What do you need to get a visa. Registration of an annual Schengen visa

Petran Alexander

Schengen visa

Problem:

The client asked us for help in obtaining a Schengen visa. The visa was needed short time, to Belgium. The young man did not have a bank account, he could only provide a certificate of employment, which did not suit the Belgian embassy. Registration for filing in Visa Center Belgium was a few days ahead. The client was very worried, because he had bought a ticket and a hotel, and the trip could not take place.

Solution:

They listened to the client, calmed him down and offered to file through another country, namely France. The French Embassy does not require account statements, they are quite satisfied with the employment of the applicant. In addition, you do not need to make an appointment at the visa center to submit documents. And since the client had previously submitted biometrics, we submitted his documents without any extra effort from the client.

Result:

Got a Schengen visa for 1 year in 3 days. The trip took place, the client pleased with his review and photos from Brussels.

Ivanova Margarita

Visa to Ireland

Problem:

The woman applied to our office for a visa to Ireland. The problem was that she needed a foreign passport to travel to a Schengen country, so she had to get a visa to Ireland in 7 days, which is impossible since the processing of documents takes from 15 working days. The woman is very principled, she demanded a guarantee from our side that she would have her passport on time with a visa.

Solution:

We entered into the position of the client, listened and began to figure out how to quickly return the passport to the client with a visa. We contacted the consulate, explained the situation, and the problem was immediately resolved, since the consulate accepts documents for consideration without foreign passport. We offered clients this option who completely satisfied her. We submitted the documents without any problems without a passport and just waited for the consulate to make a decision on issuing a visa. After the trip to the Schengen country took place, the client gave us her passport, and we, in turn, handed it over to the consulate for a visa sticker.

Result:

The client did not lose money for her trip to the Schengen country and, in addition, she got a visa to Ireland. Got my visa on time. Remained satisfied.

Shumskikh Anna

Visa to Spain

Problem:

A young girl turned to us for help in obtaining a visa to a Schengen country. Previously, there were no visas, one flies. The passport was received recently. 3 months ago there was a refusal with a stamp in old passport. I could not provide a certificate from the account, just like a certificate from work. The girl also had a trip to St. Petersburg planned, so she wanted an impersonal application and a visa for at least 1 year. Worried about being rejected again.

Solution:

We got acquainted with the situation of the girl, suggested that she apply for accreditation through Spain. We ordered a certificate from the bank, which was done in 1 day. Moreover, they offered to attach a visa of a friend, to confirm that the young girl would not be alone. All documents were prepared and given to an accredited person, who himself submitted the documents and recorded the girl for biometrics upon her return from St. Petersburg.

Result:

The client received Spanish visa as wanted for 1 year. She only had to go once to the consulate for biometrics.

In the Life Hacks section, we try to simply and easily answer questions that may arise during travel planning and the trips themselves. What you need to know when going for a visa, what to say to an embassy worker, how not to screw up at the border, and how to get a Schengen for more than one year?

A Schengen visa is a prerequisite for entering, leaving and moving around the countries of the Schengen area (including from one to another). With Schengen in your passport, 26 states will be at your disposal: almost all of Western and Northern Europe. But in some, instead of the Schengen one, a separate, national, visa will be required (as before in the UK). Depending on the purpose of the trip and its duration, the "travel" document necessarily falls into one of the categories - A, B, C or D. Uniform Schengen visas A and B are needed for transit border crossing on the way to a third country: type A - for only on the territory of the airport (it does not give the right to stay in the country), type B gives five days for the road to get through the Schengen area to the destination. The most common - type C, "short-term tourist", is needed just for traveling. Visa D is issued to those who are going to study, work or live permanently in one of the countries.

If you make your debut with a trip to one of the Schengen countries, keep in mind: for the first time, a one-time visa will be issued (that is, with the right to single entry). Usually don't expect more. If you have already been in the Schengen zone, but your brand new passport debuts, the same thing can happen: the embassy, most likely, will not rustle through the database to find traces of your European tours. Evidence of past trips will help restore justice: for example, photocopies of at least one visa, if it is not older than two years.

