Problems for citizens of the Russian Federation to obtain visas due to the closure of consulates, and due to the ban on Russian aircraft flying in Europe, it is difficult to enter the Schengen zone.
Fewer Russian citizens can get a Schengen visa and visit the European Union. The reason is the widespread closure of foreign consulates in the Russian Federation and a ban on flights on Russian aircraft. This is stated in a study published by Schengenvisainfo.
It was noted that before Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine, the Russians accounted for almost one -fifth of Schengen visa applications submitted in 2021.
“Russia remains the leading country in terms of the number of applications for a Schengen visa. 18.3% of the total number of applications submitted in 2021 were received and processed by Schengen consulates and other visa authorities in Russia , “said the publication.
In total, more than half a million (536,241) applications for Schengen visas were submitted to Russia during this period. The share of denials on visas was 3.2%.
However, due to the closure of many embassies and consulates of the Schengen zone in the Russian Federation and the ban on aircraft from Russia to fly to Europe, so fewer Russians will apply for visas to the EU.
“If the war continues, then the sanctions against Russia will remain in effect. And if the sanctions remain in effect, then the Russians will either not be able to get a Schengen visa to a particular European country that they want to visit, or they will not apply for them, even if they could. After all, there is no transportation (from Russia to Europe – ed.), “said the article.
It also notes that the EU has experienced a sharp decline in attendance in recent years. The main reason is the coronavirus pandemic. Thus, the number of applications for Schengen visas submitted worldwide dropped by 83% compared to the period before the COVID pandemic.
Moreover, the difference in the number of applications between 2020 and 2021 is only 0.05%, or less by 1,739 applications.
The main reason for the decline in applications is that, even in 2021, most Schengen countries will refuse to open their borders to the majority of third-country nationals.
Recall that at the end of May, the Russian Federation fired five employees of the Croatian embassy.
Prior to that, the Russian Federation introduced “measures” against Slovenian embassy employees.
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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.