Dear Minister Stenergard,
We, Ryska Antikrigskommittén i Sverige, a non-profit organization supporting Russian civil society and its anti-war movement, respectfully request that the Government of Sweden re-evaluate its current visa policy with regards to Russian citizens, specifically the existing ban on all short-term visas introduced in September 2024 and motivated by a shortage of embassy staff. With this letter, we ask for the resumption of Schengen visa application processing in the Russian Federation for the family members of Swedish nationals and of individuals legally residing in Sweden.
The current suspension of visa services creates a significant challenge to the principle of family unity and interferes with the right to respect for private and family life, as established in Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, for Swedish residents and citizens with family ties in Russia
The practical consequences of the suspension are substantial. For example, the lengthy processing time for a newborn’s first residence permit (often up to 15 months, according to the Swedish Migration Board’s website) prevents new parents in Sweden from traveling, making visits from grandparents the only possibility for family connection. The inability of family members to visit for important life events or to provide necessary support creates significant hardship.
We also note that Sweden’s present policy is stricter compared to its Nordic neighbors. Both Norway and Finland continue to accept visa applications from relatives, providing a precedent for a more targeted approach that balances policy considerations with fundamental family rights. Embassies of these countries could potentially be asked to assist in processing applications if staff shortage continues.
Furthermore, this policy disproportionately affects those who have chosen to oppose the current Russia regime and align with democratic values. Russians residing in Sweden who publicly express pro-democratic and anti-war views cannot safely travel to Russia to visit family because they risk interrogation or arrest. Ryska Antikrigskommittén i Sverige has been denounced as an “undesirable organisation” by the Russian regime in December 2022, making participation and organising activities a criminal offence. Many activists have seen their personal information leaked to the pro-war Russian media channels, and two of our activists have already been criminally charged while on family visits. The risks are real. The inability of family members to visit them in Sweden effectively penalizes them for their activism and prevents them from maintaining family connections, while individuals who support the current Russian regime travel without risks.
To be clear, we are not advocating a broad reopening of visa services. We ask for a targeted humanitarian exception. We urge the establishment of a formal mechanism allowing the following relatives of legal residents in Sweden to apply for Schengen visas:
- Parents to adult residents
- Grandparents
- Adult children to residents
Implementing such a measure would provide a relief for affected families without altering Sweden’s broader foreign policy stance, and reaffirm Sweden’s commitment to the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.
Sincerely,
Ryska antikrigskommittén i Sverige
