Estonia may introduce less restrictive visa regime for Russian tourists

The Estonian Ministry of Internal Affairs is preparing to introduce a less restrictive system for the granting of short-term entry visas to Russian tourists. It is proposed that short-term tourist visas will be issued within a period of three to five days, and that, in addition, tourists wishing to visit Estonia will no longer be required to obtain a written invitation.

As reported to a Rosbalt correspondent by a representative of the Estonian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the new visa regime is above all intended to attract to the republic those tourists wishing to shop, attend cultural events, or simply to spend the weekend in Estonia. Until now, Russian tourists wishing to obtain a visa had to make use of tourist agencies, or else obtain an invitation from Estonia.

According to the Estonian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the new regime should also simplify visits by Russians who have relatives buried in Estonia. In addition to citizens of the Russian Federation, the new regime for the issuance of short-term visas will also affect all other citizens of the former USSR. The government of Estonia will establish a special working group to work out and introduce the new regime.