Czech Republic extends ban on issuing visas to Russians

The measure concerns both citizens of Russia and citizens of Belarus. The portal of the Czech Cabinet of Ministers states that until March 31, 2024, a ban on issuing visas and permits for long-term residence in the country to citizens of both countries.

The ban also extended to Russians and Belarusians with other citizenship. They will not be able to apply for a Czech visa or residence permit, except for humanitarian and a number of special cases.

The Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic proposed the Foreign Ministry to expand the list of exceptions for trips that benefit the country from a cultural point of view. The proposal was rejected because it could contradict the directives of the European Union, and the Czech embassies would have problems with the interpretation of the vague term "benefit from a cultural point of view".

At the same time, the Vietnamese authorities are going to extend the visa-free stay in the country for Russian tourists from 15 to 30 days. Since the opening of the country to foreign tourists after the pandemic, the recovery of the tourism industry and the economy as a whole has been slow. To increase the terms of visa-free stay in the country should, in their opinion, accelerate the revival of the tourism industry.