The European Commission has issued a regulation on the issuance of European visas to Russians. According to the document, EU countries are not recommended to issue multiple-entry visas with a long validity period to citizens of the Russian Federation. In addition, the consulates of the EU countries are recommended to increase the terms for issuing visas to Russians up to a maximum of 45 days (instead of the usual 15) for thorough checks.
They will check, in particular, whether the person who applied for a visa threatens the security of the EU countries. It is planned to refuse to issue long-term visas to Russian citizens, as they “may not meet the conditions for entry into the EU in the long term, given the economic instability, restrictive measures and political events in Russia.” It is planned to issue single-entry visas with a short term or a trip period.
Travel without an important purpose, such as tourism, will be given a lower priority. Also, now consulates will be able to request additional supporting documents in addition to those on the standard list.
For family members of EU citizens, journalists, dissidents and representatives of civil society, restrictions are not recommended.