A FAN ID scheme launched by Russia for the FIFA World Cup could be extended to next year's Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk ©Getty Images

A successful free visa scheme introduced by Russia for this year's FIFA World Cup could be extended to next year's Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk, it was revealed today.

The FAN ID allowed foreign citizens who brought tickets for World Cup matches visa-free access to Russia.

It also gave holders the right to use public transport for free, particularly to travel by train between host cities. 

Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law allowing holders of FIFA World Cup FAN ID to visit Russia without visa until the end of 2018, 

It could now be extended to include Krasnoyarsk 2019, until to take place between March 2 and 12 next year.

Football supporters who signed up for the FAN ID scheme were able to enjoy visa-free success to Russia during the FIFA World Cup and Government officials may now extend it to include Krasnoyarsk 2019 ©Getty Images
Football supporters who signed up for the FAN ID scheme were able to enjoy visa-free success to Russia during the FIFA World Cup and Government officials may now extend it to include Krasnoyarsk 2019 ©Getty Images

"We are considering this possibility," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets told the official state news agency TASS during visit to inspect the preparations of Krasnoyarsk 2019. 

"There are different views on that so consultations are underway."

According to Russia’s official data, 1.5 million FAN IDs were issued during the World Cup, including about 630,000 to foreign spectators.

The chairman of the Duma committee on Physical Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth Affairs, Mikhail Degtyarev, had welcomed Putin's initiative to extend the FAN ID scheme. 

"Opinion polls demonstrated that some 80% of fans would like to come to Russian once again to have a closer look at our culture, to see other Russian cities and towns, to enjoy our nature," he told TASS.