IMMIGRATION ALERTS

Montenegro to introduce visas for Russian and Belarusian citizens from October 1, 2026, as part of EU integration. VFS Global to process applications.

Slovakia has suspended Schengen visa issuance for Russian nationals for July and August 2026, with only one exception: sports-related travel. Tourist, business, and guest visas will not be processed during this period. National visas for study, family reunification, and specialized work continue as usual. Existing appointments for non-sports purposes will be canceled with full service fee refunds.

Cyprus has resumed visa processing at BLS International centers across Russia, effective July 6, 2026. The service was suspended on June 13 after a contract lapse. Applications are now accepted in eight Russian cities including Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg. The visa fee is €90 for adults (12+) and €45 for children (6-11), plus a BLS service fee of 547 rubles.

Russia and Saudi Arabia move closer to visa-free travel – mutual exemption agreement set to launch in second half of 2026 for up to 90 days per year.

China to extend visa-free entry for Russian citizens by one more year – ambassador calls for permanent deal. 30-day visa-free travel continues into 2027.

Finland confirms full ban on non-biometric Russian passports from June 1, 2026, aligning with EU security standards.

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As of July 18, 2025, Russia has introduced a major revision to its visa-free entry rules, cutting the permitted stay for foreign visitors to 90 days per calendar year—a reduction from the earlier policy that allowed stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day window.

Many European nations have halted visa issuance for tourism, business, and residency purposes.