Countries where a visa is not required. Which countries need a Schengen visa - an overview of European borders from the perspective of a Russian traveler

The agreement, which united a number of European powers into one community, was signed back in 1985 in the village of Schengen, located in Luxembourg. Then only five countries put their signatures on the document, while agreeing on uniform requirements for the visa regime. Today the list of participants looks more impressive. What countries were left without Schengen for Russians in 2017, it will be useful to know for those who are on their way to Europe.

Belonging to a designated territory is, first of all, compliance with standard visa requirements, which all parties to the agreement must adhere to. This policy was initiated by:

• France;
• Belgium;
• Germany;
• Netherlands;
• Luxembourg.

To date, countries that do not need Schengen in 2017 are represented by a very small list. But before moving on to it, let's first denote the features inherent in the Schengen zone:

• abolition of internal passport control and visas for crossing the borders of participating countries;
• significant elimination of bureaucratic formalities within the participating States;
• strengthening the external borders of the zone with countries that are not part of the union.

Basic Rules

Thus, a person who has received a Schengen visa must remember:

1. must be made through the country that issued the visa sticker.
2. Most of the time of the stamp must also be spent in this state.
3. If you have to visit several powers at once, you need to apply for a visa at the consulate of the state in which the stay will be longer.
4. The duration of stay in the zone cannot exceed 90 days during each half of the year.
5. To obtain a stamp, you must provide your biometric data - a digital photo and fingerprints.

Visas for study and work are issued only by the state in which the applicant will work or study.

Countries without Schengen are not subject to these rules. And therefore, with a visa sticker pasted by one of the countries participating in the agreement, Russian tourist will be able to cross the border of a neighboring power that did not enter the zone. But with a visa of this country, he will no longer be able to enter Schengen.

It should also be noted that in the event of emergencies, all signatories agreed that they have the right to introduce border control on their borders within the zone to ensure the security of their citizens and territories. Last time the rule was used after the terrorist attack in Nice, which occurred in July 2016. Then Italy and Germany announced the introduction of control on their borders.

Schengen area - list of countries

It is important to note that membership in the European Union does not guarantee that the state has signed the Schengen Agreement. But before you figure out which countries without a Schengen visa for Russians remained available in 2017, it would be more logical to designate a list of those who entered the zone. Today it looks like this:

The Schengen Agreement today covers 22 EU countries and 4 states that are not included in it - Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

Connoisseurs of European attractions will be useful to know that the abolition of the Schengen for Russians in 2017 is not expected, and therefore, to enter here, you will have to apply for a visa of the appropriate category.

Exceptions to general rules

The list of destinations where Russians can go without the specified visa, although it looks rather meager, does exist.

To begin with, we note that de facto such mini-powers as the Vatican, San Marino, Monaco, Andorra are also included in the zone. When visiting the latter, for example, difficulties may arise. Since the country did not sign the Schengen agreement, entry into its territory can be regarded as leaving the Schengen, and therefore it will be quite problematic to return.

But the list of European countries that do not need a Schengen visa for Russians looks like this:

• Great Britain;
• Ireland;
• Bulgaria;
• Romania;
• Croatia;
• Cyprus.

Despite the fact that Ireland and the UK signed an agreement on a single Schengen area, passport control they still left on their borders. Therefore, we can say with confidence that they are not included in this zone. To cross their borders, you will need a visa issued exclusively by the consulates of these countries.

But the entry into the zone of Bulgaria and Romania is blocked by Germany, France and the Netherlands. And even though the EU announced its readiness to grant membership to Bulgaria and Romania in April of this year, no exact dates have been given. The signing of the agreement by Cyprus has generally been postponed indefinitely until the issue of northern part countries.

The situation with Croatia, which was supposed to join the list of participants by July last year, remains unclear, but this issue has not yet been resolved.

In addition, Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania have created their own mini-Schengen, allowing visits to their territories using each other's visa stamps and a Cypriot sticker. But it is unlikely that you will be able to enter Schengen on them. To do this, you need to issue a real Schengen visa stamp.

We must also not forget that the effect of this agreement does not apply to territories that belong to the participating countries, but are located far from Europe. This includes Danish Greenland, spanish city Ceuta or French Martinique.

