Russian visas blog

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that a visa facilitation agreement with the European Union was the first step toward visa-free travel.

Russia and the European Union earlier Thursday signed agreements on visa facilitation and readmission at the Russia-EU summit in southern Russian resort city of Sochi.

“To start with, the simplified visa issuance procedure will be available to students, journalists, businessmen, culture activists, scientists and athletes,” Putin said. “But this decision is the first step towards the introduction of visa-free regime for citizens of Russia and the European Union.”

“I am positive that the introduction of new simplified visa regulations will soon become an impetus for the expansion of humanitarian cooperation, as well as for the joint work and interaction of artistic and scientific intelligentsia, young people and students,” Putin said.

He added that summit participants hoped the new agreements on visa facilitation and readmission would come into force by the end of the year.

Source: RIA Novosti

Please be advised that Russian Embassy in Washington DC and Russian Consulates in New York, San-Francisco, Houston and Seattle will be closed on May 1st and May 9th in observance of the official Russian holidays. It will also affect processing time for Russian business visa ivnitations covering those dates.

Russian Embassy in Washington DC will also be closed on May 2nd.

Thank you.

Russia-visa.com

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.