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When you apply for a student visa to Russia, they allow for a one way trip ... into the country. You can't get back out on that visa. Within three days of your arrival, you need to register your visa, this process, at my school takes a month. They take your passport, and give it back to you four weeks later with a stamp in it. If you want to leave the country, same story. They take your visa, and four weeks later give you an exit visa.
So, two months ago, when I last registered my visa, I also requested a multiple entry visa and an exit visa. A month later, when I received it, I noticed that the visa had a "leave by" date of June 1st. "Oh," I thought to myself, "this can't be right, I specifically asked for a leave by of June 14." Indeed, my registration had been prolonged until the 14th. I immediately went into the office and told them of the problem. The woman responded "yeah, of course it's like that. They're always two weeks shorter than the registration." Well, my other exit visa (to Germany in Christmas) wasn't like that, but ok. I checked again, "I can leave the country to go home ... right?" "Yes, now leave me alone."
Well, flash forward to today. I'm having problems getting a plane ticket back to Russia in July, and I go in to the school's office to talk about my time off. The look at my visa and passport, see that the visa is expired and say, "uh ... you don't have an exit visa?" I respond that the other woman already told me that everything was ok. It's not. I now have to rush an exit visa, at a cost of $90. Great.
Posted by Owen at June 3, 2004 10:33 PM | TrackBackIf you recall, I warned you that this is exactly what would happen. Never, ever, ever agree with the nice Russian lady when she tells you "this visa that's obviously expired is just dandy" ! This is Russia, not US; they do not have your best interests in mind. This time it cost you $90; next time, you might end up in jail.
Posted by: Bugmaster at June 4, 2004 02:24 AMSomehow I don't remember you warning me that they would give me an incorrect exit visa.
It seems that all of your warnings more or less said that if I entered Russia I would immediately be shot at customs, all of my belongings would be taken, and my future children would be raped.
Also, due to another mistake on their part, I've already overstayed my visa once. I waited in line for three hours and paid 20 bucks. No jail time there either.
Posted by: owen at June 4, 2004 09:27 AMNo, I just warned you that getting out of Russia may be harder than getting in. Although you might still get shot, of course.
Posted by: Bugmaster at June 4, 2004 10:52 AM