The Commission is proposing a complete suspension of the EU's visa facilitation agreement with Russia. A country like Russia, waging a war as an aggressor, should not qualify for visa facilitation. Russia is pursuing a destructive foreign policy and military aggression against Ukraine, demonstrating its complete disregard for the rules-based international order. Suspension responds to increased risks and threats to the security interests of the Union. This also applies to the national security of the member states as a result of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. This means that Russian citizens will no longer have privileged access to the EU and will face a longer, more expensive and more difficult visa application process.
Member States will have considerable flexibility in dealing with short-stay visa applications from Russian citizens. They will also be able to provide more control with regard to Russian citizens traveling to the EU. The EU will remain open to certain applicants for a primary purpose travel visa, including in particular family members of EU citizens, journalists, dissidents and representatives of civil society.
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The Commission is also presenting today a proposal on the non-recognition of Russian passports issued in the occupied areas of Ukraine.
These proposals follow the political agreement reached by the foreign ministers. This took place at their informal meeting on August 31 on the joint and coordinated procedure for issuing visas for Russian citizens.
Ending privileged access to the EU for Russian citizens
The proposal to suspend the visa facilitation agreement will put an end to all facilitations for Russian citizens applying for visa short-term to the Schengen area. Instead, the general rules of the Visa Code will apply.
In practice, Russian applicants will face:
- Higher visa fee. The visa fee will increase from € 35 to € 80 for all applicants.
- Extended processing time for applications. The standard time limit for consulates to decide on visa applications will be extended from 10 to 15 days. This period may be extended to a maximum of 45 days in individual cases where further examination of the application is required.
- More restrictive rules for multiple-entry visas. Applicants will no longer have easy access to visas valid for multiple entries to the Schengen area.
- Longer list of supporting documents. Applicants will have to submit a complete list of documentary evidence when applying for a visa. They will no longer use the simplified list provided for in the visa facilitation agreement.
The EU has only concluded visa facilitation agreements with a limited number of countries. These agreements are based on mutual trust and respect for common values between the EU and the country. Russia's invasion of Ukraine is incompatible with a relationship of trust. It also runs counter to the spirit of the partnership on which the visa facilitation agreements are based. Justifies measures to protect the essential security interests of the EU and its Member States.
Since the beginning of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the situation has worsened with dire humanitarian consequences for the civilian population and widespread destruction of vital infrastructure.
Non-recognition of Russian passports issued in the occupied regions of Ukraine
The Commission is also proposing a common EU approach to the non-recognition of Russian passports issued in occupied foreign regions. Russia is currently extending the practice of issuing ordinary Russian passports to more government-uncontrolled areas of Ukraine, in particular Kherson and Zaporizhia. Member States should not recognize Russian passports issued in the occupied areas of Ukraine as valid documents for the issuing of visas and crossing the EU's external borders. This legislative proposal will ensure a binding approach applicable in all Member States. It will replace the voluntary action taken by the Member States since the illegal annexation of Crimea. This is another step in the joint EU response to the Russian military aggression in Ukraine.
Next steps on the application for the suspension of the visa facilitation agreement
It is now up to the Council to examine and adopt the proposal to suspend the visa facilitation agreement. Once adopted, the suspension will take effect on the second day following its publication in the EU's Official Journal. Russia will be notified of the suspension decision no later than 48 hours before it enters into force.
Do It is up to the European Parliament and the Council to take a decision on the proposal on non-recognition of Russian travel documents issued in occupied foreign regions. The measures will enter into force on the first day after their publication in the Official Journal of the EU.
The Commission will provide additional guidance shortly. They are to support the consulates of the member states in general visa matters with Russia.
The application for the non-recognition of passports comes after the Commission issued a series of guidelines to Member States in 2014, 2016 and 2019 on how to process visa applications for residents of Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk. This also applies to the non-recognition of certain Russian passports.
The Union reiterates its unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.
Source: EU / European Commission
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