Belgium
UPDATE AUGUST 24, 2022: Long-stay visa applications can once again be filed in Russia via VFS, the Belgian embassy's visa service provider. Short-term Schengen visa applications filed in Russia are still on hold for the time being. For Schengen visa applications filed in Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, Belgium is represented by other EU Member State consular posts. Applicants who consider applying to these posts are advised to check with the consular post before visiting for current practices and potential restrictions.
Bulgaria
- UPDATE SEPTEMBER 20, 2022: Short-term (type C) visa issuance has been suspended for Russian citizens. It is not clear when this suspension will be lifted.
Czech Republic
UPDATE OCTOBER 12, 2022: Starting October 25, 2022, Russian citizens will be denied entry for tourism, sports or culture purposes, even if they hold a valid Schengen visa.
New visa issuance is temporarily suspended for Russian citizens (except in humanitarian cases) as of May 16, 2022 (though Belarus and Russian citizens holding valid Czech entry visas for the purpose of collecting a residence permit in the Czech Republic can collect their residence permit).
Denmark
- UPDATE OCTOBER 5, 2022: The Danish Embassy in Moscow is closed for all types of visa and residence permit applications. This includes submitting biometrics for residence permit applications. Affected applicants will need to apply for Danish visas at other Danish consular posts until the Embassy reopens.
- UPDATE SEPTEMBER 13, 2022: As of September 10, 2022, Russian citizens will face difficulties obtaining a Danish short-term Schengen visa (e.g., for business or tourism), as Denmark has moved Russia to category 5 (which includes only Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iraq, Pakistan, Russia, Somalia and Syria) from category 3 under a Danish country classification system. Category 5 countries are considered at higher risk of illegal immigration and with limited repatriation options, and are subject to a more restrictive visa issuance policy. As a result, Russian citizens applying for a Schengen visa for a business visit will need to provide specific justification for their trip, whereas previously an itinerary and explanation of the business relationship to the host sufficed. Similarly, approvals for private visits will be limited to cases of death or terminal illness of a Danish resident family member, where previously family visits were eligible. Short-term visa issuance for tourist visits will be suspended.
- UPDATE SEPTEMBER 13, 2022: Denmark has suspended a bilateral visa facilitation agreement with Russia, as it is not subject to the EU-wide visa facilitation agreement.
- Denmark’s visa service provider in Russia has temporarily suspended the submission of biometric data and issuance of entry visas. It is not yet clear whether individuals with pending applications (who already submitted biometric data) will still be permitted to collect their entry visa if approved. Although work permit applications can still be submitted on behalf of Russian citizens, government processing will remain on hold until biometric data is submitted. Schengen visa holders can still submit biometrics in Denmark; Russian citizens with long-term residence in another country can submit their biometric data in their country of residence; other travelers do not have an alternative option to submit biometrics.
Estonia
- UPDATE SEPTEMBER 9, 2022: Under a common regional approach, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland will restrict entry to Russian citizens holding Schengen visas issued by any country starting September 19. Each country will implement the agreement into national policy on its own terms and potentially with their own exceptions.
- UPDATE SEPTEMBER 8, 2022: The Estonian government has confirmed that effective September 19, 2022, entry to Russian citizens holding a Schengen visa from any Schengen-associated country will be refused. Exceptions to this entry refusal will likely include Russian citizens with Estonian residence permits and Russian citizens who are permitted under EU law to move between EU Member States, among others. UPDATE SEPTEMBER 23, 2022: Authorities have confirmed that exceptions to this restriction include (among others) those seeking specific types of family reunification, those entering for humanitarian reasons, transiting travelers, those transporting goods and short-term visas issued by Estonia for short-term work or study, Russian citizens who are permitted under EU law to move between EU Member States and Russian citizens who hold a long-term type D visa (whose short-term employment is registered in Estonia).
- UPDATE AUGUST 11, 2022: Estonia will ban Russian citizens with Estonian-issued short-term Schengen visas from entering Estonia for purposes such as tourism or business visits. Limited exceptions apply to family members of EU citizens, family visits to Estonian residents and humanitarian travel purposes, among others. Russian citizens with Estonian-issued residence permits or who hold visas issued by other EU or Schengen Area countries remain permitted entry.
