"How Are We Supposed to Travel to Europe..." Finland Drastically Reduces Russian Tourist Visas

Reduced to less than one-tenth
Russia suspends flights... Finland remains the only route

Finland has decided to drastically reduce the issuance of tourist visas to Russians to less than one-tenth of the current level starting from the 1st of next month. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Gun-chan] Finland is significantly reducing the issuance of tourist visas to Russians. For Russia, this means that almost the only route to Europe will disappear.

According to AFP on the 16th (local time), Finland has decided to drastically reduce the issuance of tourist visas to Russians to less than one-tenth of the current level starting next month on the 1st. Currently, the Finnish government receives 1,000 visa applications per day from Russia. Going forward, this will be reduced to 500, with only 100 allocated to tourists.

On the same day, Pekka Haavisto, Finland’s Foreign Minister, told reporters, "The issuance of tourist visas to Russians will not be completely stopped, but the number will be significantly reduced."

He explained, "It is impossible to completely ban visa issuance based on nationality," adding, "By limiting the time allocated for processing tourist visas at embassies, issuance will be restricted." He further noted, "This means that visas for visiting relatives, family reunions, employment, and studies will be preferred and given more processing time."

Earlier, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin hinted in an interview with local media that the issuance of tourist visas to Russians would be stopped or reduced. She stated, "In a situation where Russia is waging a brutal war of aggression in Europe, we cannot allow Russians to live a normal life such as traveling in Europe."

For Russia, the almost only route to Europe is being blocked. After most flights to and from Russia were suspended following the Ukraine war, Finland, which shares a border with Russia, was almost the only gateway to Europe.

Russians have been traveling overland to Finland and then using flights from Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport to various parts of Europe. Especially after the Russian government lifted border restrictions related to COVID-19 last month, the number of Russian travelers heading to Western Europe via Finland surged. Finland is a member of the Schengen Agreement, which allows free movement within the European Union (EU).

Finland plans to propose to the three Baltic states to suspend the visa facilitation agreement with Russia within the EU. If this agreement is suspended, it will become very difficult for Russians to travel within Europe.

However, Finland is considering issuing a "national humanitarian visa" for Russians who want to leave the country in opposition to the Russian government’s policies or who intend to enter the West for purposes such as reporting or legal representation.