Wayzata World Factbook 1995/World Factbook - 1995 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1995).iso/mac/text/Build/tvlmactxt/RUSSIA.TVL

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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 [phone], 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: [phone].

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. [phone].  After hours duty
officer: tel. [phone] or 255-5123.

U.S. Consulates General are located at:

St. Petersburg:  Ulitsa Furshtadskaya 15; tel. [phone].  After
hours duty officer: (7-812) 274-8692.

Vladivostok:  12 Mordovtseva; tel. [phone] or 267-117.

Yekaterinburg: tel. [phone], 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.