The entry procedure into Russia could be simplified for foreign participants of international cultural, scientific and business public events

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has developed a draft decree on the procedure for entry into the Russian Federation and exit from the country for foreign citizens and stateless persons in the cases of international sporting, cultural, scientific and business public events.

The entry procedure into Russia could be simplified for foreign participants of international cultural, scientific and business public events

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has developed a draft decree on the procedure for entry into the Russian Federation and exit from the country for foreign citizens and stateless persons in the cases of international sporting, cultural, scientific and business public events.

The decree provides a simplified procedure for entry into the Russian Federation and exit from the country for foreign citizens and stateless persons, participating in international public events. It is expected that one will be able to enter the country without a visa on the basis of current documents of identification recognized in Russia and credentials in the established form issued by the event manager. The form of credential will be established in accordance with the Federal Security Service of Russia.

Today the procedure is simplified for participants of international sports competitions (athletes, coaches, team leaders and other members of foreign official delegations, field judges and other officials). These persons enter and exit Russia without a visa on the basis of current documents of identification recognized in Russia and credentials in the established form issued by the manager of international sports competition, in accordance with the Decree of the Russian Federation President №484 (May 8, 2013) “On the procedure for entry in the Russian Federation and exit from the Russian Federation for foreign citizens and stateless persons in the cases of international sports competitions”. If the new decree will be approved, the old one will become invalid.

The plan is to approve the list of international sporting, cultural, scientific and business public events and the periods of stay in Russia for foreign citizens and stateless persons that participate in these events. The list is to be formed by the ministry.

The draft decree is to undergo an independent anticorruption examination till 13 October. In case of approval, the decree will enter the force from the date of signing.