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I am perfectly aware that the Soviet Union no longer exists, but a certain other Russian poster here seems to think otherwise...
Here is the list of countries whose citizens don't need a visa to enter the U.S. as tourists:
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Canada
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
the Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Portugal
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
United Kingdom
Leaving out the four micro-states on the list, that's 35 rich, First World countries whose citizens can come to the U.S. without a visa.
Now let's take a look at Russia's visa-free list for ordinary (non-diplomatic) passport holders:
Argentina
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Croatia
Cuba
Ecuador
Guatemala
Israel
Kazakstan
Kyrgyzstan
Macedonia
Moldova
Montenegro
Nicaragua
Peru
Serbia
Tajikistan
Thailand
Turkey
Ukraine
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
That's 28 countries, only ONE of which can reasonably be described as a rich First World country. (I didn't include the two fake countries that Russia recognizes but that no one else does.)
Now which group do you think represents the more desirable (and lucrative) source of tourism?
The US list is full of 1st-world countries because the US requires people to have a certain economic status in order to get in. I have difficulty believing that anyone from Taiwan, Brunei, or Czech Republic would be able to enter the US visa-free. Must be due to defense treaties with Taiwan and Brunei...? The Russia list is interesting; it looks like a combination of USSR-era client states, and post-Soviet spin-off states. Hmm...notice that the Baltic States aren't listed.
Last edited by Ruth4Truth; 11-25-2012 at 05:43 PM..
The US list is full of 1st-world countries because the US requires people to have a certain economic status in order to get in. I have difficulty believing that anyone from Taiwan, Brunei, or Czech Republic would be able to enter the US visa-free. Must be due to defense treaties with Taiwan and Brunei...? The Russia list is interesting; it looks like a combination of USSR-era client states, and post-Soviet spin-off states. Hmm...notice that the Baltic States aren't listed.
[Mod cut: you can discuss the entry visa to the US in a separate thread. This is about travel to Russia]
There are no EU countries on the Russia list, hence no Baltic States. I assume Croatia will drop out of the list as it joins the EU.
Anyway, getting back on topic: I know that Russia is a beautiful country with incredible scenery and countless historical treasures.
But so are many other places that don't require a visa -- tourists can just show up at the airport or border and be welcomed into those countries with very little fuss. Amazing concept, isn't it?
Was just reading an article about this winter's first major snowfalls across Europe, there was one funny pic of Moscow, seems one of those Mafiosi forgot to put winter tires on his sports car
Was just reading an article about this winter's first major snowfalls across Europe, there was one funny pic of Moscow, seems one of those Mafiosi forgot to put winter tires on his sports car
"The Foreign Ministry on Tuesday threatened the European Union with "retaliation" if visa-free travel is not introduced in time for the Sochi Olympics in February 2014...
"That agreement, which would introduce long-term, multiple-entry visas for visiting businessmen, journalists and NGO workers, has been up in the air due to a spat over so-called service passport holders.
Moscow says it wants to include visa-free travel for holders of these non-diplomatic passports, which include a wide range of government officials. EU negotiators have refused to do so, citing security concerns and the fact that many of the bloc's member states do not possess such a passport category."
Yep.
(So what do you think about those "winter tires" now? )
I think BIMBAM's comment is spot on -- it's not "difficult", but it's not as easy as many other places where you basically have _nothing_ to do to visit. As a Canadian citizen, Russia, Belarus and Macedonia are the only 3 European countries for which I need a tourist visa. I'm sure that's a deterrent for some people.
Was just reading an article about this winter's first major snowfalls across Europe, there was one funny pic of Moscow, seems one of those Mafiosi forgot to put winter tires on his sports car
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