Starting September 14, 2015, Russian citizens must pass fingerprints for a Schengen visa. Submission of biometric data is mandatory for everyone. The fingerprinting procedure is carried out at consulates authorized by the visa centers of European countries.
The Schengen action extends to 26 countries of the Schengen agreement. The agreement, signed 20 years ago, allows citizens to move freely between states and pass through passport and border controls without obstacles. Initially, the Schengen community consisted of 7 countries. Now it has grown to 26 members. States that are among the last to join the union are Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
Why do I need a Schengen visa?
The Schengen visa has the form of a sticker that is pasted into the passport. A common visa policy of European countries contributes to the development of tourism in the region. You can stay in the countries of the agreement for a limited period - from three to six months, by issuing short-term or long-term visas. They can issue any country of the Schengen agreement. They are valid for entry and travel through the territory of all states that have signed the agreement. That is, you do not need to apply for a visa to travel to each individual country.
Who can not take fingerprints for a Schengen visa?
To take fingerprints, everyone who wants to become a Schengen visa holder must visit a consulate or a visa center. The only exceptions are Russian citizens who have not reached the age of 12, disabled people without fingers or hands, as well as some statesmen who use visas for work visits.
According to the Association of Tourist Operators of Russia (ATOR), the launch of the Visa Information System (VIS) in the country entailed a change in the procedure for citizens to apply for a visa to the centers of Schengen states. So, to submit a package of documents is possible only by appointment. Some authorized centers changed their work schedule after the new rules for obtaining a Schengen visa began to operate. Fingerprints, meanwhile, are designed to improve the situation of Russian tourists.
Now we will answer the most common questions that arise for tourists who want to go abroad. We also find out where to get fingerprints for a Schengen visa.
Where to go?
Where to get fingerprints for a Schengen visa? The EU official representative office in Russia notes that after September 14, 2015, a person must be present in person to submit biometric data when applying for a visa application package. It is directly about fingerprints and digital photography.
Specialists are advised to choose a consulate or a visa center of the state in which the citizen intends to spend most of his trip abroad. It may also be the consulate of the country whose border will need to be crossed first when entering the territory defined as the Schengen zone. In some cases, a preliminary appointment is required to apply. It should be emphasized that travel companies do not have the right to collect biometric data.
Is a valid visa issued earlier?
Does the Schengen visa issued for Russians remain valid until September 15 of this year? Fingerprints tourists who have received permission to travel abroad earlier are not required to provide. This will need to be done only at the end of the document.
Has the package of documents changed?
The package of documents for applying for a visa has remained the same. Biometric data was only added to it. Russian tourists, as a rule, must provide a statement, reservation of their place of residence, plane tickets, income statement, insurance policy, photocopies of a passport.
How are biometric data collected?
Photos and fingerprints for a Schengen visa are made in the same place where the application is submitted. The scan procedure takes several minutes. The EU Delegation notes that those citizens who are temporarily unable to provide data will have to undergo the procedure the next time they contact the consulate.
Updating biometric data, according to the new rules, will be necessary once every five years. You should also be aware that border guards at the country's external border may require a tourist to provide fingerprints for a Schengen visa. This allows them to verify their identity by comparing data with those stored in the database. If the information does not correspond, then before passing the traveler across the border, he will be checked additionally.
How soon is a Schengen visa issued?
In accordance with the requirements, a package of documents should be submitted at least a few weeks before the planned trip, but not earlier than three months before leaving Russia. In most centers, travel permits are issued within ten business days.
How much does a Schengen design cost?
According to the European representative office, the size of the visa fee does not depend on the validity period of the "Schengen". Its size is determined by the specific consulate and is about 35 euros. In some cases, for example, if a tourist has filed an application three days before the trip, the fee may be doubled.
Demand for a Schengen visa in Russia
ATOR representatives note that the introduction of biometrics at the consulates of the Schengen countries coincided with a sharp reduction in the tourist flow from the Russian Federation to European countries. The difficult foreign policy situation hinders the opening of new visa centers in Russia. Meanwhile, this can significantly facilitate the implementation of innovations. It is noteworthy that some European countries, in contrast, have closed their centers.
According to statistics, amid the depreciation of the Russian currency, the number of calls for issuing a Schengen has significantly decreased. However, despite this, the Russians continue to take the lead among citizens of other countries of the world who request permission to travel to the Schengen zone. So, according to the results of last year, 5.8 million visas were issued in the Russian Federation.
To further avoid a decrease in the tourist flow from Russia to Europe, ATOR sent a letter to the EU Delegation to the Russian Federation. It proposes to open new centers in the country, which will take fingerprints from Russians to obtain a Schengen visa.