Putin orders proposals for visa-free travel for foreigners be drawn up without due account of principle of reciprocity

MOSCOW. Nov 1 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the government jointly with a number of relevant agencies to draw up proposals for the establishment of visa-free rules for foreigners to travel to Russia for tourism, business, educational purposes, as well as to participate in sports and cultural events.

In accordance with the list of orders published on the Kremlin website, the visa-free rules for such trips must be established "without taking into account the principle of reciprocity".

The order is addressed to the government, the Foreign Ministry, the Interior Ministry and the Federal Security Service.

The first report on its implementation must be submitted to the president by June 1, 2023.

Proposals on increasing the time of validity of Russian multiple-entry tourist visas and on resuming the effect of a single electronic visa for citizens of those foreign countries, which are not included in the list of unfriendly countries, must also be drawn up by this deadline.

Additionally, the government and the three relevant agencies have been instructed to formulate proposals to increase the volume of air traffic with those foreign countries, which are not added to the list of unfriendly countries.

The president ordered that St. Petersburg's practice of visa-free entry into Russia and the temporary stay in Russia as part of organized groups of foreign citizens who are passengers on the cruise ships should be extended to other Russian constituent entities.