UK grants visa to Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen

The United Kingdom has granted a travel visa to Finnish Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen, lifting a previous travel ban that had prevented her from entering the country.

Räsänen, a Christian politician, had her Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) revoked in July following a March ruling by Finland’s Supreme Court. The court upheld a hate speech conviction against her regarding a 2004 church pamphlet concerning biblical views on marriage and sexuality. Räsänen is currently appealing this decision to the European Court of Human Rights.

The visa approval arrived on August 21, approximately 45 minutes before Räsänen was scheduled to speak at a religious freedom conference in Bangor, Northern Ireland. Due to the timing, she was unable to attend in person and instead delivered her address via video link from Finland. The new entry permit is reportedly valid through February 2027.