The visa process for citizens of the Russian Federation has become stricter both in terms and in relation to the required documents.
After the cancellation of the agreement on a simplified visa regime between the Russian Federation and the European Union, the consulates of European countries stopped issuing Schengen visas to Russians for more than a year. This was reported on January 17 by the Interfax agency with reference to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR).
“The visa process has become seriously more difficult both in terms and in terms of the necessary documents. But the most unpleasant thing is the short term of the visas issued. If the previous Russians received visas for two, three years, and often five years, now a multiple-entry visa can be issued for no more than six months or a year. Those with a poor visa history will only be issued a single visa for the duration of the trip,” the tour operators emphasize.
At the same time, according to travel companies, the validity of visas, as before, does not depend on the “visa history” of the applicant.
“They still accept documents from Russians for Schengen visas for tourist trips to countries like Austria, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Hungary, Slovenia, Switzerland. The long-term visas are more likely to be obtained at the consulates of France and Italy. Austria, Hungary and Slovenia issue, as a rule, single-entry visas. The Greek consulate issues short and single-entry visas,” said the ATOR.
Now the easiest way to sign up for the submission of documents is in the visa centers of Italy and Hungary. Free slots for French or Spanish Schengen are harder to find.
It will be remembered that on September 12, 2022, the decision of the EU Council to suspend the visa facilitation agreement with Russia came into effect.
As a result, the time for issuing a Schengen visa has increased, the consular fee has increased from 35 to 85 euros, and applicants may be required to provide additional documents.
Six EU countries – Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Finland, the Czech Republic and Estonia – do not issue tourist visas to Russians and prohibit entry for tourism purposes.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.