INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
visas jumped in the very first half of 2025 even as interest in European and Chinese visas slowed, the Kommersant organization daily
reported Thursday, mentioning travel agency data.The shift in visa need highlights a growing interest in the United States among Russian
travelers, even as tensions in between Moscow and Washington persist.Russian applications for U.S
visas increased 20% from January through June compared to the very same period of 2024, Darya Lukyanova-Zubritskaya, a representative of the
Raketa travel agency, informed Kommersant.The U.S
has likewise been approving Russian visa applications more often in recent months, stated Yulia Othagina, the deputy director of the visa
and migration department at the Continent Express take a trip agency.Countries like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia and Uzbekistan stay the
most typical travel locations for Russians in general, Othagina said.Yulia Lipatova, managing director at business travel bureau Aeroclub,
reported a 46% increase in U.S
business visa approvals over the previous year
Still, overall company visa applications stay far below pre-pandemic levels, at simply 9% of what was recorded in 2019, she noted.Travel
market sources associated the increase to a renewed requirement for in-person conferences as Russian business broaden ties with American
counterparts.There may be a greater need for individual contact due to more active interactions with U.S
partners, stated Lukyanova-Zubritskaya of the Raketa travel agency.In contrast, applications for EU service and traveler visas increased
simply 3% in the first half of the year, the slowest growth in 3 years
For contrast, demand increased 20% throughout the very same duration in 2023 and 16% in 2024
Aeroclub reported a 5% decrease in Schengen visa applications in the very first half of 2025, while general need for EU visas now sits at
just 19% of 2019 levels.Industry figures spoken with by Kommersant blamed limited appointment slots and stricter documents requirements for
the decrease.Italy, France and Spain stay the most popular Schengen destinations, accounting for almost 60% of applications.Demand for
Chinese visas is also cooling
After skyrocketing 37% in 2024, development slowed to 16% in early 2025, according to Continent Express
Aeroclub reported an even sharper 27% decline in demand for Chinese visas year-on-year
this might be because of a saturated market: while lots of business actively developed service ties with Chinese partners in 2024, travel
requirements have actually since declined as processes have actually become more efficient, Lipatova said.
