The period of stay in Russia for foreigners without a visa can be extended

“The Head of the Presidential Administration Sergei Ivanov announced that the period of stay in Russia may be extended for foreigners without a visa” – reports the agency “ITAR-TASS”.

Ivanov said that Russia does not seek “to become personal” in its relations with the European Union or to kick back. “Unfortunately, all the negotiations with the EU on visa facilitation and signing of a new framework agreement on cooperation between Russia and the EU are frozen now not on our initiative as I hope you know” – recalled the official.

At this moment the term of possible visa-free stay of foreigners on the territory of Russia is limited to 72 hours. “I do not exclude that in the future we will go to the expansion of this term – said Ivanov. – But still, we would like to do this on the basis of reciprocity.”

The law allowing visa-free stay of foreigners in Russia was adopted in 2009. It regards cruise ships and ferries passengers. A list of ports accepting such tourists is also set by law. Currently it includes the ports of Vladivostok, Kaliningrad, Vyborg, Sochi, Novorossiysk, Large and Passenger Ports of St. Petersburg.