What you need to get a visa. Registration of the Schengen visa. Schengen visa: advantages and difficulties of applying

When planning a trip abroad, the issue of visas remains a must. Also, for this you need to familiarize yourself with some of the subtleties, so that nothing spoils the rest.

Each consulate has its own visa requirements. It depends on state policy, intergovernmental agreements and the rules of the institution itself. It is impossible to guarantee a document for entry into the country, because many factors affect this. The nuances lie in the possible past offenses of the tourist, the lack of a specific entry in the passport, etc.

To travel abroad, you can contact the company that will help you apply for a visa. It is important to choose a reliable company and then all issues will be resolved as soon as possible. In order to get the document yourself, you need to pass accreditation at the consulate. See the video on the visa application process.

First you need to visit the consular department of the country, where you can learn more about all the intricacies of the departure. Usually there is information for visitors, with which you can find out about the required documents. You also need to take the form of the questionnaire, which should be filled out correctly.

It is important to choose the right purpose of the trip so that there are no possible problems in the future. Most often, people leave for official duties, workers, students, transit, etc. It is not necessary to provide false information about the purpose of the trip, because it may follow in the process of clarification.
  When the necessary information is collected, you can understand the real chances of getting a visa.

The term for processing documents at various consulates takes from 1 day to 2 weeks.  If the case concerns the Schengen countries, then in this case a lot of time is spent on recording. Then you need to go through the registration procedure in advance.

Required documents

It is best to prepare the required documents in advance to make the process even a little faster. This will require:


international passport

The validity of the passport must be at least 6 months after the expiration of the visa. It should contain a signature and free pages for marking. Some countries are very demanding about the free space in the passport: if it is not there, then there is nowhere to put a mark on.

It is advisable to provide a passport without defects or damage. If there are marks of failures, then it is better to change it. And the look itself must be neat.

Profile

This document is required. Depending on the country, the type of paper may vary. Some states suggest filling it out on their website, but usually get it at the consulate. Questionnaires are issued both in the native language and in a foreign language.

Do not rush to fill it out, first it is better to do this in a draft. There may be various questions, including from his own biography. The design must be correct so that this does not cause a failure. A photograph must be taken in the required size, color and quantity.

Financial guarantees

These include a bank statement on the availability and amount of the account. Real estate, transport and a certificate of employment can confirm financial viability. Some countries require traveler's checks in which the length of stay depends on the amount. You also need to clarify whether you need a translation of the document into the language of the country.

A travel voucher is required to visit another country. The document indicates the full name, travel time and payment. In special cases, the voucher can replace the hotel reservation document.

Ticket Confirmation Document

You can get it at the transport company or at the ticket sales agency. It indicates the date of arrival and departure. In special cases, the original may be required.

Ticket Booking Confirmation

Citizens of the Russian Federation to visit most European countries need to obtain permission in advance to visit these countries. This permission is better known as a “visa." A visa, by definition, is a document on the basis of which a foreign citizen can enter the territory of a certain country or community that issued this visa. One of these communities can be called, for visiting which you need to get a Schengen visa. The logical question arises: is it possible to apply for a Schengen visa without intermediaries, that is, independently?

Like any other document, obtaining a visa provides an opportunity for personal registration, and in some cases, this is a prerequisite. The basic principles of preparation for filing, a list of documents and possible nuances that arise on the way to obtaining Schengen, we will consider further in our article.

What is Schengen

First you need to separate two concepts that are often confused: the Schengen countries and the EU. These are two different organizations for their purpose. The countries that signed the Schengen agreement are aimed at the maximum integration of the inhabitants and economies of these countries within Europe. That is, it was planned to make it so that a resident, for example, Germany, could safely go shopping in Poland in one day without having to get visas in advance. The very concept of the border between the Schengen countries is missing. In total, 26 countries are participating in the agreement today.

Great Britain did not join Schengen, that is, Schengen is not valid for visiting this country.

The European Union is, first and foremost, an economic union providing for the introduction of a single currency (euro) in the territory of all member countries. For 2018, the EU includes 28 countries. All EU citizens can work, undergo training, receive medical education in any of the countries that have signed the EU agreement.

Thus, it should be understood that not all EU countries are also located in Schengen, and vice versa. Croatia, for example, is a member of the EU, but is not a Schengen member. Great Britain was in the EU, but a process has already begun to exit the country from this organization.

