EU Ends Multiple-Entry Visas for Russians

The European Union announced on Friday that it will no longer issue multiple-entry visas to Russian nationals, requiring them to apply for single-entry visas each time they seek to travel to the Schengen area, a move aimed at enhancing security scrutiny amid Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

The Schengen area, comprising 25 of the EU's 27 member states along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, allows passport-free travel across its borders. The European Commission, the EU's executive body, stated that the change addresses heightened risks, including acts of sabotage attributed to Moscow, drone disruptions on European soil, and the potential misuse of visas for security threats. "This will allow for close and frequent scrutiny of applicants to mitigate any potential security risk," the commission said in a statement.

Exceptions to the rule include close family members of EU citizens or Russians residing in the EU, who may receive multiple-entry visas valid for up to one year. Transport workers, such as truck drivers and seafarers, can obtain multiple-entry visas for up to nine months. In addition, multiple-entry visas may be granted in cases where an applicant's...