23 Jun 2022 09:44

Czechia not to issue visas to Russian, Belarusian citizens through March 2023

MINSK. June 23 (Interfax) - Czechia will not be issuing visas and temporary residence permits to Russian and Belarusian citizens through March 2023, the Czech News Agency said, noting that the government backed the Foreign Ministry's decision.

The decision will protect foreign political interests and to ensure the security of Czechia, the statement said. It also aims at forcing Russia and Belarus, which supports Moscow's actions in Ukraine, to stop the military operation.

The only exception will be made for humanitarian visas. The decision will not apply to Russian and Belarusian citizens who already have a residence permit and wish to extend it, as well as families of foreigners with a residence permit in Czechia.

It was reported on February 24 that Czechia had suspended the issuance of visas to Russian citizens and had decided to revoke the accreditation of Russian consulates in Karlovy Vary and Brno and to suspend the operation of its consulates in St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg.