EU approves suspension of visa facilitation agreement Russia from September 12

The member states of the European Union have finally approved the decision to completely suspend the visa facilitation agreement with Russia from 12 September, the EU Council said in a statement, circulated in Brussels on Friday, Report informs, citing TASS.

Today, the Council adopted a decision completely suspending the visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Russia. Accordingly, the general rules of the visa code will apply to Russian citizens, it says.

The Council emphasizes that this decision will lead to an increase in the visa fee from 35 euros to 80 euros, the need to provide additional documentary evidence, an increase in the time for issuing a visa and tightening the rules for issuing multiple visas.

The decision is expected to be published in the Official Journal on September 9, 2022. It will enter into force from the date of its adoption and will apply from September 12, 2022, the EU Council added.

Earlier on September 6, the European Commission proposed to completely suspend the visa facilitation agreement with Russia.