Freedom of access: countries that simplified the entry of Russian tourists in 2017
More than 10 countries in 2017 changed the visa policy for Russian tourists in the direction of simplification. Among them there are almost invisible on the tourist map of the state, even “closed”, but also “hits” of the industry, which received a “harvest” – an increase in sales.
UAE Visa for Russian travelers was canceled from February 1, 2017, now it is available for free at the airport of arrival. This fact became a determining indicator – before that, the document had to be paid from $ 40 or more. The growth of tourist flow to the country is 30%.
“Cheap” for a tourist from Russia Japan On January 1, 2017, residents of our country were exempted from the need to submit a letter of guarantee from the receiving party to the consulate, as a result, a visa to Japan cost $ 200. Now the list of papers is minimal: questionnaire, insurance, reservation of air tickets and a hotel, confirmation of financial solvency. As a result, Russians became leaders in 2017 in terms of the growth of tourist flow to Japan.
Between Russia and South Africa On March 30, visa-free entry was introduced - this is a simplification for travel for tourist purposes, but the destination is not very popular.
Visa-free regime for Russians introduced in the “miniature” countries of the “warm seas”. You can stay up to 60 days in Samoa. On November 21, 2017, the visa regime was abolished between Russia and the state of St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean Sea. On December 24, Grenada opened its borders for Russians.
At the end of the summer of 2017, North Korea simplified the rules for obtaining visas for Russians, meaning that the processing of documents for visas will take place quickly: three to five days. However, getting into the country is very difficult.
Qatar also refused visas for 80 countries, including Russia, in the country you can stay up to 30 days.
Southeast Asian states have also introduced exemptions: from December 2, 2017, Russians can stay in Laos for up to a month instead of 15 days. Myanmar allowed Russians to put a visa at the airport on arrival, a fee of $30.
The number of countries that do not need a visa and a passport to enter has increased. In Armenia You can come from February 23 on a Russian passport - we are talking about air travel, on a Russian passport you can get into the airport. Belarus. KazakhstanKyrgyzstan, AbkhaziaSouth Ossetia.
Photo: tourprom