Moscow, Sep 10 (IANS/RIA Novosti): An agreement between Russia and the US on simplifying visa regulations between the two countries came into force Sunday (Sep 9).
Moscow and Washington had signed the agreement to ease visa requirements between the two countries in November 2011.
Under the new rules, businessmen and tourists will get three-year multi-entry visas, while government officials of both states will be able to receive one-year multi-entry visas.
The price of US visas for Russian nationals will fall to $180, down from $260 for a two-year visa previously.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Saturday said that it hopes the new agreement "will not only provide for active development of the whole complex of economic, cultural, scientific and humanitarian relations, but will also form a favourable background for further liberalisation of the bilateral visa regime, including lifting it completely".