Russia supports simplifying visa procedure

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Head of the Russian Federal Tourism Agency Oleg Safonov supports the proposal to simplify visa procedures for foreigners entering Russia raised by Sergei Markov, chairman of the Public Commission, according to Sputnik International, reported Sputnik News on February 4.

Speaking at the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation on February 2, Sergei Markov proposed issuing annually a 10-day visa on arrival, which will offer plenty of cash for federal budgets.

Simplifying visa procedures can boost the flow of visitors, according to experience of countries and regions around the world, said Safonov.

At a press conference of prospects of the Russian tourism industry in 2015, Safonov said that the reciprocity principle applies to lifting the restrictions of issuing visas for the citizens of the relevant two countries. He agreed on Sergei Markov’s notion of creating the most comfortable conditions for entry into Russia of foreign citizens in line with Russia’s own interests, said Oleg Safonov.

He also pointed out that many other countries are efficiently running this policy because they believe foreign tourists can bring in huge business interests. He said, “The United States has recently extended visas to Chinese citizens for up to 10 years, aiming to attract 100 million visitors annually”.