Russia to allow e visas to boost tourism

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 30 Jun 2020 by Alex Teddy
On June 29 Russian Parliament approved a law allowing people from 53 countries to obtain a tourist visa online. The scheme takes effect on January 1 2021. Current tourist visas are expensive and time consuming to obtain. The e-visa will only be valid to visit Moscow, St Petersburg and part of the Far East.The tourist industry was severely impacted by coronavirus. The new e-visa system should make 2021 a good year to compensate for 2020 being annus horribilis.The countries to benefit from the e-visa scheme will be Japan, China, India, Turkey and some EU countries. The UK and USA are excluded. The visa will be valid for 16 days and will be issued within 4 days of application. It will be usable for up to 60 days after issue. The cost will be roughly USD 50. Those under 6 years of age will be exempt from the fee. The scheme has yet to be confirmed by the government. By July 18 the government is going to give a definite answer. Rostourism is keen that the scheme goes ahead. It has even suggested abolishing the visa fee. Rostourism would like the visa to be for up to 120 days and be multiple entry. The government is circumspect about this because when visas were relaxed in 2018 for the Soccer World Cup 2 000 soccer fans never left the country.

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