The Ministry of Economic Development of Russia has proposed introduction of multiple-entry visas for foreign tourists

The Ministry of Economic Development has proposed to introduce multiple-entry visas for foreign tourists. In addition, according to the department, for individual countries it is necessary to introduce the possibility of issuing visas upon arrival in Russia

As Deputy Head of the Ministry of Economic Development Dmitry Vakhrukov  said, a multiple-entry visa for up to 15 months or 2 years may attract foreign tourists.

In addition, the Ministry of Economic Development proposes to introduce the visa issue upon arrival for some foreign countries.

He said that the ministry is also discussing with other departments the possibility of reducing the cost of tourist visas and changing their validity depending on the seasonality of travel and vacation time in target markets. Mr. Vakhrukov clarified that tourist trips to Russia are in demand in different countries at different periods: for China, for example, it is January-February, when the Chinese New Year is celebrated, and for the Middle East — December, July and August.

Earlier, Dmitry Vakhrukov  reported on the positive results of the e-visa mechanisms and visa-free group exchanges with China and Iran.  "In total, 400,000 foreigners entered our country on visa—free and group visas during the 10 months of operation of these mechanisms," he said at SPIEF 2024. Vakhrukov noted that in the third to fourth quarter of 2024, the aim is a visa-free group agreement with India, and visa cancellation with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Malaysia and Myanmar.

According to the deputy head of the Ministry of Economic Development, there is now a steady increase in the interest of foreign tourists in Russia. In 2023, the number of tourist trips increased by more than 20% and reached 4 million, he said.

 
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