Russian diplomatic missions abroad suspend issuing visas - Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Russia’s diplomatic missions abroad have temporarily suspended accepting documents and issuing visas, except for individuals mentioned in the Russian government’s decree, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement on Tuesday. "Russia’s diplomatic missions and consulates have temporarily suspended accepting documents, processing and issuing all categories of visas, except for visas to the above mentioned persons. Besides, the issuance of visas in the form of a digital document has been halted," the statement said. The diplomat stressed that "these measures are explained by special circumstances and were only on a temporary basis." In order to ensure national security, protect citizens’ health and prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus the Russian government decided to temporarily ban the entry to Russia from March 18 to May 1 for foreign nationals and persons without citizenship, including those coming from Belarus and Belarusian nationals. These restrictions won’t refer to staff of diplomatic missions and consulates of foreign states in Russia, international organizations and their missions, other official missions of foreign states based in Russia. They do not apply to family members of these staff, drivers employed by international services, the crews of planes and sea and river vessels, the crews of international trains, members of official delegations and holders of diplomatic, service and other private visas, issued because of the death of close relatives and those who temporarily live in Russia and transit through checkpoints at airports. Read more