European Commission Tightens Visa Regime for Russian Citizens

The European Commission (EC) announced on Friday that it is tightening visa rules for Russian citizens ‘in connection with increased security risks’ and ‘potential visa abuse,’ canceling multiple visas for Russians. ‘By strengthening visa rules, we are taking an additional and necessary step to ensure the security of the European Union and its citizens,’ said EC Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen. ‘We are currently facing unprecedented violations through drones and diversions on our territory. We must protect our citizens. Now, Russian citizens applying for a visa to travel to the EU will be subject to stricter rules,’ stated EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas.

From now on, Russians will no longer be able to obtain multiple visas, as explained in the EC’s statement. ‘This means that Russian citizens will have to apply for a new visa every time they plan to travel to the EU, allowing for thorough and regular applicant checks to reduce any potential security risks,’ the document said. According to EC member for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, ‘under the new rules, all visa applications submitted by citizens of the Russian Federation will be subject to enhanced screening procedures and stricter control.’

The goal of these measures, according to the European Commission, is to ‘reduce threats to public order and internal security, allowing for exceptions in limited and justified cases, such as independent journalists and human rights defenders.’ The EC emphasizes the need to monitor the uniform application of visa rules in all member states and prevent their circumvention. The European Commission is tightening visa rules for Russian citizens ‘due to increased security risks’ and ‘potential visa abuse,’ canceling multiple visas for Russians. ‘Strengthening visa rules is an additional and necessary step to ensure the security of the European Union and its citizens,’ said EC Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen.

‘We are currently facing unprecedented violations through drones and diversions on our territory. We must protect our citizens. Now, Russian citizens applying for a visa to travel to the EU will be subject to stricter rules,’ stated EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas. From now on, Russians will no longer be able to obtain multiple visas, as explained in the EC’s statement. ‘This means that Russian citizens will have to apply for a new visa every time they plan to travel to the EU, allowing for thorough and regular applicant checks to reduce any potential security risks,’ the document said.