There are also a number of countries that are not members of either the Schengen area or the European Union. These are Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

How to get a Schengen visa: Video

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In our busy times, many workers dream of getting full vacation right away, because last years most often they began to break it up in parts, and it’s not easy to predict when the employer will give you the long-awaited days of legal rest. It is in the light of the above circumstances that not everyone can plan their vacation in European countries. Well, if a person has an open Schengen visa, then he can immediately break away on vacation abroad, and if not, then in the face of limited time, collecting documents for a visa, confirming it at the consulate, standing in queues, giving fingerprints for a visa, become problematic. But if you do not have an open visa, but you want to go on vacation to distant countries, then you should look for a destination in countries where Russians do not need a visa to enter.

The list of such states where Russian citizens can rest without a visa is quite large, and what is especially pleasant is that it is expanding every year. To facilitate perception, we will divide visa-free countries for Russians into subgroups:

1. Former countries USSR: these states, which not so long ago formed one huge country with Russia, are primordially loyal and friendly to the Russians. And surprisingly, there are a lot of interesting places and amazing sights. Having a passport allows Russian citizens travel freely in Armenia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Moldova. And in Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, you can travel on Russian passport, without having a foreign one at all.

2. European countries visa-free entry for Russians: old light cannot offer our tourists a lot visa-free destinations, but you can also choose from several proposed countries: Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Russians can enter these countries without a Schengen or any other national visa for a period of not more than a month, which is quite enough to relax on seaside resorts and get to know them interesting places and colorful culture.

3. African countries: visiting one of the countries of the African continent without a visa, the Russians will be able not only to spend an excellent beach holiday, but also make exciting excursions, go on an exciting safari. Countries where Russians can relax without opening a visa in Africa are: Morocco, Botswana, Tunisia, Namibia, Swaziland. And yet, without a visa it is also possible to visit unique reserve African nature, located in Indian Ocean in the Seychelles.

4. Countries South America , where Russians do not need a visa: with a valid foreign passport, our compatriots have the opportunity to travel around this continent, and at the same time to rest without a visa in each of the states for up to three months. Russians will be able to travel to Brazil, Argentina, Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia, Guatemala, Ecuador, Chile. And having visited without a visa, they will be able to rest there for one hundred and eighty-three days.

5. Countries on the islands Pacific Ocean : if you are an adventurer and a fan beautiful life, then you should definitely visit one of the island oases of the Pacific Ocean, visit the Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Niue, Western Samoa, Micronesia, Northern Mariana Islands. The air here is saturated with the quintessence of floral aromas, ocean breeze and freedom. And Russians will be able to experience all this for themselves by driving into these island countries without a visa.

6. Asian countries with visa-free entry for Russians: Asia is a place where ancient traditions, unique culture, the presence of ancient sights and modern technologies. The East is unique in its mystery and mystery, and Russians have the opportunity to get closer to unraveling its mysteries by visiting some of its countries without a visa, such as South Korea, Maldives, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Hong Kong.

7. Country of the Middle East with visa-free entry for Russians– Israel. The "Holy Land" is the point of contact between Africa and Asia, the cradle of world religions: Christianity, Islam, Judaism - and all the main world monuments are located here.

8. Island states Caribbean : these countries of visa-free entry for Russians are probably the most exciting and romantic destination. They are famous impeccable beaches, the cleanest ocean, exotic bungalows on the shore and an atmosphere of inexpressible happiness and enjoyment of life. We recommend our compatriots to visit the island of Cuba without opening a visa, Dominican Republic, Antigua, Barbuda.

In conclusion, I would like to say that if you have a few free days from work, and there is no Schengen visa, you should not stick to template directions, find a share of adventurism in yourself and go to one of the above visa-free countries to rest.

Adviсe

Window to Europe: 8 countries where Russians do not need a visa

When you look at the list of countries where you can break at the last moment, it seems that most of of them is located too far: in Asia or Latin America. However, in Europe there are states for which Russians do not need a visa or can be obtained upon arrival. We tell you where you can go without applying for a visa, what to see there and what to do.

Despite a common misconception, it is not the birthplace of Alexander the Great at all. The possessions of Alexander the Great were much larger than the current territory of Macedonia, and ancient city Pella, in which the future emperor was born, is today in Greece. Macedonia is a calm country where Russians do not need a visa, glorious for Lake Ohrid, the invention of Slavic writing and its native Mother Teresa.

