Norway-bound athletes and staff from Russia, Belarus face entry ban

Finland and Norway announced on 12 November 2026 that they will block Russian athletes from taking part in international sporting events on their territory while Russia's war against Ukraine continues. Norway's measures extend to Belarusian professional athletes and their support staff as well. Finland's restrictions enter into force on 16 November 2026, while Oslo has not given a specific start date.

Key facts

• Finland's new visa and entry restrictions take effect 16 November 2026.
• Norway will refuse entry to Russian and Belarusian professional athletes and accompanying support staff; no start date was announced.
• The Finnish rules apply to short-term Schengen visas for work, and professional sport does not qualify as essential to national interests.
• They apply whether a Russian citizen enters Finland directly from Russia or through another Schengen country.
• Events that could be affected include competitions in Ruka (27-29 November), Trondheim (December) and Tampere (March 2027).

What is changing?

Under a new government resolution, Finnish authorities say Russian citizens applying to work in Finland on short-term Schengen visas will generally only be admitted for activities regarded as essential to the country's national interests. Professional sports will not qualify.

Finland's Foreign Ministry said the measures also cover athletes competing without Russian national symbols, closing a route that had allowed some competitors to take part internationally under neutral status. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said "Russian athletes have no business in Finland" while the war continues.

In Norway, the government said immigration authorities and police will be instructed to refuse entry to Russian and Belarusian professional athletes and their support teams travelling to compete. Justice and Public Security Minister Astri Aas Hansen said Norway already applies restrictive visa practice to Russian and Belarusian citizens and is now tightening who may travel to the country.

Who is affected?

The restrictions target professional athletes and, in Norway's case, accompanying support staff. Norway's measures cover both Russian and Belarusian nationals; the Finnish measures described in the government resolution concern Russian citizens. Norwegian Culture and Equality Minister Lubna Jaffery said Oslo opposes the return of Russian and Belarusian professional athletes to international competition while the war continues.

The Norwegian government argued that Russian elite sport maintains close relations with state authorities and cannot be separated from Moscow's war. Belarus, it said, has supported and facilitated the Russian campaign, including by allowing Russian forces to use its territory during the invasion.

When do the new rules start?

Finland's restrictions take effect on Monday, 16 November 2026, ahead of several major international winter sports competitions. Norway said its changes are expected to take effect shortly but did not announce a specific date.

Which competitions could be affected?

The Norwegian announcement could affect the cross-country skiing World Cup in Trondheim in December. In Finland, restrictions could affect the World Cup opener in Ruka on 27-29 November and the Figure Skating World Championships scheduled for March 2027 in Tampere.

The International Skating Union (ISU) said it is examining the implications and seeking clarification from the Finnish organisers. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has permitted Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under certain conditions, including limits on national symbols and a requirement to declare neutrality.

What this means for travellers

Russian athletes planning to work in Finland on a short-term Schengen visa for a sporting event should expect those applications to be refused from 16 November 2026, regardless of whether they travel from Russia or another Schengen country. Russian and Belarusian professional athletes and support staff heading to competitions in Norway may be denied entry.

Spectators and teams planning trips to winter sports events in Ruka, Trondheim or Tampere should check whether affected athletes are able to compete, as participant lists may change.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha welcomed Finland's decision and urged other European governments to "close the remaining loopholes". The announcements follow a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on 30 October opening the way for Russia's return to international ice hockey, which the International Ice Hockey Federation opposed. Norway has not announced a date for its measures to take effect.