Jamaica Waives Visas for Russian Tourists

Jamaica News: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says Russian tourists, entering Jamaica, will no longer be required to use visas.

Mr. Bartlett, who was at the Sangster International Airport on Friday (Oct. 26) to greet 300 Russian passengers, who came in on Nordwind Airlines inaugural flight from Moscow, said the decision is based on an agreement that was signed between the countries almost a month ago in New York.

“We have abandoned and abolished visas. You are the last set to arrive in Jamaica with visa restrictions. The next set of Russians to enter Jamaica will not be required to have visas, which will allow them to have the benefit of staying in Jamaica for 90 days,” he noted.

Jamaica and Russia have signed a reciprocal agreement to waive the visa requirement for travel to their respective countries. The agreement allows Jamaicans and Russians to spend up to 90 days per year for tourism, cultural exchange or business purposes.

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“Our hard working Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, signed the agreement with her Russian counterpart at the 73rd session at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 27,” Mr. Bartlett noted.

“It is expected that the visa waiver will not only facilitate increased people to people exchanges, but will support the growth of tourism and increased opportunities for both countries,” he added.

Minister Bartlett, in welcoming Nordwind, noted that the initial arrangement is for flights into Jamaica once every ten days.

“We are also planning for visitor facilitation by improving on the airport facilities, including Customs and Immigration,” he said.

Source: JIS News