Your First 30 Days
Russia โ Step-by-step checklist for your first month
Educational information only โ not legal advice. Verify all details with official sources. Laws and conditions change frequently.
Days 1โ3: Land Safe
- 1.Arrive at Sheremetyevo (Moscow) or Pulkovo (St. Petersburg) airport โ Russian FSB border control processes returning Russian nationals
- 2.Get an MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, or Tele2 SIM at any carrier store โ requires your Russian internal passport (ะฟะฐัะฟะพัั)
Days 4โ7: Get Connected
- 3.Contact family networks in your home city or region โ Russian city-based family ties are primary support
- 4.Visit the MFC (Multifunctional Center, ะะคะฆ) to obtain or renew your ะฒะฝัััะตะฝะฝะธะน ะฟะฐัะฟะพัั (internal Russian passport) โ required for all services
Week 2: Documents & Stability
- 5.Open a bank account at Sberbank or VTB โ most Western money transfer services are blocked due to sanctions; use Mir payment system
- 6.Set up a SBP (ะกะธััะตะผะฐ ะัััััั ะะปะฐัะตะถะตะน) transfer from family using alternative channels such as wire transfers through non-sanctioned banks or crypto
Week 3โ4: Start Rebuilding
- 7.Register at your local housing registry (ะะญะ/ะะคะฆ) for your propiska (residence registration) โ required for employment and services
- 8.Be aware of mandatory military registration requirements if you are a male citizen of conscription age โ consult legal counsel
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Start Free Assessment โLegal Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws, policies, and conditions change frequently. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. Always consult a licensed attorney for legal advice specific to your situation. Deported Not Defeated is not a law firm.