Finland restricts visas for Russian athletes

Finland will tighten visa restrictions on Russian athletes from November 16, saying they should not enter the country while Russia's war in Ukraine continues.

The government said on Thursday that a new resolution would restrict entry for Russian citizens applying for short-term work visas, including professional sports work.

Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said Russian athletes had “no business” in Finland while the war continued and said their entry would threaten Finland's international relations.

Finland's foreign ministry said Russia uses sport as a propaganda tool and seeks to use it to promote the goals of what it called an illegal war. It said Russian citizens would be allowed to work under a Schengen visa only in tasks essential to Finland's national interests.

The decision was expedited after a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling opened the door for Russia's men's and women's ice hockey teams to return to the world championships next year.

Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the Czech Republic have said they will not play Russia at the 2027 world ice hockey championships in Germany. Finland already restricted non-essential travel by Russian citizens in 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.