Estonia Planning to Refuse Entry to Russians Holding Schengen Visas Issued by Other Countries Too

The news was announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Urmas Reinslau, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.

The Minister said that Estonian is currently working on a decision that would allow prohibiting entry into the country for Russians holding a visa issued by another Schengen Area member country.

According to the Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Ministry of Interior, will prepare proposals on how the Estonian border could be closed for Russians who hold a valid visa issued by a country other than Estonia.

Estonia itself has already banned entry to Russians holding a Schengen visa issued by the Estonian authorities. The decision to ban entry for Russians entered into force today, August 18.

Apart from banning Russians who hold a visa issued by Estonia, the latter also said law week that the country would also stop issuing visas to citizens of Russia.

The Ministry said that applications made for a Schengen visa by Russians would be rejected. According to the Minister, it was about time to tighten the restrictions as by imposing sanctions, Estonia wanted to take away from citizens of Russia the opportunity to continue living normally.

However, it has been highlighted that certain exemptions apply. The Ministry explained that Russians who hold an Estonian residence permit, Russian diplomats and their family members who work in Estonia, Russians involved in passenger and cargo transport, and Russian who can move from one country to another under the EU law can still enter Estonia.

Exemptions have been made for students from Russia studying in Estonia too. The authorities of Estonia said last week that students from Russia who have not finished their studies yet in Estonia are exempt from the Schengen visa ban.

The Ministry emphasised that Russian students who have not finished their studies are able to extend their residence permit for a year.

Even though the decision to extend the residence permit for Russians studying in Estonia was welcomed, the country received criticism for its visa and entry ban.

The UN opposed the decision of Estonia to ban Schengen visas for Russia. The spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General said that by imposing restrictions, Estonia is discriminating against innocent Russians.