Simpler visa formalities between Russia, U.S. introduced as of September
MOSCOW. Aug 13 (Interfax) - An agreement simplifying visa issuance formalities between Russia and the United States will come into to force in September.
The agreement "envisages multiple visas for a period of up to six months from each entry and valid for 36 months from the issuance date," the Russian Foreign Ministry says on its website.
Russia will issue "business, private, humanitarian and tourist visas on direct invitations from the receiving side", while the U.S. side will issue visas of the B1/B2 category.
Decisions on visas will be made within 15 days since applications reach the processing stage.
On May 26, 2011, the Russian and U.S. presidents made a joint statement on visa cooperation during their meeting in Deauville. It was followed by the exchange of diplomatic notes first on the island of Bali on November 19, 2011 and then on August 10, 2012.
The agreement aims to create more favorable conditions for mutual travel and the furthering of economic, cultural, scientific and humanitarian ties between Russia and the United States, the ministry said.