On August 11, 2022, the Estonian government approved a sanction against Russian citizens. From August 18, 2022, Estonia will not only stop issuing visas to Russians (if the purpose of the trip is tourism, business, sports and cultural activities), but also let Russian citizens who have previously issued such visas into its territory. Information about this is available on the website of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Välisministeerium).
Russians who have close relatives who are citizens of Estonia and who live in Estonia on a residence permit will be able to receive a visa. Visas will also be issued to drivers of passenger transport transporting through Estonian territory, employees of international trade organizations, Russian diplomats working in Estonia, and members of their families. In addition, there is a chance of obtaining a visa for humanitarian reasons. The decision on the need to issue a humanitarian visa will be made by employees of the Estonian government. A clear list of grounds for obtaining such a visa is not specified. Students from Russia who are already studying at Estonian universities, as an exception, will be able to extend their student residence permit for 1 year, but new student visas will not be issued. Schengen visas issued by other EU countries will be valid in Estonia.
Europeans, especially those in Eastern Europe, are extremely annoyed by the fact that the Russians, whose country is waging a brutal, unjust war in Ukraine and openly threatening other EU countries, visit the European Union as if nothing is happening. In addition, on return flights, Russians massively import goods into their country that have become scarce due to sanctions and the withdrawal of foreign business from Russia.
Since there is no air communication between Russia and the EU, Russians enter the EU en masse through the Baltic countries and Finland, and arrive through Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. In Finland, this process also causes protest: the country's government supports the introduction of a general EU sanction for the issuance of Schengen visas to Russians.
So far, it is too early to talk about the unanimity of European countries on this issue. The meeting of foreign ministers showed that the ban on the issuance of Schengen visas to Russians (may be included in the next package of sanctions) is supported by the countries of Eastern Europe (except Hungary) and the states of Scandinavia. Western European countries are more reserved. German Chancellor Scholz explained this position by the fact that the rights of Russians innocent of aggression would be violated.
Publication Date: 15.08.2022
