Putin establishes special procedure for foreigners to enter Chukotka

The corresponding amendments to introduce a simplified visa regime were included in a law signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to the law, foreigners can enter Chukotka where a free port regime is in effect. In addition, entry will be permitted to any of the four Far Eastern regions where a special regime has been established – the Primorye and Khabarovsk Territories, Sakhalin Region and Kamchatka.

In order to obtain a visa, foreign citizens will have to log on to a special website created by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and complete an application. If approved, the visa will be issued right at the Russian border. The application review period is 4 days. The visa will be valid for 30 days from the time it is issued with a permitted stay in Russia of up to 8 days. The visa will be free of charge.

Based on a presidential decree, the Chukotka Autonomous District has been recognized as a territory of Russia’s Arctic zone since 2014.