The presence of common borders in Europe greatly simplifies travel preparations for citizens of the Russian Federation. After all, you can open one visa, and travel almost throughout Europe. With the right and responsible approach, applying for a visa like Schengen on your own will avoid unnecessary expenses.

A personal presence when applying for Schengen visas is mandatory from 2015. Starting from this time, it is necessary to take your fingerprints to everyone who is older than 12 years old. If a foreigner travels to Schengen within five years after the first procedure, then further personal presence is not required. After five years - the information is considered outdated and should be repeated.

Grounds for applying for a visa

When preparing documents for a trip abroad, it is very important to correctly determine the purpose of the trip, which will serve as the basis for the Schengen visa. And, of course, to highlight the country of the agreement, to the embassy of which documents will be submitted. Citizens of the Russian Federation visit Schengen both for leisure and for training, work, to see relatives living in Europe. There can be many reasons, and for each of these reasons there are various nuances in the preparation of a package of documents.

Reasons for applying for a Schengen visa:

  • A trip to Europe for tourist purposes;
  • Training in certain licensed European institutions;
  • Work in Europe based on high qualifications and with contact.

Tourist trips

Most often, citizens of the Russian Federation go to Europe to relax on the beach, or to visit and explore the main attractions. Europe has tremendous recreational potential. There is everything. From the picturesque beaches and islands of the Mediterranean Sea, to the centuries-old castles of France and Switzerland. Of course, tourism does not involve any commercial activity in the Schengen area, nor a long stay in any of the countries of Europe.

What is meant by a long stay? According to the general Schengen rules, being in the Schengen line is considered to be long, exceeding the total number of 90 days for six months. Therefore, tourist visas are issued either for a specific trip, or with a stay corridor 90/180.

It is a tourist visa that is most often offered to be opened by companies providing intermediary services in this direction. The meaning of such a visa is to provide the applicant with the opportunity, first of all, to relax on the territory of one, and if desired, several Schengen countries.

Visa for students

Education in Europe is the canon of the quality of education. Possessing a rich history, many universities in France, Germany, Austria for centuries trained the most outstanding specialists in many industrial fields, as well as produced real creative geniuses. In addition to the inherently high quality of education, studying in Europe makes it possible to plunge into a completely different world, in which several cultures are mixed. This is an amazing experience for a young man, significantly expanding the boundaries of consciousness and understanding.

One of the characteristics inextricably linked with obtaining an education in Europe is traditionally considered its high cost. However, this is nothing more than a popular myth. In Europe, everything depends primarily on the person himself. There are a number of countries where, with a good level of academic achievement and a certain knowledge of the state language, training can be carried out on an equal footing with local students. Often - completely free.

It also attracts the opportunity for students to earn money legally to cover part of their expenses. In most countries, studying in full-time, a student has the right to work 20 hours a week. Of course, this should not be full-time. The main condition for issuing and extending a student visa is good academic performance. Nevertheless, this is an opportunity to find his first job in Europe.

As a document on the basis of which a visa for study is requested, an agreement with a university or a document confirming the admission of an applicant to study is either. This visa can be valid from six months to a whole year (with the possibility of extending the annual visa on the spot). In addition to information from the educational institution, it is necessary to provide information about the intended place of residence and the availability of sufficient financial support. Depending on the student's age, he shows financial information in person, or with the help of sponsors, which may be his immediate family.

Work visa

Europe is very stable, but after the crisis in 2008, the labor market fell sharply. Accordingly, the authorities of each country stand guard over the interests of their own citizens. They are given priority in the right to work in the country. Therefore, the number of visas issued for work in the Schengen area over the past 10 years has plummeted.

Any enterprise applying for a job to a foreigner must argue with the local authorities on the basis of what special qualities the employee made. It is also required to prove that the vacancy was put up in the domestic market, but failed to close it.

It is logical that not all employers strive to overcome these difficulties. And given that in 2007-2012, Schengen and the EU expanded due to Eastern European countries, where labor costs a little less than in Western Europe, there were practically no chances for a foreigner to get a job from abroad.

An exception is made by specialists of a very high category. This requires a Blue Card, or a preliminary contract from the employer, accompanied by personal work characteristics of the applicant, confirming his uniqueness and adequacy of the proposed position.

In any case, this visa is requested with the participation of the employer, or directly by the employer. It is quite difficult to formalize it yourself.

