Registration

By law, all foreigners are supposed to register within 3 days of arrival in OVIR (visa and registry department) and obtain a stamp on their exit visa to that effect. Anyone staying at the hotel will have this done for them automatically. If staying in private apartments, foreign guests should either themselves register in local offices of the OVIR department within three days of arrival or pay the agency for this service. Registration is needed to ensure that you can be contacted in case of any emergency and is necessary only if you are staying in Russia for over 3 working days. If the visa was not registered the person will by fined by the Russian customs officials on exit. The amount of the fine is not clearly stated. This means the person will be charged to the discretion of the customs officials.