You can get a Schengen visa at the embassy or honorary consulate of one of the countries and at official visa centers. At your own risk, you can contact the visa support center: here the credit of trust (or lack of it) is different for each individual company.

A few general rules. Firstly, choose a recording date so that all documents are ready for submission and at the same time do not have time to expire (for example, a certificate from a bank account). Secondly, find out how long it takes to get a visa: for example, the Lithuanian embassy needs 7 working days, and the German embassy will torment you waiting all 14.

If you apply for a visa at the embassy, you only need to pay the consular fee, the minimum and mandatory expense (children under 6 years old do not count). You can sign up for embassies on their websites. Each has its own specifics. Somewhere you can not pay the consular fee by card, but somewhere - in cash. Some embassies update the calendar regularly, while others (for example, Polish) post fresh dates strictly on certain days.

Big pay (+ €18-20) for less worries - visa center. An undeniable advantage is that in addition to Minsk (and embassies are most often in the capital), they work in regional and some regional centers. They also help out those who are scattered: for an additional fee, here you can do everything that you forgot (s) - a photograph, insurance, a questionnaire and the necessary photocopies.

Collect a standard list: a passport, a questionnaire, a photograph, medical insurance, a certificate from the place of work (or study) and documents that confirm your financial well-being (certificates or bank statements, sponsorship letters, etc.). Tickets and accommodation reservations are often necessary and definitely not superfluous. In each country there may be small pitfalls - the number of photocopies, the background color in the photo, or the obligatory appearance of your ears on it. Some documents have a short expiration date. For example, a bank statement on the movement or availability of money in the account lives only 5 days.

The basic rules of the bonton at the embassy are to turn off the phone (or at least put it on silent mode, or not take it at all), and do not bring a support group with you. It is against the law to take photographs there. In some places, for example, in the Italian consulate, in a special chamber at the entrance, you will have to leave things. So, better keep everything you need when serving ready, and you can often find a set of "crazy pens" on the spot - glue, scissors, and pens. But it's better to stick a photo in advance. The body movements you need - when and where to enter - will be reported by the workers and certainly will not forget about you. Therefore, calmly wait for instructions.

Some embassies give importance to whether you actually entered the country where the visa was issued. For example, when you re-apply, Czech always looks at whether you managed to get to : if there are no stamps, this can be clarified with questions - where was the hotel, what was it called. It's not worth thinking about. Even if there was no travel, its absence will not spoil your visa history - it is better to admit that plans have changed. And lying is very punishable: if you do not present tickets, checks, etc., the doubts of the embassy workers will end in a refusal of a visa. True, only this time.

In general, there is only one rule here and it applies to all embassies: tell it like it is. As long as you speak the truth, in the eyes of the consul or border guard you are a conscientious traveler or traveler.

It is quite difficult to assess the loyalty of the embassy, here you also need to take into account the human factor - someone can turn a blind eye to the absence of one piece of paper, and someone will meticulously check everything.

It is quite easy to get a one-time Schengen at the Lithuanian embassy - it will be enough to show them the hotel reservation and account statement. To get a multiple-entry visa, you need an invitation. By the way, small embassies, in which the flow of applications is less, are usually quite friendly to applicants. A good example is the Estonian embassy in Belarus. But some, for example, the Italian embassy, quite rightly secured the fame of those who give large visas only to those who have relatives in this country.

1. If you have never been to the country where the visa was issued.

2. If you have chosen a completely illogical route that you cannot confirm with tickets or hotel reservations.

3. If you have not paid traffic fine or managed to do something like that. If you are unlucky and you are listed in the database of debtors, then your visa will be denied. If the case touched on crime, there is nothing to say - immediately refusal.

4. If you were deported from the country for violating the visa regime, then expect problems here too - they can put a different period of impossibility to enter the country.

5. When there is no money. Not at all. That is, there is no data, account statements, checks or certificates that you basically have them.

