Agreement With Japan To Simplify Visa Regime

An agreement between Russia and Japan simplifying the issuance of visas for citizens of those countries was ratified on December 30, 2012.

The agreement stipulates simplified procedures for issuing single-entry (for duration up to 3 months) and multi-entry (up to 3 years) visas for a list of persons including representatives of commercial entities and mass media, participants of official exchange programs between sister cities or other administrative-territorial entities, participants of educational, scientific, art and other cultural activities, participants of international sport events, entrepreneurs, as well as spouses and children under 21 years of age of the citizens of one of the countries residing legally in the other country.

The Agreement establishes the list of documents necessary for visa application. The visa is to be issued within 10 days from the date of application. In cases when documents require additional investigation, the term may be extended up to 30 work days. Payment is required only for an expedited procedure, while some categories, such as disabled persons, are exempt even from this fee.