Duration of Schengen Visas

A visa is a document allowing a foreigner to visit Schengen countries on certain conditions. One of these conditions is a specific period during which the applicant can stay in Europe. Moreover, it is important to separate two concepts: the period of validity of the visa and the period of stay. So, visas are valid for a month, but with a period of stay in Schengen no more than 10 days.

Duration of visas and restrictions:

  • Short-term visa with a single entry permit;
  • Short-term visa with permission for two or more entries;
  • Long-term visa with permission for several entries.

Long-stay visa with multiple entry permits

It is the most requested visa of all possible. And this is quite logical, because it is an opportunity to access trips to Europe for a year at a time, or even more. At the same time, it will not be necessary to collect all the documents again, go to the embassy, \u200b\u200bnot to mention the nerves and funds spent in the process. It is important to pay attention to the number of entries on a visa. After all, the period of validity is important only for a long period of its validity. For example, getting a Schengen visa for a month with the possibility of multiple entry is completely unprofitable. After all, in one month they usually do not take several vacations.

Such a visa is issued, as a rule, when the passport already has several Schengen visas received and canceled in the previous three years. Then the requirements of the applicant about the need to provide him with a multiple-entry long-stay visa are considered quite reasoned.

A long-term visa is almost never opened for tourist trips. If “tourism” is chosen as the basis, then the consul will provide an opportunity for relaxation, but within the framework of the provided package of documents, including hotel reservations and airline tickets.

The issuance of such a visa is possible only at the discretion of the consul and on the basis of previous visas.

Short-term visa with permission for two or more entries

Most often provided when applying for tourism. The basis is, as a rule, buying a tour or booking accommodation in Italy, Spain, Greece or any other European country. Issued in order to make this trip possible. They issue, as a rule, for a period of one to three months, with several possible arrivals. There are cases that can be issued for 6 months. In this case, you can take this opportunity, and go later for a short weekend, for example, to Hungary or the Czech Republic.

Short-stay visa with one entry

This is the first, basic type of Schengen visa. She is put in clean passports, when all the requirements for visiting Europe are met. Such visas have a very positive effect on the candidate’s history. In the future, he will get a more substantial visa.

The main package of documents

In order to know exactly how to properly apply for a Schengen visa without assistants and as soon as possible independently, you must first familiarize yourself with the list of necessary documents. The most convenient thing in this process will be that absolutely all countries request the same package of documents, so that no matter what country a Russian citizen gathers in, the preparatory process will be the same.

List of documents:

  • Valid passport of an old or new (biometrics) sample;
  • Questionnaire questionnaire, completed strictly in form;
  • Several copies of the photo;
  • Documentary evidence of the reason for the trip to Europe;
  • Financial documents;

In addition, it is advisable to submit any documents that may indicate the presence of a strong connection between the applicant and the homeland. These may be documents on property ownership, a car registration certificate, copies of previous visas (if they were in a different passport).

Conclusion

It is not only possible to apply for a Schengen visa yourself, but it is also necessary. To do this, you just need to choose a country to visit, collect a minimum package of documents, after specifying all the details on the embassy’s website, submit documents and pay a review fee. In most countries, the consular fee is between € 30 and € 70 per person.

If you have questions, it is always possible to write a letter to the consulate’s email address, which are usually indicated on the website.

Read more about how to get a Schengen child.

Europe is one of the most popular tourist destinations. To enter the territory of most European countries for Russians in 2019 need a Schengen visa  to Europe. A visit to the countries of the Old World that are not included in the Schengen zone can also be accompanied by some nuances.

Types of European Visas

Depending on the purpose of the trip, Russian citizens can apply for a tourist, student, work visa:

  • Tourist. It is required to visit one or several European countries for the purpose of recreation, familiarization with the sights and culture of a particular state;
    The validity of the entry permit is determined individually each time.
  • Training. Colleges, universities, and academies of some European countries (Austria, Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic) study students from all over the world, among whom are our fellow citizens who want to receive a high-quality European education. Student visa is issued for a long term (the most common - semi-annual, annual) and is subject to renewal in the future. If a student receives a scholarship from some foundation, for him the price of a visa to Europe will be low, since in this case the consular fee is not paid;
  • Working. Before applying for a visa to Europe for work, you must always receive an invitation from the employer.

