Finland will tighten the entry of businessmen, students and property owners from the Russian Federation

Finland is tightening entry rules for Russian students, property owners and business travelers from July 10. About it reported on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country.

In particular, business travelers from Russia will be prohibited from transiting through Finland to other countries, and “good reasons” will be needed to arrive in the republic. Property owners will also need a similar basis for a personal visit. Students will be allowed entry if they are participating in programs leading to a degree.

For all other Russians, entry and transit will continue to be restricted, the Foreign Ministry added. Earlier today, the Government of the Republic approved indefinite restrictions on entry for Russians.

Today, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced the closure of the Consulate General of Finland in St. Petersburg, as well as the expulsion of nine Finnish diplomats. The move came in response to Helsinki’s decision in June to expel nine Russian diplomats suspected by the country’s authorities of working for intelligence.

Finland decided to restrict entry into the country for Russian citizens at the end of September 2022. Also, restrictions were imposed on the issuance of visas for Russians. The country’s then prime minister, Sanna Marin, said Finland was planning to ban tourist travel and transit from Russia. After the start of the military operation in Ukraine, the EU began to declare the need to restrict entry for Russian citizens to the territory of the union. Last summer, the EU decided to abandon the simplified procedure for issuing Schengen visas.