Russia Plan in Introduce Cashless ‘Tourist Card’ & E-Visa

 / Go to the mediabankA tourist takes pictures on Red Square, Moscow. / Go to the mediabankMOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Russian Economy Ministry is planning to create a so-called tourist card for cashless payments for foreign citizens in Russia and relaunch the e-visa project to facilitate travel in Russia, Economic Development Minister Maksim Reshetnikov said on Monday.

"In order to increase it [incoming tourist flow], it is necessary… to create a Tourist Card, with which foreign citizens will be able to pay based on bank transfers," Reshetnikov said during a meeting with tourism industry representatives.

In addition, the ministry will work on reviving the e-visa to make traveling to Russia more available and attractive to foreigners, he said. © Sputnik / Eugene Odinokov / Go to the mediabankExperts predict influx of foreign tourists to RussiaExperts predict influx of foreign tourists to Russia / Go to the mediabankA short-term e-visa was supposed to start operating in Russia from January 1, 2021. However, due to COVID-19, the issuance of unified electronic visas was suspended until further notice by the Russian government. The unified electronic visa is currently single-entry. Its validity period is 60 days from the date of registration while the foreign citizen is permitted to stay in Russia for no more than 16 days from the date of entry.Initially, plans stipulated that unified e-visas for citizens of 52 countries would be accepted at at least 92 check points on the Russian border.

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