By validity, short-term visas and multi-visas are distinguished. If the latter is available, the traveler has the right to enter several times, and then leave the Schengen area for a certain period of time. This is the most convenient option for tourists who travel a lot, as you can visit any Schengen country on it.

A multi-visa may not be given to someone who is traveling to Europe for the first time.

Schengen visa: advantages and difficulties of applying

Since the formation of the Schengen zone, obtaining visas to Europe for Russians has become much more complicated. The applicants are subject to fairly high requirements, and the procedure itself is often delayed for several months. However, if you have the right amount in your bank account, airline tickets, hotel reservations and all the necessary documents, the process of obtaining tourist visas will not seem too complicated, but there are a lot of opportunities for their holders.

According to Schengen, you can legally visit 26 countries of the European Union (with the exception of Ireland, the UK), as well as Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland. It is worth noting that some countries that joined the EU, but did not sign the Schengen agreement (these are the southern part of Cyprus, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania), are also allowed to visit their territory on a Schengen visa.

Schengen Design

To obtain Schengen, you must present the following documents to the consulate of the country where the trip is planned:

  1. A passport whose validity ends at least 3 months before the expected date of travel with the availability of space for a stamp;
  2. A questionnaire filled out in Russian, English or the language of the consulate. The requirements for the application form at the embassies of different countries are different, so its form should be downloaded on the website of a particular state;
  3. Receipt for payment of the cost of a visa to Europe (consular fee). The fee is paid in Russian rubles at the current rate at the time of payment;
  4. A photo. The number of shots may vary depending on the consulate, but the rules for their design are approximately the same for everyone:
    • Size - 3.5x4.5 cm;
    • Light background (preferably white);
    • The person should occupy 70 - 80%;
    • The head is straight, the mouth is closed, the eyes are open, the expression on the face is neutral;
    • Photo taken recently.
  5. Documents confirming solvency (bank statement, certificate of employment, application and relevant documents from the sponsor, etc.);
  6. Confirmation of the purpose of the trip (invitation from the employer, hotel reservation, airline tickets for tourists, a document from the university about admission, etc.);
  7. If the applicant is a pensioner, he additionally provides a copy of the pension certificate, if the student is a student ID.

Some countries of the Schengen agreement did not include health insurance in the list of documents required for a visa, but it is recommended that you still get an insurance policy.

Visa to Europe for a child has its own characteristics. When applying for a visa application, you must attach a copy of the birth certificate and a notarized export permit (if the child is traveling without parents).


Visas to countries that are not included in the Schengen area

There are very few countries left in Europe for which Schengen is not required to cross borders. So, in Cyprus, in Bulgaria, Croatia, Great Britain, Romania, Ireland should apply for national visas. However, certain difficulties can arise only when applying for permission to enter the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. In other countries, applying for a national visa is even easier than Schengen.

South Cyprus can be visited on a free e-visa, it is issued on the official website of the country. This is a one-time tourist visa, which gives the right to stay in Cyprus for no more than 90 days.

Also, in a number of countries for Russians, obtaining a visa to Europe is not required:

How much is

The cost of a visa to Europe in Moscow includes the following payments:

  • Consular fee;
  • Service fee (when applying at the visa center);
  • Insurance;
  • Travel agency services (if the traveler does not want to deal with the design themselves).

For economical tourists who do not want to overpay, the prices of a visa to Europe in 2019 will depend only on the cost of insurance and consular fee. The consular fee differs depending on the chosen tourist destination:

The following categories of citizens do not pay the consular fee:

  • Children under six years old;
  • Students who apply for student permits;
  • Representatives of non-profit organizations under the age of 26 to participate in conferences, seminars, educational and cultural events;
  • Persons with disabilities and persons accompanying them;
  • Persons who go to Europe for treatment in medical facilities.

In the Lifehacks section, we try to simply and easily answer questions that may arise during travel planning and trips themselves. What you need to know when going for a visa, what to say to an embassy employee, how not to screw up at the border and how to get Schengen for more than one year?

