Europe without Russians!?

The European Commission has banned the issuance of multiple-entry visas to Russians!

Russian citizens will now have to apply for a visa every time they plan to travel to Europe, a decision linked to security risks to EU countries due to the war in Ukraine.



The European Commission has announced a ban on issuing multiple-entry Schengen visas to Russians. "From now on, Russian citizens will no longer be able to obtain multiple-entry visas. This means that Russian citizens will have to apply for a new visa every time they plan to travel to the EU," the press release says.

According to Brussels, this measure will allow for frequent and thorough checks of applicants, reducing potential security risks to the European Union countries due to the war in Ukraine. "According to the new provisions, all visa applications submitted by citizens of the Russian Federation will be subject to enhanced verification procedures and an increased level of control. This will contribute to the integrity and security of the Schengen area," said Magnus Brunner, European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration.

     
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Exceptions for relatives of EU citizens and transport workers
According to the new rules, the ban on issuing multiple visas applies only to applications submitted by citizens on the territory of Russia. However, in some cases, exceptions may be made to the ban.

Thus, multiple-entry Schengen visas for a period of one year will continue to be issued to close relatives of EU citizens or Russians legally residing in the European Union - if the applicant has already received a Schengen visa three times in the last two years. In addition, multi-entry visas for a period of nine months will be available to transport workers (sailors, truck and bus drivers, locomotive crews) - if they have already had two Schengen visas in the last two years.

The European Commission also suggested that in justified cases, individual exceptions could be made to the ban, for example, for independent journalists and human rights defenders.

"Starting a war and counting on free movement in Europe is hardly justified," wrote EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaia Kallas in her microblog on Platform X. According to her, tightening visa rules for Russian citizens is a response to the ongoing drone flights over EU countries and sabotage on European territory. "Traveling to the EU is a privilege, not a given," she stressed.

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