Russian President Vladimir Putin canceled the visa regime for citizens of Georgia. The decision enters into force on May 15 of this year.
The document is published on the official Internet portal of legal information. It states that from May 15, 2023, "citizens of Georgia may enter the Russian Federation and leave the Russian Federation without obtaining visas on the basis of valid documents certifying their identity (passport of a citizen of Georgia, diplomatic passport, service passport, seaman's book, travel card document for return) to Georgia), except for citizens who enter the country for the purpose of working or for a period of more than 90 days for a temporary stay in the country, in particular for the purpose of obtaining an education.
In addition, one-time three-month visas are issued to Georgian employees of the Section of the Interests of Georgia at the Embassy of Switzerland in the Russian Federation and their family members. It is noted that after the accreditation of such employees, they and their families can enter the Russian Federation and leave the Russian Federation without obtaining visas for the entire period of accreditation.
Putin signed the document today, May 10.
Russia introduced a visa regime for Georgian citizens in 2000. Georgia unilaterally canceled the visa regime for Russians in February 2012.
In March, the head of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots, Leonid Kalashnikov, said that Russia and Georgia are on the verge of resuming direct air travel, as well as canceling visas.
