Entry to Russia for spouses of Russian citizens

[zolotinka 47]

7 hours ago, millefleur said:

Thank you for keeping us updated!! That's very frustrating that they are giving conflicting answers...

 

My 3 year Russian private visa has expired and I understand they aren't issuing them anymore until further notice. I read that the single entry private visa is only for people who are visiting sick family members or family who has recently died (that's what the Russian Embassy website says anyway).

There was the official announcement from government that they simplified the process of getting the single entry private visa for immediate relatives (spouses are included). No invitation will be needed for this visa, just an application from a Russian citizen. This visa extended to be valid up to a year and also a foreign relative doesn’t need to leave Russia every 3 months anymore. Your husband needs to call to the Russian Embassy to learn about this application.

[millefleur 5,047]

10 minutes ago, zolotinka said:

There was the official announcement from government that they simplified the process of getting the single entry private visa for immediate relatives (spouses are included). No invitation will be needed for this visa, just an application from a Russian citizen. This visa extended to be valid up to a year and also a foreign relative doesn’t need to leave Russia every 3 months anymore. Your husband needs to call to the Russian Embassy to learn about this application.

Thank you, I'll have him look into it!

[Margarita_sunny 4]

Does anybody know by chance, if my husband needs to get an apostille for our marriage certificate in order to cross the Russian border with his private visa? And maybe someone knows if he will need to quarantine when he comes back to the US.

[millefleur 5,047]

**Reply split to thread about spouses traveling to Russia**

 

VJ Moderation

 

 

3 hours ago, Margarita_sunny said:

Does anybody know by chance, if my husband needs to get an apostille for our marriage certificate in order to cross the Russian border with his private visa? And maybe someone knows if he will need to quarantine when he comes back to the US.

Where did you get married? I do not think anyone in the States is currently enforcing quarantine for returning travelers.

[Margarita_sunny 4]

35 minutes ago, millefleur said:

**Reply split to thread about spouses traveling to Russia**

 

VJ Moderation

 

 

Where did you get married? I do not think anyone in the States is currently enforcing quarantine for returning travelers.

We married in the USA.

[millefleur 5,047]

24 minutes ago, Margarita_sunny said:

We married in the USA.

I'm not sure if he needs the apostille. It's a good question, maybe contact the Russian embassy in the US and see if they have an answer?

[zolotinka 47]

4 hours ago, Margarita_sunny said:

Does anybody know by chance, if my husband needs to get an apostille for our marriage certificate in order to cross the Russian border with his private visa? And maybe someone knows if he will need to quarantine when he comes back to the US.

David wrote about an apostille in this thread earlier, on the 2nd page.

[Margarita_sunny 4]

21 minutes ago, millefleur said:

I'm not sure if he needs the apostille. It's a good question, maybe contact the Russian embassy in the US and see if they have an answer?

 

11 minutes ago, zolotinka said:

David wrote about an apostille in this thread earlier, on the 2nd page.

Thank you! I think anyway it is better to have it on hand.

[zolotinka 47]

7 hours ago, smoothoperaytor said:

I plan to marry a Russian and I'm an American with a 3-year tourist visa. Once we are married, what steps do I need to take to enter Russia? Is the US embassy in Moscow the best place to contact?

 

We're trying to get married in another country such as Mexico or Albania, but I don't know if that is important. 

 

The best place to contact is the Russian Embassy in Washington. Better to call them and ask if your visa is good for entering (personally I think it’s fine because people write about their  spouses entering Russia with such visas but better to double check).

Now for entering you need:

1) COVID test dated no later than three days prior to arrival in Russia

2) a copy of an internal Russian passport of your spouse

3)  a copy of your marriage certificate. Since you plan to marry in the third country you need to research  about an apostille and translation both in English and Russian (I’ve read people needed to do it but I have no experience).

Edited September 28, 2020 by zolotinka

[zolotinka 47]

My husband successfully arrived to visit me🥳. His route was Chicago - London - Moscow. Several insights from his long journey:

1) In Chicago they just checked his Russian visa.

2) In London he had 2 checks of his COVID test and supporting documents (copies of our marriage certificate and my internal passport): at the ticket counter (this lady didn’t know much about our situation and needed to call to learn about it) and at the boarding gate (this lady knew what to do and made photos of our documents to send them to Russia).

3) In Moscow the border service officer checked the test and all documents, requested my cellphone number and called me. He asked few questions: is this person your husband, where are you now, is your husband going to your city, how and when is he going to get there, when have we married).

[millefleur 5,047]

Thank you for the helpful update @zolotinka!