European Commission bans issue of multiple-entry visas to Russians

The European Commission on Friday adopted stricter rules banning the issue of multiple-entry visas to Russian nationals and forcing Russian passport holders to apply for a new visa each time they plan to enter the European Union.

The new rules, from which existing visas are exempt and exceptions can be made for journalists and human rights activists, are aimed at “allowing for close and frequent scrutiny of applicants to mitigate any potential security risk” including “weaponisation of migration, acts of sabotage and the potential misuse of visa”, the European Commission said in a statement, adding that the new rules had been unanimously approved by all member states on the Visa Committee.

“The EU is tightening visa rules for Russian nationals amid continued drone disruptions and sabotage on European soil,” EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas wrote on X, adding that “starting a war and expecting to move freely in Europe is hard to justify”. 

The EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner said that “under the newly adopted provisions, all visa applications submitted by nationals of the Russian Federation will be subject to enhanced verification procedures and elevated levels of scrutiny. This will contribute to the integrity and security of the Schengen area.”

Last month, EU member states agreed to restrict the movement of Russian diplomats within the bloc as part of a new raft of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.