Czech Republic will no Longer Issue Residence Permits to Russians and Belarusians

Due to the invasion of Ukraine, the Czech Republic will no longer issue visas and residence permits to Russians and Belarusians. Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) announced the extension of the resolution at the suggestion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, he said that the Cabinet should also create conditions for the activities of the opposition or students in the Czech Republic who want nothing to do with the regimes of Russia and Belarus, Denik writes.

The ban on issuing resident visas to Russians and Belarusians at embassies will be permanent by order of the government. The provision, which provides for the inadmissibility of visa applications from Russians and Belarusians, should be in force permanently without time limits. 

The ban on visas to the Czech Republic also applies to Russians and Belarusians with citizenship of any other country. Exceptions in the public interest or family reunification will remain. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has proposed an amendment to a government decree that would permanently ban visa applications by Russians and Belarusians to the Czech Republic. The government approved the amended resolution on Wednesday, 21 February 2024.

Applications by Russians and Belarusians for residence in the Czech Republic submitted at embassies have not been accepted by government decree since 2022. However, the ban was limited to one year and then extended in 2023 until 31 March 2024 "in view of the developments" in Russia's war in Ukraine. 

"As Russia's aggression against Ukraine continues, the government has decided to extend the resolution indefinitely, maintaining the same restrictions as before," the government said in a statement.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the permanent ban will only affect business: "In the business environment, we may expect the current trend of limiting the inflow of labour from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus to continue," the statement reads verbatim.

According to the draft amendments, the Foreign Ministry does not expect the war with Russia to end. To prevent the government's resolution from having to be constantly updated, the ban on issuing visas to Russians and Belarusians, including those with dual citizenship, will be indefinite.