- Suspension of short-term Schengen C visas (for business visits and tourism) to Belarussian and Russian citizens resident in Belarus and Russia as of April 9, 2022. Applications for humanitarian visas and family members of Estonian citizens are still exceptionally accepted. Suspension of issuance of long-term D visas and residence permits to Belarussian and Russian citizens, including for employment purposes, as of April 9, 2022 regardless of the location of application.
- Short-term employment of Russian and Belarusian citizens with a legal residence permit issued by another EU member state is not permitted. Pending residence permit applications for Belarussian and Russian citizens are also on hold as of April 9, 2022.
- Suspension of issuance of visas and residence permits for Russian citizens for the purpose of studying as of July 28, 2022. No end date to the restrictions has been confirmed. UPDATE AUGUST 17, 2022: Students from Russia who did not finish their studies in Estonia can exceptionally apply to extend their residence permit by one year in Estonia to complete their studies by applying for an extension of their residence permit with the Police and Border Guard Board.
- Current residence permits remain valid and can be renewed or changed to a different status for eligible applicants.
Finland
UPDATE OCTOBER 3, 2022: Effective September 29, Russian citizens with valid Schengen visas are not permitted to enter Finland for tourism or transit purposes (for transit to other Schengen Area countries). Entry remains permitted to Russian citizens holding residence permits issued by Finland, EU or European Economic Area Member States, or Switzerland; and to Russian citizens holding a long-term D visa issued by a Schengen Area country. Other exemptions are listed here.
UPDATE AUGUST 30, 2022: Effective September 1, Finnish consular posts in Russia will reduce available tourist visa filing appointments to 100 from 200, and other visa filing appointments (work, studies or family purposes) to 400 from 800. This measure will also affect biometric submission for all schemes. Though this is still a large number of appointments, the reduced spots may require earlier booking and careful work start planning.
France
Due to France’s suspension of its visa facilitation agreement with Russia, Russian citizens applying for a short-stay French visa will now have to pay EUR 80 instead of EUR 35 and their short-stay visa applications will take 45 days to process (instead of the usual 15 days).
Ireland
As of October 26, 2022, Russian and Belarusian nationals need a visa for short stays to Ireland, even if they hold a valid UK short stay visa. Previously, these nationals were eligible for the Short Stay Visa Waiver, which allows certain nationalities who have a UK short stay visa to travel to Ireland for a limited period without an Irish visa. This will primarily impact visitors and business travelers, as the scheme only applies to short stays.
Latvia
- UPDATE SEPTEMBER 26, 2022: As of September 24, 2022, both long-term visa (D visa) issuance and Digital Nomad Visa issuance to Russian citizens are suspended. Additionally, Russian citizens seeking to obtain permanent resident status in Latvia are required to pass a Latvian language test at A2 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, even if they previously were Latvian nationals. Previously, former Latvian nationals waived from language testing requirements when seeking permanent residence. Russian citizens currently holding Latvian permanent residence, who benefited from the language test waiver, are required to submit proof of language skills at A2 level by September 1, 2023.
- UPDATE SEPTEMBER 12, 2022: According to national law in Latvia, from September 19, 2022 until June 30, 2023, entry by Russian citizens will be restricted to individuals holding residence permits issued by Latvia, Switzerland, or an EU/European Economic Area country; long-term visas issued by a Schengen Area country; or holding a short-term Schengen visa and seeking entry as a family member of a Latvian/EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, eligible transport or diplomatic staff, Kaliningrad transit document holder or for humanitarian purposes.
- UPDATE SEPTEMBER 7, 2022: Extensive background checks and additional document requirements for Belarussian and Russian citizens permitted to file residence permit applications under an exemption from the general ban (detailed below) are causing overall immigration processing times of up to one year from the date of filing, as opposed to normal processing times of up to one month for other visa-required nationals.
- UPDATE AUGUST 10, 2022: Latvian border guards currently conduct an interview with each Belarussian and Russian citizen seeking entry to Latvia. Russian citizens are additionally asked to sign a document confirming their stance on the Ukraine conflict before being permitted entry.
- UPDATE AUGUST 5, 2022: Visa application acceptance and issuance has been suspended for Russian citizens for an indefinite period of time. A visa can only be issued on the condition that the Russian citizen has to attend the funeral of a very close relative.
