Thread by @bctallis

A (very) basic explainer on some aspects of the proposed #visaban to prevent tourists from #Russia entering the #EU’s Schengen zone.
(There are some shortcuts but this is basically what you need to know on some more technical aspects - & I welcome corrections!)
1/

A #visaban must hit Type C Schengen Short Stay visas
- the most common type of visa that allows entry to & movement in the jointly controlled free(r) movement area & stay of up to 90 days in any 180 day period. It can be single/double/multi entry for tourism or business. /2

Because this visa allows movement between Schengen countries it is what is currently being used by Russian tourists entering Finland & Estonia (via their land borders) to then move on to other countries in the Schengen zone (by plane) to get round the flight ban from #Russia. /3

Of the other types of Schengen visa that exist, Type A is an airport transit visa, Type B a 5 day transit visa for travelling through Schengen (now often covered by transit conditions attached to a Type C single entry tourist visa).
There are two main other relevant types /4

Type D Long Stay ‘National’ Visa - this allows stay of up to 1 year & movement within Schengen area for
- tourism or personal visits
- professional activities (eg research)
- study, training or internships
- family reasons
BUT is issued under national not Schengen conditions /5

So even though this visa allows Schengen-wide movement for up to 90 days in a 180 day period (within the 1 year overall period) states can individually make provisions to exclude Russians or others from this programme if they wish without needing to reach a common agreement. /6

Then there are special visas that are only valid on a ‘limited territory’ -the territory of the particular Schengen state that issues the visa. The most important use of this in relation to the #visaban is for ‘Humanitarian visas’ -for ppl under threat of violence/ persecution /7

It should not be a prime consideration for implementing a #visaban (those are the effects on shortening the war, shoring up our democracies, using our power & incentivizing Russians to make change) BUT This would be a key option for Russian opposition figures to get out. /8

Humanitarian visas can be -& generally are- processed quickly at embassies & consulates. Other Schengen visas (3/5 year multi entry) are not so relevant to #visaban because they are for longer term settlement- but we should continue to carefully consider to whom they are given /9

Other options for getting into EU countries lie in the realm of national residence & labour bureaucracies - & are thus for individual states to decide (which like type D visas, many have been doing). It’s actually good that Finland & Estonia have raised this #visaban /10

Because they could have hidden behind capacity constraints or acted unilaterally but instead have created a moment for the EU & the Schengen states to exercise their collective power, which they should do, as #Russia is clearly rattled by this & it can have a real effect /11

So what should the #visaban cover? I would suggest
- all Type C visas
- most Type D visas ( excluding compassionate & family grounds & some well vetted study/ research)
- Type B visas that don’t facilitate other types of eg humanitarian visas

As to what should be left open /12

We should leave open
- Humanitarian ‘territorially limited visas’
- 3/5 year multi entry visas
- long term emigration/ resettlement residence & labour permits
(But all those long term visas and permits are tightly controlled anyway meaning no #Putin enablers can get them) /13

Lastly we should be working to kick out any Putinist elements in our societies. This means fake diplomats but also fake civil society, etc. The anti-putinist civil society should welcome this & we should welcome & support them. Nonetheless, the priorities remain: /14

- #Ukraine’s victory ASAP
- Securing our societies against #Russia & renewing our democracies
- realising & using the power we have
- Regime Change in🇷🇺 (which will benefit Russians & the rest of us

As I’ve argued (see link in next tweet) the #visaban serves these goals /END

the liberal case for a #visaban