Sending documents from Russia Pony Express

[Henykat 16]

Keeping up with the vagaries of Russian law would be a full-time job, as it changes constantly and laws coming from the Duma, President, and regional authorities can all conflict with each other--that's one of the ways that the State controls businesses, media outlets, etc.--it's impossible to operate fully within the letter of the law since they conflict, so if you get on the wrong side of whoever, they can always find some sort of violation.

Do what Slim said; send them in a sealed envelope and slip them some cash if there's an issue. Or find someone who is going to the US who you trust to act as courier. Or spend the $2000 or so dollars it'd take for you to fly to Russia and pick them up. Have her go to fedex and send them as sealed documents without bothering to ask if it's legal or not. Ask too many questions, get too many answers.

She did this. Lady asked her if there was a passport inside, and that was all.

[eekee 182]

She did this. Lady asked her if there was a passport inside, and that was all.

...so were the documents sent successfully?

[Henykat 16]

...so were the documents sent successfully?

I'm supposed to get them Monday.

[slim 1,525]

Holy cow. When in Russia... do like the Russians.

[lovecyercat 0]

I know it has been a LONG time ago- but the same law is still in effort in Russia- did anyone have success with this? Sending originals in sealed envelope? Thanks.

[GelendzhikBelle 7]

Keeping up with the vagaries of Russian law would be a full-time job, as it changes constantly and laws coming from the Duma, President, and regional authorities can all conflict with each other--that's one of the ways that the State controls businesses, media outlets, etc.--it's impossible to operate fully within the letter of the law since they conflict, so if you get on the wrong side of whoever, they can always find some sort of violation.

Do what Slim said; send them in a sealed envelope and slip them some cash if there's an issue. Or find someone who is going to the US who you trust to act as courier. Or spend the $2000 or so dollars it'd take for you to fly to Russia and pick them up. Have her go to fedex and send them as sealed documents without bothering to ask if it's legal or not. Ask too many questions, get too many answers.

My Wife sent her docs using UPS. They did not ask questions as much as the others. Pony Express is not used outside of Russia that we know of. Before her Immigration and during our rather frustrating excersize gathering of the needed documents for NVC, I asked her to go buy a nice sweetheart card and put the required originals inside the card. $88 and 5 days later the Docs were in my hand. The Customs form she completed mentioned nothing more than the very nice CARD... They are not going to open this to examine contents...

All statements about the Russian laws being ever-changing is a total fact. Getting a clear answer to anything is often a matter of good chocolates, good brandy, sometimes cash, and very often the correct way to ask questions to the correct person(s). I like the system there...at least you KNOW your going to go through hell to get something done. In America we are lead to believe all is going to be well and done and you get screwed totally with no recourse.

We did all the above and we are now together and will be working for the lifting of conditions...two years from now. BTW.. thank you ALL very much for being there.. each of you were a god send to me and my Wife in this very difficult task of the Visa Journey. I honestly do not know what we would have done without this website and contributors.