The Czech government has extended the ban on issuing visas and long-term residence permits for citizens of Russia and Belarus until March 31, 2024.
The ban will also apply to Russians and Belarusians who have the citizenship of any other country.
An exception will be made for citizens of Russia and Belarus who have made a request for a humanitarian visa, as well as relatives of citizens of EU countries and those who have a residence permit or permanent residence in the European Union.
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The Czech Republic suspended the issuance of visas to Russians and Belarusians after Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. The authorities indicated that such a measure was designed to “protect the foreign policy interests of the Czech Republic” in connection with military operations in Ukraine and put pressure on Russia and Belarus.
Later, the Czech authorities announced the launch of a simplified residence permit and long-term visa program for activists from Russia and Belarus. It was reported that Russians and Belarusians who are “freedom fighters, defenders of human rights, representatives of civil society, independent media or academia”, as well as citizens who are persecuted by the state or forced to leave the country in order to security. The program is designed for one year with the possibility of extension. The annual quota was 500 applicants.
In September last year, the EU suspended the visa facilitation agreement with Russia. European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson then said that Russian citizens should not have easy access to the European Union, and being a tourist in the EU is not a fundamental right.
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