KYIV. UkraineGate . 11. August . 2022 | World News.
From August 18, the Estonian authorities intend not to allow Russian citizens with Schengen visas issued by Estonia to enter the country. However, there are a number of exceptions. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Urmas Reinsalu, told about this today following the results of the regular government meeting .
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“In a week, a sanction will be applied to Schengen visas issued by the Republic of Estonia. The sanction means that the visas will remain valid. However, visa holders will be subject to entry sanctions, meaning they will be banned from entering Estonia,” said the minister, adding that there are exceptions.
Details
According to him, persons who are employees of diplomatic missions in Estonia and members of their families will not be subject to such sanctions. Persons engaged in international freight and passenger transportation. Persons who have the right of free movement according to EU legislation. Persons whose entry to Estonia is necessary for humanitarian reasons, as well as close relatives of persons who have Estonian citizenship or a permanent residence permit in Estonia.
“I emphasize once again – firstly, this measure enters into force in a week. Secondly, it means that the lion’s share of Schengen visas issued in Estonia actually continue to be valid, but entry to Estonia to those people who do not fall under exceptions are not allowed,” Reinsalu said.
As Reinsalu emphasized, this decision applies only to visas issued by Estonia and does not affect visas issued by other Schengen countries.
However, next week the government intends to discuss ways to ban all Russian citizens holding Schengen visas from entering Estonia.
Later, the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers of Estonia clarified that the decision will enter into force on August 18.
Also, the country’s government decided to extend the residence permit for one year as an exception to those students who need it to complete their studies at Estonian universities.
Before
In March, Estonia announced a temporary suspension of issuing tourist visas to Russians.
Source: Ukrgate
