Russia Joins ABTC Scheme

Russia has officially joined the APEC Business Travel Card scheme, allowing a greater number of business people to travel faster and more easily within the Asia-Pacific region. As a fully participating member, Russia will now permit ABTC card-holders from other APEC economies to enter its borders without a visa. Russian citizens are also eligible to apply for the card to enjoy facilitated entry into 18 other participating APEC economies without having to separately apply for visas. The move is in accordance with a decree made by President Vladimir Putin last year when Russia hosted APEC. It announced Russia’s intention to join as a full participant in the ABTC scheme. (Traveldailynews.com)