#15 - JRL 7305
From: "Dimitar Getov" <getovd@hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: From: An American Educator/ 7304
Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2003

The difficulties in registering a foreign national in Russia, about which the gentleman complains are non existent! I know from personal experience, because I have had to register in Moscow. It is very simple - upon arrival visit the local police department and get a stamp! Period.

When I lived in England it was the same. And when I lived in Germany it was the same - only this time the people I was staying with had to - in written form - state that they will host me for the period, after which a social worker shows up at their home with a tape measure to make sure they have enough space according to German law.

So yes, nonsense is everywhere, but let's get it straight - US visa procedures are plain savage. I know, I've gotten a visa many times and all of you can ask your foreign friends, especially those from Russia, CIS or Eastern Europe. The people applying behave like slaves on a galley and are treated that way too, while Americans are by default rude and pretentious when dealing with foreign bureaucracy.