Schengen visa - a prerequisite to enter, leave and move around the Schengen countries (including from one to another). With a Schengen passport at your disposal will be 26 states: almost all of Western and Northern Europe. But in some, instead of a Schengen one, a separate, national visa is required (as before in the UK). Depending on the purpose of the trip and its duration, the “travel” document necessarily falls into one of the categories - A, B, C or D. Single Schengen visas A and B are needed for transit crossing the border on the way to a third country: type A - for only on the territory of the airport (it does not give the right to stay in the country), type B gives five days on the road to get through the Schengen territory to the destination. The most common - type C, "short-term tourist", needed just for traveling. Visa D is issued to those who are going to study, work or live permanently in one of the countries.

If you are making your debut with a trip to one of the Schengen countries, keep in mind: for the first time a visa will be issued a one-time (i.e. with the right of single entry). Usually you should not hope for more. If you have already been in the Schengen zone, but your new passport will debut, the same thing can happen: the embassy will most likely not rustle through the database to find traces of your Eurotours. Proof of past trips will help restore justice: for example, photocopies of at least one visa, if it is not older than two years.

You can get Schengen at the embassy or honorary consulate of one of the countries and in the official visa centers. At your own peril and risk, you can contact the visa support center: here a credit of trust (or lack thereof) is yours for each individual company.

A few general rules. First, choose a recording date so that all documents are ready to be submitted and at the same time do not have time to expire (for example, a certificate from a bank account). Secondly, find out how long the visa takes: for example, the Lithuanian embassy will only have 7 working days, and the German embassy will languish you waiting for all 14.

If you apply for a visa at the embassy, \u200b\u200byou need to pay only the consular fee, the minimum and mandatory cost (children under 6 years old - do not count). You can enroll in embassies on their own sites. Each has its own specifics. Somewhere you can’t pay the consular fee by card, but somewhere you can’t pay in cash. Some embassies update the calendar regularly, while others (for example, Polish) post fresh dates strictly on certain days.

Bigger fees (+ € 18-20) for less worries - visa center. An undeniable plus is that in addition to Minsk (and the embassy is most often in the capital) they work in regional and some district centers. They also help the scattered: for an additional fee, you can do everything that you forgot (s) - a photo, insurance, application form and the necessary photocopies.

Collect the standard list: passport, application form, photo, medical insurance, a certificate of employment (or study) and documents that confirm your financial well-being (certificates or bank statements, sponsorship letters, etc.). Often necessary and certainly not superfluous will be tickets and reservation of accommodation. Each country can have small pitfalls - the number of photocopies, the background color in the photo, or the obligatory appearance of your ears on it. Some documents have a short shelf life. For example, an extract from the bank about the movement or availability of money in the account lives only 5 days.

The basic rules of a bonton at the embassy are to turn off the phone (or at least put it on silent mode, or not to take it at all), and not drag a support group with you. Taking pictures there is prohibited by law. In some places, for example, in the Consulate of Italy, things will have to be left in a special chamber at the entrance. So, whatever you need when serving, it’s better to keep it ready, and you will often find a set of “crazy hands” in place — glue, scissors, and pens. But better still glue the photo in advance. The gestures you need - when and where to enter - will be reported by employees and they will certainly not forget about you. Therefore calmly wait for directions.

Some embassies attach importance to whether you actually entered the country of your visa issuance. For example, the Czech always looks at a repeated call to see if you managed to get to in a year: if there are no stamps, this can be clarified with questions - where was the hotel, what was it called. It’s not worth inventing. Even if there was no travel, his absence does not stain your visa history - it is better to admit that the plans have changed. But lying is very punishable: if you do not present tickets, checks, etc., the doubts of the embassy staff will end in a visa denial. True, only this time.

In general, the rule here is one and it applies to all embassies: say everything as it is. While you are telling the truth - in the eyes of the consul or border guard you are a conscientious traveler or traveler.

It is quite difficult to assess the loyalty of the embassy, \u200b\u200bhere you also need to take into account the human factor - someone can turn a blind eye to the lack of one piece of paper, and someone will thoroughly check everything.

Getting a one-time Schengen is quite simple at the Lithuanian Embassy - it will be enough to show them the hotel reservation and account statement. To obtain a multiple entry visa, an invitation is required. By the way, small embassies, in which the flow of profiles is smaller, are usually quite welcoming to applicants. A good example is the Estonian embassy in Belarus. But some, for example, the Italian embassy, \u200b\u200bfairly fairly secured the glory of those who give large visas only to those who have relatives in this country.

1. If you have never been in the country of visa issuance.

2. If you have chosen a very illogical route that you cannot confirm by the availability of tickets or hotel reservation.

