Russian MFA Spokesman Mikhail Kamynin Answers a Media Question about the Situation with Obtaining Russian Visas by Citizens of EU Member Countries

Question: How can you comment on reports of the difficulties that have arisen for citizens of EU countries with obtaining Russian visas to work in Russia after the changes made to Russian legislation?

Answer: The changes you are speaking of concern only the issuance of multiple-entry short stay visas to the Russian Federation. Following their adoption in October 2007 Russian legislation has become consistent with the practices adopted in the European Union countries, with the Schengen requirements and with the Russia-EU Agreement on Visa Facilitation (Art. 2). Now in Russia, as in the EU countries, a continuous stay for foreign citizens is no more than three months within half a year; previously they could stay in Russia continuously for up to 180 days.

At the same time, for foreign citizens staying in the Russian Federation on the basis of long-term contracts with Russian institutions and organizations nothing has changed.

We know, in particular, of the problems of a technical character encountered by some experts of the Commission of the European Communities participating in the implementation of a number of projects in the Russian Federation.

Our proposals on how to get out of this situation, of course, with the strict observance of the provisions of Russian law, are well known. The changes in Russian law contain no obstacles to settlement of their status by foreigners wishing to work in the Russian Federation, or requirements going beyond the scope of the practice existing in the EU countries.

For detailed information on the procedure for obtaining long-term visas for Russia, translated into the English language, our partners should consult the Federal Migration Service website at the address: www.fms.gov.ru/documents/viza/index_eng.php.

April 11, 2008