The Finnish government has decided to stop issuing visas to Russian citizens seeking to enter the country for short-term work, including professional sports competitions.
The new policy, which takes effect on Monday, November 16, tightens border restrictions for Russian nationals.
While the cabinet’s formal decision does not explicitly list “athletes” as a restricted category, Minister of Sports Mika Poutala confirmed that Russian competitors will no longer qualify for the necessary visas. Under the updated guidelines, entry will only be granted if the visit is deemed essential for Finland’s national interest.
The decision follows a rapid internal review triggered by a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on October 30, which cleared the way for Russia to return to high-level international ice hockey. This ruling contradicted the stance of the International Ice Hockey Federation, which had previously opposed Russian participation due to the country’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen emphasized the diplomatic rationale behind the move. “As long as Russia continues its war of aggression, Russian athletes are not welcome in Finland. Their entry risks our international relations,” Valtonen said in a government press release.
The restrictions apply to all Russian citizens, regardless of whether they compete under a neutral flag. The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs clarified on its website that individuals seeking entry for professional sports or other short-term work will be denied if they are considered a threat to Finland’s international relations, a measure grounded in EU visa and Schengen border codes.
The government maintains that Russia uses sports as a propaganda tool to support its war efforts. Consequently, the new rules extend to any short-term work not deemed necessary for Finland’s national interests. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs confirmed that athletes already holding valid visas will not be affected by the upcoming changes.
The timing of the policy change affects several upcoming winter sports events. For instance, the NHL is currently hosting two games in Helsinki featuring the Seattle Kraken and the Carolina Hurricanes. Because the restriction begins on November 16, the three Russian players currently participating in those games will be permitted to complete their scheduled appearances.
Conversely, the policy creates uncertainty for the upcoming World Cup cross-country skiing premiere in Ruka, Finland, scheduled for late November. While the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has previously cleared 69 Russian skiers to compete as neutral athletes, the new Finnish visa rules effectively bar them from entering the country to participate in the event.
In response to the broader international trend of barring Russian athletes, Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev told the state-owned news agency Tass that the country has initiated “aggressive legal actions” on the orders of Vladimir Putin.
The slalom season is set to begin in Levi, Finland, on Saturday, November 14, just two days before the new border restrictions take effect.
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