Holders of visas to Russia or Belarus will soon be able to visit the second state without the need for an additional visa

Holders of visas issued by the Russian Federation or Belarus will soon be able to visit the second state without the need to obtain an additional visa. The treaty on mutual recognition of visas between these countries will come into force by the end of 2024, according to Ambassador of Belarus to Russia Dmitry Krutoy, at a high-level meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Union State.

According to him, the key point of the meeting was the review of the unified information system to be used this year. The importance of the issue of visa agreement, which was previously signed with regard to third countries, was emphasized. The ambassador expressed hope that this step will increase tourist and commercial flows, as well as make life easier for citizens of both countries when crossing the border.

Recall, in January 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on ratification of the interstate agreement on mutual recognition of visas and other issues related to the entry of foreign citizens and stateless persons into the Union State. This law was signed by Belarus on June 19, 2020.

The law, which regulates the procedure for foreign citizens and stateless persons crossing the border between Russia and Belarus, creates the basis for the use of a Russian visa to enter Belarus and a Belarusian visa to enter Russia. Once this agreement enters into force, foreign citizens will be able to visit Belarus with a Russian visa and Russia with a Belarusian visa. This agreement allows foreigners to enter, stay, transit and leave the territory of both countries by air, rail and road along six routes specified in the agreement. According to this agreement, the maximum stay in Russia and Belarus is 90 days. However, foreign travelers who took advantage of the 30-day visa-free program in Belarus through the airports of Minsk, Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, and Mogilev will not be able to take advantage of this agreement and will need to obtain a Russian visa to visit Russia.