Montenegro is preparing to end its visa-free regime for Russian citizens starting Oct. 1, ending a policy that has been in place for nearly 18 years.Restrictions will also extend to citizens of Turkey, China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, and Belarus, independent media outlet ASTRA reported, citing Dan’s own sources. Montenegro is working on bringing its migration policy in line with Schengen zone standards ahead of the country’s possible EU accession.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.Currently, Russian citizens can enter and stay in Montenegro without a visa for up to 30 days, a limit that is expected to change soon.Broader EU alignment already underwayMontenegro’s diplomatic mission said the country must fully align its visa policy with EU rules by the end of the third quarter of 2026, which includes introducing visas for Russian nationals.Visa service provider VFS Global announced it would begin accepting Montenegrin visa applications through centers in eight Russian cities – Moscow, Arkhangelsk, Murmansk, Petrozavodsk, Pskov, Novorossiysk, Voronezh and Yekaterinburg – to ease the transition before the new rules take effect.In 2010, Montenegro became an official candidate for EU membership and has been gradually harmonizing its legislation since, aiming to fit within the bloc’s standards.Tourism sector facing disruptionRussia has been among Montenegro’s largest tourism markets, largely due to the visa-free regime between the two countries.