6. They can also wrap up for the fact that you did not report some piece of paper, for example, a certificate from work.

Visas longer than a year are issued at the "usual" embassies - Polish, Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian. The logic of issuance is simple: you need to justify why you should get such a visa. For example, there should be a corporate invitation for more than a year, or an invitation from relatives who are looking forward to visiting you, are ready to provide housing and confirm that their funds are enough to support you. That is, when obtaining any visa for more than a year (you open it for two, three years or five years), you need to justify its necessity. By the way, it should be borne in mind that in the Polish Embassy a two-year visa is issued to those who previously had two reusable Polish visas, one of which is tourism.

There is a belief that you can only enter the Schengen area through the country that issued the visa. But this is only a belief: everything depends on the visa itself. EU law says that a visa should be requested at the embassy of the country where the first trip is to be made. If you do not know which country you will go to first, then you need to obtain a visa at the embassy of the country where you plan to spend the most time.

If the visa received is a one-time entry, the first entry must indeed be through the country that issued it. Except for those cases when this state does not have common borders with Belarus. As for the multiple-entry visa, there is no such rule: you can enter wherever you want. True, it launches another principle - to stay in the country that issued the visa longer than in any other. And even the latter does not oblige you to be loyal to one region: you ask for a visa from those to whom you plan to go, and plans tend to change.

When a valid visa remains in an already canceled passport, this is no reason not to let you into the Schengen countries. Since 2014, all Schengen countries can be entered by valid visa invalid passport. But the main thing is not to forget with yourself new passport. They won't let you cross the border without it.

Definitely don't lie. Not at the embassy, not at the border. But you need to know your rights and use them correctly. The EU interprets all life situations with understanding as legal behavior. If you were planning to go to Lithuania and carried the documents to the Lithuanian embassy, but left for Poland because plans have changed. Or if instead of Bratislava on a Slovak visa you ended up in Berlin. But if you apply for a visa, knowing in advance that you are not even close to going to the country of the embassy, this is already a violation.

Let's say it again: you shouldn't lie at the border. And you shouldn't be surprised either. If a border guard asks you about your zodiac sign, this is not his astrological hobby (probably), but a way to indirectly check the owner of the document. If you are flying for the first time with an unopened Slovak visa, and you are flying to Germany, say so at the border: there was an intention to get to Bratislava, but plans have changed. But if you say that you are flying to Bratislava, they may ask for tickets (which are not available) - alas, their absence will be regarded as misleading the border guard.

In case of misunderstanding, remain calm. A border guard is not omniscient just because of his uniform, so politely stand your ground and, if necessary, demand a boss. The most correct thing is not to give in and not to panic, even if they look at you sternly and ask questions in a stern voice. By the way, keep in mind that the EU border service has full right do not miss a traveler who does not have a valid or proof that he or she has money for a trip with him or her. And it is better to carry insurance with you for health, and not for border guards.

Text - Angelina Gerus

13.01.17 222 936 3

And definitely get it

To travel to Europe, you need a visa.

Evgenia Kostyunina

traveler, got a Schengen visa 15 times

This is a document that allows you to cross the state border and stay there for a certain time. Schengen visa is single visa, which allows you to stay in the Schengen countries. Usually you need a Schengen visa to travel to Europe.

I understand that there are many nuances when applying for a visa. For example, I will write that an account statement is needed for the last 3 months, and in some embassy they demanded an extract for six months from you. Tell us about your experience in the Facebook comments. And always check the requirements for documents for a Schengen visa on the website of the consulate of the country you are going to.

Schengen countries

Many confuse the European Union with the Schengen area, and someone is sure that all European countries have a single visa. In fact, only 26 European countries out of 50 have the Schengen Agreement in force:

Austria	Belgium	Hungary
Germany	Greece	Denmark
Iceland	Spain	Italy
Latvia	Lithuania	Liechtenstein
Luxembourg	Malta	Netherlands
Norway	Poland	Portugal
Slovakia	Slovenia	Finland
France	Czech	Switzerland
Sweden	Estonia

Austria

Belgium

Netherlands

Hungary

Norway

Germany

Portugal

Slovakia

Iceland

Slovenia

Spain

Finland

France

Switzerland

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg

Estonia

For a trip to the UK and Ireland, a Schengen visa is not suitable - you need to get national ones.

