Neuer Gesetzesentwurf zur Vereinfachung der Einreise nach Russland

The Russian government has submitted to the State Duma draft law that simplifies issuance of tourist visa for foreigners visiting Russia. Document states that tourist visa will be issued based on confirmation of hotel booking. Draft law increases validity of ordinary tourist visa up to 6 months. They emphasized importance of accommodation data in unified list of classified hotels.

At the moment, foreigners can enter Russia with tourist visa for up to one month or up to six months, in the case of valid mutual agreement between the countries. This is possible by confirming the information about admission by organization, which must be present in unified federal register of tour operators.

Explanatory note states that it is proposed to simplify procedure for issuing visa for foreigners as a tourist by determining possibility of obtaining tourist visa based on confirmation of hotel booking any other accommodation facility, information about which is presented in unified list of classified hotels. It also emphasizes possibility of obtaining tourist visa for a long period of stay in Russia up to six months.