On the world map it seems quite small country the size of Holland. However, this is an optical illusion. Georgia is not a country, but rather a continent with mountains, rivers, steppes, deserts, tundra, glaciers, beaches and taiga. Georgians, Armenians, Azerbaijanis, Greeks, Assyrians, Kurds, Avars, Udins live here, and even local blacks have been seen. Six types of Christianity, two types of Islam, Yezidism and mysterious pagan cults coexist right there. Even those people who call themselves Georgians bear little resemblance to each other: Mingrelians differ from Kakhetians, Adjarians from Imeretians, Svans from Khevsurs, and Meskhi from Rachinians. Language, cuisine, psychology, everything is different.

It is difficult to feel like a foreigner in Montenegro: local language similar to Russian more than Ukrainian, a couple of shots of local slivovitz vodka quickly erases language barriers and a visa is not needed here. A superficial look at the local landscapes will give out associations with the Crimea, Croatia and Turkey. But a scrupulous tourist, once in Montenegro, will understand that there is no other such country on the world map. Mix of black rocks, cypress groves, turquoise waters Adriatic Sea, mountain villages And ancient buildings in Venetian style, it attracts those who like to sunbathe against the backdrop of magnificent mountains and drink young wine with a view of the most winding fjord in the Mediterranean - the Bay of Kotor.

Serbia

Healing springs, which were popular back in the days of the Roman Empire, and ski slopes, having every chance to compete with the Alpine. fabulous beautiful nature and rich spiritual, cultural and historical heritage. A cuisine that can satisfy the most demanding gourmet, the absence of visas for Russians and an excellent excursion component ... And all this -

Probably everyone has ever dreamed of abandoning all plans and suddenly embarking on a foreign tour. True, there are always some reasons that prevent you from enjoying such vacations. Most often, problems arise with a visa, which is very difficult to obtain.

If you want to relax abroad, but fundamentally do not want to wait for a visa for months and spend money on it, a trip to those countries that do not need a visa would be an ideal way out. Their list for Russia is quite large, and some of them are really interesting and worth the money spent.

It is necessary to separate countries with absolutely no visa regime and with a simplified visa regime for Russians. In each case, the procedure for entering the country has its own characteristics, which should not be forgotten. In any case, for such trips, you need to have a general civil and international passport, without which the tour is unlikely to take place.

European countries that do not require a visa

With a passport, you can visit many European countries. The most interesting from a tourist point of view can be called Serbia, Turkey and Montenegro. Each of these countries has unique attractions, as well as many beautiful places for relax.

In addition, you can go to neighboring Belarus, especially since even a civil passport will be enough for this. Also, such countries as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Moldova and Ukraine are open to Russians. But it is important to know that to visit Macedonia, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina, you will need not only a passport, but also a voucher from a travel agency or an invitation from an individual (legal) person.

Of course, visa-free stay in each country is limited. The limitation period is individual. In Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine and Macedonia, you can stay up to 90 days, in Turkey - up to 60, in Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia - up to 30.

Asian countries that do not need a visa and passport

Of the countries where you can travel without a visa, many are located in Asia. To visit Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Abkhazia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, you only need a valid passport and nothing more.

To visit some other countries, you will need to obtain Russian visas, you will also need to provide other documents, such as return tickets, hotel reservation confirmation, tickets, completed migration card (no problem done upon arrival in the country), tourist voucher. The purpose of these documents is to confirm your solvency, if everything is in order with this, there will be no problems.

Such entry conditions are typical for countries such as Vietnam, Hong Kong, Israel, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Laos, Macau, Nepal, Thailand, Philippines and South Korea. In each case, the conditions of the entry rules are different, and they can always change. So that your trip does not fail, it is advisable to contact the representative office of the specific country where you are going to go for the most up-to-date information.

African countries that do not need a visa from Russia

In Africa, there are also countries where Russians can go without a visa. Actually, Africa can rightly be called a continent open to Russians. In some cases, in addition to a passport, you will need to pay a visa fee, and also be vaccinated against some exotic diseases, such as yellow fever.

More detailed information it is better to find out in organizations representing the interests of a particular country in Russia. The most popular African states open to Russians are Seychelles, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Morocco, Madagascar, Kenya and, of course, Egypt.

Other countries where Russians can travel without a visa

But where else do Russians not need a visa? A number of countries are distinguished by increased hospitality towards our compatriots. Latin America and Oceania. For travel to Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Haiti, Guatemala, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Bahamas, Uruguay, Chile, Jamaica and Ecuador you do not need a visa. Among other things, in Oceania there are a number of "island" states that can be visited without a visa. The most interesting, of course, is Fiji, which has already become legendary place recreation.