Difference between pages "Immigration Law Practice" and "Luggage"

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(Created page with "https://planetrussia.info/2020/02/11/how-i-got-an-unlimited-russian-residence-permit/?fbclid=IwAR1Sti0GyLTSjM5ORqXVaRAl5Kfzloy8LRw-sazyhvWCsgOgaOKmz73gtrY FEBRUARY 11, 2020...")
 
 
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https://planetrussia.info/2020/02/11/how-i-got-an-unlimited-russian-residence-permit/?fbclid=IwAR1Sti0GyLTSjM5ORqXVaRAl5Kfzloy8LRw-sazyhvWCsgOgaOKmz73gtrY
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==Sell unused space in luggage==
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'''Airmule''' -  focuses on the shipping for its approach, allowing travelers to post open space in their luggage allocations and shippers to pay for each pound.
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* https://www.airmule.com/routes/
  
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'''Grabr'''  -  focuses on creating a pathway for consumers to get a specific item such as a drone or a pair of shoes delivered to them directly by hand, putting the onus on the traveler to locate the product and pitch a competitive price.
  
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FEBRUARY 11, 2020ANDYFRECKA
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'''Alternatives to Airmule''': https://www.producthunt.com/alternatives/airmule
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How I Got An Unlimited Russian Residence Permit
 
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You might be thinking of getting a Russian residence permit if things are starting to get serious between you and the Motherland.
 
  
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I will tell you the story of how I got an unlimited Russian residency permit. By unlimited, I mean a Russian residence permit “with no expiration date”.
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===Forbes Article===
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https://www.forbes.com/sites/grantmartin/2016/04/21/new-apps-allow-passengers-to-sell-unused-checked-luggage-space-grabr-airmule/#2e31bd9f468e
  
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I won’t tell you every single step, because that would require much more than a blog post.  That would be sort of like doing an interview with Neil Armstrong on the lunar surface and asking, “How does a man get on the moon?”.
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A new crop of mobile apps wants to monetize unused airline luggage space by paying travelers to carry items for third parties.
  
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If you are looking for a to-do list on getting a Russian residence permit, there are plenty of good resources online. If you would like someone to guide you through the process, I will provide a recommendation at the end of this post.  Because I’m not that guy.
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The new technologies come from Airmule and Grabr, two similar mobile apps that allow travelers to match their upcoming itineraries to customers who want an inexpensive tool for shipping. Each app takes a security-first approach to the transactions. Shippers and travelers must be verified and a rating system much like Yelp YELP is used to rank the integrity of each party.
  
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Here are a few points to get started with for applying for your Russian residence permit. There are exceptions to nearly every point, but in most cases:
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Where the two new apps differ is in their approach towards goods shipped. Grabr focuses on creating a pathway for consumers to get a specific item such as a drone or a pair of shoes delivered to them directly by hand, putting the onus on the traveler to locate the product and pitch a competitive price. Airmule focuses on the shipping for its approach, allowing travelers to post open space in their luggage allocations and shippers to pay for each pound. One traveling from New York to London with a 50 lb allocation over three checked bags, for example, could post 150 lbs of shipping available at $4 per lb, generating a potential income of $600. In both cases, traveler and shipper need to coordinate the property exchange.
  
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In order to get a permanent residence permit in Russia, you will first need to get a temporary residency permit.
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In principle, the services are a unique way to capitalize on unused luggage space while providing boutique delivery service and a pathway for budget travelers to make a bit of side income. But the programs are neither without complexity nor risk.
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In order to get a temporary residence permit, you will first need to already be in Russia, which in most cases, will mean you need a visa.
 
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Owning real estate in Russia does not guarantee residency, but it does simplify the process.  Because otherwise, you will need to find a good friend who will register you in their home.  Not always an easy task.  As a point of product placement in this blog post, I might mention that I run a real estate agency in Moscow, and we are seeing a rapidly growing number of foreigners make the decision to buy their own home.  This will certainly ease the residence application for them if they choose to follow that route.
 
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You will need to pass a Russian language, history and law test (more on that later)
 
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You will also need to pass various medical tests (such as TB, HIV).
 
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IMG_6949.JPG
 
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I’m smiling on the inside, like a Russian, after receiving my unlimited residence permit.
 
