I wouldn't risk this.

I exited Russia with a friend. He had given the end date for his visa, by mistake, as the day we left Moscow. Travelling by train, we didn't reach the border until a couple of days later. They got that he'd made an error, but they were not understanding.

He was led away by armed guards. There was no explanation. The entire train was made to wait and we didn't see him again for something like four hours. We later learned he was detained in a small room, ostensibly waiting for various officials and translators, and questioned repeatedly.

He had to pay a very large sum of money to the guards in woolly circumstances. This was vaguely suggested to be some sort of administrative charge, but very soon after he handed it over, it became clear it was just a bribe. After which (and we're talking about a sizeable chunk of his remaining budget for the trip), they still refused to let him through. The rest of the train was sent on, and they forced him to wait several hours longer for a train going back in the opposite direction. He had to get off at the next city, then pay accommodation and expenses there for several days while waiting for a new visa to be processed, which obviously he also had to pay for.

Note that this was leaving the country — not even like he was trying to get inside the borders.

Note also that I'm not even really complaining about any of this, and neither was he. It was his fault. It's border control: you need to take it seriously.

If your friend does this, she'll be at the mercy of the guards, who have every legitimate incentive, and several illegitimate ones, to ruin her trip. The smart decision would be not to do this!

I wouldn't risk this.

I exited Russia with a friend. He had given the end date for his visa, by mistake, as the day we left Moscow. Travelling by train, we didn't reach the border until a couple of days later. They got that he'd made an error, but they were not understanding.

He was led away by armed guards. There was no explanation. The entire train was made to wait and we didn't see him again for something like four hours. We later learned he was detained in a small room, ostensibly waiting for various officials and translators, and questioned repeatedly.

He had to pay a very large sum of money to the guards in woolly circumstances. This was vaguely suggested to be some sort of administrative charge, but very soon after he handed it over, it became clear it was just a bribe. After which (and we're talking about a sizeable chunk of his remaining budget for the trip), they still refused to let him through. The rest of the train was sent on, and they forced him to wait several hours longer for a train going back in the opposite direction. He had to get off at the next city, then pay accommodation and expenses there for several days while waiting for a new visa to be processed, which obviously he also had to pay for.

Note that this was leaving the country — not even like he was trying to get inside the borders.

Note also that I'm not even really complaining about any of this, and neither was he. It was his mistake. It's border control: you need to take it seriously.

If your friend does this, she'll be at the mercy of the guards, who have every legitimate incentive, and several illegitimate ones, to ruin her trip. The smart decision would be not to do this!