{"id":453,"date":"2017-01-12T17:18:50","date_gmt":"2017-01-12T17:18:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/russiable.com\/?p=453"},"modified":"2024-01-06T13:22:29","modified_gmt":"2024-01-06T13:22:29","slug":"russian-airports-immigration-card-customs-formalities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/russiable.com\/russian-airports-immigration-card-customs-formalities\/","title":{"rendered":"Russian airports: immigration card and customs formalities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This article explains all the procedures that are carried out at Russian airports, from the moment you get off the plane until you leave the airport: immigration procedures, baggage collection and customs procedures. I will also explain you how to know the different services offered by Russian airports: currency exchange, ATMs, shops, restaurants, etc.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Passports<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

If you arrive to Russia through an international flight<\/strong>, you have to carry out a series of proceedings and steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. The first control that you need to pass through is the passport control<\/strong>, in which the immigration card<\/strong> must be filled out.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Once passed the passport control, you have to go to pick up the luggage<\/strong> (in the case that you have checked in luggage).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Next you go through customs control<\/strong>: go through the green corridor if there is nothing to declare and the red hallway if you have something to declare.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Once you have passed the customs control, you will be taken to the arrivals hall of the airport<\/strong>, a moment in which you will be able to use the services offered by the airport<\/strong>: currency exchange, ATMs, tourist information offices, shops, restaurants or the transport service to the city center.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Having already traveled to many Russian airports, this article explains in detail and sequentially the procedures and the steps to follow since you arrive by plane to Russia, until you leave the airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Passport control and immigration card<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    As soon as you get off the plane you will pass through passport control<\/strong> in immigration counters or booths enabled for that purpose. There are two different lines, one for Russian nationals and one for foreigners. The procedures for passport control, if there are not many arrival flights at the same time, usually take no more than 15 or 30 minutes. If there are more arrivals and many people (usually in summer), then it\u2019s not uncommon that you have to wait an hour or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    At these counters a number of immigration officials (usually women) will thoroughly review your passport to verify that the data is correct and that it has no amendments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you are wearing a cap, sunglasses or something that covers your face, take it off, since immigration agents will carefully check that the photo in the passport is yours (they will look at your face a lot).<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Passport<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    In addition to checking the passport, the immigration officials will fill out an immigration card<\/strong> with your personal information and your entry and exit dates. This card consists of two parts, each with identical information. One of them will remain with the customs officer, while they will give the other to you so you can keep it (you can keep it inside the passport since it is the same size, but be careful to not lose it).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You will need the immigration card to register at the hotel<\/a>. Also, you must return it when you leave the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    At the airports of Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo in Moscow, customs agents are in charge of filling this card in printed form, whereas in the airport of Pulkovo on Saint Petersburg, this card is usually filled manually by customs agents.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Immigration<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    In other smaller airports, it is possible that the plane’s personnel will deliver this card just before the landing for passengers to fill it in with their data. It is also possible to obtain it at the same airport. If the latter is the case, there is no need to worry since the card is in Russian and English and it\u2019s very easy to fill out. Here is an example of a completed immigration card (the model may vary from one airport to another, but the information to be filled is the same):<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Immigration<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Data to be filled in:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n