Slovakia Resumes Issuing Tourist Visas to Russian Citizens

Strategic Insights -

Slovakia has quietly resumed issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens, contrary to the country's official stance, diplomatic sources have confirmed. This move comes after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which led to various European countries restricting or banning Russian citizens from obtaining tourist visas. Despite Slovakia's official denial of any change in its visa policy, unofficial sources confirm that the country has indeed started issuing tourist visas to Russians.

Key Takeaways:

  • Slovakia has resumed issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens, despite officially denying any change in its visa policy.
  • The move is believed to have taken place quietly, with no official announcement from the Slovak Foreign Ministry.
  • Slovakia stopped issuing visas to Russians after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but has now reversed this decision.
  • The Czech Republic, another European country, also stopped issuing tourist visas to Russians after the invasion, but its current visa policy is unclear.
  • Almost a third of EU member states stopped issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens in response to the invasion, with only a few countries maintaining their pre-invasion policies.
  • The number of rejected Russian applications for Schengen visas rose sharply after the invasion, from 1.5% in 2019 to 10.2% in 2022 and 10.6% in 2023.
  • The total number of Russian applications for Schengen visas was around 606,000 last year, according to European Commission data.
  • The EU did not take a unified position on issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens, with some member states agreeing to stricter conditions and others suspending the issuance of visas entirely.

Statistics:

  • 1.5% of Russian applications for Schengen visas were rejected in 2019
  • 10.2% of Russian applications for Schengen visas were rejected in 2022
  • 10.6% of Russian applications for Schengen visas were rejected in 2023
  • 7.5% of Russian applications for Schengen visas were rejected in 2023 (with Russia among the top five countries whose citizens most often apply for Schengen visas)
  • 606,000 Russian applications for Schengen visas were submitted last year, according to European Commission data
  • Almost a third of EU member states stopped issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens in response to the invasion
  • 5 EU member states stopped issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens, including Slovakia
  • 1.5% (2019) to 10.2% (2022) increase in rejected Russian applications for Schengen visas

Sources:

  • "Slovakia resumes accepting tourist visa applications from Russian citizens, report says" by CTK, August 29
  • "Slovakia has not changed its visa policy, not even in 2022, ministry says" by Pravda, August 29
  • "Slovakia resumes issuing tourist visas to Russians, diplomat confirms" by RBK, August 29
  • "European Commission data" (no specific date or reference provided)