Last week the Russian State Duma ratified an agreement on the visa regime with the United States making it easier for nationals of each country to travel to the other. Under the new protocol, standard visas for both businesspeople and tourists will allow multiple entries over a period of three years and give the holder the right to stay in the host country for up to six months at a time.

Waiting times for visas will be no more than 15 days.

During the approval process, Duma deputies noted that the document facilitates contacts between citizens and officials of the Russian Federation and the United States and promotes bilateral Russian-U.S. cooperation.

The U.S. Department of State commented that the agreement would facilitate trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, according to RIA Novosti.