Mutual recognition of visas between Belarus and the Russian Federation in the tourism industry has been waiting for more than 10 years - Guly

Since January 11, Russia and Belarus have simplified the visa regime for foreigners. The agreement on mutual recognition of visas between the two countries has entered into force.

"Since the active development of inbound tourism in 2014, when the Ice Hockey World Cup attracted foreign tourists and allowed many international partners to visit the country without a visa, serious investments have begun in the tourism infrastructure, especially in the hotel sector. Since that time, difficulties have arisen, or rather, the inability to organize tours that would include visits to both countries, which would make such offers more attractive," said Philip Gulyi.

During the Soviet era, the Moscow-Minsk–Leningrad tour was one of the most sought-after tours. And now citizens of the EAEU and those who have a visa from Russia or Belarus will be able to travel around the Union State.

"This is long-awaited and pleasant news. However, this does not solve our issues with the Chinese market and other aspects. Also, most of the tourist flow will be directed to Russia, where it is technically much easier and cheaper to obtain a visa, which may negatively affect the host tour operators of Belarus. However, in general, the situation is good for the development of the export of travel services and for Belarusian hotels," said Philip Gulyi.

Also, tourists with a single-entry Russian visa or participating in visa-free group tourist trips, after leaving Russia and going to Belarus, will not be able to return to Russia and will have to arrange their return flight home from Belarus.

According to Philip Gulogo, this limits the logistical possibilities of tourists due to the very narrow range of flight programs from Minsk compared to Moscow. At the same time, it is worth looking at how this process will technically take place in reality, how documents such as residence permits and others will be processed.

"But in any case, this is a positive, useful and expected step that strengthens the capabilities of the Union State. And a big breakthrough for our cross-product and cross-marketing to the markets of third countries, which is very timely in the context of market transformation and the formation of macro-regions and a pool of friendly countries," said the Chairman of the Board of the Republican Union of the Travel Industry.

The document establishes border crossing rules for third-country nationals and stateless persons, including sections that were previously accessible only to Russians and Belarusians. Foreign citizens with a visa from one of these countries will no longer need to apply for a separate visa to visit another country if they plan to travel to both.

If a tourist comes from a third country, his stay will be counted from the moment he crosses the border of one of the states. The agreement does not apply to foreigners with entry restrictions.

It was also noted that if a visa-free regime is in effect between Russia and Belarus for citizens of a third country, then an identity document will be sufficient to visit both countries. However, if a visa is required for one of the countries, the registration of the document for the other will remain mandatory.

Foreign citizens can cross the border through the following checkpoints: Yukhovichi - Dolostsy (Opochka - Novopolotsk); Yezerishche – Nevel (Kiev - Saint Petersburg); Liozno - Kruglovka (Vitebsk - Smolensk); Radishes – Krasnaya Gorka (Minsk - Moscow); Zvenchatka - Dubovichka (Bobruisk - Moscow); Selishche – Novozybkov (Gomel - Bryansk).

There is a special procedure for crossing the Russian border for Ukrainian citizens. They can enter through Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport or the Ludonka automobile checkpoint in the Pskov region.