Russian citizens wishing to visit Israel can now apply for visas online following the launch of the Internet service. The measure, aimed at easing the application process, has been implemented after a…
Russian citizens wishing to visit Israel can now apply for visas online following the launch of the Internet service. The measure, aimed at easing the application process, has been implemented after a successful trial period.
After filing an online request for a visa, Israel`s embassy in Moscow will invite candidates having met initial criteria for a follow-up interview. Russian citizens having legally visited Israel in the past as well as those already possessing visas to the United States or Schengen countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden) will benefit from the streamlined process.
The revised procedure follows efforts by Israel`s Ministry of Tourism to ease the visa application process for Russian tourists. In 2005, the number of visitors arriving from Russia rose 22 per cent over the previous year to 68,000.
Israel`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in consultation with the Tourism Ministry, will examine implementing the new online visa application in other countries.
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