Do tourists need a special visa to enter the Chukotka District in Russia?
There are some articles on the Internet mentioning that a special permission is required to enter Chukotka:
'All of them have tourist visas to Russia, all of them have entry stamps into Russia, but the local FSB denied them access to the area'.
The FSB press service for the Chukotka autonomous region - where famous tycoon Roman Abramovich was once governor - contradicted him and told Lenta.ru that the passengers lacked the necessary paperwork.
The same office told LifeNews website that the border authorities acted according to the law, as there were no permits issued for the visitors.
Is this true as of 2016? If it is, how can a tourist obtain this special permission?
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Why is Chukotka restricted?
The Chukotka peninsula is Russia's most northeastern expanse, stretching into the Bering Strait less than 100 kilometers from Alaska. Travel to the sparsely populated region is usually restricted for non-residents because of its proximity to the United States.Do you need a visa to connect through Russia?
As a rule, it is easy and inexpensive to get a Transit visa. A Transit Visa is not required if you remain in the transit zone of the airport in order to catch an onward or connecting flight within 24 hours of arrival or more in case of forced stop. Transit visas can be single- and double-entry.Does Russia issue tourist visas?
Keep in mind most visitors need a visa to enter Russia. Getting one is not difficult. All you need to do is go to your local Russian embassy and apply for one. However, before you apply you will need to have an invitation letter.Does Russia allow foreign visitors?
Russia is open to tourists from 67 \u201cfriendly nations.\u201d Visitors are advised to check with local authorities for current restrictions.'I Can See' America From Here: Bleak Life In Russia's Chukotka
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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