poistumisenä

Poistumisenä is a Finnish term that translates to "exit visa" or "permission to leave" in English. Historically, it was a document required by the Soviet Union for its citizens to travel abroad. This permit was a critical part of the Soviet system of restricting emigration.

Obtaining a poistumisenä was a complex and often lengthy process. Applicants had to undergo scrutiny, with authorities examining their reasons for wanting to leave and their background. Many applications were denied, particularly for individuals deemed to have valuable skills or knowledge, or those perceived as politically unreliable. The denial of a poistumisenä effectively trapped citizens within the Soviet Union.

The requirement for a poistumisenä was a significant symbol of the limited freedoms experienced by citizens in the Soviet bloc. It highlighted the state's control over its population's movement and its ideological stance against free travel. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the poistumisenä system was abolished, and the restrictions on international travel were lifted. The term now primarily exists in historical contexts related to the Soviet era.