Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:624 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Path: world!daemon From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Russia Message-ID: <941103144635_76702.1202_CHN41-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: daemon@world.std.com (daemons) Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Thu, 3 Nov 1994 14:46:36 GMT Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 206 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Russia ============================================================ Russia - Consular Information Sheet November 2, 1994 Country Description: Russia is a nation undergoing profound political and economic change. 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 Information: 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. Russian 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 your sponsor apply on your behalf 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 in order to depart Russia. For short stays the exit visa is issued together with the entry visa; for longer stays, the exit visa must be obtained by the sponsor after the traveler's arrival. Russian law requires that all travelers who spend more than three days in Russia register their visas through their hotel or sponsor. Visitors who stay in Russia for a period of weeks may be prevented from leaving if they have not registered their visas. Errors in the 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 United States. U.S. citizens can contact the Russian Embassy, Consular Division, 1825 Phelps Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 939-8918, 939-8907, or 939-8913, or the Russian 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 Russian airlines. Travel by U.S. government personnel is now permitted on airlines certified for international air service by the Russian Department of Air Transport. Airlines certified to operate internationally meet higher standards than domestic-only air carriers yet also fly to most domestic destinations. The Russian Department of Air Transport has provided a list, which is available >from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, of those airlines certified by Russia for international operations. Travelers should note that 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: The political situation remains particularly unsettled in Russia's Caucasus area, which is located in Southern Russia along its border with Georgia and Azerbaijan. Travel to this area is considered dangerous. The regions of the Chechen Republic, the Ingush Republic and the North Ossetian Republic have experienced continued armed violence and have a state of emergency and curfew in effect. Street demonstrations, which sometimes turn violent, may occur without warning, though announcements of demonstrations in Moscow are usually carried on local English-language radio news programs. Medical Facilities: Medical care in Russia 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 payment in cash 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: Outbreaks of diphtheria have been reported in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other parts of Russia. The Centers for Disease Control recommend up-to-date diphtheria immunizations before traveling to Russia. Typhoid can be a concern for those who plan to travel extensively in Russia. Drinking only boiled or bottled water will help guard against cholera, which has been reported, as well as other diseases. More complete and updated 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 in Russia continues to increase, especially in major cities. Pickpocketings, assaults and robberies occur both day and night, and 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 normally 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 in Russia. Organized criminal groups target foreign businesses in many Russian cities and reportedly demand protection money under threat of serious violence. Many western companies 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 in Russia; 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: Russian customs laws and regulations are in a state of flux and are not consistently enforced. A 600 percent duty is required to export any item with a value greater than 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 of Russia 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: 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 be in Russia for shorter periods may also register, and inquire about updated information on travel and security within Russia. Registration also allows for quicker replacement of a passport, should it be lost or stolen, as well as for contact in case of emergency. Embassy and Consulate Locations: Moscow: Novinskiy Bulvar 19/23; tel. (7-095) 252-2451. After hours duty officer: 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 duty officer: (7-812) 274-8692. Vladivostok: 12 Mordovtseva; tel. (7-4232) 268-458 or 267-117. Yekaterinburg: tel. (7-3432) 601-143, or by fax, 601-181. The Consulate General in Yekaterinburg provides emergency services for American citizens. Questions regarding U.S. visas should be directed to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. No. 94-260 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated July 18, 1994, to update information on air travel. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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