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Viacheslav · 05-19-2009, 02:49 AM

Russia has 2 kinds of passports "internal" (has the same function as an ID card) and "foreign" for outside travel. The second one is biometric and lasts for 5 years. Both are free, but nearly all natural and easy to reach destinations are inside the EU, which maintains a full-fledged iron curtain with nazi-style border police. There is also a prohibition to even approach the EU border (and Arctic sea coast!) closer than 20 km and citizens need special permits form FSB to travel into any near-the border towns.

Visas are always required and coupled with financial checks, obligatory invitations and myriad of rules all designed to make travel as difficult and expensive as possible. Embassies are located in Moscow and there are few consulates in other regions, so people from Siberia have to fly long distances (7h flight for some) just to apply for some visa with uncertain result and either wait a week in one of the world's most expensive cities or take a second flight to collect the damn visa.

05-19-2009, 02:49 AM	#57
Viacheslav Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 136 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: iRex DR1000	Russia has 2 kinds of passports "internal" (has the same function as an ID card) and "foreign" for outside travel. The second one is biometric and lasts for 5 years. Both are free, but nearly all natural and easy to reach destinations are inside the EU, which maintains a full-fledged iron curtain with nazi-style border police. There is also a prohibition to even approach the EU border (and Arctic sea coast!) closer than 20 km and citizens need special permits form FSB to travel into any near-the border towns. Visas are always required and coupled with financial checks, obligatory invitations and myriad of rules all designed to make travel as difficult and expensive as possible. Embassies are located in Moscow and there are few consulates in other regions, so people from Siberia have to fly long distances (7h flight for some) just to apply for some visa with uncertain result and either wait a week in one of the world's most expensive cities or take a second flight to collect the damn visa. Last edited by Viacheslav; 05-19-2009 at 02:56 AM.