3. If you have not paid a travel penalty or managed to do something like that. If you are unlucky and you are listed in the debtor base, then your visa will be refused. If the case has touched crime, there is nothing to say here - immediately a refusal.

4. If you were deported from the country for violation of the visa regime, then here too expect problems - they can set a different term for the impossibility of entering the country.

5. When there is no money. Not at all. That is, there are no data, account statements, checks or certificates that you basically have.

6. They can also wrap up because you did not deliver some piece of paper, for example, a certificate of employment.

Visas longer than a year are issued at the “usual” embassies - Polish, Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian. The logic of issuing is simple: you need to justify why you should get such a visa. For example, there should be a corporate invitation for more than a year, or an invitation from relatives who are waiting for you to visit, are ready to provide housing and confirm that they have enough money for your maintenance. That is, when you receive any visa for more than a year (you open it for two, three years or five years), you need to justify its necessity. By the way, it should be borne in mind that a two-year visa is issued at the Polish embassy to those who previously had two multiple-entry Polish visas, one of which is a tourist visa.

There is a belief that you can enter the Schengen zone only through the country that issued the visa. But this is only a conviction: it all depends on the visa itself. The EU law says that a visa should be requested at the embassy of the country where the first trip is to be. If you don’t know which country you will go to first, then you need to get a visa at the embassy of that country where you plan to spend the most time.

If the visa received is a single entry, the first entry must indeed be through the country that issued it. Except in cases when this state does not have common borders with Belarus. As for a multiple entry visa, there is no such rule: you can enter wherever you want. True, it launches another principle - to stay in the country that issued the visa longer than in any other. And even the latter does not oblige you to remain faithful to one region: you ask for a visa from those you plan to go to, and plans tend to change.

When the current visa remains in the already canceled passport - this is not a reason not to let you into the Schengen countries. Since 2014, you can enter all Schengen countries with a valid visa with an invalid passport. But the main thing is not to forget a new passport with you. Without him, they would not be allowed to cross the border.

Definitely not lying. Neither at the embassy, \u200b\u200bnor at the border. But you need to know your rights and use them correctly. The EU interprets all life situations with understanding as legal behavior. If you planned to go to Lithuania and brought the documents to the Lithuanian Embassy, \u200b\u200bbut left for Poland because your plans changed. Or if, instead of Bratislava, on a Slovak visa, you ended up in Berlin. But if you apply for a visa, knowing in advance that you are not going to come close to the country of the embassy, \u200b\u200bthis is already a violation.

We repeat once again: you should not lie at the border. And do not be surprised either. If the border guard asks you about the zodiac sign - this is not his astrological hobbies (probably), but a way to indirectly check the owner of the document. If you fly for the first time with an unopened Slovak visa and fly to Germany - say so at the border: there was an intention to get to Bratislava, but your plans changed. But if you say that you are flying to Bratislava, they can ask for tickets (which are not) - alas, oh, their absence will be regarded as a misleading border guard.

In case of misunderstanding, keep calm. The border guard is not omniscient just because of the uniform, therefore politely stand his ground and, if necessary, demand a boss. The most correct thing is not to give in and not to panic, even if you are severely looked at and asked questions in a strict voice. By the way, keep in mind that the EU border service has every right not to miss a traveler who does not have a valid or evidence with him that he or she has the money to travel. And it is better to carry insurance with you for health, and not for border guards.

Text -, Angelina Gerus

ATTENTION!

By decision of the European Union from September 14, 2015 compulsory biometric data are being introduced for Russian citizens wishing to obtain a Schengen visa (in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, the procedure is being introduced from the end of June). By the end of October, this procedure will be mandatory introduced in all countries supporting the visa regime with Schengen countries.

From September 14, 2015 and then every five years, Russians over 12 years old who decided to get a short-term Schengen visa will have to submit biometric data and take a digital photo.

All clarifications in this regard are collected on a special website www.evrovisa.info in Russian.

It gives general information about the Schengen countries, the new visa information system (VIS), as well as where and how to apply for a short-term visa. The information is clearly structured - the first application for a Schengen visa, repeated, less than or more than 5 years have passed since the visa was received, etc. There is information about the action when a visa is refused: few people know that, according to the EU visa code, the applicant has the right to appeal the decision of the consulate by contacting the competent authorities of the European Union.

