Visa-free travel to Russia imminent

MAYIHLOME Tshwete,
spokesperson for the
Department of Home
Affairs, confirmed to TNW
that Minister Malusi Gigaba
had granted the visa
waiver to nationals of the
Russian Federation and
implementation from the
Russian Federation would
be any time between now
and April. “The visa waiver
was not implemented
awaiting reciprocity from
the Russian Federation,
which has indicated its
acceptance and willingness
to reciprocate, but needed
to follow its government’s
internal processes.” He
says the process has now
been concluded.
 A spokesperson for the
Embassy of the Russian
Federation in South Africa,
said visa-free travel was
expected to come into
effect by March 31 but at
this stage visas are still
required.
According to Alexander
Yakovenko‚ Ambassador of
the Russian Federation to
the UK‚ South Africa and
Russia will abolish visas for
trips of up to 90 days from
the end of March.