Temporary Registration

Moscow is a megalopolis, the capital of Russia and just a big city. All non- residents (нерезидент) have to learn how to navigate this city, whether it's a business or a holiday trip. Having arrived in Moscow, the most important thing is not to throw away your travel document (rail or air ticket). You can move freely around the city within three months with it.

If you are stopped by the police authorities and asked for documents or registration, you can show this ticket along with your passport. During these three months, you can obtain a temporary registration, if necessary.

Just like in many European countries, upon arriving in any new dwelling, you must be registered within 7 business days of arriving. Your host at that dwelling (not necessarily the one who issued the invitation) is responsible for registering you. Registration is done at post offices, costs money and involves a lot of hassle.

The proof of registration is a separate piece of paper with a big blue stamp on it. Border guards have neither authority not possibility to check if the duty to register has ever existed and evaded.

Nevertheless, it is worth insisting to be registered at least in the first city you visit. Corrupt check-in staff at dodgy hotels will not let you check in without seeing your prior registration if you've been in Russia for more than 7 business days. Corrupt police and border staff in remote areas will insist that a lack of registration is your fault; it may cost you more than paying the registration fee.

Large hotels are accredited with the Federal Migratory Service and arrange registration automatically and without fee on the day of arrival.

How to communicate with the capital‘s police

Many foreigners arriving in Moscow for the first time note the large number of police on the streets, in the metro, and in places of leisure. There is no need to worry about this, but it is worth knowing a few rules about associating with the police.

It is always best to have your passport with you. Police have the right to approach you on the street and request that you show your documents. Even a law- abiding (законопослушный) passer-by (прохожий) might, for example, look like a wanted criminal (преступник в розыске). So do not take the risk: carry your documents with you, because without them the police have the right to detain (задерживать) you for up to three days for verification of your identity (выяснение личности). Before asking for you to show your documents, a police officer should present himself, detailing his position, rank and surname and, if you request it, show his official identification and explain why you have been approached.

Safety

Road traffic, rules of conduct on the street

Moscow historically enjoyed a low crime rate. However, Moscow is a booming metropolis, so common sense should be used. Avoid dark alleys — like you would anywhere else. Check the advice from your Foreign Office for entry requirements, health, safety, local laws and customs.

Do keep in mind, that while traveling in Moscow, as in the rest of Russia, you must always have your passport with you. If you look non-white, your papers may get checked more often than usual.

Usually, the police will demand to see your papers to check if you have been registered within seven business days (used to be three business days up to March 25th, 2011) of your arrival into Moscow. Always remember that if you stay in a hotel then you are automatically registered and will be handed a confirmation paper at a time of check-in, so no worry in this case.

Most policemen do not speak a word of English, but they will let you know if your papers are not in order and you must go with them to the police precinct. In any case, if you are a decent looking person (regardless of race and nationality) odds to be asked to show documents are minuscule, and the police are usually looking for migrants from Central Asia.

Downtown Moscow is very brightly lit, and a lot of the wide roads have underground pedestrian walkways. Those are well lit too — so you shouldn't worry about going down inside them. But of course, like anywhere else, do use common sense, and keep an eye out for pickpockets.

Use the pedestrian crossings to cross the street, as traffic can get pretty crazy sometimes.

Moscow cannot be described as a very dangerous city. While in Moscow, one should observe a few simple rules.

The first thing that one needs to do is pay attention to the road traffic. Follow traffic regulations (ПДД) without fail, even at a pedestrian crossing (пешеходный переход), make sure that the driver has stopped his vehicle (транспортное средство) and is letting you through (пропускать). Use underground passageways (подземный переход).

As in any other major city, let alone the capital, keep in close contact with your

personal belongings. Do not to leave your belongings unattended (без присмотра), especially at airports and railway stations. Pay very close attention near the metro stations that connect to train stations, like the Kurskaya, Komsomolskaya, and Paveletskaya stations.

Also be cautious (осторожный) during the evening and at night. Do not go for walks while intoxicated (в нетрезвом состоянии) in the evening. Do not talk to strangers. If you had a few drinks at a restaurant, order a taxi near its entrance and go quietly back to the hotel. It is best only to use registered taxis which you have called yourself and not get into other cars. Walk in well-lit public spaces. Do not let yourself be provoked by strangers, it is best to just pass them by. These few simple tips will help you as a foreign visitor avoid awkward situations (недоразумения).