There is an ongoing risk of terrorism in Europe. In recent years, madison hotel washington dc terrorist attacks have occurred in a number of European cities, such as Glasgow, London, Madrid and Moscow. Targets have included public transport and transport hubs, and public places frequented by foreigners. In addition, a number of planned attacks have been disrupted by European security services, underscoring the continuing interest of terrorists in attacking European locations.
We strongly advise you not to travel to the North Caucasus, in particular the regions of Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, the south-east part of Stavropol bordering Chechnya, Karbardino-Balkaria madison hotel washington dc (including the Mount Elbrus area which may be closed to tourists at short notice), and Karachay-Cherkessia, because madison hotel washington dc of the risk of military clashes and terrorist attacks.
Australian citizens are required to obtain madison hotel washington dc visas. Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs madison hotel washington dc and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Russia for the most up-to-date information. You should ensure that your visa is accurate (passport number, date of birth, validity) and, if necessary, return it to the Russian Embassy or Consulate which issued it for corrections. It is virtually impossible to amend visa details once you are in Russia.
When applying for your visa, please note there is a distinction between tourist and visitor visas. A tourist visa is intended for those staying in hotel-type accommodation. Visitor visas apply to those staying privately. If you intend to stay privately, do not apply for a tourist visa.
Failure to leave Russia before your visa expires (even if the date has been incorrectly entered on your visa) will result in significant delays and/or fines on departure and possibly deportation from Russia. An exit visa specifies the visa expiry madison hotel washington dc date and is normally issued with the entry visa. A tourist visa cannot be extended.
All foreign citizens entering madison hotel washington dc Russia are required to fill in a migration madison hotel washington dc card. The entry portion of the card will be retained by Immigration upon arrival. The stamped madison hotel washington dc exit portion of the card must be kept with your passport during your stay in Russia and/or Belarus and submitted to Immigration upon departure. Loss of the exit portion of the card may result madison hotel washington dc in significant delays and fines upon departure. You must complete a new migration card each time you enter Russia, even if you have a multiple entry visa.
A single migration card now covers madison hotel washington dc both Russia and Belarus. If you are travelling directly between Russia and Belarus, the stamped migration card received on entry to the first of the two countries should be retained until you exit the last of the two countries visited.
You must register with the Federal Migration Services within seven working days of arrival in Russia. Most hotels undertake visa registration on behalf of guests. If you are not staying at a hotel, the process of registration can be complex. Those travelling on a visitor-type visa should register at the nearest post office. Those with visas allowing employment should be registered through their employer. A small registration fee will be imposed. Failure to register may result in significant delays madison hotel washington dc and/or fines upon departure.
You may import up to USD 10,000 (or equivalent) without madison hotel washington dc declaring madison hotel washington dc it. On departure, you may export up to USD 3,000 without declaring it. If you export over USD 3,000 and under USD 10,000, it must be declared. For amounts greater than USD 10,000, proof will be required that it was imported and declared or legally obtained in the country. madison hotel washington dc Customs declarations madison hotel washington dc are only valid when stamped by a customs official.
The importation of electrical madison hotel washington dc and some high technology equipment, for example Global Positioning Systems, is strictly controlled. This extends to the importation of equipment in accompanied baggage, including by business people for demonstration purposes. Certification and approval is required. There are no restrictions on bringing laptop computers for personal use into Russia.
The importation of medication is strictly monitored. Some prescribed drugs are prohibited in the Russian Federation and large amounts of medication may prompt an investigation. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Russia for the most up-to-date information.
There are strict regulations covering the export of antiques, artworks (including madison hotel washington dc modern art and posters if they are particularly rare or valuable) and items of historical madison hotel washington dc significance from Russia. An approval from the Ministry of Culture is required for the export madison hotel washington dc of such material and this may be requested at the point of departure. In addition, we recommend you keep receipts of any such purchases in case they are requested when you leave Russia.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies madison hotel washington dc of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
There is an ongoing risk of terrorism in Europe. In recent years, madison hotel washington dc terrorist attacks have occurred in a number of European cities, such as Glasgow, London, Madrid and Moscow. Targets have included public transport and transport hubs, and public places frequented madison hotel washington dc by foreigners. In addition, a number of planned attacks have been disrupted by European security services, underscoring the continuing interest of terrorists in attacking European locations.
