Russians In Cross Border Road Transport May Soon Obtain One-Year Multi Entry China Visas

The Russian government is submitting for ratification an additional agreement with China, which should significantly facilitate the mutual visa regime for logistics businesses, according to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. He said that after the document comes into force, all Russians who are engaged in road transport from China will be able to obtain a multiple-entry Chinese visa for one year, regardless of which region of Russia they are registered in.

This additional protocol to the Agreement between Russia and China on facilitating travel for their citizens was signed in August last year. However, it will only become effective after it has been ratified by both the Russian and Chinese sides.

The document aims to simplify the process of obtaining visas for those involved in road transport between Russia and China. It should increase the venues where a visa is issued in a more simplified manner, while expanding the list of citizens who can apply for a multiple-entry annual visa.

Mishustin said “Drivers and members of transport crews, freight forwarders and translators from regions along the border of Russia and China will have a simplified visa regime. After the document is ratified, all our citizens who are engaged in international road transport to China will be able to apply for a multiple-entry visa for one year, regardless of their place of residence. We hope that such a decision will contribute to the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between Russian and Chinese entrepreneurs and will help them reduce both the cost of delivery and the time it takes for customers to receive goods.”

Visa processing offices will not be located only in border areas. As follows from the previous explanations, car carriers will be able to apply for a multiple-entry Chinese visa to all representative offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Transport and its subordinate organisations with their regional branches.

This expansion of the multiple-entry Chinese visa procedure will increase the number of drivers with such a visa, and the volumes. The ability of applying for a visa in any region of Russia will shorten the waiting time and is likely to reduce the cost of shipping goods from China by road vehicles.