Schengen rules

With a Schengen visa, you can travel freely to many countries. But you need to follow a few simple rules.

Who issues. For a visa, you need to apply to the consulate of the country in which you are going to spend most of the trip.

Who is first. If you have divided your vacation equally between the two countries, then contact the consulate of the country you will enter first.

Timing. A tourist can stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within 180 days.

How to count the days

Misha has a multiple-entry Schengen visa valid for 1 year. From March 10 to April 20, he traveled in Spain - a total of 42 days.

On June 1, he decided to go to France for 3 months, but according to the rules of the Schengen zone, he can only stay there for 48 days - 90 together with the previous trip.

Who most often refuses

No state is obligated to issue you visas. You have the right to ask for a visa, the state has the right to refuse you. Usually, states refuse to see those they do not want to see - mainly those who can stay in the country illegally. Each country has its own view on this problem, so it is impossible to say for sure whether you will be issued a visa. No one can guarantee that you will be issued a visa.

45 367

Russians were denied a Schengen visa in 2015. This is only 1.3% of the total number of hits

According to the European Commission, in 2015, 45,367 citizens of the Russian Federation were denied a Schengen visa. The most harmful countries were Germany (10.4% of refusals), the Netherlands (7.53%), France (5.93%), and the kindest - Luxembourg (0.35%), Iceland (0.36%) and Austria (0.76%).

What documents are needed

The list of documents depends on the type of trip. Consider what documents are needed to obtain the most common visa - a tourist visa. The list of documents for all Schengen countries is the same, but each embassy has the right to ease or tighten the requirements.

Application for a visa. The most important document Most often filled in in electronic format on the embassy website.

How to fill out an application:

Write in Latin letters (in the common people - in English).
Europeans write dates in the format yyyy-mm-dd. Our December 1, 2016 for them is 2016-12-01.
You need to sign three times: in paragraph 37 on page 5 and in special fields on pages 6 and 7.
Write only the truth.

An example of a completed application form is below. The main thing is to correctly fill out the first two sheets:

The photo is pasted on the first page in the upper right corner

We write the surname and name as in the passport, we do not indicate the patronymic

We write the city in transcription in Latin letters, on English language we do not translate.
Very often there is no USSR in the list of countries, then we choose the Russian Federation

Field " An identification number» do not need to fill

The travel document number is the number of your passport. Fill in without spaces and sign No.

Always choose "multiple entry"

The rest of the pages are easier to fill out:

Foreign passport + copies of all pages. The validity of the passport must be at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from the Schengen area. The passport must have at least 2 blank pages. If there are not enough blank pages or the validity period expires, you will have to issue a new passport.

A copy of the national passport. Copies of all completed pages of the passport are required.

Documents for minors

In addition to the above, you will need a copy of the birth certificate, the consent of the parent or legal guardian if the minor is traveling alone or accompanied by one of the parents, and a copy of the parent's valid Schengen visa.

Booking hotels and air tickets. Print the accommodation and ticket reservations that are sent to email. If you are traveling by car, then you will need copies of documents: PTS, an international policy of civil liability insurance "Green Card" and driver license.

Help from the place of work. The usual certificate from the personnel department on the letterhead of the company. The job title, salary and length of service must be stated. For schoolchildren and students, a certificate from educational institution, for pensioners - a pension certificate. If you are a housewife, you should pay more attention to the next item. If you are a student without a certificate of employment, you will need a letter from your parents stating that they are sponsoring your trip.

Confirmation of financial viability. Bank statement, bank deposit or sponsorship letter. These documents must prove that you have enough money for the trip. The bank statement must be up-to-date: not older than a month by the time of submission of documents. Check the period for which the extract must be on the website of the visa application center of the country you are traveling to, because the requirements differ.

How much money should be in the account

The minimum amount of funds per day per person depends on the country of travel: Germany - 50 € (3836 R), Spain - 64.53 € (4951 R), Czech Republic - 1100 Kč (3301 R).

1 color photograph. Photo size - 3.5 × 4.5 cm. The face should occupy at least 70-80% of total area photo. The photograph is no more than six months old. Visa application centers of some countries require two photographs.

Visa fee 35 €. This is a mandatory fee for the visa itself. The visa fee is the same for all Schengen countries. Please note that some consulates only accept cash in euros, this information should be clarified directly on the website of the embassy you are going to. Urgent Schengen visa costs 70 € (5370 R).

Biometrics. From September 14, 2015, each applicant must submit biometrics - fingerprints, which will be valid for 5 years. The visa is stamped VIS, indicating the passage of this procedure. Children under the age of 12 are exempt from the procedure, persons who are physically unable to undergo a fingerprint scan, heads of state or government, monarchs and members of the royal family.

Some visa centers provide the service "Mobile biometrics" - the cost is from 150 € (11 508 R) - for those who do not have the opportunity to personally visit the embassy, consulate or visa center.

How to increase your chances of getting a visa

Buy annual health insurance. First, it's more profitable. Secondly, your chances of getting a multivisa increase.

Take your old passports. Employees of consular departments are very fond of leafing through passports, and if there are a lot of visas, then even more so! If you travel a lot and often and do not violate visa regime, then in the eyes of visa officers you are a trustworthy traveler.

When and where to bring documents

Timing. You need to apply for a visa in advance, but not earlier than 90 days before the start of the trip. An application for a Schengen visa for the purpose of tourism is usually processed within 5-10 working days, maximum term- 30 days. Please note that embassies and consulates have a rest not only in Russian holidays but also in their national ones.

If you urgently need a visa, you can use the "express visa" service - it is usually done in 3 working days. If you are applying for a visa through the visa center, remember that it will take another 1-2 days for the delivery of your passport.

Embassies or consulates usually located in large cities. By making an appointment at the consular section, you will save on the service fee, but be prepared that the appointment is made several weeks in advance. Not all embassies deal with visas - check in advance.

You pay only the visa fee.
Communicate directly with an employee of the consular department.

Inconvenient work schedule.
Sign up for a few weeks.

Visa Application Centers are open in many cities of Russia, which makes it easier for non-residents to obtain a visa. They also provide a wide range of services for an additional fee: VIP escort, filling out a questionnaire, mobile biometrics. For example, the entire procedure for submitting documents in the VIP lounge of the French visa center, with the removal of biometric data and copies of documents, takes 20 minutes, and costs 50-70 € ( 3 -5 R).

You can order a mobile biometrics service (150 € (11 311 R)).
A passport with a visa can be delivered by a courier to your hands.
You can track the status of your visa application.
Appointments can be booked in a day.

Apart from visa fee you also have to pay a service fee, from 1420 to 2000 rubles.
The term of consideration of the visa is more for 1-2 days.

Remember

Do not deceive the employees of the consular department and provide only truthful information.
Apply for a visa in advance, but not earlier than 3 months before the start of the trip.
Apply for a visa at the consulate of the country to which you are going to travel, and not in which it is easier to obtain a Schengen.
The more papers, the better.
Having a Schengen visa does not guarantee the right to enter the Schengen area.
The visa fee is non-refundable if you are denied a Schengen visa.

The Schengen visa opens the door to most European countries that have signed an agreement of the same name. This document has become an urgent need for residents of the largest cities, since they are the most active travelers. The question of how to get a Schengen visa in Moscow on your own in 2019 worries many. Below we consider the main features of this process.

Visa types

Before you apply for a Schengen visa on your own in Moscow, you need to decide on its type. Depending on the purpose of the trip, there are three types:

Category A - which allows you to stay at the airport of a Schengen zone country for further movement to a third country.
Category C -, the validity of which does not exceed 90 days per six months; She needs to travel.
Category D is a national visa issued for a long period and is the first step to obtain in the country of destination.

The procedure for issuing a visa

It is also very important to know in advance exactly where you are going to go.

You can make a Schengen visa in Moscow on your own in each of the countries of the agreement. However, the rules and requirements for registration may differ from country to country.

In addition, many states are valid or have a long stay. Therefore, in order to avoid problems in the future, the choice must be approached with all responsibility.

Having carefully studied all the information on the website of the consulate of the country of the upcoming trip, you can proceed to. It is important not to lose sight of any nuance, since even the slightest mistake can lead to.

