The demand for a visa at the Chinese visa centers in Russia turned into a rush, all free application quotas expired in just two days. In this respect writer “Kommersant”.
“All vacancies for obtaining a visa to China were selected by applicants two days after the country’s resumption of full-fledged work of visa centers in the Russian Federation. Yulia Otvagina, Deputy Head of the Continental Express Visa and Immigration Department, said that as of March 17, the closest free date for submission of documents in Moscow is May 23, St. Petersburg – April 20, ”he said.
Market participants added that the largest demand among Russians is from business visas. It is likely that many representatives of Russian companies will attend the Canton Fair held in Guangzhou from April 15 to May 5. Representatives of the construction, mining and manufacturing sectors apply for work visas. There is also a high demand from IT companies.
Analysts have calculated that if the visa-free groups issue is resolved by May, tourist flows to China could increase by 40% from the level before the coronavirus pandemic. However, limited air traffic has so far hampered further growth, as Russia has only 180 aircraft capable of flying without dual registration.
At the end of February, the Ministry of Transport of Russia reportedHe said the number of flights with China will increase many times this year, which will be associated with the lifting of restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resumption of visa-free travel for tourist groups.