The Ministry of Economic Development of the Republic of Karelia reported that the VFS Global visa center in Petrozavodsk will remain in operation through July 1, 2023. This continuation follows the suspension of visa procedures and the temporary halt of work at the Consulate General of Finland in Petrozavodsk, the official partner of the Finnish Foreign Ministry in the Russian Federation, according to reports from TASS.
In practical terms, the available information indicates the Petrozavodsk visa center will keep serving applicants until July 1, 2023. Concurrently, the Finnish Foreign Ministry noted that corresponding consular duties would be redirected to the Finnish Consulate General in St. Petersburg. This shift aims to maintain essential visa and consular support for residents and visitors while adjustments to regional offices are in play.
Officials from Karelia also stated they had not received definitive guidance about the center’s operations after July 1, 2023. Local authorities emphasized that further announcements would come from national or embassy sources, clarifying the next steps for visa processing and consular assistance in the region.
On April 4, announcements indicated that the Finnish Foreign Ministry had closed the Russian Consulate General branch in Petrozavodsk. The ministry explained that the closure reflected a substantial reduction in tasks handled by the branch, reducing the need for a dedicated facility in Petrozavodsk. As a result, routine consular matters would be managed through other Finnish diplomatic offices or online channels as applicable. (TASS)
Earlier in January 2023, reports confirmed the closure of the Murmansk Consulate General, marking a broader adjustment in Finland’s regional consular presence. This operational consolidation aligns with evolving diplomatic and administrative considerations across the region.