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Here’s the great news.  In the past, the “permanent” Russia residence permits needed to be renewed every 5 years.  Not the end of the world, but also not my favorite procedure.
 
  
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But as of December 1, 2019, all Russia permanent residence permits are now without an expiration date. That means if you already have a Russia permanent residence permit, the next time you need to get a renewal, it will be for a shiny new residence permit, happily free of any expiration date.
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On a recent leisure trip that I took from San Francisco to Rio De Janeiro, I posted 210 lbs of available space on Airmule. Though a shipper quickly reached out to me for courier service, her package was a one pound envelope and she needed to overnight it to me in the Bay Area. Once in Rio, I needed to find a post office and send the envelope to São Paulo. On a weekend. For the $4 shipping fee plus a few extra dollars for my time.
  
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If you are going for renewal, here is the list of necessary documents, according to my local immigration office:
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There's also the matter of airline security. While both programs thoroughly vet their respective parties, many potential travelers are uncomfortable shipping items that they aren't completely familiar with. Grabr counters this by pointing out that consumers or shippers only need ask for particular goods while the onus is on the traveler to purchase the items and package them. Airmule says it provides an extra layer of security by requiring senders to upload photos of their items and providing a thorough paper trail of the transaction.
  
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IMG_6705.JPG
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The airline and customs side of security is a bit more murky. Neither spokesmen from United nor American would comment for this story while a Transportation Security Agency spokesman could only confirm that the agency is reviewing the applications.
  
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This notice reads that in order to renew your Russia residence permit you will need:
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Constraints within the airline industry paired with the general comfort of travelers shipping potentially unknown items will be the biggest challenges for Airmule and Grabr apps. Like sharing a car or a vacation rental, however, the travel industry and the consumer base may eventually adapt to sharing luggage -- and when they do, I'll be the first person selling my unused cargo space.
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To write an appeal letter for renewal (an example is found in the bottom third of this page).
 
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Your passport and notarized passport translation.
 
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Your current residence permit.
 
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A document proving that you passed the Russian language, history, and law tests.
 
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2 photos, 35X45 on non-glossy photo paper.
 
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And your receipt of paying the related fees.  Currently, that amount is 5000 rubles.  Which means if you have 4 kids and 1 wife, like this blogger, the total fees will be 30,000 rubles.
 
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If you have already received your temporary residence permit you will agree with me- this could not possibly be any simpler.  But if you have renewed before, the new system might make you uneasy, just like it did me.  You see, in the past, you had to apply for renewal no later than 2 months before your residence permit was due for expiration.
 
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However, the wording of the law under the renewal/no expiration date reform states that you can apply during the validity period of your current residence permit.  I hate keeping anything until the last minute.  So, in all, I paid 11 visits to my local immigration office over a period of 2 months.  Each time, I found a bit more useful information that was helpful in the process and was told to come back last minute.
 
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If you are from a country that requires a visa to enter Russia, it is strongly recommended that you apply further in advance than we did!
 
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It’s probably worth mentioning that the lines in the immigration offices have become much more organized, much less desperate, and happily shorter, due to many people making appointments online.  It’s a much better system.  The lines didn’t really bother me during those 11 visits.  I do have queue experience, and I’ve learned that these types of situations in Russia are much more about a journey than a formula.  Once you learn that philosophical truth you will find life to be much more enjoyable.
 
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And I do have a little experience with queues in Russia. 🙂
 
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Long story short, two weeks of relative uneasiness, and yesterday we received our unlimited Russia residence permits.  Of course, this story is not over, because you have 7 days to get registered, so will be scrambling to do that after I write this blog post.
 
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The Russian Language, History, and Law Test
 
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This is sort of a side-show that perhaps deserves its own blog post.  If you have already done the test in the past 5 years, you shouldn’t have to do it again.  I had never done the test before.  Here are a few points that I still remember.
 
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The year that the Romanov dynasty began.
 
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If you adopt a child in Russia, you can’t marry them later.  I think if you fail that question you should not be allowed to get a residence permit anywhere.
 
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There was an uprising in 1825.  Not sure what the kerfuffle was all about, but I know the year.
 
