How Foreign Citizens Can Resolve Immigration Issues in St. Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast

If you are a foreign citizen staying in St. Petersburg or Leningrad Oblast, and you are facing issues related to visas, extending your stay, or other immigration matters, this article will be useful for you. I have gathered important information on how to deal with these issues and how I can help you, based on my experience as a lawyer.

Common Issues Foreign Citizens Face

Foreign citizens often encounter a number of challenges when dealing with immigration issues in Russia. Some of the most common problems include:

1. Refusal of Registration Extension Without the Need to Leave the Country. Foreign citizens may be denied an extension of their migration registration without being required to leave the country for 90 days. This is especially troubling for individuals who cannot leave Russia due to medical conditions, such as pregnancy or illness.
2. Insufficient Quotas for Temporary Residence Permits (RVP). There may be limited quotas available for issuing temporary residence permits (RVP), which can create difficulties for those who want to establish long-term residency in Russia.
3. Proof of Income.  Many foreign citizens are required to prove a certain level of income when applying for visas or residence permits. This can be difficult for some individuals, particularly those who are self-employed or working in non-traditional roles.
4. Loss of Citizenship and Passport Without a Court Process
    In some cases, foreign citizens may lose their citizenship or passport without a formal court process or decision. This is a serious issue that can complicate matters for individuals trying to resolve their immigration status.
5. Deportation and Entry Bans for Administrative Offences
    Foreign citizens may face deportation or an entry ban if they have committed administrative offences, even for relatively minor infractions. This can leave individuals stranded and without clear options for resolving their status.
6. Difficulty Proving Family Connections for Russian Language Speakers
    Foreign citizens seeking the status of a native Russian speaker often face difficulties proving that their relatives from the direct ascending line lived in the modern territory of Russia. Additionally, the process of renouncing foreign citizenship can be confusing and complicated.

These are just a few of the challenges foreign citizens face. Russian migration legislation can be strict and sometimes ambiguous, with differing regulations and requirements from one migration office to another. This issue is further complicated by constantly changing document requirements for each case.

How to Extend Your Stay in Russia. 

Many foreign citizens may need to extend their stay in Russia, especially when their visa or temporary residence permit is about to expire. Here are the key points you should know:

1. Extending a Tourist or Private Visa. Foreign citizens who arrived in Russia on a tourist or private visa can extend their stay for an additional 90 days. This can be done by submitting a motivated request, without the need to extend the visa itself. You should contact the local police stations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in St. Petersburg or Leningrad Oblast.
2. Extending Stay for Visa-Free Citizens. If you arrived in Russia without a visa (for example, under international agreements allowing short-term visa-free travel), you can extend your temporary stay for up to 90 days. You will need to submit a motivated request to the local migration authorities.
3. Transit Visas for Departure. If your visa is about to expire and you need to leave Russia, you can apply for a transit visa to exit the country. From April 1, 2020, the issuance of transit visas is handled by the Migration Registration and Visas Department in St. Petersburg.
    

How I Can Help

As a lawyer specialising in immigration law and issues related to foreign citizens staying in Russia, I can assist you with the following:

• Provide legal advice on visa extension and temporary stay matters.
   
• Help you gather the necessary documents to submit to the migration authorities.
   
• Explain the process in simple terms and advise you on how to avoid common mistakes.
   
• Represent your interests in the migration authorities.
   

If you are facing difficulties with any of these issues, feel free to contact me. I am ready to offer professional legal assistance and help you navigate the process quickly and effectively.

Conclusion

Understanding your rights and the procedures involved in extending your visa or temporary stay will help you avoid complications and stay within the legal requirements. If you need help with any immigration-related matters, don't hesitate to reach out to me — I can help you understand the process and find the right solution for your situation.

Initial consultations are free over the phone: +7 (931) 215-13-00. Call, and we will discuss how to resolve your issue. I am always ready to provide high-quality legal assistance.