Finland will limit the number of visas issued to Russian tourists to 10% of the current volume from September 1, due to growing discontent in the country over the war in Ukraine, the Finnish government announced on Tuesday (August 16th).
“
Tourist visas are not going to stop completely, but their number will decrease significantly
,” Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto told reporters.
Read alsoUkraine introduces visa regime for Russians from July 1
According to the Minister, the opening hours allocated to the application of tourist visas will be reduced, which will allow a drop in the number of applications, since an outright ban on visas based on nationality is not possible.
He explained that priority would now be given “
to other types of visas: visits to relatives, family contacts, work, studies
”.
Finland is currently processing nearly 1,000 visa applications a day from Russia, Pekka Haavisto told Finnish public television YLE.
The country will also examine the establishment of a specific category of humanitarian visa, which currently does not exist in the country.
"
This could make the situation much easier in certain circumstances for journalists or people working in NGOs
,” explained Pekka Haavisto.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs also announced that he was in favor of stopping the European visa facilitation agreement with Russia, which could increase the price of tourist visas by 35 to 80 euros.
Finland plans to raise the issue at the next meeting of European Union foreign ministers scheduled in the Czech Republic on August 30.
The Nordic country has applied for NATO membership, backed by growing political and popular support following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Finland, however, remains the only European country neighboring Russia that does not apply tourist visa restrictions for Russian citizens.
Read alsoIn Russia, patriotic indoctrination unfolds at school
After Russia lifted Covid-related travel restrictions on July 15, the number of Russian tourists traveling to Finland steadily increased, sparking discontent in the country.
“
It is not normal that Russian citizens can enter Europe, the Schengen area, be tourists (…) while Russia is killing people in Ukraine.
This is not normal
,” Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Monday.
