• The EU has ceased issuing multiple-entry visas for Russian nationals.
• All Russian applicants will now need to apply for a visa each time they travel to the EU.
• Enhanced verification procedures are in place to enhance security.
• Exceptions are made for certain individuals, including journalists and human rights defenders.
• The move follows escalating security fears related to the Ukraine war and potential sabotage activities.

The European Union has adopted new visa regulations for Russian nationals, ending the issuance of multiple-entry visas effective immediately. This change follows heightened security concerns due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and aims to implement more robust scrutiny measures for visa applicants, as noted by EU officials. "Travelling to and freely moving within the EU is a privilege, not a given," emphasized EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, highlighting the serious security environment in Europe, according to aa and lemonde.

Under these new provisions, Russian nationals must apply for a new visa for each trip to the EU, which will subject applications to "close and frequent scrutiny," according to Magnus Brunner, EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs. This policy aims to mitigate risks associated with "weaponisation of migration," as well as sabotage incidents that have raised alarm within the bloc, emphasizing the need for elevated verification procedures, according to indiatimes and lemonde.

The recent decision is a continuation of prior measures, including the suspension of the EU-Russia Visa Facilitation Agreement established before the conflict escalated. The EU reported that the number of visas issued to Russians dropped dramatically from over four million in 2019 to about 500,000 in 2023, as fears mount about potential misuse of visas and growing acts of sabotage attributed to Russia, according to aa, lemonde, and indiatimes.

While there are exceptions for individuals like journalists and human rights activists, the broader sentiment within the EU indicates a push from certain member states for stricter limitations on ordinary Russian citizens traveling for leisure while the conflict endures. Critics, including Russian opposition figures, argue that such broad restrictions could harm Russian society's perception of Europe, suggesting that limiting access could backfire politically, according to lemonde and indiatimes.