The Federal law ratifies the Agreement Between the Russian Federation and the European Union on Simplifying Visa Procedures for Citizens of the Russian Federation and the European Union.
The Agreement provides for simplifying the visa regime and procedures for issuing single-entry visas valid for a period of up to three months, as well as issuing multiple-entry visas for certain categories of citizens.
In particular, the simplified regime will apply to: members of official delegations; entrepreneurs and representatives of commercial organisations; drivers and transport personnel engaged in international transport; journalists; members of cultural, academic and educational communities; students and school children; participants in international sporting events; and a number of other categories of citizens.
In addition, the Agreement will harmonise visa fees and clearly lay out the time frame required for obtaining visas.
The Agreement is designed to develop and enhance contacts between the citizens of the Russian Federation and those of the European Union.