The site presents an interactive map that determines the location of the user and immediately displays the nearest consulate of the country where he intends to go. Visa centers of the Schengen countries are now operating in 51 cities of Russia: 13 - in the cities of the North-West Federal District, 12 - in the Central, 8 - in the Volga region, 5 - in the Southern and Siberian districts, 4 - in the Urals, 2 - in North Caucasian and Far Eastern districts.

The site also has a step-by-step guide and a video in which tourists are explained the details of the design of biometrics. For example, when submitting prints, you must first attach four fingers of one hand, then the other hand, and then the thumbs of both hands. And when you are shot on a digital photo, it is advisable to take off your glasses, a hat, not try to smile, but keep your face as neutral as possible.

Passport and visa formalities  - This procedure is one of the most important factors associated with the need to comply with the rules when crossing state borders. The establishment of a passport or visa regime for tourists is the prerogative of the national legislation of the host country.
  As a rule, entry into the host country requires a visa, that is, a special government permit for entry-exit, residence or transit through its territory.

A visa may be:

    Single entry (allows entry once and exit once);

    Double (allows you to enter and exit twice);

    Multiple (gives permission to enter and exit more than two times).

The presence of a visa does not guarantee that entry into the country will take place. Despite the fact that a visa is the main permitting document to visit another state, it only confirms the registration of a passport at the consular post of the state to be visited. The final decision on the possibility of entry into the territory of the state is made by the relevant immigration (border, police) authorities on the border of that state, and if a person entering the country for some reason does not meet the tourist’s position by decision of these authorities, he will not be allowed to cross the border, despite on an existing visa.

General requirements for visa documents:

1.   Foreign passport, in which should be the signature of the owner. The document should not be expired and contain doubtful marks and stamps. The validity of a foreign passport must meet the requirements for staying in the country of destination. The passport must have at least 2 free (clean) pages.

2.   If you have several valid foreign passports, you must provide all original passports.

3.   We draw your attention to the requirements for foreign passports for minor citizens of the Russian Federation. All minor tourists traveling on vacation on a sea cruise must have their own foreign passport to cross the border. Children inscribed in the parent's passport are required to issue their passports and to enter them. Border guards have the right to refuse boarding children who are inscribed in the parent's passport.

4.   If a child under the age of 18 is sent on a trip with one of the parents (or accompanied by a third party), it is necessary to submit a notarized power of attorney from the parent / parents (principal / principals) to the accompanying person in which the country of the trip (Schengen Agreement countries) is indicated and the validity of the power of attorney (no more than THREE months), a photocopy of the pages of the internal passport of the parent (parents), where there are any marks.

5.   The original (or notarized copy) of the birth certificate for all minor children (under 18 years of age) who are going to make a trip.

6.   A photocopy of all pages of a common passport.

7.   Consular application form.

8.   A photograph of a passport sample measuring 3.5x4.5 cm, the size of photographs should not exceed 4x6 cm. The statute of limitations from the moment of shooting should be no more than six months.

9.   Spouses must provide a copy of the marriage registration certificate.

10. Certificate of employment, validity period of not more than ONE month.

11.   Retired, unemployed and students must provide a certificate of employment of the person who finances their trip and a copy of the pension or student ID.

12.   Financial support (Documents confirming the availability of funds).

13.   Medical insurance.

14.   Confirmation of residence in the country.

15.   Booking or a copy of round-trip tickets.

Attention!!!

    The consulate has the right to request additional documents (relevant for all countries);

    Consular fees may vary;

    Applying for a visa is desirable in the Consular District where the applicant resides;

    Check the type and validity of existing visas in foreign passports, in order to avoid misunderstandings and disruption of trips;

    The cost of a visa consists of the Consular fee, visa support, the necessary actions of the host country and processing of documents;

    The list of documents and the deadlines for issuing visas can be changed due to innovations introduced by different Consulates.

In connection with possible changes to the above mentioned components - it is necessary to clarify the information at the time of applying for a visa manager-expert of the Cruise House "MK"

Reasons why the Consulate may refuse to issue a visa:

    Violations of entry into countries on past trips (relevant for all countries);

    Excesses with authorities during previous trips;

    There are not enough guarantees of returning to the country of residence;

    False information in the questionnaire;

    Inability to contact the tourist on the numbers indicated in the questionnaire;

    Failure to submit or incorrect execution of additional documents;

    A single (single) young girl traveling unaccompanied;

    Insufficient funds, according to the provided certificates from the place of work, account statements, etc.

