For foreign relatives of Russians proposed to simplify the issuance of visas

They can cancel the “rule of 90 days”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposes to simplify the procedure for issuing visas to foreigners who have relatives in our country. On December 12, the discussion of the draft of the corresponding resolution of the Government of Russia began.

Now a foreign citizen who is in Russia is issued a visa only if he has a permit for a continuous stay in this country for more than 90 days. This restriction was introduced in 2007 in order not to create preferences for citizens of states that refuse to issue visas to Russians in third countries. However, there are exceptions: a visa can be issued and issued by the decision of the head of the diplomatic mission or consulate of Russia to participate in international and domestic official, economic, socio-political, scientific, cultural, religious and sports events, as well as for emergency treatment or in case of severe illness or death of a close relative living in our country.

Another option is by decision of the Foreign Ministry on the basis of the international principle of reciprocity. According to Ministry officials, the 90-day rule should not apply to those foreigners who have close relatives in Russia. Moreover, granting them a privilege in the form of the possibility of obtaining visas in any third country is fully consistent with the article of the Constitution, which guarantees the protection of the family, motherhood and childhood by the state, the equal right and duty of parents to take care of children and educate them, and also obliges able-bodied children who have reached 18 years old, care for disabled parents.