A friend will be passing through Moscow SVO on a Aeroflot flight from JFK to Bishkek . She is of Russian extradition on her way to visit her parents in Bishkek who she hasn’t seen in 7 years. She is now a US citizen and is stuck in a 12 hour layover in SVO. She doesn’t have a transit visa and from what she’s been told will be confined in a transient area of the airport.
First has anybody been in this area recently any food water or toilet.
Second she has a cousin in Moscow she hasn’t seen in a long time he is a Russian national anyway he can visit her in the holding area, would a little bribe help let him in or is all this out of the question.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
THANKS
tigho3
1
everbrite
She won't be allowed out of the transit area and it is extremely unlikely that her relative will be allowed into the transit area unless he knows someone at the airport as normally one must pass through immigration to get to the transit area.
12 hours is a LONG time in SVO. It is NOT a pleasant airport. It was built in 1980 and has had some minor renovations but not much. There is food and water in the transit area - bathrooms and restaurants but nothing great. I would STRONGLY encourage getting a transit visa. I understand that it costs 100 USD but almost anything is worth paying to get outside SVO in my opinion.
These sites have information about spending time in airports: Sleeping in Airports, World Airports and WordTravels Airport Guide.
Ruth
2
titodog
I agree with Everbrite, SVO is a dive. There is food, but the standard is terrible, and very expensive. If your friend has to stay in the transit area, tell her to bring some good books & a packed meal. Relatives will not be allowwed in to the transit area.
3
tigho3
Passengers transiting Russian Fed. and continuing to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Ukraine or Uzbekistan must:
hold visa and all other required documents for next destination, and either
hold visa for entry Russian Fed. prior to arrival, or
obtain visa on arrival. A 24 hours transit visa can be obtained on providing air ticket and visa, if necessary, to the point of final destination
This is from the Airport Web site.Does this mean see can get a Transit Visa on arival.Remember she a US citizen
again thank you very much
4
everbrite
I have NEVER heard of getting a transit visa on arrival for a US passport holder, especially one of Russian birth. I would not trust the airport website and would contact the Russian embassy.
A visa on arrival for a US passport holder might be VERY expensive. There is usually a minimum fee for a US poassrt holder of 100 USD for a visa. Getting it there would be expedited and might cost more.
Ruth
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