How to get a Schengen visa right now?
Difficult, but quite realistic. The main thing: go and do it, without fearing rumors of rejections for Russians and long waits.
New rules
On September 9, 2022, the European Commission published new requirements for the rules of obtaining Schengen visas by Russians. The main thing is that the simplified visa regime, which had been in effect for Russians in recent years, was canceled. In short, no more visas in five days. Now, according to the new rules, applications at visa centers are processed for a minimum of two weeks, and a maximum of 45 days.
Consulate employees have officially received the right to give low priority to issuing visas to those who do not have a great need for them. This includes tourists. It is not recommended to issue long-term, multiple-entry visas. Preference, according to the recommendations of the European Commission, should be given to single-entry visas for the duration of the intended trip. That is, it is better not to hope for a 100% probability of a five-year Schengen visa. At the same time, Italy, for example, continues to issue long-term visas to those with a good history.
In addition, the consular fee has increased. Now you will have to pay 80 euros for a visa.
Which European countries continue to issue tourist visas to Russians?
Despite the fact that the list of countries willing to host Russian tourists and issue them Schengen visas has significantly decreased, there are still several states that have not closed the possibility of applying at a visa center. These include:
— Italy
— Germany
— France
— Hungary
— Greece
— Cyprus
— Spain
— Austria
— Iceland
— Sweden
By obtaining a visa from one of these countries, you can travel through it to others (if, of course, the type of visa and its duration allow).
And which countries have banned entry for tourists from Russia?
The Baltic states were the first. Since September 19, tourists from Russia cannot enter Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Poland made the same decision regarding Russians.
And on September 30, Finland joined them. The most popular land border among Russians is now closed. The final reason for this, according to Finnish authorities, was the use of their country as a transit point. Allegedly, Finland does not want to be a stopover for Russians on their way to other EU member states.
Russians indeed used the land borders of the Baltic states and Finland mainly to enter Europe. Traveling by bus or car to one of these land borders, and then flying from local capitals to other European countries, was cheaper than buying a plane ticket with a layover in Turkey and the UAE.
How to apply at a visa center?
The most lenient countries regarding visa issuance right now are: Italy, Germany, France, and Spain.
Another thing is that finding a free slot to apply at a visa center is now not an easy task. Therefore, if you value time but not money, you can contact an agency. One of the most popular agencies dealing with Schengen processing is the «Unified Visa Center». As of early October, they offer the following options:
France
Cost:
— 4,750 rubles – agency services and assistance in collecting documents,
— 10,000 rubles – appointment at the consulate for document submission;
— 9,000 rubles – consular fee.
It is possible to make an appointment in 3 – 4 weeks. Unfortunately, you won't be able to choose a convenient date, but you can specify in advance which days you definitely won't be available.
Processing time – from 7 working days, and they process quickly.
They say that the chances of «extending» an expired French visa are very high: those who had long-term Schengen visas for France are generously given new ones.
Italy
For Italy, the «Unified Visa Center» submits and prepares documents independently. You will only need to come to the consulate for fingerprints.
Processing time: from 10 working days.
Appointment at the consulate is prompt: within 2 – 3 days.
Cost: 24,000 rubles.
Spain
There are three options here:
1. Independent submission
In this option, you go to the consulate yourself for submission. The agency only assists with document preparation and appointment booking.
Appointment at the consulate is possible in two – three weeks.
Processing time – from 10 working days.
Cost:
— 4,750 rubles – agency services and assistance in collecting documents,
— 3,500 rubles – appointment at the consulate for document submission;
— 7,000 rubles – consular fee.
2. Without personal presence
The agency will prepare and submit the entire package of documents; you only need to come for fingerprints. Document submission is approximately in two weeks.
Appointment and processing times are the same as in the first option.
Cost: 25,500 rubles.
3. Without appointment
Document submission within 2 – 3 days.
Cost: 31,000 rubles.
Germany
Also possible through an agency, but the nearest date is in mid-December. They say there's a chance to catch earlier slots. Processing time: from 10 working days.
