European Commission Bans Issuing Multi-visas To Russians

• 7.11.2025, 14:08

(Updated) EU tightens visa rules for Russian citizens.

The European Commission has limited the issuance of multiple-entry Schengen visas for Russians to the EU countries. At the same time, the current visas of Russians will remain valid.

This is reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to the EU resolution.

It is noted that new applications from Russian citizens for such visas will undergo enhanced checks.

"Russia's use of migration weapons, acts of sabotage on EU territory and in the international waters of the Baltic Sea, as well as the misuse of visas to spread propaganda, mean that Russian visa applicants must be thoroughly checked," the European Commission's regulation says.

The aim of the innovation is to reduce threats to EU public policy and internal security, while allowing exceptions for limited and justified cases, such as independent journalists and human rights defenders.

This decision is based on a joint assessment of member states within the Schengen cooperation. It is noted that Russian applicants should be subject to significantly more restrictive rules than those provided for in the common regulation.

- Russia's invasion of Ukraine has created the most dangerous environment in Europe in decades. We are now facing unprecedented violations and sabotage on our territory. Stricter rules will now apply to Russian citizens who require a visa to travel to the EU," said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.

For whom exceptions will be made

According to the updated regulation, multiple-entry visas will only be issued to certain clearly defined groups of applicants who have a reduced risk profile.

According to an assessment conducted by the local Schengen cooperation in Russia, this should apply to close family members of persons residing in the European Union and transportation workers - sailors, truck and bus drivers, and train crew members.