The Norwegian government has decided to ban the entry of Russian citizens who go there for tourism or other non-essential travel. Russian citizens intending to travel to Norway for tourism or other non-essential purposes may be refused entry after crossing the external border.
The Norwegian government noted that these rules will apply both to those who have visas issued in Norway before the tightening of visa practices in the spring of 2022 and to those who have visas issued in other countries in the Schengen area.
Exceptions will be granted in certain cases, such as visiting close relatives (parents, spouses, common-law partners and children) living in Norway and Russian citizens working or studying in Norway or other countries in the Schengen area. The changes take effect on May 29.
The Norwegian government reiterated that it changed the practice of issuing visas for Russians in the spring of 2022, and since then tourist visas for Russians are generally not issued. Entry requirements are now becoming even stricter.
“The decision to tighten entry rules is in line with Norway’s approach of standing by allies and partners in the reactions against Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine,” said Norway’s Minister of Justice and Public Security Emilie Enger Mehl, Klix.ba writes.
