Tourist Ferry Passengers Granted Visa-Free Entry to Russia's Murmansk

Previously, such an opportunity was available only to cruise ship passengers.

MURMANSK (Sputnik) —  Murmansk has been added to the list of ports allowing three-day visa-free entry for foreign passengers arriving onboard tourist ferries, the local government press service reported.

“Foreign nationals and stateless persons are now able to stay in the region for 72 hours without a visa when visiting the seaport of Murmansk as part of tour groups arriving onboard ferries,” the press service reported.

The local authorities expect the new regulations to boost interest in the tourist potential of the Kola Peninsula. Currently, the reconstruction of the Murmansk seaport’s building is nearing completion while the construction of the border checkpoint is ongoing. In the beginning of 2015, the long-distance dock was rebuilt, where passenger cruise ships moor.

“The successful implementation of projects to develop passenger port infrastructure will enable the port of Murmansk to become a unique cruise and ferry hub of Arctic tourism,” the authorities said.

Recently, the Murmansk Region has welcomed more tourists from Asia, China, in particular. They are primarily interested in nuclear-powered icebreaker cruises to the North Pole. Khibiny, with its modern ski resorts, remains a popular vacation destination. Tourists can visit the world’s first nuclear-powered icebreaker, the Lenin, and ancient churches of the Kola Region. They can also learn about the life of indigenous people – the Saami and Pomors.

To date, there are 12 ports listed in the Russian Government’s resolution on regulations for foreign citizens and stateless persons arriving in the Russian Federation on ferries that hold permits for passenger transportation.