MOSCOW, December 26 - RAPSI. Russia and the United States will be reducing visa processing fees from January 1, 2013, Russian Foreign Ministry reports.

“From January 1, 2013, Russian consulate institutions abroad will be reducing consular fees from $180 to $160 for processing business, private, humanitarian and tourist visas to U.S. citizens, according to the agreement between Russia and the United States on simplifying visa formalities for Russian and U.S. citizens,” the statement reads.

The Foreign Ministry stressed that the U.S. Department of State will reciprocate by reducing fees for issuing Russian citizens B1/B2 visas.

“We are very pleased to be able to say that the parties’ agreement to reduce consular fees totally corresponds to the mutual desire to simplify visa formalities for our countries’ citizens. We hope that this will promote economic, cultural, academic and humanitarian relations between Russia and the United States and will be a significant step towards the further liberalization of our bilateral visa regime, eventually leading to its full cancellation,” the statement reads.

The Russia-US visa liberalization agreement took effect as of September 9. Russians and Americans will now be able to obtain three-year multiple-entry business and tourist visas in order to visit each other's countries. Previously visas were granted for a maximum of two years. The visas will also allow an uninterrupted stay of up to six months in the country.