Brussels sets out plans to restrict visas for Russian nationals

The European Fee on Tuesday unveiled the way it plans to droop the bloc’s 2007 visa settlement with Moscow to restrict the variety of Russian travellers allowed within the bloc.

The proposed pointers by Commissioner for Dwelling Affairs Ylva Johansson come lower than per week after EU international ministers backed the movement at a casual assembly in Prague. 

“To be a vacationer within the EU shouldn’t be a elementary proper,” Johansson confused. “In the mean time, there isn’t a foundation for belief and for a privileged relationship with Russia.”

Beneath the Fee’s proposal, visa charges for Russian nationals would enhance from €35 to €80 for all candidates whereas the processing time could be lengthened from 10 days at present to as much as 45 days, partly to compensate for lowered consular employees on account of Russian expulsions. 

The plan additionally makes it more durable for Russians to get visas granting a number of entries into the Schengen zone and requires an extended listing of paperwork to use.

Russian passports issued in occupied areas would in the meantime not be recognised as legitimate paperwork.

Johansson added that pointers will guarantee journalists and Russians travelling for household causes will likely be protected however emphasised that member states must be allowed to refuse visa functions for individuals who could pose a menace to inside safety.

There are at present lower than a million legitimate visas for Russian residents, Johansson detailed, and the proposal would enable member states that issued them to “reexamine” them. 

The commissioner additionally introduced she would go to the border between Finland and Russia to additional talk about the visa subject and see the challenges border nations are going through first-hand.