Support The Moscow Times!

Visa Form 'Excessive'

The Foreign Ministry said Friday that Canada is asking too many questions on a new visa application form.

Canada introduced the new form in October, requiring Russians wishing to travel there to give a detailed account of their military service, asking to provide “branch of service, unit numbers and names of your commanding officers” as well as “dates and places of any active combat.”

Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko told Friday’s briefing that the form is “excessive” and “raising serious questions.”

“It contradicts the mainly positive dynamics of Russian-Canadian relations and will make it more difficult for Russians to obtain a visa,” Nesterenko said, vowing to retaliate in kind unless Canada backs down.

The Union of Russian Travel Agencies has warned that submitting a completed form could violate state laws on military secrets. 

(AP)


… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more