Russia extends visa-free stay for truckers from CIS and Georgia 

ArmInfo.Starting in July, truckers from Georgia and the CIS will be able to spend a total of 180 days a year in Russia without a visa while transporting cargo.  The respective decision was signed by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail  Mishustin and published on the official portal of legal information  of Russia. 

The document states that the extended temporary stay in Russia  applies to a "separate category of foreign citizens" – those with  passports from countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States  (CIS) and Georgia. The second condition for the extended stay is  documented professional activity by the driver, engaged in  international transportation. The third condition is crossing the  Russian border "in a visa free manner" by submitting an entry  application for the international cargo transportation. Under the new  rules, which will come into effect on June 30, such drivers will be  allowed to spend a total of six months in Russia per calendar year,  beginning on the day of their first entry. The length of stay is  calculated cumulatively. A new countdown begins at the end of the  year.

Recall, Armenian truckers previously complained about the limited  90-day stay they could enjoy in Russia.  Given the significant  downtime at the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint, they found themselves in a  difficult situation, facing possible deportation and a ban on  entering Russia.