China and Russia discuss simplifying of visa processes for Chinese visiting Russia

China and Russia have agreed to flag off simplifying visa processes for Chinese travellers wanting to visit Russia, according to Oleg Safonov, Russian Federal Tourism Agency (Rosturism) Head.

Earlier, Safonov met Li Jinzao, China National Tourism Administration Chairman, on 9 June to thresh out new bilateral contracts to reduce the limit on visa-free group travel to Russia from the existing five to three persons.

Safonov was quoted by Sputnik News as saying that China had supported its proposal and they had discussed about when the changes could be put in place.

Both the countries agreed to work towards making simpler visa procedures and lowering the price of Russian visas for Chinese tourists, which currently are priced at 10,000 rubles (about $156) per visa, Safonov added. He said that discussions also touched upon introducing multiple-entry and long-term visas.

According to Rosturism’s Deputy Head, the number of tourists from China travelling to Russia in organised groups rose by 47 percent in the first four months of 2016. Russian tourism agency data revealed that 1.36 million tourists from China visited Russia in 2015.