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Three days processing of visa-applications is history. “Always apply at least 15 days prior to scheduled departure. Our processing time is 10 days,” says Marit Egholm Jacobsen, head of the visa section at Norway’s Consulate General in Murmansk.

Russian President calls on the Federal Security Service (FSB) collegium to make priority to Arctic border infrastructure.

Photo: government.ru

In the most active way, I will continue to work for the introduction of visa-free traveling between Russia and the EU, Vladimir Putin says.

Are you tired of filling out a bunch of documents every time you bring your car cross the Russian border? Now, new customs procedures might make your border-crossing a bit easier.

Moscow has still not decided on when, or if, Russia should change to daylight saving time. From Sunday, there will be three hour time difference on the border to Norway and two hours to Finland.

Finland plans to open even more visa centers in Russia. Already the country counts for one third of all Schengen visas issued in Russia.

MURMANSK: A €26 million construction project is in pipeline for increasing the capacity by six times at Russia’s Borisoglebsk border check-point. Still no funding for replacing the outdated Norwegian Storskog check-point.

30 percent of population on Norwegian side is granted visa-freedom while only 3 percent in Pechenga has got the same rights.

Karelia needs more sivilized border crossing points to Finland, the deputy PM underlines during his visit to the region.

Norway’s Consulate General in Murmansk assures that urgent visa applications in Arkhangelsk still can be issued with express delivery. 

Photo: Barentsphoto.com

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin yesterday appointed Dmitrii Bezdelov, former official in the Ministry of Defence, as new head of the federal Border Development Agency. Mr. Bezdelov’s main task will be to increase efficiency and reduce red tape and corruption on the country’s border passes.

The Finnish Consulate branch office in Petrozavodsk.

The Finnish consulate branch offices in Murmansk and Petrozavodsk received less visa applications last year compared with 2008.

EU-Russian visa debate

The members of the European Parliament last week approved a resolution which supports the introduction of visa-free travel with Russia. However, the parliament sees no hurry in the issue.

Oslo: Norway’s Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre intends to work hard for the inclusion of the Varanger Peninsula in the visa-free travel zone with Russia.

The Russian State Duma approves several amendments in the country’s law on the state border.