Russian Allure

by Oksana Boichenko

  Attention: these procedures are valid for Russia. Other CIS countries might have slightly different requirements. Know how to contact your embassy; consult them immediately in case of an emergency.

  RIP OFF BY CUSTOMS

  Many foreigners have been taken advantage of by customs. Customs officers try to get money from foreigners by delaying them and claiming there are problems. However, such situations are becoming less common. Recently Russian parliament introduced a law which eliminated such problems. However, to be on the safe side, you should check custom regulations prior to travel. By law, one can bring up to $3000 US in cash (or equivalent) into Russia without declaring the sum (this means you do not have to fill out the customs declaration form and can proceed through the green corridor). If you carry a larger sum of money, you must fill out customs declaration form and declare available cash when leaving Russia. Large international airports also have customs information counters where you can resolve any issues.

  LOST CREDIT CARD

  Contact the credit card company immediately so they can block your card. You can also contact your bank and ask them to issue a new card. Information about credit card centers in the city you are visiting can be found on the Internet. It is a good idea to have this information on hand prior to traveling, so you do not waste any time.

  NO LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

  If you have arrived without planned living arrangements, the easiest thing to do is to go to the largest hotel in the area. Large hotels are likely to have vacancies and are easy to find in directories or online. If they do not have vacancies, ask them to recommend something. If you still have not been able to find anything, try yellow pages on your own or ask for help from taxi drivers – they usually have information about smaller hotels or private apartments for rent. In large/popular cities, you may find landlords at the train stations or in airports offering apartments for rent; of course, this should be used as the last resort measure, from a safety standpoint.

  If you’ve exhausted all resources and still don’t have a place to stay, you can always spend some time at the train station/airport where paid resort lounges are available. If you do not need sleep and feel like going for a walk or spending some time at an Internet café, you can leave your luggage at a locker in the airport or at the train station.

  GOING INTO POLICE CUSTODY

  Normally, police in Russia and neighboring countries will not create problems unless you’ve done something really naughty. However, even if they are wrong, the key to handling such a situation is to keep your cool and show them you know your rights (make sure you get some information about this in advance). Avoid getting haughty with the police; the best thing to do is to calmly let them know you are willing to work out the situation.

  In Russia, for example, you cannot be detained for more than 3 hours if the police suspect you were involved in a crime, unless they have trouble identifying your persona (i.e. if you don’t have proper documents) or have established that you really committed a crime. Even after it is proven that you were involved in a crime, you cannot be detained for more than 24 hours. One can be arrested (but detained no longer than 15 days) if a crime is more serious; but this also cannot be done without a decree from a judge.

  Among the most common penalties are:

  - Not having a visa registration (applicable to Russia);

  - Disturbing public order (being drunk, cursing the police, inappropriate sexual behavior in public, etc.);

  - Drinking alcohol in public (alcoholic drinks are considered those containing over 12% of alcohol; beer is not one of them);

  - Carrying drugs.

  Of course, Russian police members are well-known for taking bribes, so your best protection is to know the rules or at least look like you know what you are talking about so they do not intimidate you.

  Health and safety advice

  There are many myths surrounding health and safety situation in Russia. Some Americans I’ve known brought their own food with them and nearly starved themselves for fear of drinking and eating anything. However, generally, Russia and Ukraine are no more dangerous than any other European country in terms of health risks, and you do not need to take any particular precautions before traveling.

  You will be perfectly fine with a few basic rules to follow regarding food and water.

  - Make sure that you always wash fruit and vegetables before eating, especially if you are buying them from the market – some farms use pesticides or fertilizers that are sprayed over the crops.

  - Keep your hands clean – you might not always find a wash room, so hygienic liquids and napkins will come in handy. It may seem like these are very obvious things, but they are important to remember because most problems come precisely because of negligence in such simple rules of hygiene.

  - You should also be careful with water. While safe to brush your teeth and wash your dishes, tap water is not recommended for drinking. It is most commonly disinfected with chlorine and other chemicals, so it is best if you use filters, boil water or drink bottled water.

  You do not require any vaccinations upon entry to Russia/Ukraine. In Russia, however, you might need to have an AIDS certificate on hand before you can receive your visa. The embassy is not enforcing it, as far as I know. Ukraine does not have any demands in terms of vaccinations, but the situation with AIDS is quite disturbing: the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ukraine is one of the fastest growing in the world.

  Other venereal diseases are also very common, so be sure that you always use condoms and are selective in partners you choose. Personal hygiene products are easily available in most stores and pharmacies. Generic medicines (aspirin, vitamins, bandages) are readily available, including products of international brands. If you are taking any particular medication, it is best that you take with you enough of it for the duration of your travel. If by some chance you do require a refill while abroad, make sure you know the Latin name of a particular medicine. Certain medicines (i.e. narcotic, psychotropic) can fall under restrictions for bringing them into the countries you visit, so make sure you have your prescription with you. It is a good idea to check with customs the requirements for such items prior to traveling.

