The agreement on mutual recognition of visas between Belarus and Russia is scheduled to take effect by the year’s end, according to Belarus’ Ambassador to Russia, Dmitry Krutoi.
Such an agreement has been in place since June 19, 2020, when it was officially signed in Minsk to create a comprehensive legal framework regulating the movement of foreign nationals and stateless individuals across the Belarus-Russia border, VisaGuide.World reports.
Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the importance of this agreement by ratifying it through legislation, which addresses various aspects related to the entry of foreign nationals and stateless persons into the State of the Union.
The first important topic in this field is our visa agreement for third-country nationals, which was signed a long time ago. Intensive work is underway. Today, a task has been set to finalize the action plan by the 25th anniversary of the Union State Treaty.
Agreement Expected to Be Enforced on December 8, 2024
As BelTAT reports, the Ambassador further elaborated that the plan is nearing completion, indicating that the unified information system is on the verge of readiness.
He emphasized that the agreement is anticipated to be enforced by December 8. This development is poised to exert a substantial influence on tourism and business dynamics, significantly easing border crossings for residents of both nations.
Moreover, in March 2023, Russia and Belarus signed an agreement to recognize each other’s visas reciprocally, a move poised to streamline travel for foreign nationals holding visas for either nation.
Under its provisions, individuals holding a valid visa or permit for Russia or Belarus would enjoy unimpeded entry into the counterpart country, bypassing additional visa requirements. Basically, those who have a visa for Russia will have the right to enter and stay in Belarus for the duration specified on their visa and vice versa.
VisaGuide Passport Index for March 2024 has unveiled the position of Russian passport holders, placing them in 94th place globally. This positioning allows citizens of Russia the privilege of visa-free travel to 88 countries around the world. However, to enter the remaining countries, individuals holding Russian passports are required to undergo a visa application process.
At the same time, the VisaGuide Passport Index also reveals the status of Belarusian passport holders, ranking them 107th globally as of March 2024. This ranking allows citizens of Belarus visa-free access to 49 countries around the globe. However, to enter the remaining countries, Belarusian passport holders must obtain visas in advance. As of March 2024, individuals with Belarusian passports can enjoy visa-free travel to 49 countries.