Introduction of a visa-free regime between South Africa and the Russian Federation from March 30, 2017

According to the message posted on the official Twitter page of the Russian Embassy in the Republic of South Africa, a visa-free regime between South Africa and the Russian Federation will be introduced from March 30, 2017.

Earlier, the Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree to conclude a Protocol between the governments of South Africa and Russia on the mutual abolition of visa requirements. According to this Protocol, a visa-free regime allowing a visa-free entry and stay in the country for up to 90 days for holders of international passports will be introduced between the two countries.

According to the experts, this measure will result in a significant increase in the tourist flow in the two countries. As noted in the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), the number of tourists traveling from Russia to South Africa will increase due to the introduced visa-free entry. In particular, the increase in the tourist flow will be provided by tourists from Russian regions who previously had to apply for a visa in person in the Embassy of South Africa in Moscow.