  Health system in CIS countries is very different from what is common in Europe and the US. It is funded by the state, and since the budget is very small, most hospitals are in poor condition and clinics generally have long queues. If you want medical healthcare of higher standards, it is best to turn to private clinics which are becoming more popular. Their services will be fairly expensive, but cheaper than what you’d expect in your home country. If you know someone in the country you are visiting, ask them to suggest a doctor to visit – this can be a cheaper and a more reliable option. Some CIS countries will require health insurance (like Russia, for example), while others do not demand any insurance coverage.

  General rules

  Some stereotypes portray Russia as full of mafia and troublemakers, but it is not any more dangerous to travel there than to any other European country, especially if you follow common travel safety rules. Some obvious suggestions are:

  - Make a copy of all your travel documents and keep it in a safe place. It is helpful to keep on hand emergency phone numbers and contacts (embassy, credit card information, etc).

  - Keep your money in a safe place (i.e. money belt, special bag) and do not carry all of it with you at once. Keep it divided to cash, cards, cheques. Do not flaunt cash you have in public.

  - Avoid dark places and walking in unfamiliar places at night.

  - Avoid getting into arguments with local police and people who look suspicious, but at the same time do not be afraid. If you speak to police, be confident and let them know you want to settle matters peacefully and are not looking for trouble.

  - Should any emergency happen (i.e. losing your documents, having something stolen), turn to police or authorities immediately in order to have a written confirmation of the problem. This notice will help you take care of the problem
once you turn to your embassy (or other authorities) for help.

  Naturally, staying in large cities, you will be more likely to find all necessary things you might require. Small towns and villages will not have much choice. Different regions might have small differences (i.e. in some places you pay for using public transportation upon entering the bus, while in others – upon exiting).

  It is always a good idea to talk to people who have already traveled to the places you plan to visit (Internet forums are a great resource), and, of course, talk to your sweetheart about any concerns you have – she will certainly be glad to share the information and even help you with some things.

  Travel checklist

  Things to do before departure:

  - Book an apartment or a hotel;

  - Check visa requirements and get an entry visa if needed;

  - Arrange transportation (pick up at the airport);

  - Notify an interpreter of travel dates;

  - Find up to three emergency contacts overseas (your woman, friends, agency representatives);

  - Make 3 copies of your passport and visa and keep them in 3 separate places. It is ideal to have the copies notarized;

  - Call the phone company to activate international calling feature;

  - Call credit card companies and notify them of travel times to ensure they don’t block accounts;

  - Check and print names of restaurants, art galleries, exhibitions, theaters, things to do in the place you will visit (Internet is a good resource);

  - Make a list of souvenirs to take overseas, make a list of gifts to bring home;

  - Check wardrobe, prepare clothes to be warn, do additional shopping if required;

  - Check all ATM pin numbers to make sure they work;

  - Make a list of credit card companies and their customer support numbers;

  - Get a haircut;

  - Shave off moustache and beard;

  - Clean and polish dress shoes;

  - Make a trip to the bank to get notes in good condition;

  - Write down contacts of a travel agency in the city abroad;

  - Make a written list of important numbers for friends/family in case phone or computer get stolen or lost;

  - Write down numbers of traveler’s cheques, cards, and emergency numbers;

  - Find a light suitcase to minimize luggage weight.

  Seasonal travel: what to bring in summer

  - Bathing suit (swimming shorts);

  - Sunscreen lotion, bug repellant;

  - Sunglasses:

  - Baseball hat;

  - Sweater (for cooler nights) – you can always offer it to your lady when she gets cold.

  Seasonal travel: what to bring in winter

  - Warm jacket;

  - Warm hat;

  - Warm woolen socks;

  - Thermal underclothes;

  - Warm gloves.

  Things to pack

  - Passport, valid for six months after the planned date of travel;

  - Three copies of passport;

  - Driver’s license in case you decide to drive or rent a car;

  - Entertainment for travel;

  - Dictionary (electronic or regular);

  - Pen and paper;

  - Travel pillow for the flight;

  - Laptop;

  - Chargers and converters;

  - Photo or video camera;

  - Suit or tuxedo if you plan to go to an opera or attend a similar event;

  - Dress shirts (2) + tie + dress shoes;

  - Clean, washed, ironed clothes (make sure nothing is torn and everything is in a perfect condition);

  - Night club clothes – modern jeans and a stylish shirt or t-shirt;

  - Comfortable shoes for walking;

  - Tennis shoes, sport suit, socks;

  - Souvenirs;

  - Toiletries decanted into small bottles;

  - Chewing gum, mouth wash, toothpaste, toothbrush, and lip balm;

  - Small medicine set (Alka-Seltzer, aspirin, Pepto-Bismol, band aid, basic cold medicine, allergy medicine);

  - Good cologne (something like Channel Egoiste, Givenchy Blue, Lacoste);

