Finland is set to reduce the availability of tourist visas to Russians to a tenth of the current numbers, Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said on Tuesday after a cabinet meeting. Under the new approach, visas granted for family reasons, work, and studies will be given priority.
The number of visa applications accepted each working day will be reduced from 1,000 to 500, with only 100 of these being tourist visas, explained director of the consular department at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs Jussi Tanner to national radio Yle.
Meanwhile, Haavisto said that the new policy does not require legislative changes, and will take effect from the beginning of September. However, since Finland cannot block Russians crossing the border in transit who hold a visa issued by another Schengen country, Haavisto emphasized the need for involving all EU member states and the Baltic countries.
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