From Friday, the Finnish border will be closed to Russian tourists, reports the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat (HS). The new border rules are due to come into effect on Thursday evening unless the government makes a last-minute change today. Since September 19, Finland is the only EU border country with an open land border for Russians.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, Pekka Haavisto, said on September 23 that Finland has made a principled decision to ban Russians from entering the country for the purpose of tourism, transit to other EU countries, and to cancel preferential visas based on ownership of real estate in Finland.

According to the State Security Service, the new border regime should come into effect on the night from Thursday to Friday, if the government does not change the previously agreed schedule at today’s meeting.

The government will announce the decision on Thursday at a press conference after the meeting of the government council. Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto (Greens), Interior Minister Krista Mikkonen (Greens) and Head of Border Control Unit Tuomas Laosmaa from the Border Service will speak at the event.

Restrictions only for Russians

According to HS information, the new policy is similar to the border practices of the Crown era, except that the entry restrictions apply only to Russians and the reasons for refusal of entry are different.

So the border is practically closed for Russians, but you can still enter the country for special reasons. It is about family circumstances related to visits of close relatives (children, parents, grandparents), studies and work. Special groups include diplomats. And oppositionists from Russia can get to Finland.

All passengers are treated individually, HS reports. A refusal of entry entry will be made in the passport and the visa will be canceled at its own discretion if it has expired under the new provision.

This means that the visas of Russians who come to Finland as tourists are usually invalid. In this case, the traveler will no longer be able to enter the EU territory, for example, from the border of another Schengen country, using a visa issued by Finland.

Damage to the reputation

The new policy is based on a section of the Schengen Travel Regulations, according to which a passenger can be refused entry to the Schengen area due to damage to his international reputation.

However, according to HS information, “the reasons for the government’s principled decision do not specifically indicate what reputational damage the Russians are causing to relations with the Finnish partner country.”