Simplified visa issuance suspended for certain travelers

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Russian government has suspended simplified visa issuance for certain travelers from specific countries.

 Key Points:

• As of April 4, journalists, diplomatic passport holders and members of official delegations from EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the U.S. can no longer use simplified application processes to apply for Russian visas.
• The suspension of the simplified visa process does not apply to business travelers or close relatives of foreign nationals living in Russia.

Additional Information: Additional entry restrictions may be placed on other foreign nationals and stateless persons who are deemed unfriendly. Russian authorities have canceled one-year visas for official delegations and journalists as well as five-year visas for certain government officials.

BAL Analysis: The Russian government has suspended the simplified visa issuance program in response to the sanctions imposed on the country, following the war in Ukraine. Employers and employees are reminded that actions taken as a result of the ongoing war in Ukraine can change with little or no notice.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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