There has been some changes in Russian visa regulations, which were implemented a few days ago. 

1. A foreign citizen can now obtain a Russian visa ONLY in the country of his/her citizenship. One can also obtain a Russian visa in another country but will need to present to the Russian consulate a permit of stay in that country valid for more than 90 days. A visa may also be issued in a country other than an applicant's own in case of urgent necessity, such as participating in international, governmental, official, scientific, sport and cultural events. A final decision in these cases would be left up to the consulate. 

2. A multiple entry business visa allows nationals of all countries to stay in Russia up to 90 days out of the period of 180 days. 

3. A multiple entry visa is only available for people who have been issued a Russian visa before. If this is your first visit, you are only eligible to obtain a single or double entry visa for 1 to 3 months, which is the only way now to stay in Russia for longer than 50% of time if you plan to live here (apart from getting a residence permit or an official work permit, which enables you to stay in Russia for as long as you are employed here). A copy of your previous Russian visa should be enclosed in your application for a multiple entry invitation.

A possible workaround for the 1st rule would be to get a simple registration, not an official visa-permit of stay and try to get a visa with it. It's still an official document, and the consulate might be OK with it. For example, in Germany one can get a "registration" (anmeldung) quite easily in a local area council office. If anybody knows about this possibility in other countries, please, post it here.

<b>15 November 2007 Update</b>: American Chamber in Moscow invited migration officials to clarify the new rules and Tantuss has posted the main points on <a href="http://waytorussia.net/TalkLounge/conversation9920.html">Way to Russia Forum</a>.

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