Russia expands visa requirements for Turkish citizens

Introducing visa requirements for regular Turkish passport owners as of April 1, 2016, Russia recently expanded the requirements for Turkish citizens with service and special passports as well.

According to an announcement on the Economy Ministry's website, the Moscow Office of the Commercial Counselor warned Turkish citizens visiting Russia. Turkish citizens holding regular, service and special passports who will visit Russia will have to get the visa compatible with their travel purposes from Russian Embassies or Consulate Generals.

However, Turkish citizens who have temporary or permanent residence permits in Russia will not be subject to the visa requirements.

Following Turkey's downing a Russian Su-24 fighter jet for violating Turkey's airspace in late November last year, Russia imposed a range of unilateral sanctions on Turkey, including a ban on food imports, an end to visa-free travel and calls on tourists to not visit Turkey.