Schengen visa: how to get it under the new rules, and what has changed in the application procedure

On September 14, 2015, new rules for obtaining Schengen visas came into effect. Now every Russian, submitting documents, will undergo fingerprinting and photographing. In 2017, it is impossible to issue a pass through intermediaries, except for repeated applications within 5 years. Personal appearance at the Consulate or accredited center is required. Only these two institutions are equipped with fingerprinting equipment. In Russia, such centers are the representative offices of VFS Global and, accordingly, the Consulates of the Schengen countries. What is the VIS system, and how to get a Schengen visa under the new rules - we will consider further.

This is the name of the system, which makes it possible to exchange information about all issued permits. VIS consists of several divisions - the main "brain", divisions in different countries and regions. Under the new rules, such a system allows you to store:

• Personal information of a citizen - passport number, place of registration, residence, type of visa, permitted periods of stay.
• Digital photography.
• Prints of 10 fingers.
• Information about issued, extended, canceled and denied visas.

That is, the VIS stores all the basic data that is necessary for travel to Europe.

Attention: Citizens who open the Schengen area after September 14, 2015 must submit their fingerprints. The data is updated every 5 years. You have undergone fingerprinting and for the next 5 years you can simply apply for a visa extension or opening. Your data (prints, photos) will be stored in the system.

If in 2017 you have a valid visa in your passport, it will not be canceled. On it, you can freely travel to Europe without submitting prints. Under the new rules, children under 12 years old and persons who cannot be fingerprinted due to physical injury are exempted from submitting biometric data.

5 questions for the new system

This is what the calculator looks like on the website of the European Commission

What innovations have occurred since the introduction of the rules on September 14? The rule for calculating the period of stay has changed. You can stay in the Schengen area for 3 months in a period of 180 days. It is important that the countdown of the days of residence will be carried out not forward, but backward.

For the convenience of Russians, you can use a visa calculator on the website of the European Commission. It will help you control the period of stay and calculate how many days you have left to travel to Europe. A calculator is also available.

Consider the most popular questions related to obtaining a Schengen visa, taking into account the innovations.

1. Have the terms of consideration of documents changed?
   The changes did not affect this item. The decision must be made no later than 10 days after the application. The maximum consideration period is 30 working days. also not canceled. A short-term "pass" can be issued in 3 days.
2. If I have already submitted my fingerprints at the VFS center of one country, but now I will contact the Embassy of another, do I need to undergo fingerprinting again?
   No, the data is stored in a single VIS system. If after September 14 you have already passed biometrics, in 2017 you do not need to undergo fingerprinting and digital photography.
3. Where to apply for Schengen in 2017?
   You can apply directly to the Consulate of the country where you plan to spend most of the days, or to an accredited visa center. For those who apply for a permit for the first time after September 14, personal submission is required.
4. Have the maximum and minimum application deadlines changed?
   Papers are accepted no earlier than 90 days before the planned trip. Holders of multivisa with a validity period of more than 6 months can draw up papers for renewal before the expiration of the multivisa. You need to contact the Consulate or Visa Application Center 15 days before the date of entry.
5. If rejected, what can you do?
   Changes affected this item. Now you will be notified with an official letter stating the reason for the refusal. You have the right to appeal to the Consulate of the country where the refusal was issued. After eliminating the reasons for the refusal, the citizen can re-apply for a visa.

Another point regarding changes in the visa regime is the replacement of the passport. If you applied for a visa after September 14, you submitted your biometric data, but in 2017 your passport and visa expired. Will difficulties arise during the new conversion? No, it will be easy to get a "pass".

On a new request, you simply indicate the series and number of the new document. New data will be entered into the VIS system. There is no need to undergo fingerprinting and photographing.

First appeal after September 14, 2015

The changes did not affect the general rules for filing and collecting documents. The first thing you will do is visit the website of the Embassy of the country where you are going to enter or the VFS Global center. The centers are convenient for their working hours and wide network - they are located in 24 cities of Russia (in addition to the capital and St. Petersburg). For those who apply to the Visa Application Center in 2017, the website address is:

http://www.vfsglobal.com/russian/

• On the left, enter Russia and the country where you need a visa.

• Go to the page where you will see a list of required documents, addresses of centers, work schedule and procedure for submitting applications.

• On the appointed day, come to the Center or Consulate.
• Go through the procedure for submitting fingerprints and digital photographs. The whole process will take about 10 minutes.
• You pay the fees. When submitting papers to the Center, you pay an additional service fee. It can be different in each department, but it does not exceed 30 euros.
• Give the package of papers to the employee. You will be assigned a date when to pick up your passport.

On the appointed day, come for a ready-made passport.

Re-appeal after September 14

In 2017, you can reapply for a visa if its validity period has expired. If you have already undergone fingerprinting and digital photography, and 5 years after passing the biometrics, the registration algorithm will be as follows:

• Collect paperwork for the Consulate or Visa Application Center to enter Europe (the country where you will first enter or where you will spend more days).
• Indicate in your visa application that your fingerprints have already been submitted.
• Sign up for a paper filing.
• Come to the Center or Consulate, pay the fees.
• Give the papers to the employee.

Then you pick up your passport with a visa. Attention: you can entrust this process to authorized travel agencies or tour operators. After all, you have already submitted biometric data after September 14. This means that in 2017 they can accept papers without your presence. Your data is in the VIS system.

If 5 years have passed since the date of fingerprinting and a more personal application is required. You independently register at the Consulate or Center, collect papers and submit your fingerprints. The only difference is that in the visa application form, indicate that you submitted your biometric data five years ago. In all other respects, obtaining a Schengen visa does not change - personal delivery of prints and documents.

It is also worth noting that the cost of entering Europe has not changed. It is the same 35 euros. Service charges are subject to change and are set by each VFS Global branch. There is no service fee at the Consulate. Payment is accepted in euros or rubles at the rate of the Central Bank.