Russia has finally removed visa requirements for Iranian tourists based on an agreement signed recently to ease visits between the two countries.
According to Ali Rafiei, the deputy head of Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, based on the agreement, teams and tours involving 5 to 50 people are not required to apply for visas, IRNA reported.
Levan Dzhagaryan, Russia’s ambassador to Iran, had earlier said in July that visa rules would be relaxed for Iranian travelers within three months, but his pledge has been fulfilled much sooner.
The first phase of the visa waiver plan, calling for mutual relaxation of visa procedures for people active in trade, science and tourism sectors, went into effect in February 2016. Setting the logistics of waiving visa requirements for group tours was the second phase of the plan.
Total visa-free travel is the third and final phase of the scheme, which is expected to be implemented soon. Iran issues visa on arrival at 10 airports to citizens of over 180 countries.
While Iran has mutually abolished the visa regime with Georgia and Armenia, such talks are underway with Azerbaijan, India and China.
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