FINE IN RUSSIA
 

Does anybody know the amount of the fine imposed in Russia for entering with a valid passport that will expire less than three months after your expected departure from Russia. The local consulate informed me that the fine can be 100, 500 or 1000 US dollars. When I inquired about the difference, the official answered that "it depends". Maybe it depends on your face !! I would like to know if any of you has been fined and for how much. Thank you all.

Uhhhhh, maybe you could renew the passport and not have to worry about it.

Gretchen's idea seems quite good.

I pretty much think most people on this board would have renewed their passports before leaving...

Why would you want to risk it?

I'm interested in knowing why Russia would fine someone just because his/her passport is about to expire. Anyone?

Unfortunately, I went yesterday to have my passport revalidated and was told that it takes 45 working days, that is, I won't have it until the beginning of August and we are leaving for Russia in mid-July. This is the reason for enquiring about the fine. If I do not get my revalidated passport on time, I will have to travel with the current one expiring more than two months after my trip. Since my passport is still valid, I never even thought of having it renewed until I was told by the Russian Consulate here in Argentina about this fine. Thank you all for any information.

for international travel, its ALWAYS a good idea to have the passport valid for atleast more than 6 months from the time of travel..maybe for US Citizens this is not enforces as much as others

Hi rygsa,

The State Dept does have "expedited service". See http://travel.state.gov/passport_renewal.html at the bottom. It's $60 extra.

Hi mark,

For some reason, everyone requires that your passport expire no earlier than 3 months from the day that you expect to leave the country you are visiting. This rule is not always enforced.

You may ask, "Why?". I'll tell you, I don't know, but it's our tradition.

I think you will get your passport in plenty of time. And you can, as someone else pointed out, get it expedited. It might even be more important than a fine--you might be denied entry.

A visa is required to enter Russia. To obtain a visa, you need to send your passport along with the application.

I doubt that you would even get a visa, if it is going to be a problem. The amount of find will - like many fines in Russia - be an amount that the official decides.

You can get "next day" passport service in practically every large city in the US for less than $150.

To all the great advice about expedite service here in the US, well folks, if you read his/her 2nd post you would know that s/he lives in ARGENTINA!!!
I would still think that they also would have an expedite service, so 'rygsa' needs to make few calls and find out.

Thank you all for your tips, but as stated by AAFrequent Flyer, I live in Argentina and there is no "expediting" possible. However, has anyone ever been fined in Russia for this passport problem ?

Again, you must have a visa to enter Russia. There are various websites with details for acqiring same. Those I check indicated that your passport must be valid at least two months beyond your stay.

You may have to get somebody in your government to help you get a new passport. Here is what I found on a site that helps people all over the world obtain a Russian Visa:
Russian Entry Requirements
_________________________________________


Requirements For Foreign Citizens To Enter Russia

Tourist Travel to Russia

Passport must be valid 6 months beyond intended stay
Tickets and Documents for return or onward travel
Russian Visa is Required
Vaccination - None Required
Business Travel to Russia

Passport must be Valid 6 months Beyond Intended Stay
Tickets and Documents for Return or Onward Travel
Russian Visa is Required
Vaccinations - None Required

Oops!! Maybe my wife is onto something when she tells me I don't listen.

Thank you all and especially AAFrequent Flyer for your info. Apparently, I have everything that is required in order to get the Russian visa except for the expiration date on my passport. Am hoping to receive my new passport in time to get the visa which takes one week. However, if any of you has been fined upon leaving Russia for the expiration date on their passports, please let me know what the amount of the fine was. Thank you all !!

I believe I tried to explain the situation on Russian border already once, but it has been cut. I don't know why, because it was not abusive, I just stated the facts. Rygsa, I don't know about that specific fine, but fines sort of "fluctuate", and the amount depends on the day or the customs official in question. For example Finnish truck drivers are always in trouble on the Russian border because the rules, regulations and different payments tend to be different every time they cross the border. Just believe the consulate, they are right.