Turkey complicates issuing of multi-use visas for Russians

Issuing a visa for Russians planning to stay in Turkey for over 30 days will take about two months, or they may leave the country and cross the border again, RIA Novosti reports.

A deal on a visa regime signed between Russia and Turkey in Ankara on May 12, 2010 will come into force on April 16. Russian citizens were allowed to stay in Turkey without a visa for 30 days. The old order of visa issuing for 60 days, costing $20 at any border crossing point, was cancelled.

The Russian Tourism Industry Union said that a person needs to visit the consulate personally. He may represent his family, provided that he has a document of their approval.

Turkey has consulates in Moscow and Kazan. They are not ready to cover all requests, the press secretary of the union Irina Turina said.

The PR director of Tez Tour, Marina Makarkova, said that there has been no information on the new order of visa issuing.

The Director of Pegas Touristic, Anna Podgornaya, said that their operators have no accreditation at Turkish consulates. There was no need for that, a multi-use visa for two months could be issued at any border crossing point.

Only 5% of tourists want to stay in Turkey for over 30 days. They mainly come from the Far North.