Mongolia and Russia signed an agreement on terms for the reciprocal visa-free travel of citizens during Russian President V.Putin's 5-hour visit to Mongolia on September 3rd.

A representative of the Department of Law and Treaty of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, A.Tumur, said that the agreement is not yet effective. The agreement will be effective when related regulations required to make it work are complied with.

The government must first approve the agreement and will cooperate with Russia on implementing the new policy. Russia will also notify the Government of Mongolia of the finalization of its own regulations required to support the agreement. Within 30 days of the reciprocal notices of internal regulations being complete, the agreement will be effective. A.Tumur said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working to have the agreement and regulations passed by the Government soon.

When the agreement becomes effective, passport holders of both countries will be allowed to travel visa-free for up to 30 days in a single visit.

Passport holders of both countries should not stay longer than 90 days over a period of six months or 180 days since from the date of their first entry under the visa-free travel terms. Those looking to stay longer than 30 days for temporary residence, work or business should apply for a visa.  When the agreement is effective, all kinds of passport holders, including ordinary passport holders, will be able to travel to Russia without a visa.

According to the agreement, no invitation will be required to travel visa-free.