EU Nations Seek Stricter Visa Rules for Russians Amid Security Concerns

Eleven European countries have formally requested the European Commission to implement tougher, unified visa restrictions for Russian citizens. This joint appeal, sent on June 3-4, 2026, aims to address concerns about “visa shopping” and align the bloc’s border practices with its political stance on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The move comes as the United States also tightens its immigration policies for Russian nationals.

The group of nations, including Poland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Iceland, sent a letter to EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner. They are urging an amendment to the EU Visa Code to introduce “restrictive and mandatory” measures that would apply uniformly across all member states.

Addressing “Visa Shopping”

A primary concern for the coalition is the practice of “visa shopping,” where Russian citizens reportedly apply for Schengen visas through consulates in Southern European countries that have more lenient policies. Once granted, these visas allow them to travel freely within the entire border-free Schengen area, including countries that have themselves adopted stricter controls at their own consulates or borders. This practice undermines the efforts of nations seeking to limit access for Russian travelers.

The ministers highlighted that in 2025, nearly 478,000 Schengen visas were issued to Russian citizens for tourism. Many of these were multiple-entry permits, allowing for repeated visits. This figure provided a concrete basis for their argument that national-level restrictions are no longer sufficient within a shared travel zone.

Linking Travel to Geopolitical Realities

The signatories expressed that it is “deeply troubling to witness increasing numbers of Russian tourists enjoying leisure travel on European beaches, while missiles and drones continue to strike civilians in Ukraine.” They directly linked the push for tighter visa rules to the war in Ukraine, arguing there is a disconnect between the EU’s political position and its actual border practices. The proposal aims to close this perceived gap by rewriting common rules rather than leaving visa policy to individual national discretion.

The appeal also specifically targeted multiple-entry tourist visas. The coalition believes that broad access through such permits is incompatible with the current security and political climate created by the war. There is also a discussion about a potential measure, referred to as the “Estonian initiative,” which would aim to identify and block former combatants, moving closer to a near-total ban on leisure travel for Russian citizens.

U.S. Policy Shifts for Russian Nationals

In parallel to the European efforts, the United States has also implemented stricter policies affecting Russian nationals in 2026. On January 1, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memorandum instructing officers to place a hold on all pending benefit applications from nationals of certain high-risk countries, including Russia. This directive also requires a full re-review of immigration benefits approved since January 20, 2021, under heightened national security standards.

This means that Russian nationals may face delays in adjudicating pending applications for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) and naturalization (Form N-400). Furthermore, individuals who had their immigration benefits approved in the last five years could be subject to mandatory re-interviews or secondary vetting. USCIS stated that these actions are intended to ensure the agency fully exercises its authority to investigate immigration benefit requests from individuals who might pose risks to U.S. national security and public safety.

Paused Immigrant Visas and Stricter Benefit Processing

Another significant U.S. measure took effect on January 21, 2026, when the State Department, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, paused the issuance of immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, including Russia. While applicants can still attend interviews, no immigrant visas will be granted until this suspension is lifted. The stated aim of this policy is to prevent immigrants from high-risk countries from unlawfully utilizing welfare programs or becoming a public charge in the United States. Notably, there are no automatic exceptions for spouses of U.S. citizens under this pause, potentially leading to family separations.

Adding to these measures, USCIS issued a memorandum on May 21, 2026, indicating that applications for Adjustment of Status filed from within the United States while in temporary nonimmigrant status will be treated as a discretionary benefit available only in “extraordinary circumstances.” USCIS described this policy as a “significant departure from longstanding practice,” designed to prioritize security and procedural integrity.

Divergent Approaches, Shared Goal

While the European push and the U.S. measures differ in their legal frameworks and scope, both initiatives share a common focus on Russian nationals and increased official scrutiny in 2026. In Europe, the immediate focus is on Schengen tourist access and whether a traveler can obtain a visa through a more lenient consulate. In the United States, the actions extend to immigration benefits, immigrant visas, and the processing of green cards. The European Commission now faces a coordinated request from 11 member states to replace inconsistent national restrictions with common rules that would bind the entire bloc, a demand amplified by the significant number of visas issued in 2025 and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

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