Who was denied entry to Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Poland September 19, 2022 – September 19, 2022
Began. Immediately four neighboring countries of the Schengen zone on September 19 stopped the release of Russians on a passport. Formally, Poland is also in company with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, but it closed back in March. Fontanka tells how the new restrictions work.
In chats about crossing borders, there is already a whole scattering of turns about how the Russians on Monday night began to act on the border and go home. However, no country has issued a clear explanation of these minor rules. Something similar to the instructions is only in Estonia, so we will focus on it.
Who was banned from entering Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia?
From September 19, entry to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland is prohibited for all Russian citizens with any valid short-stay Schengen visa issued for tourism, sports and cultural events, as well as relatives or friends.
There is no dependence on the final destination or the Schengen country in which the visa was issued. In other words, there is no entrance.
Who is still allowed into Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia?
The restriction does not automatically apply to all Russian citizens. There are some exceptions.
Russians, for example, can visit relatives in the ascending or descending line – children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, spouses, or people with the participation of there are common minor children. At the same time, the visitor must be a citizen or have a permanent residence permit (permanent residence) in Estonia or in another EU country.
Let diplomats, those who have visas for work and study, and also limits the range of international freight and passenger traffic.
In some cases, exceptions in the country will also call people “in anticipation of a humanitarian nature”, including dissidents.
Is it possible to transit through Estonia to other countries?
No. On a short-term Schengen visa type C, you can choose Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland to enter Russian citizenship, possibly to close relatives and spouses in these cases.
Holders of Latvian Schengen visas (type C) do not have the ability to transit through Estonia. They need to go to the nearest borders of the country they are going to.
Possesses type D visas, as well as all types of residence permit countries.
Can I enter Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania from other Schengen countries?
Yes. It is allowed to enter regardless of the purpose of entry from other Schengen countries, for example, from Finland. Ferries from Helsinki to Tallinn and aircraft continue to carry passengers without additional control.
Is it possible to return in transit through Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania to Russia?
The rules do not prohibit this. It is said that transit is allowed if a Russian citizen enters Estonia without stopping, just to get to his country of residence.
Is it possible to enter Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania if there is real estate there?
No. This is not a basis for entry. The Estonian government recommends “regulating your property remotely.”
Will the visa be canceled if they come for export to Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania?
They promise not to touch visas. “Visas will not be invalidated and will not be canceled under the border security regime,” the statement said.
Travelers with unsuitable grounds are affected and sent back to Russia.
Why in Finland they consider the closure of the Baltic countries of entry for Russians a “legally dubious” operation – read here.
And about how “warmly” some cars with public numbers in Suomi meet, “Fontanka” revolved here.
Ilya Kazakov, Fontanka