Visa exemption for Moscow ticket holders

All ticket holders attending the UEFA Champions League final in Moscow on 21 May will be able to use their match ticket as a visa entry to the Russian Federation for a 72-hour period.

High-level discussions
UEFA made the announcement on Monday. It said the decision had been made in order to organise the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League final in Moscow in the most efficient and enjoyable way, and following high-level discussions involving the UEFA President, Michel Platini, the Russian Government and UEFA.

Visa exemption
The visa exemption applies to all ticket holders coming to Russia for the final in the period between 19 and 23 May. Supporters will need to present a valid match ticket, a valid passport and a completed immigration form upon entrance to the Russian Federation. All fans travelling to Russia without visas will be asked to keep their ticket up to departure from Moscow. Anyone overstaying the 72-hour entry period will then have to pay the fee for a regular visa when leaving the country.

Exceptional gesture
"This is great news for football fans travelling to watch this year's UEFA Champions League final in Moscow," said Mr Platini. "Our job is to make sure that they are able to get to and from Moscow as easily as possible. I am therefore extremely pleased that, at my request, all fans travelling with a valid match ticket can use this to enter Russian territory, and for this I must thank wholeheartedly the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the Russian Government, the City of Moscow and the Football Union of Russia for this exceptional and unprecedented gesture."