Russian visas blog

Please be advised that Russian Embassy is closed for all Russian National Holidays:

• January 1 - New Year Day
• January 7 - Orthodox Chirstmas
• February 23 - Motherland Defenders Day
• March 8th - International Women’s Day
• May 1 - Spring and Labor Day
• May 9 - WWII Victory Day
• June 12 - Independence day
• November 4 - Day of the National Unity

The New Year is first on the calendar and in popularity. Many celebrate it twice, on January 1 and 14 (which conesponds to January 1 in the Julian calendar, used in Russia before 1918.

Next is February 23, Day, known until recently as Soviet Army Day, popularly viewed as holiday for all men and closely followed by its female counter-part, Women’s Day, March 8, when women receive flowers, presents and are toasted by men.

Mayday, until recently officially termed International Workers’ Solidarity Day, is now known as Spring and Labour Day. On some years, it occurs on or close to with Russian Orthodox Easter, so some people celebrate in church while some attend customary demonstrations.

Russia celebrates Victory Day on May 9 to commemorate the millions fallen in World War II. Flowers and wreaths are laid on wartime graves on this day, and veterans come out into the streets wearing their military orders and medals. Alas, there are fewer of them with every passing year.

June 12 is Russia’s Independence Day, which commemorates the adoption in 1991 of the Declaration of Sovereignty of the Russian Federation.

November 4 - Day of the National Unity is the newest Russian holiday.

Embassy of Russian Federation might be also closed for some US holidays. Please check with us first for all time-snsetive applications.

Russia and the European Union will sign agreements on simplifying visa and readmission regulations no later than the summit scheduled for May, an EU official said Wednesday.”We are planning to sign the agreements during the summit if not before it,” European Commission Vice President Franco Frattini said.

The Russia-EU summit is due to be held May 25 at the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Russia and the EU agreed last year to ease visa regulations for certain categories of travelers, with the former pledging to readmit illegal immigrants deported from EU countries.

Frattini said the signing of the agreements would cut red tape in visa registration, reduce the costs of the procedure and facilitate contacts between people. He added that expert groups would work on the issue and that the EU expected the documents to come into effect by the end of the year.

Frattini said the signing would be a step toward visa-free travel, which was the ultimate objective.

Source: RIA Novosti