On April, 26, 2014, the agreement between the Governments of Russia and China (Parties) on facilitation of travelling for citizens of both countries came into force.
The main purpose of the Agreement is to simplify the procedures for obtaining visas, terms of staying and crossing the border by citizens of both countries.
Thus, in order to obtain single, double or multiple-entry visa business/commercial visa, citizens of one Party shall obtain a written invitation letter (on the letterhead of the organization) from another Party - legal entity. Legal entity can be of those: enterprise, institution or its branch, state or local government authorities, committees of trade and industrial exhibitions, conferences and symposia held on the territory of another Party.
Period of stay on the territory of each country is limited by its’ legislation. For Chinese citizens the stay in Russia cannot exceed 90 days during each period of 180 days on multiple-entry visas, stay on single and double-entry visas is limited by the period of their validity.
Foreign citizens engaged in scientific, cultural and artistic activities (including university and other exchange programs) shall also provide a written invitation letter from receiving organization in order to obtain visa.
Foreign citizens-participants of international sport events and persons professionally accompanying them shall also provide a written invitation letter from receiving organization, public authority responsible for the development of sports of the receiving Party, as well as receiving sport federations and national Olympic committees of the Parties in order to obtain visa.
The above mentioned categories of foreign citizens can also obtain a multiple-entry visa valid up to 2 years on a written invitation letter request, in case a person has been previously issued 1 year multiple entry visas within the two-year period, and visas have been “correctly used” by the owner.
An invitation letter addressed by the government agencies and companies of any form of ownership, private persons and enterprises, situated on the territories of the Parties is understood as a written invitation letter.
A written invitation letter shall contain the following information:
- Name;
- date of birth;
- sex;
- citizenship;
- number of valid travel document;
- terms and purpose of the visit;
- number of entries on the territory of the other Party;
- full name and address of thereceiving organization;
- full name and title of the person signing the invitation letter.
We would like to remind you that Chinese citizens have ever been obliged to obtain invitation letters through the competent authorities of Russia (FMSD, MFA). It was quite hard to get it.
Recently, we’ve faced the situation when the FMSD of Moscow doesn’t accept the documents for obtaining invitation letters for Chinese citizens at all. The FMSD officials refer to this agreement and offer to representatives to make a written invitation letters by themselves.
It now shall take not more than 5 working days from the date of receiving all the necessary documents to proceed the documents for visa by the diplomatic representation and consular institutions of the Parties. In some cases the term may be extended up to 10 working days.
In urgent cases this term may be reduced up to 3 or even 1 working day.
The visa charges are as following:
- single-entry visa - $ 50
- double-entry visa - $ 100
- multiple-entry visa - $ 150
- single transit visa - $ 50
- double transit visa - $ 100
For a 1 working day urgent visa additional fee of $ 70 will be charged, for 3 working days urgent visa $ 30.
Members of sea and river vessels of Russia or China can enter and stay in the city where the port is situated without visa on the valid seaman's book (identity document).
In case of crossing the border of the city or district (county), where the port is situated, these persons should apply for a visa in advance.
Members of aircraft crews of appointed and not appointed airline institutions of the Russia and China doing regular and irregular (additional, charter, single) passenger and cargo flights between the airports of Russia and China can enter and stay on the territory of another Party on valid travel document without a visa if they are included in the general declaration of the flight.
The full version of the agreement is available here.
For additional information please contact consultants of Confidence Group.
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