Russian Visa Restrictions

In early October the Russian government issued an entire new set of

rules regarding visas for those seeking to be in Russia for a long period of

time. These new restrictions will greatly affect missionaries!

Under the new rules people will be allowed to stay in Russia for only 180

days each year and for no longer than 90 days at a time. After a 90 day

stay they would have to leave Russia and not return until another 90

days passed. An individual can by-pass this law if he can obtain a

Residency Visa. However, during 2006 only 260 Residency Visas were

granted in Russia, most to business related individuals.

Presently, Jeff Christian, our contact missionary in Cheboksary, doesn’t

even know if he will be in Russia in June 2008. The Couriers for Christ

staff was planning to go to Cheboksary the end of January of 2008 to begin

to set up the campaign when Brother Jeff informed us that he must leave

Russia in December and will not be there for our arrival in January.

On November 6 we received word from a ministry based in Moscow that

a new edict regarding “religion” had just been issued. It states that there

is to be “no further display of religious literature in Russia.” We have yet

to know the full extent of this law.

Couriers for Christ is continuing to plan for a campaign for 2008; however,

it will probably be conducted in another country. Further information

will be forthcoming.

PLEASE PRAY FOR RUSSIA, for the missionaries there, and for continued

freedom to share the Gospel in Russia! -- Don Stertz, founder & Director