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Visas and Consular Services in Russia: real experience from chats

From real experience

caseHistorically, prior to 2022, there was a perception that applying for Israeli repatriation at consulates in countries neighboring Russia might be faster due to shorter queues.
Post-2022, queues at Russian consulates, particularly in Moscow, extended to six months or more. Currently (as of mid-202X), the situation has normalized: applicants can complete an online application, receive a self-scheduling link within 2-4 days, and book an appointment for the following month (e.g., August if applying in July). The main difference between consulates is now primarily appointment waiting times, which have significantly improved in Russia.
✓ 1 report from chats
riskWhen departing from Russia on an international flight (e.g., to Bali), an onward or return ticket to any third country is mandatory.
Airlines (e.g., at Sheremetyevo Airport) strictly enforce this requirement at check-in, and failure to present one may result in denied boarding. While immigration in some destination or transit countries might not always check this, it is a prerequisite for entry into many countries and often required during the eVisa/VOA application process for Indonesia.
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ruleApplicants for visa applications in St. Petersburg may be subject to residency requirements.
While some sources suggest that applicants must have local registration, there is anecdotal evidence of successful applications from individuals with non-local registrations, especially if their employment or study address is in St. Petersburg. In Moscow, applications are generally accepted from individuals with any registration.
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serviceRussian 10-year biometric passports allow usage of e-gates at Bali airports (Ngurah Rai), significantly speeding up the entry process compared to 5-year non-biometric passports, which require manual processing at immigration counters.
✓ 1 report from chats

Related topics

• Russian ID and Passports

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