PRETORIA, March 30. /TASS/. Visa-free travel between Russia and South Africa for a period of up to 90 days comes into effect from Thursday, March 30.

After the two countries exchanged relevant notes in late April, the Russian foreign ministry said that starting from March 30 "Russian and South African nationals who do not plan to work, study or reside in the territory of the other state will need no transit or entry visas to stay there for a period of up to 90 days."

A spokesman for the consular department of the Russian embassy in South Africa told TASS that Russian nationals can enjoy 90-day visa-free stay in South Africa once every calendar year.

Meanwhile, general rules concerning entry into South Africa for minors stay in place for the Russian nationals. The birth certificate and permission from the second parent if the child travels with one of them are necessary. Both documents must be translated into English with the translation authorized.

The Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) believes the new visa-free rules will trigger a flow of tourists to South Africa. "A growth will come first of all due to tourists from regions, as for the past several years they have had to attend in person the consulate in Moscow," the association said. According to official data, 15,000 Russian tourists visited South Africa in 2015.