What is a Schengen visa and how to apply for it yourself for citizens of the Russian Federation

In 2017, to enter the Schengen zone, residents of the Russian Federation need a Schengen visa. In the article we will understand: what is a Schengen visa, what is needed to obtain it, how to get a Schengen visa on your own.

Schengen visa is a document issued by the competent authorities to the applicant. It allows you to visit countries that are part of the Schengen area. Now it is 26 countries: 22 countries of the European Union and 4 states that are members of the EFTA.

Where do they get

The Schengen visa is issued at the embassy of the country the applicant wants to visit. Help for those who do not know how to open a Schengen visa is provided by:

Schengen countries

1. Accredited visa centers.
2. Consulting departments of the Consulate.
3. Travel agencies.

Employees of agencies and visa centers will explain how to apply for a Schengen visa in 2017, show a sample of filling out paperwork. For those who know how to make Schengen, they will point out the new requirements. For their services, they charge the applicant a service fee.

If the purpose of the trip is several Schengen countries at once, then permission is obtained in the country in which the stay will be longer. If the time of stay in the Schengen countries is the same, the application is submitted to the embassy of the country whose border will be crossed first.

Pre-entry

The procedure for filing papers for the issuance of the right to enter may require a preliminary record. The presence of this condition or its absence is inquired on the official websites of embassies and visa centers.

Who can apply

Anyone who has fulfilled the requirements of:

1. Prepared the necessary paperwork.
2. Paid the consular fee.
3. Has sufficient financial resources to support himself during the trip.

Categories

Schengen visa has several categories:

• Type A. In 2017, it is issued to citizens who fly to another country, making a transit transfer in a Schengen country. This category does not entitle the visa holder to leave the airport.
  Category A permits are not issued to citizens who are residents of countries that have signed a visa-free regime agreement with the Schengen countries.
• Type B. Right to transit. It implies the possibility of the owner to proceed through the territory of a member state of the Schengen Agreement, if this is required by his route.

• Type C. Permission for visiting tourists. It is single and multiple. The duration of continuous presence or the sum of days spent in the Schengen area must not exceed 90 days in a half year.

• Type D. This is a national permit that allows you to enter the Schengen area for more than 90 days, but less than 1 year. A visa of this category is issued by each state independently. The permit gives the right to transit through other countries of the agreement. Conditions: following to the state that issued the visa, transit no more than 5 days.

• Type C+D. This category allows you to stay in the territory of the state that granted the right to enter up to 365 days. Holders of a C+D visa can stay in any of the countries that are part of the Schengen area for the first 90 days after the issuance of the permit.

Application papers

All papers that are prepared for submission to the consulate can be conditionally divided into 2 groups:

1. The main package of papers, the same for all Russians who want to get the right to enter the Schengen zone.
2. Additional.

Main

In 2017, the main package of securities consists of:

• Application form. Filled out on the approved form, signed. And .
• International passport. Its validity period must end no earlier than 3 months after the expiration of the visa.
• 2 photos that are taken in accordance with the requirements.

• Receipt for payment of the consular fee. Schengen member states may opt out of receiving fees.
• Copies of the pages of the internal passport, on which biographical data are indicated, there are marks on the marital status, place of registration.
• Traveler's health insurance, which covers the entire duration of the visa. The minimum amount of insurance coverage is 30,000 euros.

Additional papers

The requirements for the presence of additional papers depend on the purpose of the trip:

children

Children take with them:

1. Birth certificate.
2. A copy of the parent's or accompanying person's valid entry permit.
3. abroad, if not accompanied by both parents.

Photo Requirements

It is important to take a photo for filing documents correctly. An unsuccessful photograph that does not meet the standards may result in a refusal to issue a right of entry.

Photo requirements:

1. Made on high quality paper.
2. Size 3.5×4.5 cm.
3. Sharp, clean, high contrast image.
4. The photo was taken from the front, the applicant is looking straight ahead.
5. The face covers 70-80% of the entire area of ​​the image. The bangs are not pinned up so as not to cover the face.
6. Headwear is not allowed.

The type of paper does not matter: both matte and glossy are suitable.

If the applicant constantly wears glasses for medical reasons, they must also be wearing glasses in the picture. Glass must not be tinted or create glare. It is unacceptable if the frame covers parts of the eyes.

Price

In 2017, a single-entry Schengen visa for Russians costs 35 euros. Registration of a multivisa will cost 60-90 euros.

The cost depends on the amount of the service fee that the travel agency or visa center takes for its services. According to the Visa Code, the service fee cannot be more than 30 euros. The cost of obtaining a visa on an urgent basis can reach 70 euros.

Terms of consideration of the application

Obtaining a Schengen visa does not take more than 10 calendar days. In special situations where additional information is required, the period for issuing a visa may be extended. The maximum allowable time interval between filing an application and receiving a decision is 30 days.

Considering the application of a citizen, the embassy staff can invite him for an interview to clarify the details.

New application system

VIS (visa information system), which became available to Russians since September 2015, allows employees of the system of different Schengen states to exchange information on the issuance of short-term permits.

The following information is entered into the database:

1. Personal information about the applicant.
2. digital photography.
3. Scans of 10 fingerprints.
4. Information about the decision made on the application.

System advantages:

1. High security of data storage.
2. Simplified application procedure.
3. Reducing the risk of making a mistake during registration.
4. Simplification of border control.
5. Opportunity for the applicant to find out what his personal data is in the system. It is allowed to change the available information if it is incorrect.

You need to hand over your biometric material no more than 1 time in 5 years, that is how much information is stored in the system. Children under the age of 12 and persons who cannot actually do so are exempted from submitting fingerprint scans. Heads of state, members of government, monarchs and members of their families do not undergo fingerprint collection.

Refusal

In 2017, Russians who were denied entry rights have the opportunity to appeal. It is addressed to the country that delivered the verdict on the application.

Russians have the opportunity to re-apply if the reasons for the refusal have been eliminated.