The Federal Law extends the validity of certain types of entry visas issued to eligible categories of foreign citizens, and simplifies the procedure for issuing entry visas to foreign tourists who wish to visit Russia.
The amendments made to Articles 25 and 254–256 of the Federal Law On the Procedure for Entry to and Exit from the Russian Federation stipulate that confirmation from a receiving organisation listed on the single federal register of tour operators is valid grounds to issue an entry visa to a foreign tourist; extend the validity of diplomatic and business visas issued to eligible categories of foreign citizens from 30 days to one year; and extend, on the basis of reciprocity, the validity of ordinary private visas from 30 days to one year, regular tourist visas to six months, and regular humanitarian visas to five years.
Article 251 of the Federal Law On the Procedure for Entry to and Exit from the Russian Federation has been revised to clarify which information the visa must contain and to set restrictions on issuing visas to foreign citizens and stateless persons.