Finland’s Border Guard published its week 50 operational review showing that Helsinki-Vantaa Airport handled about 189 000 border checks between 9 and 15 December, with processing times remaining normal despite the year-end travel rush. Officers refused entry to 42 passengers—mostly for insufficient funds or invalid visas—and detected six forged travel documents, all referred to the National Bureau of Investigation.
By contrast, all eight land-crossing points with Russia have now been closed for thirteen consecutive months under emergency legislation introduced after a spike in irregular arrivals in late 2024. The bulletin notes “zero asylum attempts” at the eastern frontier last week, suggesting that the push-back law and new physical barriers are deterring flows.
Maritime traffic in the Gulf of Finland remained routine, with 1 244 vessel movements checked and three minor search-and-rescue call-outs handled without injury.
![Border-Guard Bulletin: Airport Passenger Flow Strong While Russia Land Border Stays Shut]()
Businesses and individual travelers needing clarity on Finland’s entry regulations can quickly verify requirements and obtain the right documentation via VisaHQ’s dedicated Finland portal. The service offers real-time visa information, personalized checklists, and application support that helps prevent last-minute complications at border control—see https://www.visahq.com/finland/ for details.
For corporate mobility planners the data have a dual message: Finland’s main international gateway is functioning smoothly for business travellers, but overland routes from Russia remain unavailable for passengers. Logistics managers moving staff or equipment should therefore continue to rely on air or sea links; only the Vainikkala rail freight line is open, and it carries cargo only.
HR teams should brief travellers on tighter document scrutiny at Helsinki Airport and remind Russian-based assignees that Russian-registered cars are banned and humanitarian exemptions are limited. Companies should also review travel-risk policies for staff transiting Finnish Lapland, where NATO troop movements and infrastructure-protection drills are increasing spot-checks.
By contrast, all eight land-crossing points with Russia have now been closed for thirteen consecutive months under emergency legislation introduced after a spike in irregular arrivals in late 2024. The bulletin notes “zero asylum attempts” at the eastern frontier last week, suggesting that the push-back law and new physical barriers are deterring flows.
Maritime traffic in the Gulf of Finland remained routine, with 1 244 vessel movements checked and three minor search-and-rescue call-outs handled without injury.
Businesses and individual travelers needing clarity on Finland’s entry regulations can quickly verify requirements and obtain the right documentation via VisaHQ’s dedicated Finland portal. The service offers real-time visa information, personalized checklists, and application support that helps prevent last-minute complications at border control—see https://www.visahq.com/finland/ for details.
For corporate mobility planners the data have a dual message: Finland’s main international gateway is functioning smoothly for business travellers, but overland routes from Russia remain unavailable for passengers. Logistics managers moving staff or equipment should therefore continue to rely on air or sea links; only the Vainikkala rail freight line is open, and it carries cargo only.
HR teams should brief travellers on tighter document scrutiny at Helsinki Airport and remind Russian-based assignees that Russian-registered cars are banned and humanitarian exemptions are limited. Companies should also review travel-risk policies for staff transiting Finnish Lapland, where NATO troop movements and infrastructure-protection drills are increasing spot-checks.
