Tourist Visa + World Cup Fan ID

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ollusc_the_mollusc
ollusc_the_mollusc

So I've applied for my Fan ID and from what I've read online the terms for the visa are as follows:

The foreign citizens who come to the Russian Federation as the 2018 FIFA World Cup matches spectators can use their FAN IDs for multiple visa-free entry and exit the Russian Federation upon presentation of recognized as such by the Russian Federation valid identity documents during the period that starts ten days before the date of the first match and ends ten days after the date of the last 2018 FIFA World Cup.

I believe this means that from 4th June to the 25th July I can enter and exit Russia as I wish so long as i have my Fan ID? I was hoping to get to Russia a little earlier than that by making my way across on the trans-Siberian railway from Beijing. This would require a 30 day tourist visa. These normally require a bunch of things including entry & exit dates, an itinerary, booking confirmations with your hotels along the way etc...

Would it be possible/difficult to obtain a tourist visa beforehand (without an exit date) and then using the Fan ID from the 4th June onward?

FYI I am Australian.

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Giora
Giora

This is interesting... How do you apply for a Fan ID? Are there any restrictions? (needing to have the nationality of a nation at the World Cup, having to buy a ticket, etc.)

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ollusc_the_mollusc
ollusc_the_mollusc
In response to #1

This is interesting... How do you apply for a Fan ID? Are there any restrictions? (needing to have the nationality of a nation at the World Cup, having to buy a ticket, etc.)

A Fan ID can be obtained only after purchasing a ticket to any of the games in the World Cup. I managed to get a ticket to a random group game in Saransk (teams yet to be revealed) for 105 USD. So even if i don't get to the game it's still a pretty good deal for what equates to a multiple entry 6 week visa!

Once you have your ticket purchase number you submit a form online with your passport photo + info to obtain a fan ID. All spectators of the world cup are required to have both a game day ticket and a Fan ID to get into a game at the world cup.

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lucapal
lucapal

Giora now is your chance to get into Russia ;-)

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Giora
Giora

Yeah, that's exactly what I'm thinking. No need to visit the Russian consulate in Osaka, wherever it is. But I still need to get a bloody World Cup ticket, and somehow survive in Russia without ever stepping foot west of Lake Baikal. Hmmmmm....

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flumy
flumy
In response to #0

Would it be possible/difficult to obtain a tourist visa beforehand (without an exit date) and then using the Fan ID from the 4th June onward?

FYI I am Australian.

This is very interesting question. I'm sorry for not having an answer now because this Fan ID and visa free Russian regime is something really intriguing. In my opinion and logically speaking, the answer to your question should be, yes, it would be possible, but at the time being I really couldn't find a definite answer. In my conversation with a person that follows Russian visa regime details very closely, I have received a promise that this issue will be brought to the relevant authorities, but I was also told that it will probably take some time until the answer arrives. When dealing with Russian visa authorities one has to be very careful and play according to the rules. I really hope for positive answer to your question because I can't see a problem with your planned visit to Russia, combining usual tourist visa plus Fan ID.

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ollusc_the_mollusc
ollusc_the_mollusc
In response to #5

Would it be possible/difficult to obtain a tourist visa beforehand (without an exit date) and then using the Fan ID from the 4th June onward?

FYI I am Australian.

This is very interesting question. I'm sorry for not having an answer now because this Fan ID and visa free Russian regime is something really intriguing. In my opinion and logically speaking, the answer to your question should be, yes, it would be possible, but at the time being I really couldn't find a definite answer. In my conversation with a person that follows Russian visa regime details very closely, I have received a promise that this issue will be brought to the relevant authorities, but I was also told that it will probably take some time until the answer arrives. When dealing with Russian visa authorities one has to be very careful and play according to the rules. I really hope for positive answer to your question because I can't see a problem with your planned visit to Russia, combining usual tourist visa plus Fan ID.

Thanks for the reply!

Would it be a bad idea do you think if the initial itinerary and exit date on my tourist visa were not obeyed? Like would i get in trouble if i left the country using my Fan ID and the tourist visa that i used to enter the country never got an exit stamp?

I don't want to get in any trouble and i do know to be careful when dealing with the Russians! It's still a fair while away so there is a bit of time to sort it out still.

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natashapetrov.185943
natashapetrov.185943

Hi Ollusc_the_mollusc,

Fan ID provides visa free stay in Russia as well as free transport. The Fan-id.ru is the official website for applying online.
visafoto.com/en/fifa_worldcup_2018_fan_id_photo

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flumy
flumy
In response to #6

Dear @ollusc_the_mollusc I have received definitive and reliable information - answer regarding your question.

I know it took "a bit" more than I expected, but I really wanted to be 100% certain before I post any information. You wouldn't believe, but Russian visa authorities simply couldn't tell me with certainty anything regarding your question, but fortunately, they have received official explanation regarding the option of entering on tourist visa and staying in Russia during the time covered by Fan ID permit. I have received this explanation on Friday.

So, you can obtain you standard tourist visa and travel around Russia as you have written here. At the very day when your Fan ID starts to be active, you will start to use Fan ID and simply forget about standard tourist visa. Beside the mentioned, at the time (day) when you decide to leave Russia nobody will ask you why did you make such a combination of tourist visa and Fan ID because this combination is perfectly legal and is accepted by Russian visa authorities.

Once again, sorry for more than two months waiting, it was necessary to find 100% reliable information, but the good things are:
- you are allowed to do what have you initially planned
- there is still quite enough time to plan everything without being in special hurry

I hope you will enjoy your trip. Now, you can start planning and making reservations.

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ollusc_the_mollusc
ollusc_the_mollusc
In response to #8

Dear @ollusc_the_mollusc I have received definitive and reliable information - answer regarding your question.

I know it took "a bit" more than I expected, but I really wanted to be 100% certain before I post any information. You wouldn't believe, but Russian visa authorities simply couldn't tell me with certainty anything regarding your question, but fortunately, they have received official explanation regarding the option of entering on tourist visa and staying in Russia during the time covered by Fan ID permit. I have received this explanation on Friday.

So, you can obtain you standard tourist visa and travel around Russia as you have written here. At the very day when your Fan ID starts to be active, you will start to use Fan ID and simply forget about standard tourist visa. Beside the mentioned, at the time (day) when you decide to leave Russia nobody will ask you why did you make such a combination of tourist visa and Fan ID because this combination is perfectly legal and is accepted by Russian visa authorities.

Once again, sorry for more than two months waiting, it was necessary to find 100% reliable information, but the good things are:
- you are allowed to do what have you initially planned
- there is still quite enough time to plan everything without being in special hurry

I hope you will enjoy your trip. Now, you can start planning and making reservations.

flumy, wow! Thank you so much for the time and effort you put in to getting me this answer!

I think an annoying trait of the tourist visa is having to have proof of bookings and an itinerary before you go. This goes against my plan to just go with the flow! So i guess its good then that i only need to plan 1-2 weeks of "fake" itinerary before the Fan ID is valid and nobody will ask questions.

Its gonna be a busy & hectic time over there during the world cup! Can't wait

Thanks again for your help

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