Any update on this? Or is it just Kremlin/Washington, politeness?

See
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-...an-federatio-0

I'm debating what to do next year (renew the business visa or wait for this to be implemented)

I know my Russian friends would be ecstatic.

It's still in process and hasn't been completely signed off on yet.

http://www.kyivpost.com/news/russia/detail/114439/

Why would they? The treaty is major advantage for all Americans traveling to Russia, and only a medium advantage for some Russians traveling to America.

For smart guys like myself it is of no improvement - I always was issued 1-year visas because of my education in technology. And after 1 year the security clearance expires and I have to pay and wait 1 month again.

Or are they hosts? If so, yes, they'll avoid much hassle with making the invitations.

I think the agreement is reciprocal, 3 year, multiple entry for both sides.
Based on what I've read.

It would not surprise me if the US steps up their standards a little (for Russian Federation citizens), in my honest opinion more I think a lot more people world get turned down, since the visas are for 3 years, if that is the case. I would imagine higher standards would apply, or in some cases not everyone will get the 3 year visa..

I hope I pass the Russian test : I've been to the country multiple times, never overstayed, never got into trouble, dutifully registered (even back when it was 3 days, draconian as it is)

This would be absolutely amazing. I can't wait for this to happen & am avidly awaiting an update of the Houston Consulate's Website. I would definitely be the first to sign up. Being able to go "home" whenever I want.....it would mean a lot to me.

I don't think so. Consuls are not obliged to issue visas with max. possible validity, it's the upper bound, not lower. They even sometimes do issue 3-month 1-entry visas if they see a person's status is likely to change soon, esp. to last-year students. And the proposed agreement doesn't limit their authority to do so.

RIA Novosti:

http://en.ria.ru/world/20111119/168839192.html

Kyiv Post:

http://www.kyivpost.com/news/russia/detail/117260/

American Ambassador's Blog:

http://beyrle.livejournal.com/30594.html

Three year visas, for both sides, will be the norm.

Question is : when will this be implemented?

The duma has to approve it. (my guess this won't take long)
Does this need congressional approval (I hope not)

Assuming so, my guess it would be policy after February, March next year.
After the Russians are done with their Christmas in January holidays.

Because it was an exchange of notes and not a treaty, it does not need Senate approval. Hopefully it will be implemented early 2012.

According to this VOA story (only in Russian, sorry):

http://www.voanews.com/russian/news/...134173023.html

Once the Duma ratifies the agreement, a second set of notes will be exchanged and the agreement will go into effect 30 days after that second exchange.

My only hope is that Duma won't ratify this. It'll be unfair if tourists who have special education like me only get 1-year visas because of all that "security clearance" stuff while American businessmen get 3-year visas even if their businesses are in the same professional field.

As far as I can see the proposed treaty contains no reservations about reciprocating American security paranoia.

Three years should be the standard for citizens of both countries:

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/a...ts/448208.html

Also no more invitations!

As long as this does not need congressional approval, looks like this will be law. And a changed landscape.

I doubt that anything this useful is going to come out of the EU-Russian Visa negotiations.

At least some of the Schengen countries are fairly easy to do business with. Some don't even require a visa applicant to turn up in person.

My main problem is with the UK-Russia visa situtation.

Currently my in-laws have to go through the following waltz in order to enter the UK.

Make online application to book a visa appointment. Often distant (i.e. cheaper applications are not available, and only those in the next few weeks show up.)

IKT-MOW - Not a cheap flight (Equivalent to flying from UK to Halifax Nova Scotia).
1 or 2 nights in a Moscow hotel - again, not cheap.
Get fingerprints taken at British Embassy. Submit printed application.
MOW-IKT

Some undisclosed time later....
IKT-MOW 1 or 2 nights in a Moscow hotel
Collect Passports from the British Embassy. Check to see if the visa has been issued.
MOW-IKT.

Now book the trip, probably back through Moscow.
IKT-MOW-LON
LON-MOW-IKT.

So that's 3 or 4 nights in a pricey Moscow hotel. 4 additional flights and 10,500 miles just to find out if they'll let you travel. I can't see this as coming in below $1500 or �1000. Luckily there is a high level of authorisation for visas in Russia, so if you follow the process, you'll probably get one.

Of course you can apply at the various consulates around the country, but all will involve flights, hotels etc. The nearest visa issuing centre is actually Ulan Batoor, so that's an option.
The way that we play it is to get a schengen visa and then apply within a schengen country (Malta), whilst they stay the week with us in Malta. Much cheaper, much more comfortable.

.....and to then have the indignity of not having your fingerprints taken when you enter the UK! If you'd spent all of that time and money in order to provide your bio-metrics, wouldn't you insist that you were tested when you arrived in the UK?

Thankfully the Russians have made it slightly easier for Brits to get visas, although it is still a pain to pretend to be in a hotel when you really staying with a family. At least you can self register in the pochta now.

Hoping for ratification by the end of the year (which would mean implementation by the end of January) and confirmation that there would no longer be a requirement for invitations:

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/a...ar/448299.html

Gnarly, there is some mention of progress in the article on the EU visa situation as well, although if I had to guess, I would bet "EU" in this case really means Schengen and would not include UK visas.