Transit visa in Russia if things go awry at the airport
Replies: 3 - Last Post: Aug 8, 2012 6:06 AM Last Post By: dphrph
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Transit visa in Russia if things go awry at the airport
Hi all,Looking to see if someone has dealt with this recently. I'm flying through Moscow on the way to Belgrade in October. I've got a few hours layover so I shouldn't need the transit visa. However if my flight is cancelled/delayed etc and I have to remain in the airport for more than 24 hours, then I do need a transit visa.
From what I have read, you can get them in the airport when (and only when) something like this happens. So, should this happen to me, has anyone had to deal with this situation recently? A transit visa is pricey so I don't want to get one ahead of time if I won't need it. However, if getting a transit visa in the airport is an absolutely horrible process, then I may get a visa ahead of time just to be prepared.
Thank you for any input you might have.
1
Are you booking the two legs of your trip through the same airlines? If so, then they would be responsible for providing accommodations and they would assist you should you actually need a transit visa.This is one of those situations where I think you are over worrying far too much. While a delay is possible, I don't think it probable that it would last more than 24 hours.
I did have to get a transit visa in SVO but this was many years ago. When it happened it wasn't at all complicated.
Ruth
2
They probably wouldn't even give you a transit visa in the embassy because you will be there less than 24hrs so according to the law you don't need one and they won't want to do extra work when they don't have to.Considering you already bought the ticket and there is nothing you can do about delays, if it comes up it's still cheaper to buy the transit visa than buy a new flight that goes via somewhere other than Russia.
I also think you're worrying too much. Once I flew from Moscow Vnukovo to St. Petersburg in February and was delayed by a huge snowstorm but even that was only 12hrs.
3
I was thinking that I was probably overly worried since if anyone is prepared to deal with weather delays it is the Russians. I'm flying Aeroflot both legs so I'm not anticipating any problems but it looked like there might only be one Aeroflot flight per day going to Belgrade and the next one would be about 22 -23 hrs after my initial arrival. If the airline will help out if things are delayed then I'm not going to worry about it. Thank you both for putting my mind at ease.
