MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a bill that reintroduces fees for issuing Russian visas to nationals of certain European countries.

The law affects nationals of Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, as well as the European Union as a whole. People who were previously exempt from the visa fee will now have to pay it. They are close relatives of Russians from the abovementioned countries, schoolchildren, students and postgraduates visiting for studies and internships, participants in scientific, cultural and sports activities. They also include entrepreneurs, long-haul truck drivers and those traveling to Russia to visit civilian and military graves.

The law suspends the provision that set the visa fee at 35 euros. All nationals of European countries will from now on be charged visa fees as determined by the Russian cabinet decree of 2010. The memo to the law said the fees will range from $50-300 depending on the urgency and the number of entries sought.