- Issuance of initial and renewal temporary residence permits to Russian and Belarussian nationals continues to be suspended (except for family reunification, international protection, employment, studies, internships, national interest, or humanitarian considerations, among limited other purposes).
Lithuania
- UPDATE SEPTEMBER 20, 2022: According to national law in Lithuania, as of September 19, 2022, entry by Russian citizens has been further restricted. Entry is only permitted for Russian citizens with Lithuanian origin and their close family; those seeking to reinstate Lithuanian citizenship and their close family; individuals holding residence permits issued by Lithuania or an EU/Schengen/European Economic Area country, long-term visas issued by a Schengen Area country, or a Kaliningrad transit document; and those holding a short-term Schengen visa and seeking entry as a family member of a Lithuanian/EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, eligible transport or diplomatic staff, or for humanitarian purposes.
- Lithuanian embassies have stopped issuing visas (both Schengen and national) to Russian and Belarusian citizens, except for individuals with Lithuanian origin and their close family; those seeking to reinstate Lithuanian citizenship and their close family; and family members of a Lithuanian/EU/European Economic Area/Swiss citizen. Russian and Belarusian citizens currently resident in Lithuania are permitted to extend their stay in country.
Netherlands
The Dutch consulate in Moscow has stopped issuing short-term visas for the Netherlands.
Norway
The visa facilitation agreement with Russia has been suspended. As a result, Russian citizens applying for a short-stay Norwegian visa will have to pay EUR 80 instead of EUR 35 (for those submitting applications on or after October 7, 2022), their short-stay visa applications will take 45 days to process (instead of the usual 15 days), and multiple-entry visas are suspended for Russian citizens.
Poland
- UPDATE OCTOBER 3, 2022: Russian nationals cannot cross external EU border in Poland (by any method) unless they belong to one of the groups exempt from new restrictions, including workers (as long as work permit and confirmation of work in Poland is provided); holders of a Poland Business Harbour visa; students of Polish schools and their guardians; and children of workers, among others. The restrictions do not apply to those entering Poland from another Schengen country. The purpose of regulation is to prohibit Russian travelers entering Poland for tourism, cultural, sports and business purposes.
- UPDATE SEPTEMBER 22, 2022: Russian citizens face an increased number of rejections for residence permit renewal applications as a result of negative security agency (ABW) opinions issued following the standard background check that is undertaken for all foreign applicants. Decisions indicate the need to protect state security as a reason for the rejections. Additionally, Fragomen anticipates that Russian citizens holding valid long-term status, e.g., a residence card issued by Poland, may also face heightened scrutiny and obstacles during border crossing. Employers are advised to assess and minimize travel requirements to prevent issues for Russian citizen staff based in Poland. Fragomen also recommends affected employers to review the immigration status of their Russian employees in Poland, to ensure there is a business continuity plan for in-country immigration steps in case of rejections, and to re-assess potential migration plans if appropriate, to ensure timely action.
- UPDATE SEPTEMBER 9, 2022: Under a common regional approach, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland will restrict entry to Russian citizens holding Schengen visas starting September 19. Each country will implement the agreement into national policy on its own terms and potentially with their own exceptions.
- Standard national visa (work visa and entry visa) issuance is still suspended for Russian citizens. Additionally, issuance for initial Schengen visas, and Poland Harbour visas is also suspended for Russian citizens. Other visa category applications are subject to strict scrutiny for Russian citizens.
Romania
Romanian consulates in Russia are not issuing short-stay visas (for tourism and business travel purposes) for Russian citizens.
Slovakia
Russian nationals applying for Schengen visas should expect stricter review and additional document requirements. We are confirming further information with the relevant authorities and will update this alert when more information is confirmed.
Spain
Visa and permit applications for investors, entrepreneurs and business project representatives is temporarily suspended until further notice as of March 15, 2022.
Switzerland
Due to Switzerland’s suspension of its bilateral visa facilitation agreement with Russia, Russian citizens applying for a short-stay Schengen visa will now have to pay EUR 80 instead of EUR 35 and their short-stay visa applications will take 45 days to process (instead of the usual 15 days).
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].