Schengen visas: simply will not work?

After the Christmas holidays the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that the Schengen countries have agreed on a uniform list of documents for obtaining visas. How these changes will be reflected in the submission of applications to the European consulates? And whether tourists rely on long-promised easing of the visa regime with Europe?

To facilitate the visa regime with EU countries and, in particular, the Schengen area, say for a long time: a rare summit or summit is complete without a discussion on visas. While higher ranks agree that Russians still spend tons of paper and a lot of time to get the coveted insets in the passport. Each European country imposes its own requirements to the list of documents. It was not until this year that brought the seemingly good news - a single agreed list of documents for a Schengen visa, entered into force on January 14, 2013! Are Europe and waited for the Russians as for the Europeans, would be a single zone? At least on the issue of visa requirements ...

The hope was to alleviate the list of documents, such as recently in Finland - a passport photo, proof of insurance, confirmation (armor) at the hotel, sometimes itinerary - and, often, even the owner of multishengena you! But the consular offices of all Member States of the European Union went the other way: they took the option a set of documents, so-called "moderate severity". This kit is now a mandatory part (according to the Russian Foreign Ministry website):

- Valid passport (valid for at least three months after the intended date (last) exit from the Schengen area, having at least two blank pages)
- Photo
- Medical Travel Insurance for the duration of the intended trip, valid in all Schengen countries and covering any expenses that may arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, the need for emergency medical care, emergency treatment in a hospital or death during the trip. The minimum sum insured - € 30.000.
- A copy of the internal passport (issued to 14 years): page biographic data of the applicant, with notes issued on his / her passport / passport, his / her family status and registration in Russia.
- Proof of residence (such as an invitation / confirmation of sponsorship from the inviting party, when a guest requires to live with him, the document from the establishment providing accommodation or any other appropriate document, indicating that accommodation is provided in accordance with the legislation of the member country of the Schengen area) ; if applicable, the corresponding written description of the planned trip.
- Confirmation of the route (eg confirmation of the booking the organized trip or any other appropriate document describing the expected travel plans, for example, reserved the return ticket); if applicable, the corresponding written description of the planned trip.
- Confirmation of work (with salary information); if applicable, other proof of financial means and intent to return (for example, bank statement / credit card for at least the previous three months, proof of real estate in Russia, or acknowledgment of sponsorship).

It would seem that the usual set of documents required for a long time in many consulates! But as always happened "excesses on the ground", and European consulate in the quest for unity began to demand not only a basic list, but the remark to him. For example, the list makes it clear that from the tourist requires proof of work. And if this does not apply, the "other proof of financial means and the intention to return ...". Austrians decided to play it safe and start to imagine the Russians only to provide and help with the work, and the bank statement. But before it is satisfied only employment and other financial guarantees are not required.

  The Finns will now be forced, according to the list, to request help with the work, as before, and did not ask.

Czechs are supposed to leave it unchanged, but as the confirmation of employment they had, not if they want to enhance the package of financial guarantees from the bank?

Let's hope for good: it is possible, some countries abolished obviously absurd demands. So France has an item on the notary's attorney parents themselves when exporting a minor child. And Spain requires a copy of all the pages of the passport of the Russian Federation, even empty. It is not difficult, but why?

In general, the "one" list of documents for a Schengen visa Schengen countries is again interpreted in his own way, and not the fact that it will lead to visa facilitation (remember the same Finland). And tourists, and tour operators, accustomed to the demands of this or that country, every day again check with consulates, "What's new? ". How many more Europeans would come to a consensus - it's hard to say how and what - will come there.

Those tourists who are self out visas, we recommend to follow the information on the websites of consulates calls with additional questions to the visa center. Official information is also presented at the Foreign Ministry consular information portal.

Let's hope for a favorable result, and closer to the summer season once again go back to a single list of documents for a Schengen visa. And anyway, without traveling to Europe will not stay!

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