ID :
175738
Sat, 04/16/2011 - 08:13
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/175738
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Russia, Turkey shift to visaless regimen
ANKARA, April 16 (Itar-Tass) -- The agreement between the governments
of Russia and Turkey on the conditions of mutual trips by citizens of the
two countries entered into force on Saturday. It was signed in Ankara on
May 12, 2010 during President Dmitry Medvedev's first visit to Turkey. The
last finishing touch to the practical application of these arrangements
was made in March this year with the ratification of the agreement on
readmission.
The easier visa regimen enables people in either country to travel to
the other without wasting time on visa procedures at the embassies or at
the border. As Russian general consul in Ankara Alexei Shivanov told
Itar-Tass, the agreement establishes a 30-day period during which the
citizen who has, for example, a standard Russian foreign passport can
continuously stay in the territory of Turkey.
"There are certain restrictions, though. Russians and Turks may stay
in the other state without a visa for a total of 90 days during a 180-day
period. That is, within six months they can enter and leave the territory
of the country without any restrictions, but they may stay there for no
more than 90 days," he said. For longer visits the applicants will have to
turn to the consular authorities to obtain visas, as before. The agreement
leaves in place restrictions for citizens entering the territory of the
other state in connection with employment, for studies or other purposes
requiring presence over 30 days.
"Finally, the agreement establishes sanctions for those who have
exceeded for various reasons the term of visa-free stay in the other
country. The average fine is 160-170 dollars, but this amount may vary
depending on the number of overdue days," said the diplomat. The Turkish
authorities will also give an opportunity "to all casual abusers to
quickly and easily pay the fine at the airport." Habitual offenders or
those who have grossly violated the rules of presence in the territory of
the neighboring states may be deported and, in addition to the fine, get a
five-year ban on entry.
of Russia and Turkey on the conditions of mutual trips by citizens of the
two countries entered into force on Saturday. It was signed in Ankara on
May 12, 2010 during President Dmitry Medvedev's first visit to Turkey. The
last finishing touch to the practical application of these arrangements
was made in March this year with the ratification of the agreement on
readmission.
The easier visa regimen enables people in either country to travel to
the other without wasting time on visa procedures at the embassies or at
the border. As Russian general consul in Ankara Alexei Shivanov told
Itar-Tass, the agreement establishes a 30-day period during which the
citizen who has, for example, a standard Russian foreign passport can
continuously stay in the territory of Turkey.
"There are certain restrictions, though. Russians and Turks may stay
in the other state without a visa for a total of 90 days during a 180-day
period. That is, within six months they can enter and leave the territory
of the country without any restrictions, but they may stay there for no
more than 90 days," he said. For longer visits the applicants will have to
turn to the consular authorities to obtain visas, as before. The agreement
leaves in place restrictions for citizens entering the territory of the
other state in connection with employment, for studies or other purposes
requiring presence over 30 days.
"Finally, the agreement establishes sanctions for those who have
exceeded for various reasons the term of visa-free stay in the other
country. The average fine is 160-170 dollars, but this amount may vary
depending on the number of overdue days," said the diplomat. The Turkish
authorities will also give an opportunity "to all casual abusers to
quickly and easily pay the fine at the airport." Habitual offenders or
those who have grossly violated the rules of presence in the territory of
the neighboring states may be deported and, in addition to the fine, get a
five-year ban on entry.
