Norway turns away Russian and Belarusian athletes and support staff at border

Norway's government said on 12 November 2026 that it will refuse entry to Russian and Belarusian professional athletes who travel to the country to compete, hours after neighbouring Finland announced a comparable block on visas for Russian athletes. Both governments linked the measures to the war in Ukraine, and the restrictions apply even where international federations have cleared athletes to take part.

Key facts

• Norway will instruct immigration authorities and police to refuse entry to Russian and Belarusian professional athletes and accompanying support staff coming for sporting competitions.
• Norway's changes will enter into force "shortly"; no exact date was given.
• Finland's measure takes effect from Monday.
• Finland's foreign ministry said the measure covers Russians competing under neutral status as well as those competing for national teams.
• Norway is preparing to host a cross-country skiing World Cup in Trondheim in December.
• Norway already applies a restrictive visa practice for Russian and Belarusian citizens.

What is changing in Norway?

The government said it intends to keep athletes from Russia and Belarus out of Norway for as long as the war in Ukraine continues. It pointed to "relaxations introduced by international sports federations" as the reason more athletes and support staff from the two countries might otherwise travel to Norway to compete.

Astri Aas-Hansen, the minister of justice and public security, said Norway "is now further tightening who is allowed to travel here". The government added that Russian elite sport has close ties to Russian authorities and so cannot be viewed independently from the war.

What is changing in Finland?

Finland announced earlier the same day that it would block visas for Russian athletes, a move that could affect several winter sports. Foreign minister Elina Valtonen said Russian athletes have "no business in Finland" while the war continues, and that their entry would be a threat to the country's international relations. She said the same applies to other short-term work under visas that is not essential to Finland's national interests.

Which events could be affected?

In Norway, Russian and Belarusian athletes could be blocked from the cross-country skiing World Cup in Trondheim in December, despite being cleared by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). FIS permits athletes from the two countries to compete only under conditions such as displaying no country symbols and signing a declaration of neutrality.

In Finland, the measure could affect a figure skating grand prix next week, a cross-country ski World Cup this month and the figure skating world championships in March in Tampere, where Russian skaters are expected to be among the top medal contenders. The International Skating Union (ISU) said it is studying the implications and seeking clarifications from skating officials in Finland, and believes athletes should not be punished for the actions of their governments.

The Finnish change takes effect from Monday, so it should not affect this week's NHL games in Helsinki between the Seattle Kraken and Carolina Hurricanes, or the ski World Cup slalom races in Levi on Saturday and Sunday. Finland is among a group of European teams that have vowed not to play Russia at the ice hockey world championships; the men's championships are scheduled for Germany, which is weighing up whether to host. Finland is also due to host the European track and field championships in 2030, while World Athletics maintains a blanket ban on Russian participation that is facing a legal challenge.

What this means for travellers

Russian and Belarusian professional athletes and their support staff planning to travel to Norway or Finland for competitions should expect their entry or visa request to be refused once the measures are in force, regardless of clearance from an international federation.

Norway's government said its instructions to immigration authorities and police will take effect "shortly", while Finland's restriction starts on Monday. The ISU said it is awaiting further clarification on how the Finnish measure will be applied.