  - Razor + shaving cream + after shave, hair brush, hair products if you use any;

  - Small pack of washing powder to wash clothes if you plan to do it yourself;

  - A small pack of hygienic liquids or wet napkins;

  - Gifts for your woman, her family;

  - A bottle of wine in case your Russian woman decides to spend a few hours with you after picking you up at the airport (if you get in at the middle of the night, you might not find an open shop);

  - Prescription medicine if you are using any, make sure you have your prescription or a letter from your doctor as well;

  - Digital photo frame so you can load photos from the trip and give to your sweetheart before you leave;

  - Travel cheques, credit cards, cash (divide between several spots);

  - Engagement ring or promise ring for when things go the way you want them to;

  - Printed kit of fiancée visa paperwork (we will talk about it in the next chapter).

  Additional things to pack, if you have room left:

  - Candles for a romantic dinner in your apartment or romantic time together;

  - Mini-speakers to connect to your phone or computer;

  - Scented massage oil (coconut oil is the best) for the time when you get cozy with your sweetheart.

  This should be enough to have you ready for anything that might come your way while you are overseas. Wonderful things are just around the corner – the woman of your dreams is almost in your arms!

  CHAPTER 10: BRINGING YOUR RUSSIAN BRIDE HOME

  Why Russian women don’t travel abroad to find a husband

  Men often wonder why not too many Russian women travel abroad or move to a different country if they want to marry a foreigner. There is a host of reasons for this, and it is my pleasure to share with you most common of them.

  Money. Rather, lack of it. Wages are not very high in former Soviet countries, travel expenses are a luxury rather than a necessity. Most women earn between $200-300 a month and put large sums of money towards the family budget; the cost of tickets to the US is between $1300-2000 – as you understand, a Russian woman will have to save for a long time before she would be able to afford the airfare, not to mention other expenses.

  Visas. Citizens of FSU countries are limited in their travel by having to obtain visas and various permissions before entering foreign countries. To obtain a visa, they must submit a packet of documents (proof of income, personal data, etc.) to the embassy of the country they wish to visit; the embassy will review the application (normally within 2-4 weeks) and grant/deny a visa which will allow the applicant to enter a particular country. Visas can be of different types (tourist, business, student, non-immigrant, immigrant) and can be valid for different periods, from several weeks to several years. Permanent visas, which would allow a woman to live in a particular country, are a lot harder to obtain, take longer to process, and require many documents. Embassies are generally reluctant to issue visas to young, single women for fear they might meet someone abroad and attempt to stay in the country by getting married. United States of America and European countries have the highest decline rate when it comes to issuing tourist, business, and student visas to single women.

  Social issues. Moving to a foreign country is a big step which is hard enough to handle even for couples – women who move abroad to live with their husbands, even the most supportive ones, face many difficulties while adapting to a new culture and a different society. It is twice the stress for a single woman: she has to quit her job, leave her family and friends, face a number of difficulties, and build her life from scratch.

  Knowing this, you can surely appreciate Russian women who are already living in the USA – they would have overcome a number of obstacles to re-establish their life in a new environment. Now you know that these women are natural achievers and mak
e things happen, you can be certain that they will not quit when things get tough. Such women are also more likely to be easily adaptable and can cope with change; they generally have an entrepreneurial mind and can become successful in business.

  Bringing your Russian bride home: visa options

  Now is the time to talk about what you need to do to bring your Russian bride into your country. This is a bit boring, but very important. You have several options when it comes to marrying your sweetheart.

  Scenario # 1. She comes on a student visa; you get married while she is in the country.

  Scenario # 2. You first meet outside of your country, then bring her on a fiancé visa to get married.

  Scenario # 3. She comes on a tourist visa; you get married while she is in the country.

  Scenario # 4. She is already in your country on a valid visa when you decide to marry her.

  In every case the process will be different.

  However, whatever you do, do not marry your bride in her country because it will take you two-three years longer to process a visa for a wife. It used to be a lot quicker – you could get the whole thing completed in a matter of months (engagement, marriage, filing documents, and receiving a visa). Now it can take up to three years to bring your wife into your country – I speak based on observations of struggles some couples go through during this extensive, time consuming process.

  Scenario # 1. She comes on a student visa; you get married while she is in the country.

  You must realize that bringing your wife into your country on a student visa is the most expensive option, but the one with the least amount of paperwork. Still, there are challenges to deal with: your wife has to be accepted by a university which must issue a form stating that she is officially accepted to study. You (or your bride) will have to present proof of having sufficient funds to pay for the schooling.

  Once a student arrives to the university, she will HAVE TO ATTEND the university and maintain a certain grade point average. In case she doesn’t, the university has the right to revoke the official confirmation of her student status which means she will have to leave the country. Immigration is automatically alerted once the student status confirmation is cancelled. On average, you will have to spend about $15,000/year. You can marry your Russian bride while she studies and apply for adjustment of status (green card application).