In 2023, the number of traditional paper visas issued by Russian diplomatic missions and consular offices abroad increased to 840,000, which is significantly higher than the number of visas issued in 2022 (510,000), according to the diplomat. This is reported by Prensa Latina, a partner of TV BRICS.

In addition, 170,000 such documents were issued in the first five months after the launch of the unified electronic visa programme, said the head of the consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aleksei Klimov.

Of the total number of paper and electronic visas, totalling just over a million, 221,000 were issued to citizens of countries included in the list of foreign states and territories committing unfriendly acts against the Russian Federation.

Thus, the goal is not only to preserve but also to increase the interest of foreigners to visit Russia, Klimov added.

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman noted that the country is ready to “continue to keep its doors open” for all foreigners.

Photo: Prensa Latina