The key facts

  • From November 16, Finland will take the ban into account when reviewing visa applications, including short-term employment in professional sports
  • The restrictions also apply to athletes in a neutral status, and entry on a visa issued by another Schengen country may be refused
  • On the same day, Norway announced it would end access for Russian and Belarusian professional athletes and their accompanying persons

What the two countries decided

Russian athletes will not be able to take part in competitions held in Finland and Norway until the end of Russia's war against Ukraine. On November 12, a Thursday, the governments of both countries announced measures aimed at banning the issuance of visas to Russian athletes.

Finland: entry called a threat to international relations

The government of Finland adopted a decision in which the entry of Russian citizens into the country is characterized as a threat to Finland's international relations, the government's press service reported. The new checks affect persons applying for a visa for short-term employment, including in professional sports. From November 16, the authorities will take this decision into account when reviewing visa applications, as well as when assessing conditions for entry and short-term stays.

The position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Finland's Minister of Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen stated: “As long as Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine continues, Russian athletes have no place in Finland. Their entry threatens Finland's international relations. The same applies to other types of short-term visa-based employment that are not of importance to Finland's national interests.”

Restrictions broader than visa issuance

According to the press service's statement, the restrictions may also affect Russians attempting to enter Finland on a visa issued by another Schengen Area country — they may be refused entry. The government emphasized that the restrictions also apply to Russian athletes wishing to compete in a neutral status. The government's statement reads: “Russia uses sport for propaganda purposes and seeks to advance the goals of its illegal aggressive war through sport.”

Norway closes previously existing exemptions

On the same day, November 12, Norway announced the introduction of similar measures. The Norwegian government's statement notes that the country already has strict rules for issuing visas and for entry for citizens of Russia and Belarus, but exemptions introduced by international sports organizations allowed professional athletes and their accompanying persons to come to Norway to take part in competitions. The government now intends to prevent the entry of professional athletes from these countries and their accompanying persons for as long as the war in Ukraine continues. The statement also points out that professional sport in Russia is closely tied to the government.