Finland will narrow access to short-term visa work for Russian citizens starting Nov. 16, limiting eligible jobs to those it considers essential to national interests, under a resolution adopted Nov. 12.
Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA) said the measure covers professional athletes and other Russian citizens seeking temporary work. Athletes are included even when competing under neutral status. The rules apply regardless of where the journey begins and extend to travelers using Finland to continue to another Schengen country.
A Russian citizen can take short-term work under a Schengen visa only if Finland considers the role essential to its national interests. The ministry cited positions connected to security of supply as one example. The related entry assessment also covers travelers transiting Finland.
The MFA said Finland views entry that does not meet the national-interest threshold as a threat to its international relations. It said the EU Visa Code and the Schengen Borders Code require officials to refuse visas and deny entry when an applicant is considered a threat to a member state’s international relations.
The government said Russia uses sports to promote propaganda and its war aims. Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said, “As long as Russia’s war of aggression continues, Russian athletes have no business in Finland.”
The ministry described the new measure as an addition to the government’s July 6, 2023, resolution. The ministry announced national entry restrictions after the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) said an Oct. 30 ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) allowed the Russian Ice Hockey Federation to enter teams in five 2027 championships. Valtonen told Helsingin Sanomat that Finland would advance its own restrictions without waiting for European Union-wide rules, as EconoTimes noted in its report on Finland’s planned entry measures for Russian athletes.
The resolution takes effect Nov. 16.
