2013 SU Update: Kazan 2013 Participants to enjoy Visa-Free Entry into Russia

GORKI/KAZAN – President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev signed the Decree Concerning the Procedure for Entry into and Exit from the Russian Federation for Foreign Citizens and Persons without Citizenship in Connection with the Organization and Holding of the 27th Summer Universiade in Kazan.

The visa-free entry for Universiade participants was guaranteed in the Kazan 2013 Bid Book. Upon the initiative of the Kazan 2013 Organizing Committee and under the careful guidance of Igor Shuvalov, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, the draft decree has been developed and underwent an extensive approval process over a whole year.

According to the Decree No 354 of March 30, 2012, all foreign citizens participating in the 2013 Summer Universiade, including judges and referees, will be given the right to travel to Russia without a visa. By estimates, up to 13,500 athletes are expected to come to Kazan in 2013. Under the Decree, a visa-free entry into the territory of the Russian Federationwill be granted to athletes for the period of June 25-July 25, 2013 based on their ID and personal invitations confirming their accreditation to the 2013 Games. President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev ordered the Government to take all required steps to ensure the Decree is put into effect.

In addition, the draft documents ensuring duty-free import of goods by participants and visitors of the 2013 Summer Universiade into the territory of Russia were devised and submitted to the Euro-Asian Economic Commission (EAEC) by the Kazan 2013 Organizing Committee.

Despite the fact that Russia has already experienced such practice – in 2008 a visa-free entry procedure was established for participants and spectators of the UEFA Champions League final match in Moscow, for Kazan this decision is a high priority in the context of the host city’s sports prospects, since a visa-free access was also mentioned in Kazan’s 2015 FINA World Aquatics Championships Bid Book.

(Source: Media Department of Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate)