New rules for Schengen visa to Europe, conditions of stay and sample application

In the countries of the European Union, a visa information system has been introduced, which will process data on those who want to obtain a Schengen visa. This system has been operating for a long time, but every year more and more countries take the system into circulation. As it is convenient, practical and safe. The new visa system links national systems and consulates in countries where the Schengen border passes. This allows them to exchange information about the persons holding the visa.

Since 2015, new rules have been in effect for Russian citizens. You can get a visa at any of the consulates of any of the countries of the European Union. The best citizens of Russia are Spain, France and Greece. Therefore, if possible, it is better to contact the diplomatic missions of these countries. The visa information system greatly simplifies the procedure for subsequent obtaining permission to enter any of the European countries. Re-obtaining or extending visas for foreign citizens can occur automatically - you don't even need to go to an appointment at the Embassy.

Having a Schengen visa, with its new changes that have made it only better, you can still, without any difficulties, travel and travel from one agreement country to another, without problems at the border and hassle with documents. The new rules, which came into force in September 2015, did not bring any special changes, but only made it easier to obtain and further use a visa.

What documents might you need?

According to the new rules, in order to obtain a permit to enter Europe, citizens of non-European states do not have to apply to the visa center for paperwork. Alternatively, the embassies of European states, or the consulates of these countries in the applicant's homeland, can serve. As for the documents that are needed to apply for a visa, their list remained unchanged. It includes:

• Visa application form. An example of a questionnaire can be downloaded from the website of the embassy of the country you are planning to travel to. It is important to indicate truthful information in it so as not to spoil your visa history;
• The photo. You will need two photos of your face without glasses, accessories, or other jewelry. Photo requirements can also be found on the embassy website;
• International passport. It is important that it is valid at the time of entry into the territory of European states, and at the time of the planned return of the country;
• Medical insurance policy. To travel to Europe, you will need an insurance policy, the amount of insurance of which covers costs of at least 30 thousand euros. To obtain a policy, you can apply directly to the Visa Application Center;
• Documents confirming solvency. In order for the staff of the embassy or consulate to have no questions about who and how will support you in European countries, it is important to prove your worth. For this, bank statements, income statements and cash are suitable;
• Documents confirming that you are working or studying. This is necessary so that the consulate had no doubts about your desire to certainly return to your homeland.

If you went to any European country as a tourist, then you need to provide certain documents that prove that you are going on vacation.

• Travel voucher, proof of place of residence;
• Round trip tickets;
• Other documents as required.

The new visa system has brought some changes. Now that you have all the necessary documents provided above, you need to provide the embassy with your biometric data. The embassy staff will need your voice, a sample of your handwriting, a digital photograph, and your fingerprints. Thanks to the new system, after you submit your biometric data, there will be much less problems with obtaining a visa. This will be due to the fact that all your basic data that you submitted to obtain a Schengen visa will be stored in a single center. And soon it will be possible to apply for a visa from a distance. Data should be updated at intervals of five years.

The advantage of the new Schengen visa is that all European states will have access to information about those citizens who already have a Schengen visa. Such innovations weed out scammers who hide behind other people's documents.

A Schengen visa itself, which allows you to travel to European countries without obstacles, is prestigious and very profitable. And thanks to the new rules that have existed since 2015, it is also convenient as well as safe.

Types of Schengen visas

The innovations did not affect the usual classification of Schengen visas. But there are certain changes that you can take advantage of, as they greatly simplify your stay in Europe. So, for example, now, Russian citizens can stay in the Eurozone for six months within one year, with the only exception that during these six months they must leave the Eurozone at least twice.

• Category A visa: the principle of such a visa is that you will only be allowed to stay in the airport area. And that's not all. Such a visa is suitable for those who want to transfer some kind of cargo to a certain person or individual;
• Category B visa: suitable for transporting goods, things or documents across the country. But such a journey should not last more than five days;
• Category C visa: such a visa is suitable for tourists, it allows you to travel to all countries of the Schengen area;
• Category D visa: Suitable for those who would like to stay in a certain country for a long time. It also allows you to make transit traffic throughout the Schengen area.

All these categories of visas can be both multiple and one-time. Also, tourist, work and study visas should be considered separately. The new visa rules, adopted in September 2015, did not change the general procedure for issuing visas, and did not make any adjustments to their classification.

Has the cost changed?

This question worries many. It was assumed that after the introduction of new rules, the consular fee for a Schengen visa will increase to sixty euros. But this innovation will not affect the residents of the Russian Federation. Thanks to the agreement between the countries of the European Union and Russia, the duty remains the same as it was. Therefore, today the fee is thirty-five euros.

As for the visa centers, the new visa rules bypassed them. This means that the fee and assistance of the center are paid in different ways. It is up to you to decide through whom you will make a visa, of course, it is more convenient through the consulate, but there is a possibility that they may be mistaken or not accept you. But the centers do not have the right to do scans, which means that you will have to look at the embassy of one of the European states.

To apply for a visa according to the new rules, you must remember the basic conditions of stay in the Schengen countries, as well as the rules of entry and exit, especially if you decide to stay in Europe for all one hundred and eighty days. This will help to make your vacation enjoyable and not complicate it with unnecessary problems.

Such innovations in the visa issuance system not only make life easier for tourists, significantly simplifying the process of obtaining a Schengen visa, but also help keep under control of fraudsters, terrorists and the flow of illegal migrants. Plus, extending the maximum length of stay in the Eurozone will allow you to diversify your vacation or finish all the things that you have planned.