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In addition to the airline tickets for your trip, you will need a valid passport and entry/exit visa. If your passport is lost abroad, you will have to apply at the U.S. Embassy for a new passport, as well as a new visa. It may take several days and may cause delays in your adoption process.
What is a valid passport?
A valid passport is your travel document, which will expire no sooner than after six months after your return from Russia. This requirement is also applicable when you apply for a visa in the Russian Consulate.
What is an entry visa?
A Russian entry/exit visa is a document attached to your passport once issued. It serves as a legal document and it is REQUIRED to enter and to exit the country. AWI provides you with a visa application and detailed isntructions on how to complete it. AWI is one of a very few travel agencies that has been accredited for obtaining visas to Russia, and has been given a special reference number. Russian visas must be obtained before you leave the United States. Work closely with your agent at All Ways International and make sure your visas are ready on time.
Double entry visas
In some cases, the adoptive parents need to go to Russia not once, but two times. If these trips take place within three months, we recommend you apply for a double entry visa. This will give you the right to visit the country for the second time without applying for a new visa. It may help save time and money.
Insurance
Please refer to our Travel Insurance section for more information.
Health
What do you need to know about health issues? It is best to bring your own medication, especially prescription drugs. While there are many western style pharmacies in Moscow and St. Petersburg now, you may not easily find them in other cities. Along with your prescription medications, we advise you to take the following: a large bottle of Aspirin or Tylenol, cold and flu medicine, and stomach medicine. It is advisable to bring children versions of the same medication with you.
Money
Due to the unstable financial situation in Russia, the exchange rates there can fluctuate with a noticeable difference even within short periods of time. To avoid inaccuracy, we recommend you exchange currency in Russia, not in the U.S. You can always rely on the help of our representatives in receiving the best exchange rates. In case you decide to pay for some services in Russia, your Adoption Agency will notify of the approximate amount of money needed. For a certain fee, AWI in conjunction with some Adoption Agencies, can assist you in transferring money to Moscow. It is a good idea to have your bank telephone number and the account number with you in case you run out of cash and need to transfer money. For your personal expenses, purchases and cash advances, major credit cards can be used, but only in Moscow.
Metric System
Russia generally operates on the metric system. Some equivalents:
1 gram = 0.04 ounces 1 kilogram = 2.20 pounds 1 liter = 1.06 quarts
Tipping
Regular tip in the restaurants is anywhere from 7% to 10%. Porterage tips in hotels is $1.00 per case or bag.
Food
How is the food in Russia? Russian food is different from American food. The traditional Russian food is heavier than you are probably accustomed to. If you are staying with a host family, you will be served 2 meals a day (breakfast and dinner). If you feel the need to supplement a Russian diet, additional items can be purchased at the supermarket.
Clothes
How to dress for your trip? When going for an adoption to Russia, please consider the weather factor. In the wintertime be ready for cold temperatures and snow. When traveling in summer, keep in mind that air conditioning is not readily available. Your host family is unlikely to have it and not all hotels are equipped with air conditioning. If this is an important issue for you, talk to your travel agent at AWI for recommendations.
Luggage Weight Requirements
Officially there is a limitation of weight of the luggage a foreign traveler can bring with him on a trip without having to pay extra. It is 50 kg (100 pounds) per person. However, usually if a traveler has not more than two suitcases with him/her, the luggage is not weighted.
Laundry
There are two popular laundrymat chains in Moscow: Diana and California Cleaners. While Diana is as good in quality, its rates are slightly lower than California Cleaners' rates.
Diana Landry also offers 40% discount for washing and cleaning children's clothes. They will as well honor the discount coupon available on http://dryclean.ru/files/cupon.htm
Adresses and phone numbers can be found on Moscow Travellers Yellow Pages
Customs
You can bring in the country goods that are not intended for sale without paying the customs duty. You have to declare expensive jewelry and other valuables and use "red corridor" when going through the customs. In other cases tourists can go through the "green corridor".
There is no limit on how much cash you can bring in. When leaving the country you must declare any amount of cash if it exceeds $10,000. A special bank authorization is required in this case.
If you bought an original piece of art that is not of any significant cultural value you have to present the customs officer a signed and stamped receipt from an antique shop certified by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.
Icons cannot be brought outside of the country. It is also not allowed to carry out of the country more than one pack of one brand of medicine, more than 5 kilos of fish and crawfish, more than 280 grams of black caviar per person and more than five gold and platinum items weighing altogether not more than 130 grams (120 grams for silver), etc.
When crossing the border by car you can only have 20 liters of gas in a can. Souvenir coins with precious metals content can only be brought out of the country with a special permission of the Central Bank of Russia and you can only take away a limited amount of regular coins.
Return home
On your return from Russia you will probably be traveling with a new addition to your family. Depending on the age of your child, different travel arrangements will be necessary. For a child younger than 2 years of age (an infant), a separate seat is not required by the airlines. A minimum airfare will apply for the international flights even for infants with no seats purchased. You have to consider whether you will be comfortable traveling with a child on your lap for 8 to 10 hours. For a fraction of an adult fare, a seat for the infant can be purchased. Ask your AWI travel consultant about the details. For children 2 years of age and older, buying a seat is required. Discounted fares exist for children 2 to 12. Children 12 years of age and older are considered adults by the airlines and a full fare will apply.
* Click here to check if your agency is registered with the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation as of January 1, 2002 and is licensed to operate in Russia.
Below is the collection of web resources with tips and other useful information for travelers to Russia:
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AWI Helpline