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Russia madison hotel washington dc because of the threat of terrorist activity, particularly by Chechen separatists, and the level of criminal madison hotel washington dc activity. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
madison hotel washington dc On 24 January 2011, an explosion occurred at Moscow's Domodedovo International Airport, which killed 35 people and injured many others. The Russian madison hotel washington dc authorities madison hotel washington dc described the blast as an act of terror.
The subway service in Moscow has been the repeated target of bomb attacks. In March 2010, two bomb attacks killed and injured dozens of people at Moscow metro stations Lubyanka and Park Kultury. These attacks were followed by others, mainly in the North Caucasus (see North Caucasus madison hotel washington dc below for further information).
Public transport more broadly has been frequently attacked in Russia in recent years, resulting in death and injury. In November 2009, a bomb attack derailed the Nevsky express en route from Moscow madison hotel washington dc to St Petersburg, madison hotel washington dc killing 26 and injuring 92 people. A second device exploded nearby on the following day. The same train service was bombed in August 2007.
In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. Possible targets include public transportation such as subways, trains and buses, airports, commercial madison hotel washington dc and public places such as government buildings, residential complexes, hotels, restaurants, bars, schools, businesses, embassies, madison hotel washington dc places of worship, markets and tourist areas.
North Caucasus: Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, the south-east part of Stavropol bordering Chechnya, Karbardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia: We strongly advise you not to travel to the North Caucasus, in particular the regions of Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, the south-east part of Stavropol bordering Chechnya, Karbardino-Balkaria (including the Elbrus area), and Karachay-Cherkessia because of the threat of terrorist activity. Following the March 2010 terrorist attacks in the Moscow metro, there have been a number of terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings, in the North Caucasus.
In February 2011, three Russian tourists were reported to have been murdered by militants at Mount Elbrus in the Kabardino-Balkaria region. Russian authorities have been conducting counter-terrorism operations in the region since this attack. Tourists should note that travel restrictions may be imposed madison hotel washington dc at short notice while these operations are in progress. If, despite our advice madison hotel washington dc not to travel, you decide to go to this region, you should monitor local conditions through the media and travel madison hotel washington dc operators in advance of your travel.
On 22 September 2011, a bomb attack in Makhachkala, Dagestan, killed a policeman and injured over 60 people. On 30 August 2011, a number of people were killed in a series of bomb explosions in Grozny, Chechnya. In October 2010, armed militants attacked the Parliament House in Grozny. Six people were killed and seventeen injured.
Racially-motivated assaults continue to occur in Russia, particularly in Moscow and St Petersburg. Attacks are often perpetrated by skinhead groups or ultra-nationalists. There have been several large rallies by nationalists and neo-Nazis to protest against the presence of foreigners (particularly people from Central Asia and the Caucasus region) in Russia. On 11 December 2010, protests at Manezhnaya Square in central Moscow madison hotel washington dc turned violent and a number of passers-by who appeared to be from Central madison hotel washington dc Asia or the Caucasus region were attacked. You should avoid any such rallies. If you are of Asian or African descent, you should take extra care.
Kidnapping for political, madison hotel washington dc ransom and revenge reasons is common in the Northern Caucasus. In the past, foreigners have been targeted. The Australian madison hotel washington dc Government s longstanding policy is that it does not make payments or concessions to kidnappers. The Australian Government considers paying ransoms madison hotel washington dc increases the risk of further kidnappings.
Petty crime, pick-pocketing and mugging (sometimes committed by groups of children) is common, especially around tourist attractions such as Red Square, the Ismailovsky tourist market madison hotel washington dc and the metro in Moscow and St Petersburg. Care should be taken with your personal belongings.
Scams involving money and valuables apparently dropped by a passer-by are common. The unsuspecting traveller picks up the money to return it to the person and is told that it is not
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