Registration in Russia.

Upon arriving to Russia, you have 7 days to register with your local authority. This is a mandatory procedure. You can choose how to do it.

If you are staying at a hotel, its administration has to register you for the whole period of your stay there. So, no worries there.


Below I provide with 4 options to register in Russia:
1.) Visit your local police migration unit. I don't recommend this way. Migration officers are really busy. There is usually a big line of people, but you may be lucky.
2.) Multifunctional Center. In this centers you can do different things. You usually get a ticket and look for your ticket number on the monitor. It will tell you what window to go to. Multifunctional Centers addresses (Russian version only). You can use this service to find the nearest one to you.
3.) Post Office. I don't suggest this option.
4.) Gosuslugi. This is a Russian Government web site where your Landlord can register you. You will need scans (photos) of the documents below. This is probably the easiest way to do it. Everything done online. You don't need to go anywhere. So, ask for this option.

If you plan to stay long term in the apartment, please make sure that the owner of the apartment does not mind "registering" you. Get something in writing, that they will do it. It's important, the last thing you want is to end up without registration in Russia.

To get registration if you decide to go in person, it is necessary to collect the package of the required documents and fill in the Arrival Notification form. You may download it here.

The following documents YOU will need to have with you:
1.) Copy of your US Citizen passport and all pages that are filled out.
2.) Arrival Notification Form (please download above)
3.) Copy of Migration Card ( you got that one when you entered Russia).
4.) Copy of the VIsa.

The following documents Your LANDLORD has to bring:
1.) Russian Passport.
2.) EGRN (ЕГРН) (proof of ownership by your Landlord).

This service is free, so it does not cost you anything. It takes one business day to register you.


What will happen if I don't register within 7 days upon arrival to Russia?
You will pay the fine (2000-5000 rubles ) and you may face deportation.

Each time you leave the country, your registration is cancelled.
Upon return to Russia – you must register again.