Right from time, anything that concerns these immigration authorities and police, I avoid it like a plague. As a foreigner in Russia, I always make sure that everything is alright because I have heard stories of people falling into their hands, and the journey was hell.
On this day, I was going to work in Moscow as usual and was stopped just as I was about to go through the turnstile at the metro. I thought it was a routine check, and boy, was I wrong. I brought out my passport and showed it to the officer asking for it. This is quite normal in Moscow, so I didn’t think too much of it.
But he immediately asked for my registration and the metro closest to my address. It was at this point I made a mistake. I didn’t know the name of the metro, I just blanked, and he took the opportunity immediately. He just laughed. He now proceeded to say that I should follow them to the station.
This issue escalated quickly, because one minute I was going to work and the next debating how to beg for freedom or follow them to the station. I tried to explain that I was legally registered and my name is in the system, but he cut me off. “No, your registration is fake,” he insisted. “Or maybe you were removed, and you don’t know. Some of these hostels do that: they register you, then remove you later without consent.” I was so confused, and I started frantically calling the man in charge of giving me registration.
I had to follow them to the station, and on getting there, the officers with me started saying that I was not going to get my permanent residence (вид на жительство) if they fined me. They kept telling me that my name was not in the system. They picked up another guy on the way, and he was also meant to pay the fine. I texted some friends and I heard that if you have an administrative fine, you will still be allowed to get your VnZh, so why were they stressing me like this?
I continued out to several people to let them know my situation. Upon arrival at the police station, the officers repeatedly grilled me about my occupation and what I was doing in Moscow, questions they had already asked on the street. They immediately processed the other man, who quickly paid his fine and left. I thought I would be next.
But no, I waited hours, and these people paid no attention to me; they kept asking questions, threatening and almost pushing me to give up, and I was just confused. I think the fact that I spoke Russian well and understood everything they were saying kind of made them upset, but I was firm and respectful. I told them that I was ready to pay the fine. All this while I was contacting the man in charge of my registration, and from his end, everything was apparently fine. It’s either the registration man was lying or these people really just wanted something else from me.
After about five hours, one of my Russian friends came to bail me from the station. We eventually found out that my registration was actually legitimate and there was nothing wrong. I was so frustrated and tired that I didn’t even know how to react to the news.
In the five hours I was at that police station, they brought all kinds of people in, including one very drunk man who even insulted me, calling me all sorts of names. They just kept me standing all those hours only for me to find that nothing was wrong.
I was so angry, but there was nothing I could do. I just thanked my friend and left the place. My people, be careful and guarded. I was so worried because in all my years I have never been to a police station, and I have heard stories of how people end up getting deported for small issues, and I am grateful to God for how things turned out.
Learn from my story and stay safe. Have a great week ahead.
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