cards are only accepted at establishments catering to Westerners. Old or very worn dollar bills are often not accepted, even at banks. 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 can disburse money wired from the U.S. Customs Regulations: Customs laws and regulations are in flux and are not consistently enforced. A 600 percent duty is required to export any item with a value exceeding 300,000 rubles. 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. Caviar may only be taken out with a receipt indicating it was bought in a store licensed to sell to foreigners. Failure to follow the customs regulations may result in confiscation of the property in question. 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. Embassy and Consulate Locations: Moscow: Novinskiy Bulvar 19/23; tel. (7)(095) 252-2451. After hours emergencies: tel. (7)(095) 252-1898 or 255-5123. U.S. Consulates General are located at: St. Petersburg: Ulitsa Furshtadskaya 15; tel. (7-812) 275-1701. After hours emergencies: (7-812) 274-8692. Vladivostok: 12 Mordovtseva; tel. (7-4232) 268-458 or 267-117. Yekaterinburg: tel. (7-3432) 601-143. The Consulate General in Yekaterinburg provides emergency services for American citizens. Questions regarding U.S. visas should be directed to the Embassy in Moscow. No. 95-076 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated December 16, 1994, to update information on the country description and areas of instability, which include Chechnya and the surrounding republics, and increased security in Moscow. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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