site.btaEuropean Commission Adopts Stricter Visa Rules for Russian Nationals

The European Commission said Friday that earlier in the day it had adopted stricter rules for issuing visas to Russian nationals in light of the increased security threats tied to the war in Ukraine. The Commission explained that reasons included the weaponization of migration, sabotage activities and possible abuse of visas.

In a press release, Vice-President Hanna Virkkunen said the decision was linked to risks such as the spread of disinformation and drones entering the EU’s airspace. For her, the step was necessary to protect Europeans’ security.

High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas added that the EU was facing unprecedented attempts at destabilization and sabotage using drones. Travel to the EU and freedom of movement, she said, were privileges, not given rights.

Commissioner for Home Affairs Magnus Brunner said that all visa applications submitted by citizens of the Russian Federation would now be subject to enhanced verification procedures and increased scrutiny, aimed at protecting the Schengen area.

From now on, Russian citizens will no longer receive multiple-entry visas for the EU, the Commission explained. This means they will have to apply for a new visa each time they wish to travel to the EU, enabling deeper and more frequent checks of applicants to limit security threats. Exceptions will be made only in limited and justified cases, for example for independent journalists and human rights defenders.

According to the Commission, the decision was based on a joint assessment of EU Member States. The statement added that after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU had suspended the visa facilitation agreement with Russia and had issued guidelines to strengthen visa application screening for Russian nationals.