Estonia to ban entry of Russian citizens from August 18

The Estonian government has approved a sanction restricting the issuance of visas to Russian citizens and banning entry to Estonia for Russian citizens who have a visa issued by Estonia and intend to visit the republic for tourism, business, sports, or culture.

"This means that if a Russian citizen who has been issued a Schengen visa by Estonia and whose purpose of the visit is tourism, business, sports, or culture, arrives at the Narva, Luhamaa, or Koidula border crossings, from next Thursday he will no longer be able to enter Estonia," the government press service said, Interfax reported.

The government has specified that Russian citizens who have been issued a visa by another country of the Schengen Agreement or who are already in the Schengen area may enter Estonia. The legality of entry into the country or its absence is checked and ensured by the Department of Police and Border Guard.

The application for an Estonian visa is also restricted.