Cruise House MK is not responsible for the refusal by embassies of foreign states to issue entry permits (visas)!

Visa rules for cruises / tours

1.   We draw your attention to the requirements for foreign passports for minor citizens of the Russian Federation. All minor tourists traveling on vacation on a sea cruise must have their own passport to cross the border. Children inscribed in the parent's passport are required to issue their passports and to enter them. Border guards have the right to refuse boarding children who are inscribed in the parent's passport.

2. When changing a surname, for example, upon marriage, within 1 month it is necessary to change all documents taking into account the new surname. Otherwise, visa documents are not accepted.

3.   On most cruises / tours, a prerequisite is the opening of a multivisa of the main country and additional visas, which must be opened in advance and do not open upon arrival at the port. In the presence of a single visa or the absence of all necessary (pre-opened) visas, tourists will be denied boarding the liner with withholding all penalties. Check in advance for the necessary visas in foreign passports!

4.   When boarding the liner, the cruise company’s employees can hold a tourist’s passport for the entire cruise time to simplify the passage of border formalities at each port. If necessary, tourists have documents in any port - they will be issued to them for a while. At the end of the cruise, documents are returned to tourists.

5.   In cases where the cruise passes through visa countries, the opening of visas to which are carried out in the port, tourists need to inform (when boarding the liner) about the ports where they plan to go ashore so that the cruise company takes care in advance and simplifies everything visa formalities. If these visas are paid, the cost of these visas will be included in the on-board account of the tourist.

6.   In accordance with the rules of the Schengen countries, for cruises, the route of which runs through the territory of the Schengen zone, you must open a visa of the country that is the first country of entry into the Schengen zone, or in the territory of which the majority of the cruise / tour passes. The following countries are included in the Schengen Area: Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Denmark (without Greenland and Faroe), Iceland, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, France, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia. Andorra (along with Spain), Monaco (along with France) and San Marino (along with Italy) automatically enter the Schengen zone.

7.   When entering the Schengen area from countries that have not joined the Schengen Agreement, tourists are required to present a passport with a valid visa. Entry may be refused if there is reason to believe that the entrant is a threat to the security of the country, as well as if there are suspicions that the person is entering the country for the purpose of illegal immigration or illegal work.

8. Cruise House MK provides full-fledged visa support. Documents for opening visas are accepted only as a complete package according to the rules and in accordance with the list located in the section "Consulate requirements for a package of documents by country".

9.   In case of self-submission of documents for a visa, Cruise House MK provides a cruise invitation and vouchers, in accordance with the purchased paid services. The company reserves the right to refuse visa support to tourists whose documents are in doubt.

For holders of a Schengen visa

1.   In the presence of an open multivisa issued by one Schengen Agreement country with an unfinished validity period, a second visa to one of the Schengen Agreement countries will NOT be issued! You must first use the issued visa or cancel it.

2.   In the presence of an open multivisa issued by one of the countries of the Schengen Agreement, whose validity and number of days coincide with the dates of the planned trip, a new Schengen visa is NOT REQUIRED!

3.   A single Schengen visa is considered used if the trip has already taken place, even if its validity has not yet expired.

4.   The passport should not have marks on visa requests to other embassies of the Schengen Agreement countries. If there are such requests, they must be canceled.

5.   The allowed number of days of stay indicated on the visa should not be exceeded, it is necessary to add up the duration of all previous visits to the countries of the Schengen Agreement and compare the number of days of stay with the allowed visa. The resulting difference will show how many days a tourist can stay in Schengen. So, for example, a tourist has a valid Schengen multivisa, the validity period of which is from 01.07.2013 to 01.10.2013, the total number of days of stay is 30, while the tourist has already made 2 trips lasting one (8 days) and two weeks (15 days) , when calculating we get that the tourist has only 7 days left (30- (15 + 8) \u003d 7). This means that he can make a trip for a period of less than a week and only during the validity period of the visa, i.e. leave on this visa for no more than 7 days and return back until 10/01/2013.

6.   If the current Schengen visa does not match the duration and duration of the validity, and the type of intended travel, it is necessary to CANCELLATE and only after that apply for a new visa. Cancellations must be made at the Consulate of the country issuing the visa.

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