Visa-free entry for foreign soccer fans until end of 2018

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Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that his country will extend the visa-free travel regime until the end of 2018 for foreign soccer fans holding the fan ID of the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Sunday after the final match between France and Croatia.

“I think we will do the following: For foreign fans who currently have fan IDs, we will give them multi-entry visa-free travel until the end of the year,” said Putin.

During the World Cup, people with fan IDs could enter the stadiums, enjoyed visa-free entry to the Russian Federation and visa-free transit through the Republic of Belarus and had access to free public transport. Such document was initially due to expire on July 25.

People pass through a security checkpoint as police officers stand guard near Red Square in Moscow, a host city for the soccer World Cup, Russia on July 14, 2018. /VCG Photo

After the world’s top soccer tournament came to an end, the Russian President expressed his happiness for and pride in the hosting of the World Cup. He also delivered his gratitude to foreign soccer fans who came to Russia for the event.

“We can surely be proud of how we organized this tournament. We have made this grand event a success in every respect. We have done it for our supporters, for Russians who are passionate about the sport and for all those who love sports across the world,” said Putin.

This card gets you visa-free entry to Russia for the rest of 2018. /VCG Photo

Before the World Cup, multiple Western media outlets have shown concerns over security during the tournament in Russia, especially after the violent clash between Russian and English football hooligans at the 2016 UEFA European Championship in France.

However, fans, in Putin’s words “showed that sport and football can manage not to divide people and not lead to fights and disputes, but unite people on the basis of common values. People tried to scare us by saying the English would come and commit hooliganism... But everyone behaved in a most exemplary manner.”