Russia
Russia Overview 1,2
- Capital: Moscow
- Population: approx. 145 million
- Official Language: Russian
- Currency: Ruble (RUB)
- Russia is the largest country in terms of land.
- Lake Baikal, located in Siberia, is the Earth’s deepest lake.
- The Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway line in the world.
- Russia is bordered by 14 different nations. Moscow experiences extreme temperatures, with summer highs exceeding 30°C (86°F) and winter lows at -8°C (18°F).
- St. Petersburg is home to some of the most incredible architecture in the world.
Tips On Moving to Russia
What Do You Need to Enter Russia?3
- Valid Passport
- Visa
- Completed Customs Declaration Form
Customs and Declarations4
All passengers entering Russia are required to declare their belongings. Passengers carrying cash or other means of payment exceeding 10,000 USD are required to declare to Customs.
Items that require special permission:
- Items of cultural value. Cultural valuables may include: Artworks, including applied art and sculptures; Icons, prints, and lithographs; Valuable manuscripts, rare books and antique weapons; Antique scientific and technical equipment and tools; Antique coins, postage stamps and medals; Archival photographs, phonorecords, film recordings, and video archives; Unique and rare musical instruments; and other items protected by the Russian Government as the country’s historical and cultural heritage. You can find more details here
- Plants or animals on the verge of extinction
- Vehicles
- State awards and medals of the Russian Federation
- Precious metals and stones
- Guns, explosives, ammunition
- Strong medicines (anesthetics, sleeping pills, etc.), psychotropic or narcotic medicines, poisons, strong sedatives.
Helpful numbers in case of emergencies in the Russia5
There are several important emergency numbers to know in case you ever experience an emergency or need emergency help:
- General Emergency (112)
- Police (02 or 102)
- Ambulance (03 or 103)
- Fire (01 or 101)
Passing Away in the Russia6,7
For a medical-related death, a Medical Certificate of Death is issued by the hospital or attending physician.
The person reporting the death must complete a Death Registration Application which can be found at the ZAGS office. You must also report the death at the ZAGS office at the deceased’s last place of residence within 3 days of the date of death.
The death should also be reported to the relevant embassy or consulate.
The following information is required when reporting a death:
- Form of document of death issued by the medical organization or private practitioners
- The court's decision to establish the fact of death or declaring a person dead, entered into force
- A document issued by the competent authorities, the fact of death of the person unduly repressed and later rehabilitated by the law on rehabilitation of victims of political repression
- Proof of identity of the applicant
- Proof of identity of the deceased (if available)
Repatriating Mortal Remains
The repatriation of a body to the home country requires the help of the relevant local embassy or consulate. Consular officials can assist in organizing repatriation and obtaining appropriate documentation.
When repatriation of the body is requested, funeral homes or crematoriums in Russia will temporarily hold the remains while arrangements are made.
The cost of repatriation covers transportation and essential documentation, which may include:
- A certified Copy of the Certificate of Death
- An embalming certificate (if required by the destination country)
- A certificate confirming the coffin complies with International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations.