Russia introduces visa liberalisation for Georgians

Russia has completely reversed its tough stance on Georgian tourists by introducing simplified visa-procedures. Today Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement that said from tomorrow, December 23, all Georgian citizens can enjoy simplified visa procedures with Russia.

The Russian side stressed the country had taken this step because it "strived for positive relations with Georgia”.

In the context of the ongoing process of normalising Russia-Georgia relations and to stimulate positive developments between the two countries, from December 23, 2015 citizens of Georgia will be issued business, work, education and humanitarian visas … and private visas regardless of the relationship between the visitor and the [Russian] host who made the invitation, issued in the prescribed manner by the Russian Federal Migration Service,” read the Russia Foreign Ministry’s statement.

This does not exclude future visa-free travel between Georgia and Russia achieved through mutual cooperation,” the Russian body added.

Russia's Foreign Ministry also released the statement on its official Twitter page:

Для стимулирования позитивных тенденций для граждан Грузии приняты меры визовой либерализации https://t.co/Clntlszu9y

— МИД России (@MID_RF) December 22, 2015

In December 2000 Russia introduced a visa regime with Georgia and in 2006 it carried out a mass deportatation of Georgians from Russia.

After the Russia-Georgia war in 2008, Georgian citizens were only awarded a visa to travel to Russia if they had been invited by very close relatives.

Georgia’s former government annulled visas for Russian tourists in 2011 however Russia maintained its complicated procedures, until now.

Today the Russian Foreign Ministry said it was "determined” to continue to take steps to alleviate the conditions of communication between the citizens of the two nations.

This action by Russia comes only days after the European Commission released its positive visa liberalisation progress report for Georgia, which leads the way to EU visa-free travel for Georgian citizens.

On December 17 – one day before the EU report was due to be released – Russian president Vladimir Putin said: "Yes, I think we are ready to cancel the visa regime with Georgia."

Georgia's Prime Minister said before the Russia's Foreign Ministry statement that it would be a step in the right direction. Photo by the Prime Minister's webpage.

While responding to the news today, Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said this action by Russia was a "step in the right direction.”

"Equally important are the interests of our many compatriots living in Russia - business people and other citizens – who have a stake in simplified visa procedures. For them it is important to have as many obstacles removed as possible regarding travel between the two countries,” said the Georgian official.