Immigration paperwork for St. Petersburg for SPB tour

[saz25]

Hi,

We received our tour tickets from SPB as we are planning to take a 2 day tour. Besides, having to bring the tour tickets (which act as a Visa), and our passports, they also mention that we need the following:

 

"Immigration Card (provided by your ship). Please fill it out on board the ship before you go through the Russian immigration."

 

How do we get them? Are these normally given to passengers the night before or do we need to go to the guest services to ask for them?

 

I heard from people here on CC that Princess provides immigration/migration paperwork before we arrive in St Petersburg, but when I called Princess to confirm, hey say they never heard of such a thing that we need a Visa.

 

Is there anyone in Princess that I can call to confirm what happens and when/how we get these forms?

Steve

 

thanks,

[Longislanderluvs2cruise]

Hi,

We received our tour tickets from SPB as we are planning to take a 2 day tour. Besides, having to bring the tour tickets (which act as a Visa), and our passports, they also mention that we need the following:

 

"Immigration Card (provided by your ship). Please fill it out on board the ship before you go through the Russian immigration."

 

How do we get them? Are these normally given to passengers the night before or do we need to go to the guest services to ask for them?

 

I heard from people here on CC that Princess provides immigration/migration paperwork before we arrive in St Petersburg, but when I called Princess to confirm, hey say they never heard of such a thing that we need a Visa.

 

Is there anyone in Princess that I can call to confirm what happens and when/how we get these forms?

Steve

 

thanks,

 

We took the 2-day tour with SPB last year. The immigration forms(cards) will be delivered to your cabin the night before arrival in St. Petersburg. Just fill them out and bring them with you when you leave the ship.

[redtogo]

About three years ago, we were with Princess in St. Petersburg. We had to have a photo copy of our passport to give to Russian authorities. I'm not sure if that is still required.

[custompcsys]

I've been to St. Petersburg twice on Princess and to Russia (Moscow) for work. The only time I needed a visa is when I went for work. If you are being escorted by an approved tour company you do not need an individual visa. You only need a visa if you are getting off the ship and touring on your own (without a tour company). Princess did provide us with the cards and I had a photocopy of our passport picture page which we gave to Russian passport control. It really wasnt a bad process.

 

One word of caution. Pickpockets are common in SPB especially in the open air markets that tourists frequent. Keep your wallet somewhere they can't get it.

[caribill]

Your SPB documents will serve as your visa.

 

On board there may be wording that implies you need a visa if not on a Princess tour. This is not true if you are touring with SPB or similar company.

 

If you still need a copy of the passport information page, the Purser's desk will make it at no charge.

 

Also, when you get off the ship to go through Russian immigration there may be some booths labeled for Princess tours and some for non-Princess tours. You can ignore these signs and get on any line you want as the Russian officials do not care who your tour is with.

[saz25]

I agree, the cruise folks you speak with on the phone are clueless on these issues. I'm ok now. I'm sure when I get on the ship, they will know more. I also read this:

 

http://moscow.usembassy.gov/russian-visas.html#Migration

 

thanks to all,

 

Steve

[caribill]

I agree, the cruise folks you speak with on the phone are clueless on these issues. I'm ok now. I'm sure when I get on the ship, they will know more. I also read this:

 

http://moscow.usembassy.gov/russian-visas.html#Migration

 

 

 

Which says in part:

 

International Cruise Ship Passengers: International cruise ship passengers are permitted to visit Russian ports without a visa for a period of up to 72 hours. Passengers who wish to go ashore during port calls may do so without visas provided that they are with an organized tour at all times, accompanied by a tour operator who has been duly licensed by Russian authorities.

 

These special entry/exit requirements do not apply to river boat cruise passengers and travelers coming to Russia on package tours. These travelers will need to apply for visas prior to entry, and should follow the general guidelines for entry/exit requirements