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Your employer in Russia does not have the right to take away your passport.  There were quite a few points about labor law, presumably to protect new immigrants.
 
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There is a fish festival in Moscow every year.  We listened to an audio segment about this and then answered questions.
 
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I wrote a letter to an imaginary friend describing how I had taken part in a dance competition in Moscow.
 
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Come to think of it, that’s all I remember!  Which is sort of surprising because I think I answered 100% of the answers right.  I’m not bragging.  I’m just saying.
 
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Try a Sample Russian Language Test
 
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Try a Sample Russian History Test
 
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Try a Sample Russian Law Test
 
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If you speak Russian and can memorize facts, it’s not too difficult.  Much easier than a Russian driver’s license test.
 
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If you are serious about getting Russian residency, and want a guide, you can contact my friend Dmitry Phillipov here.  Dmitry is great and has helped a lot of folks. Dmitry’s consultations start at 250 euros, so only serious inquiries.  If you are at the beginning of your journey to Russia, I recommend that you start off with some time on Google and a visa. 
 
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As for me, I guess the next step for me is to apply for Russian citizenship.  Because when it comes to love for the Motherland… it’s all about the journey.
 

Revision as of 06:31, 4 September 2019

Sell unused space in luggage

Airmule - focuses on the shipping for its approach, allowing travelers to post open space in their luggage allocations and shippers to pay for each pound.

Grabr - focuses on creating a pathway for consumers to get a specific item such as a drone or a pair of shoes delivered to them directly by hand, putting the onus on the traveler to locate the product and pitch a competitive price.

Alternatives to Airmule: https://www.producthunt.com/alternatives/airmule

Forbes Article

https://www.forbes.com/sites/grantmartin/2016/04/21/new-apps-allow-passengers-to-sell-unused-checked-luggage-space-grabr-airmule/#2e31bd9f468e

A new crop of mobile apps wants to monetize unused airline luggage space by paying travelers to carry items for third parties.

The new technologies come from Airmule and Grabr, two similar mobile apps that allow travelers to match their upcoming itineraries to customers who want an inexpensive tool for shipping. Each app takes a security-first approach to the transactions. Shippers and travelers must be verified and a rating system much like Yelp YELP is used to rank the integrity of each party.

Where the two new apps differ is in their approach towards goods shipped. Grabr focuses on creating a pathway for consumers to get a specific item such as a drone or a pair of shoes delivered to them directly by hand, putting the onus on the traveler to locate the product and pitch a competitive price. Airmule focuses on the shipping for its approach, allowing travelers to post open space in their luggage allocations and shippers to pay for each pound. One traveling from New York to London with a 50 lb allocation over three checked bags, for example, could post 150 lbs of shipping available at $4 per lb, generating a potential income of $600. In both cases, traveler and shipper need to coordinate the property exchange.

In principle, the services are a unique way to capitalize on unused luggage space while providing boutique delivery service and a pathway for budget travelers to make a bit of side income. But the programs are neither without complexity nor risk.

On a recent leisure trip that I took from San Francisco to Rio De Janeiro, I posted 210 lbs of available space on Airmule. Though a shipper quickly reached out to me for courier service, her package was a one pound envelope and she needed to overnight it to me in the Bay Area. Once in Rio, I needed to find a post office and send the envelope to São Paulo. On a weekend. For the $4 shipping fee plus a few extra dollars for my time.

There's also the matter of airline security. While both programs thoroughly vet their respective parties, many potential travelers are uncomfortable shipping items that they aren't completely familiar with. Grabr counters this by pointing out that consumers or shippers only need ask for particular goods while the onus is on the traveler to purchase the items and package them. Airmule says it provides an extra layer of security by requiring senders to upload photos of their items and providing a thorough paper trail of the transaction.

The airline and customs side of security is a bit more murky. Neither spokesmen from United nor American would comment for this story while a Transportation Security Agency spokesman could only confirm that the agency is reviewing the applications.

Constraints within the airline industry paired with the general comfort of travelers shipping potentially unknown items will be the biggest challenges for Airmule and Grabr apps. Like sharing a car or a vacation rental, however, the travel industry and the consumer base may eventually adapt to sharing luggage -- and when they do, I'll be the first person selling my unused cargo space.

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