October 2005

Russia drops english translation for tourists

Travelling to Russia has always been a difficult thing to do, but now it just became harder. If you have already travelled to Russia on a tourist or business trip then you would know that the Russian authorities demand you fill out an immigration card. Usually people discover this when approaching the customs desk, with a mad flurry of pencil or pen sharing ensuing.

This confusion is only matched by the outbound journey, when said travellers realise that they were actually meant to keep one part of this document to enable them to leave the country.

Now nothing is new about that, except the Russian authorities have decided it was just too easy. Now they produce the immigration document in Russian language only! Imagine yourself on the plane, wondering how you can possibly fill in a document in cyrillic…

How did this lunacy come about? Well we’ve been reliably informed by our contacts that the development of the new immigration card can be traced back to recent Government Decree No. 413. I’ll refresh your memory, this is the one which does not specify language for the form but states that when a foreigner does not understand Russian, his card can be completed by somebody else (who is not specified). One can only imagine this would be the airline staff or other passengers, as there is little if no help in Moscow’s busy customs area.

This rule was apparently then interpreted by the joint order No. 97/88 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Federal Security Service which
stated that the text of the card would be printed in Russian. The Federal Migration Service was given the unlucky task of implementing the new card and seems to be taking the brunt of the criticism.

However we are here to offer you what help we can. If you are travelling to Russia in the foreseeable future or know someone else who is – ask them to visit the link below and download a translation of the immigration card.

Russian Immigration Card – English

We’ll keep you informed about developments in this area and hopefully this card should soon be replaced. Good luck on your trip to Russia and as usual, if you want any advice on your visa or travel plans then contact our staff.

Fast Pakistan Visa Service Set Up in Britain

Emergency visa centres were set up at Heathrow, Birmingham and Manchester airports yesterday October, 9 for people travelling to Pakistan.

Within hours of the devastating earthquake in Pakistan, which measured 7.6 at the Richter scale, Pakistan High Commission London set up Temporary Visa Desks at Pakistan International Airways check-in desks of the main British airports to facilitate those British Pakistanis, who wanted to travel to Pakistan.

In order to facilitate emergency travel to Pakistan, Britons of Pakistan origin will also be able to get visas on arrival in Pakistan.

In addition to Earthquake Information Centre a dedicated Helpline has been set up on Sunday for providing information to British Pakistanis about their missing relatives back home. You can contact the High Commission on the telephone numbers which are 07946476616, 07765002332 and 020 7664 9200 which will try to get the relevant information as soon as possible.

Sources: The Guardian , Associated Press of Pakistan

EU-Russia summit on North Caucasus may relax visa travel.

Interfax reports that the social and economic development of the North Caucasus is to be discussed at the EU-Russia summit due to take place on October 4. They quote Anthony Brenton, the British Ambassador to Russia, at a press conference held at the Interfax central office last Thursday.
The ambassador hopes for active EU participation in social and economic development programs in the North Caucasus.
The summit will also consider a EU-Russia agreement on simpler visa regulations, the ambassador said. Consultations about the agreement are still in progress and everything is being done to prepare it in time for the summit, he said.
For more information on visas travel to Russia and how the summit results can affect UK personal or commercial travel contact our specialists.

Kuwait imposes new restrictions on visitation visas

The Arab Times Online reports that new regulations have come into effect, restricting visa entry into the country. Verbal instructions have been given to directors of all immigration departments not to issue visit visas to persons who were on a visit to Kuwait and have not completed six months outside the country. Instructions have also been given to reduce the period of extension of visit visas.

The story is taken from an article in the leading Kuwait newspaper, Al-Anba Daily, quoting a reliable Interior Ministry source. No reason has been given for the decision. Meanwhile, a senior official at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor said new rules and regulations will be laid down to convert commercial visit visas into work permits.

The official added the new regulations will be applicable only to some specific professions on condition the applicants are holders of university degrees. The same official pointed out this condition may not include some professions such as nursing, social workers at special needs institutes, fishing and construction.

For more information on visas travel to Kuwait and how these changes can affect UK personal or commercial travel contact our specialists.