Additionally, the Visa Facilitation Services Global (VSF) office in St. Petersburg will also halt the receipt of visa and residence permit applications for Finland from the same date.

Due to resource limitations, visa and residence permit applications for Finland will not be received at the Embassy of Finland in Moscow or any other VFS offices in Russia between August 1 and August 31, 2023.

However, starting from September 1, 2023, the duties for consular and immigration matters previously managed in St. Petersburg will be transferred to Finland's Embassy in Moscow. From that date onwards, the Embassy in Moscow will handle all passport and notarial services, as well as provide assistance to Finnish nationals in Russia.

Regarding the possibility of submitting visa and residence permit applications at the VFS office in St. Petersburg, the Foreign Ministry will provide further information at a later date.

The decision comes after Russia's announcement on July 6, 2023, of the closure of Finland's Consulate General in St. Petersburg, effective from October 1, 2023.

This move signals a significant change in visa processing and consular services for Finnish nationals and Russian citizens traveling to Finland. (ILKHA)