The European Commission announced that new rules for obtaining Schengen visas will come into force on February 2, 2020. Now it is possible Apply for a visa six months before your planned trip, and you can do so electronically.
For For Russian tourists, the consular fee will remain the same: €35 for a standard visa and €70 for an urgent visa, plus the visa center's service fee. For representatives of other countries, the consular fee has increased to €80. Travelers with a positive visa history and regular visits to the Schengen area will receive multiple-entry visas. According to experts, the validity period for such visas may be extended to five years.
What are the main changes that await us?
Appearance
The design has changed. Now they issue Schengen visas of a new design.
Fees for foreigners
For example, the consular fee for Schengen visa applications to Spain for foreign citizens will increase to 80 euros. For citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, the fees will remain the same.
Review periods
The visa application processing period may extend up to 45 calendar days, instead of the previous 30 days.
Visa issuance procedure
According to Article 24 of the Visa Code, to obtain a visa:
— for 1 year, it is necessary to correctly use 3 Schengen visas obtained over the last 2 years.
— for 2 years, you must correctly use the annual Schengen visa obtained within the last 2 years.
— for 5 years, it is necessary to correctly use a two-year Schengen visa obtained within the last 3 years.
Submission to the Consulate
The consulate reserves the right to refuse to accept documents for a Schengen visa from the applicant in person. In such cases, tourists must contact the country's Visa Application Centre directly.
Understandable reasons for refusal
In the new questionnaires, some items are separated, which allows for more specific and expanded list of refusal decisions.
The official date for the changes to come into force is February 2, 2020.
Source: trn-news.ru