Czech Republic suspended issuance of visas to Russians and Belarusians

The Czech Republic will no longer issue visas and residence permits to Russians and Belarusians because of the invasion of Ukraine.

This was stated by Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Ceske Noviny reports.

According to him, the Cabinet of Ministers should also create conditions for the work of the opposition or students in the Czech Republic who do not want to have anything to do with the Russian and Belarusian regimes.

Shortly after Russia's attack on Ukraine the year before last, the Czech Cabinet of Ministers decided to stop issuing visas to Russian and then Belarusian citizens, except in humanitarian cases. So far, the resolution was valid until March 31, but now the Foreign Ministry has proposed a new government resolution without a specific deadline to simplify the process.

According to Fiala, it is necessary to create conditions for opposition members or students who do not want to have anything to do with the respective regimes to study, work, and conduct business in the Czech Republic.

"There are a number of exceptions to the rules, but we will continue to work on this," Fiala said.

Applications for residence in the Czech Republic submitted by Russians or Belarusians to the embassy are considered inadmissible. This means that they are not subject to consideration. Since last year, the ban also applies to Russian and Belarusian citizens who are also citizens of another state.

Author – Anastasiya Glotova, 22/02/2024