Finland Strengthens Oversight of Schengen Visas Issued to Russian Residents
Finnish authorities are tightening how Schengen visas issued to Russian residents are monitored and are prepared to act quickly if visa rules are violated. This stance was conveyed by Jussi Tanner, head of the Consular Office at the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a broadcast on YLE, the national public broadcaster.
Under Schengen rules, visa holders are generally expected to spend most of their time in the issuing country. In this situation, Finland watches how visas are used and whether recipients follow that principle. Tanner notes that attempts by some Russians to travel to other European destinations after obtaining a Finnish visa have become more likely. He stresses that the main portion of time should be spent in Finland; failing to do so could jeopardize future visa eligibility.
“If a person uses a Finnish visa primarily to visit other countries, intervention is possible. Information about visa violations is shared rapidly among Schengen states,” said the head of Finland’s consular service. The message is clear: misusing a Finnish visa to access other parts of the Schengen Area could affect future travel permissions.
Authorities are considering reducing the number of visas issued to Russian nationals. Tanner indicated this policy option could be introduced soon if the situation warrants it. The aim is to ensure visa use aligns with the intended purpose and to uphold the integrity of the Schengen visa system across member states.
Public sentiment reported by MTV3 indicates that a majority of Finns support EU sanctions against Russia. More than 80 percent of respondents favor strict sanctions within the EU framework, with about half recognizing that these measures may raise costs for Finns in the form of higher food and energy prices. A similar majority agrees that Finland should pursue the strongest possible sanctions in the EU, reflecting a political climate that broadly backs firm action in response to Russia-related policies. Attribution: MTV3