Czechia stops issuing visas and residence permits to citizens of Russia and Belarus
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala (Getty Images)
Czechia ceases visa and residency permits issuance to Russians and Belarusians due to the invasion of Ukraine, according to the Prime Minister of Czechia, Petr Fiala.
According to him, the Cabinet of Ministers should also create conditions for the opposition or students who do not want to have anything to do with the Russian and Belarusian regimes to work in Czechia.
Shortly after Russia's attack on Ukraine two years, the Czech government decided to stop issuing visas to Russian citizens, and then to Belarusians, except for humanitarian cases. The decision was initially in effect until March 31, but now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has proposed a new government resolution without a specific deadline for simplification.
According to Fiala, it is necessary to create conditions for representatives of the opposition or students who do not wish to have anything to do with the respective regimes to study, work, and operate in the territory of Czechia.
"A number of exceptions are included in the rules, but we will continue to work on it," Fiala said.
Applications for residency permits in Czechia submitted by Russians or Belarusians to the embassy are considered unacceptable. This means they will not be processed. Since last year, the ban has also extended to citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus who are also citizens of another country.
Visas for Russians
Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it has become more difficult for Russians to obtain Schengen visas to many countries, and to some it is impossible altogether. RBC-Ukraine reported on which countries continue to issue the most visas to Russians.
