The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday that Russia’s agreement with Iran simplifying visa requirements for tourists, businesspersons and other categories of travelers will come into effect in two weeks.
“An agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the simplification of mutual travel among the two countries’ individual categories of citizens, signed in Tehran on November 23, 2015, comes into force on February 6,” the ministry said in a statement, according to Sputnik.
Participants in the two countries’ scientific, cultural and art events, as well as students and teachers, are included in the simplified visa regime.
“This agreement will further strengthen Russian-Iranian relations in all areas of mutual cooperation,” the ministry stressed.
Iranian Ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanaei suggested earlier this month that Tehran may unilaterally cancel tourist visas for Russian citizens.
Morteza Rahmani Movahed, the tourism deputy at the Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization told Moscow-based news agency RIA Novosti the two countries could waive visa requirements altogether “within a week” if Russia agreed on a mutual political decision.
