Norway and Finland tighten entry rules for Russian athletes

Norway and Finland announced new restrictions on visiting Russian athletes on November 12, with Norway also targeting professional competitors from Belarus. Government statements linked the decisions to the war in Ukraine. The measures concern permission to enter the countries, including for athletes whose international federations have reopened competition to them.

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Norway's justice ministry said it would direct immigration authorities and police to refuse entry to professional athletes from the two countries when travelling for sporting competitions. Accompanying support personnel would also be covered. The government said implementation would follow shortly, without giving a specific starting date in its announcement.

Norwegian officials said existing visa controls were already strict, but easing eligibility rules in international sport could bring more competitors and staff seeking admission. The government argued that Russian elite sport's links to state authorities made participation inseparable from the war. It also cited Belarus's support for Russia's military campaign.

Finland's foreign ministry set November 16 as the date from which authorities would apply its new resolution when considering visas, entry and short stays. Its measures cover Russian citizens undertaking non-essential short-term work under visas, including professional sport. Athletes competing without national identification are included, so neutral status does not provide an exemption.

The Finnish ministry said the restrictions would apply regardless of which country a traveller departed from. A Schengen visa issued elsewhere would not necessarily secure admission or permission to stay if it conflicted with Finland's restrictions. The resolution supplements measures adopted in July 2023, rather than replacing the country's existing framework.

Responsibility in Finland will be divided between the foreign ministry and overseas missions for visas, the Border Guard for entry, and border officials and police for monitoring short stays. Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said Russian athletes should not enter while the war continued. The ministry said only work essential to Finland's national interests would qualify under Schengen visas.

The Guardian reported that this week's NHL games in Helsinki between Seattle and Carolina should be unaffected because Finland's restrictions begin on Monday.