OREANDA-NEWS. Russia is lifting the "anti-covid" ban on entry for relatives of foreigners living in the country, according to the Telegram channel of the Russian Foreign Ministry's consular department.

The posted message indicates that the "anti-covid" ban on entry to the territory of the Russian Federation no longer applies to family members of foreign citizens and stateless persons permanently residing in the territory of the Russian Federation (that is, having a residence permit in Russia). "

"Family members include husbands and wives, children, parents, grandfathers, siblings, grandchildren, grandmothers, adopted children, adoptive parents, trustees and guardians," the message explains.

The Consular Department clarified that "the entry of above-mentioned citizens into the territory of the Russian Federation is possible after showing of a copy of a document which confirms the degree of relationship (certificate of marriage, birth, and so on) or the establishment of guardianship (guardianship)."

"In addition, we remind you that in the absence of an agreement on visa-free travel between the state of citizenship of a relative and the Russian Federation, the inviting person (who in this case is a foreigner permanently residing in the Russian Federation) must apply to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia to issue an invitation, which will be the basis for the issuance of an ordinary private visa by the Russian consular office to his relative, "the Foreign Ministry added.

They recalled that "the work on making the appropriate changes to the order of the Government of the Russian Federation dated March 16, 2020 No. 635-r was initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia following the results of summarizing numerous appeals, including through social networks, of foreigners permanently residing in Russia, and also their close relatives. "

"We note that before the introduction of these changes, only family members of Russian citizens had the opportunity to enter the Russian Federation," the Russian Foreign Ministry concluded.