Statement

One of the most important documents is the questionnaire. She acts as a kind of face of the applicant and provides all the most important information about him. should be as honest as possible, without hiding or distorting any facts about yourself.

The questionnaire has a single form with a list of questions of a standard type. You can enter information by hand or by computer typing.

In some consulates, the application can be submitted online, after registering on their websites.

Representations in other countries accept only the printed version.

Pay attention to the language in which the data should be entered. In most cases, international English or the national language of the state to whose consulate the document is addressed will do. Also, several countries are ready to accept questionnaires in Russian.

List of documents for a Schengen visa

If you intend to get a Schengen visa in Moscow on your own, then be prepared to spend some time collecting all required documents. The package of papers is standard. Consulates different states only specific details may differ, for example, or loyalty to any data provided.

Follow detailed list, which has everything to prepare for a trip to the consulate.

overdue loans non-performing.rf

In addition to the requirements for the execution of the papers themselves, there is a certain order in which they must be folded before being submitted to the consular officer.

Biometrics for Schengen visa

Do not forget that since September 2015, a law has been in force, according to which biometrics is prerequisite to obtain a visa. must be completed every five years.

Fingerprints for a Schengen visa in Moscow can be submitted at one of the visa centers, which are equipped with special equipment. You will also need to take a digital photo. Children under the age of 12 are exempted from fingerprinting.

Photo Requirements

In addition to taking photographs at the visa center, you should provide photographs along with the application form.

If you are not an experienced traveler, then it is better to use the second option. The visa center is the place where it is easiest to apply for a Schengen visa in Moscow. These organizations provide assistance throughout the entire paperwork process and charge relatively little money for their services.

Visa Application Centers in Moscow

Service and visa center of Germany	st. Shabolovka, 31
Spain Visa Application Center	Kaluga square, 1, building 2
France Visa Application Center	st. Marxistskaya, 3, building 2
Computing center specializing in the acceptance of documents for issuing visas to Latvia, Slovakia, Estonia	Nizhny Susalny lane, 5, building 19
Austria Visa Application Center	st. Dubininskaya, 35
Belgium Visa Application Center	st. Shchipok, 11, building 1
Greece Visa Application Center	Nikitsky Boulevard, 17
Finland Visa Application Center	st. Prospekt Mira, 54, fl. 3
Service and Visa Center of the Czech Republic	st. Suschevsky Val, 31, building 2
Italy Visa Application Center	per. Maly Tolmachevsky, 6, building 1
Switzerland Visa Application Center	BC Delta Plaza, 2nd Syromyatnichesky lane, 1
Malta Visa Application Center	st. Shchipok, 11, building 1
Netherlands Visa Application Center	st. Shchipok, 11, building 1

Reasons for rejection

Since in Moscow it is not possible for some people to get a Schengen visa immediately, it is necessary to submit in advance possible reasons failure. In this way, you can insure yourself a little against possible failure and unnecessary problems in the future.

So, the main reasons for refusal are:

violation of the law during a previous trip;
providing false information in the questionnaire or other documents;
incomplete package of papers;
unsatisfactory financial situation.

How to apply for a Schengen visa yourself: Video

And, finally, the most interesting thing is the restriction of travel abroad for debtors. It is about the status of the debtor that it is easiest to “forget” when going on another vacation abroad. The reason may be overdue loans, unpaid utility bills, alimony or fines from the traffic police. Any of these debts may threaten to restrict travel abroad in 2018, we recommend that you find out information about the presence of debt using a proven service not to fly.rf

Europe is one of the most popular tourist destinations. For entry into the territory of most European countries for Russians in 2019 Schengen visa required to Europe. Visiting the states of the Old World, which are not included in the Schengen zone, may also be accompanied by some nuances.

