Historic Visa Agreement Enters Into Force September 9, 2012

[Elena Gapova]

Historic Visa Agreement Enters Into Force September 9, 2012
Moscow, Russia | August 29, 2012

http://moscow.usembassy.gov/pr_visas-082912.html


The U.S. Embassy in Moscow is pleased to announce that the historic
U.S.-Russia visa agreement will enter into effect September 9, 2012. The
agreement will facilitate travel and establish stronger ties between Russia
and the United States, as it will benefit the largest segment of travelers
in both our countries: business travelers and tourists. Starting September
9, Russian and American travelers for business or tourism will be eligible
to receive visas valid for multiple entries during a period of 36 months.
The agreement also outlines other simplifications in the bilateral visa
regime and eases visa processing time for travelers from both countries. At
the same time, the United States will be reducing the fee charged to
Russians issued visas for business or tourism from $100 to $20.

Thanks to the agreement, three-year, multiple-entry visas will become the
standard “default” terms for U.S. citizens visiting Russia and Russian
citizens visiting the United States. No formal invitation will be required
to apply for a business or tourism visa, although applicants seeking
Russian tourist visas must continue to hold advance lodging reservations
and arrangements with a tour operator. Both sides have also committed to
keep standard visa processing times under 15 days, although the
circumstances of individual cases may require additional processing.

Also on September 9, the $100 issuance – or reciprocity – fee for Russians
issued U.S. visas for business or tourism (visa types B1/B2) will fall to
$20. As a rule, successful visa applicants will receive the full-validity
three-year visa. The $160 application fee will still apply, and validity
and fees for other visa types (for example for students, workers, and
journalists) will not change.

For Americans in Russia, the agreement lifts the previous restriction
limiting stays in Russia to 90 days within any given 180-day period—just
like Russian travelers, they will now be permitted stays of up to six
months. In addition, “exit visas” will no longer be necessary in the case
of U.S. citizens who lose their passports while in Russia. (Russian
citizens may already exit the United States without an exit visa). U.S.
citizens with current Russian visas are reminded that they are still
subject to the terms and dates of the visas already in their possession.

U.S. citizens with Russian travel plans are encouraged to monitor Embassy
Moscow’s website for additional details concerning this agreement:
http://moscow.usembassy.gov/russian-visas.html. Russian citizens may visit
http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ru/index.html for specific instructions on how
to apply for a U.S. visa.

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