19 Dec 2017 14:57

About 6,000 travelers visit Vladivostok with e-visas

MOSCOW. Dec 19 (Interfax) - About 6,000 e-visas have been issued since early August for those traveling to Vladivostok via the free port, and over half of those travelers came from China and Japan, Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East Alexander Galushka said on Tuesday.

"The e-visa service was launched on August 8. Almost 6,000 visas have been issued to citizens of 18 countries to visit Vladivostok via the free port. Almost 4,000 foreigners have used the liberalized visa mechanism," the ministry cited Galushka as saying.

Most travelers who visited Vladivostok with e-visas came from China (2,290 persons). Japan ranked second with 1,338 e-visa travelers. The e-visa service has also been used by citizens of another 11 countries, among them Singapore (61), India (18), North Korea (12), Saudi Arabia (7), Iran (3), Turkey (3), the UAE (3), Kuwait (2), and one person from each of Algeria, Morocco, and Mexico.

"The mechanism is simple. A foreign citizen visits the Russian Foreign Ministry's website, fills out the questionnaire, and receives an e-visa within four days. In fact, it takes one day to issue an e-visa. One does not have to visit embassies or consulates and pay a consular fee," Galushka said.

At present, citizens of 18 countries can apply for an e-visa on a specialized website, the ministry said.

'This should be done at least four days prior to the date of arrival. An e-visa is issued free of charge, without any fee," the ministry said.