Types of European visas

Depending on the purpose of the trip, Russian citizens can apply for a tourist, student, work visa:

Tourist. Required to visit one or more European countries for the purpose of recreation, acquaintance with the sights and culture of a particular state;
The period of validity of the entry permit is determined each time individually.
Educational. Colleges, universities, academies of some European countries (Austria, Spain, Germany, Czech Republic) train students from all over the world, among whom there are our fellow citizens who want to get a quality European education. A student visa is issued for a long period (the most common are semi-annual, annual) and is subject to renewal in the future. If a student receives a scholarship from some foundation, the price of a visa to Europe will be low for him, since in this case consular fee is not paid;
working. Before applying for a visa to Europe for work, it is necessary to receive an invitation from the employer.

According to the validity period, short-term visas and multivisas are distinguished. In the presence of the latter, the traveler has the right to enter several times, and then leave the Schengen area for certain period time. This is the most convenient option for tourists who travel a lot, as it allows you to visit any Schengen countries.

A multivisa may not be given to someone who travels to Europe for the first time.

Schengen visa: advantages and difficulties of registration

Since the formation of the Schengen area, obtaining visas to Europe for Russians has become much more difficult. Quite high requirements are imposed on applicants, and the procedure itself is often delayed for several months. However, if you have the required amount in your bank account, booked air tickets, a hotel and all the necessary documents, the process of obtaining tourist visas will not seem too complicated, but a lot of opportunities open up before their holders.

According to Schengen, you can legally visit 26 EU countries (with the exception of Ireland, Great Britain), as well as Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. It is worth noting that some countries that have joined the EU but have not signed the Schengen agreement (these are the southern part of Cyprus, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania) also allow visiting their territory on a Schengen visa.

Schengen registration

To obtain a Schengen visa, you must submit the following documents to the consulate of the country where you plan to travel:

International passport, the validity of which expires at least 3 months before the expected date of travel with space for a stamp;
A questionnaire filled in Russian, English or the language of the consulate. Requirements for the application form at the embassies different countries differ, so its form should be downloaded on the website of a particular state;
Receipt of payment of the cost of a visa to Europe (consular fee). The fee is paid in Russian rubles at the current exchange rate at the time of payment;
Photo. The number of images may vary depending on the consulate, but the rules for their design are approximately the same for everyone:
- Size - 3.5x4.5 cm;
- Light background (preferably white);
- The person should occupy 70 - 80%;
- The head is straight, the mouth is closed, the eyes are open, the facial expression is neutral;
- The picture was taken recently.
Documents confirming solvency (bank statement, certificate of employment, application and relevant documents from the sponsor, etc.);
Confirmation of the purpose of the trip (an invitation from the employer, hotel reservations, air tickets for tourists, a document from the university on enrollment, etc.);
If the applicant is a pensioner, he additionally provides a copy of a pension certificate, if a student - a student card.

Some countries of the Schengen agreement did not include medical insurance in the list of documents required for a visa, but it is still recommended to get an insurance policy.

Getting a visa to Europe for a child has its own characteristics. When submitting certificates to the visa center, you must attach a copy of the birth certificate and a notarized export permit (if the child is traveling without parents).

Visas to countries that are not included in the Schengen area

There are very few countries left in Europe that do not require Schengen to cross their borders. So, for Cyprus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Great Britain, Romania, Ireland, national visas should be issued. However, certain difficulties may arise only when obtaining permission to enter the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. For other countries, apply national visa even easier than Schengen.

Southern Cyprus can be visited on a free electronic pro-visa, it is issued on the official website of the country. It's a disposable tourist visa, which gives the right to stay in Cyprus for no more than 90 days.

Also, in a number of countries for Russians, obtaining a visa to Europe is not required:

What is the price

The cost of a visa to Europe in Moscow includes the following payments:

Consular fee;
Service fee (when applying at the visa center);
insurance;
Services of a travel company (if the traveler does not want to deal with the design himself).

For economical tourists who do not want to overpay, the prices of a visa to Europe in 2019 will depend only on the cost of insurance and consular fees. The consular fee differs depending on the chosen tourist destination:

The following categories of citizens do not pay the consular fee:

Children under six years of age;
Students who apply for a student permit;
Representatives non-profit organizations under 26 years of age to participate in conferences, seminars, educational and cultural events;
Disabled persons and persons accompanying them;
Persons who travel to Europe for treatment in medical facilities.