The Council of the European Union’s Visa Working Party met on 14 October in Brussels with Czech diplomats in attendance. According to the published agenda, delegates examined a Commission paper on issuing limited territorial validity (LTV) visas for Russian nationals whose travel is deemed non-essential but who require entry for humanitarian reasons or to attend EU court hearings. Czechia has already suspended the processing of standard short-stay visas for most Russian applicants, a policy extended repeatedly since February 2024. However, Prague still faces requests for LTV visas for family reunification, sport competitions and cultural exchanges hosted in the country. The Working Party discussed harmonising documentary requirements so that applicants cannot "shop around" for the most lenient member state. For Czech employers, the debate signals that exemptions for IT specialists, engineers and university lecturers may tighten further. Relocation providers say Czech consulates have recently asked for additional proof that visiting Russians will not perform paid work—even when sponsored by EU research grants. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to update its internal guidance within weeks, once the Council’s conclusions are circulated. Companies scheduling short-term assignments for Russian passport-holders should anticipate longer processing times and be prepared to provide letters explaining why virtual participation is impossible. Mobility managers should also monitor whether the EU decides to expand the LTV concept to Belarusian nationals, a step supported by several Central-European states at the meeting.
Source: Council of the European Union
