U.S. visas move to three-year
On the main page of the official website of the Embassy USA Since September 9, the visa regime between the two countries has been significantly simplified. First of all, the cost of a US visa for tourist and business trips is reduced fivefold, to $ 20. However, the consular fee remains the same, $160. In addition, tourists will be able to obtain a multiple entry three-year visa. And one more pleasant change: there will be no need to provide an official invitation, although Americans wishing to visit Russia, the condition of confirming hotel reservations and agreements with the tour operator remains. But U.S. citizens are equal in rights with Russians: the period of their stay in Russia increases from 90 days to six months. It is noteworthy that in the press release of the Embassy, the visa agreement that enters into force is called historic.
Andrey Prishchepov, Head of the U.S. Department at Russian Express, noted a pattern: with each simplification of the visa regime with America, a 30-35 percent increase in the number of bookings entails. “Undoubtedly, the next liberalization will significantly affect the tourist flow,” the expert believes.
On October 30, Aeroflot resumes flights to Miami with a frequency of three times a week, discontinued in 2000. We can assume that with such a fundamental simplification of entry into the United States, they will be in demand. Even though there are four weekly flights to Miami, Transaero.
Life will be easier for cruise companies. Deputy Director General of Breeze Line Ilya Milititsky noted that the reduction in the cost of a visa against the background of quite high prices for this type of vacation does not play a big role. But the reduction of the required package of documents, as well as the three-year validity of the visa, will undoubtedly attract additional tourists to cruises along the American coast. In addition, for some of them, the procedure for obtaining American visas is still frightening for some reason, Milititsky said.
Source:http://www.tourdom.ru