Russians are obliged to enter the EU through the country that issued the Schengen visa

Denis Burlutsky, General Director of the Allvisa Visa Center, at a round table in the press center of Moskovsky Komsomolets, revealed the practical details of obtaining Schengen visas by Russians since the freeze of the simplified visa regime for Russian citizens from Monday, September 12.

The main difference is that the fee increased to 80 euros will have to be paid by all citizens without exception, even those who previously had benefits – the disabled, those who have relatives in the EU country, who are going for treatment, and so on, – says Burlutsky.

Also, the period for consideration of the application and processing of documents is lengthened, and the visa at the exit will be single and short-term.

You will have to enter without fail through the country that issued the Schengen stamp, this will be checked. It will be a plus if the applicant sets out in detail the travel plan.

But in fact, the further movement of a Russian with a Schengen visa across the EU cannot be tracked. That is, Russians can travel around Europe almost as before, except for the three ex-Soviet Baltic republics, which categorically do not want to see any categories of Russian citizens in their countries – these are Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. You can’t get to them even in transit. Despite all the statements, Finland, Poland and Slovakia did not take such extreme measures.

France, Italy and Spain are most hospitable to Russians today. True, Italy was the first to tighten the format of submitted documents. If earlier an account statement was enough, now it should be with a detailed movement of funds for 3 months. Now the Spanish consulates have also adopted this clause.

Continues issuing visas to Russians and the United States. At the same time, as before, you have to travel to a third country for an interview (the US consulates in Russia have stopped working), as well as transfer $ 160 of the American consular fee “bypassing” the sanctions against Russian banks – this cannot be done from a Russian card. Also, all citizens of the Russian Federation entering the United States are required to be fully vaccinated against coronavirus with vaccines recognized in the United States, to which Sputnik does not apply.

It is difficult to quickly find a “slot” (a window for an interview), as there are many applicants. But in general, the US gives Russians visas even better than before, the specialist explains.

Published in the newspaper “Moskovsky Komsomolets” No. 28869 dated September 15, 2022

Newspaper headline:
What the Schengen stamp is preparing for us