Cost:
— 4,750 rubles – agency services and assistance in collecting documents,
— 3,500 rubles – appointment at the consulate for document submission;
— 7,000 rubles – consular fee.
The agency is available in several cities in Russia!
A much more budget-friendly strategy is to daily refresh the visa center websites and look for an appointment slot. If forums are to be believed, there are lucky ones who were told the X-day over the phone by the visa center. It's worth a try.
The Italian visa center, for example, usually opens appointments at the end of the month, but for dates at least 31 days later. For instance, at the end of August, dates for October were opened.
In the German visa center, slots for document submission appear more frequently. It really makes sense to check the website at least once a day to see if any «windows» have appeared. However, just recently, Germany announced new, stricter requirements for the document package:
— hotel and ticket bookings are accepted only with proof of payment;
— for a business/visitor visa: an invitation from a German business partner/family is required, stating that all expenses for the applicant's trip and stay in Germany will be covered in accordance with §§ 66-68 of the Residence Act, Employment and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Republic of Germany, Aufenthaltgesetz (AufenthaltG);
— medical insurance for all travel purposes: only medical insurance from German companies or companies from other EU countries is accepted (in German, English, or with a translation).
It's more complicated with France. There is no clear system for opening slots at the visa center. But on the Vinsky Forum (one of the oldest and most popular platforms with travel tips and discussions), attentive users regularly post if they notice new open dates. Therefore, we recommend subscribing to the relevant Forum topic.
Tip: reading forums is also useful to see for yourself the reality of obtaining a Schengen visa today. Firstly, there are separate topics with statistics on visa issuance by various consulates. For example, here people write how many days they waited for the Italians' decision, what documents they attached, whether a person's visa history is important, and for how long they ultimately received a new Schengen visa. Secondly, people learn from others' mistakes. Life hacks for visa centers have always existed. Somewhere, people are even now allowed in without an appointment. And somewhere else, it's better to attach an itinerary to the documents. But you will only learn about this firsthand on the forums.
What documents are needed for Schengen?
All consulates have different requirements, but the basic package looks like this:
– valid foreign passport;
– previous foreign passport (if it contained visas for the last five years);
– Russian passport (original or copies of all filled pages);
– two photos for a Schengen visa (must be recent);
– certificate of employment (indicating position, salary, and start date) / study, if you work / study;
– original bank statement confirming funds with a live signature and bank seal (balance of at least 200,000 rubles + transaction history for the last three months).
Can I apply for a Schengen visa on behalf of another person?
In theory, yes, if there is a notarized power of attorney. Applying for a Schengen visa this way has become popular in the last couple of weeks, due to the mass departure of men from Russia. But we want to warn you immediately: according to numerous reviews, the chance of getting a long-term visa without the person's personal presence is small. You might not only end up with a short visa for the travel dates but also an official refusal stamp.
How much does a visa cost?
Now you need to pay 80 euros for a visa. Separately, you will need to pay for the services of the visa center. And here the price depends on the country for which you are applying for a visa. For example, the Italian center Almaviva, which processes visas for everyone who does not have a Moscow residence permit, requires a service fee of 4710 rubles.
How much larger is the new visa document package?
There is only one significant change — a bank statement with transaction history for three months. If you usually prefer to pay by card, be prepared for the bank employee to hand you a whole stack of papers. Providing only a statement with the balance of funds in the account, as before, will no longer be possible.
Also, according to the reviews of most people who received a Schengen visa under the new rules, it is advisable to actually purchase tickets and provide them in the document package. Unpaid bookings guarantee you a visa duration of no longer than 30 days. However, purchased airline tickets and prepaid hotel accommodation increase the chance of getting a longer visa.
Round-trip tickets are mandatory. Without them, your document package will not be accepted. At all.
For how long can you get a Schengen visa today?
Judging by comments from the forum, in most cases, a visa is issued for one month. But if you have had annual Schengen visas in the last three years, it is quite possible that you will receive another one. Russian tourists are rarely completely denied.
