Russia Pursues Visa-Free Travel With Asian And African Countries

MOSCOW – Russia is actively pursuing visa-free agreements with numerous countries, with discussions currently underway.

According to Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, negotiations are ongoing to establish visa-free travel arrangements with several nations across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Zakharova emphasized that updates on unilateral visa-free travel agreements are typically communicated through the official channels of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Read more: China Eases Visa Regulations For Non-Nationals

Furthermore, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to implementing visa-free regimes with all countries in the Persian Gulf region. He highlighted the systematic nature of these efforts, emphasizing their importance in promoting communication, facilitating business ventures, and fostering tourism exchanges between nations.

These initiatives align with the Russian Foreign Ministry’s plans to draft intergovernmental agreements on visa-free travel for citizens of various countries, including Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Haiti, Zambia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Russia’s pursuit of visa-free travel mirrors similar efforts by other nations globally. Many countries are actively seeking to attract tourists to stimulate economic growth, particularly in the wake of the pandemic-induced challenges. Notably, Thailand has been signing visa-free agreements with various countries and is also seeking a permanent visa-free travel arrangement with China. Additionally, the Gulf Cooperation Council is engaged in discussions with European Union officials to secure a Schengen Visa waiver for its citizens as part of efforts to diversify revenue streams and facilitate economic recovery.