Where can I get fingerprints for a Schengen visa? New rules for obtaining a Schengen visa: fingerprints

Since September 14, 2015, Russian citizens must certainly hand over fingerprints for a Schengen visa. The delivery of biometric data is mandatory for all. The procedure of fingerprinting is carried out in consulates authorized by visa centers of European countries.

The Schengen action extends to 26 countries of the Schengen agreement. The agreement, signed 20 years ago, enables citizens to move freely between states and without obstacles to pass passport and border control. Initially, the Schengen community consisted of 7 countries. Now it has grown to 26 members. The states that are one of the last to join the union are Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

Why do I need a Schengen visa?

Schengen visa has the form of a sticker, which is pasted into a passport. The common visa policy of European countries promotes the development of tourism in the region. You can stay in the countries of the agreement for a limited period - from three to six months, by issuing a short or long-term visa. Any country in the Schengen agreement can issue them. They are valid for entry and travel on the territory of all states that have signed the agreement. That is, you do not need to issue a visa for a trip to each individual country.

Who can not hand over fingerprints for a Schengen visa?

To hand over fingerprints, everyone wishing to become holders of a Schengen visa must visit the consulate or visa center. The only exceptions are Russian citizens who have not reached the age of 12, disabled persons without fingers or hands, and also some statesmen who use visas for working visits.

According to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), the launch of the Visa Information System (VIS) in the country resulted in a change in the procedure for citizens applying for a visa to the centers of the Schengen states. So, you can file a package of documents only by appointment. Individual authorized centers changed their work schedule after new rules for obtaining a Schengen visa began to operate. Fingerprints meanwhile are designed to improve the situation of Russian tourists.

Now we will answer the most common questions that arise for tourists who want to go abroad. We also find out where to put fingerprints for a Schengen visa.

Where should I go?

Where can I get fingerprints for a Schengen visa? The official EU representative office in Russia notes that after September 14, 2015, a person's personal presence is required to provide biometric data when applying for a visa. It's about fingerprints and digital photography.

Specialists to apply for advice are advised to choose a consulate or visa center of the state in which the citizen intends to spend most of his foreign trip. It can also be a consulate of the country whose border will need to be crossed first during the entry into the territory defined as the Schengen zone. In some cases, an advance record is required to apply. It should be emphasized that travel companies do not have the right to collect biometric data.

Is the visa valid before?

Is the Schengen visa valid for the Russians valid until September 15 of this year? Fingerprints tourists who have received permission to travel abroad before, do not have to provide. This will need to be done only after the document expires.

Has the package of documents changed?

The package of documents for visa processing remained the same. Only biometric data was added to it. Russian tourists, as a rule, must submit an application, accommodation reservation, airline tickets, income statement, insurance policy, photocopies of the passport.

How are the biometric data handed over?

Photos and fingerprints for the Schengen visa are made in the same place where the application is filed. The scanning procedure takes several minutes. The EU office notes that those citizens who are temporarily unable to provide data will have to undergo the procedure the next time they apply to the consulate.

Update biometric data, according to the new rules, will need to be every five years. You should also know that border service employees on the external border of the country may require the tourist to provide fingerprints for the Schengen visa. This allows them to verify the identity by comparing the data with those stored in the database. If the information does not match, then, before passing the traveler across the border, it will be checked additionally.

In what time is the Schengen visa issued?

In accordance with the requirements, the package of documents should be submitted at least a few weeks before the planned trip, but not earlier than three months before leaving Russia. In most centers, travel authorization is issued within ten working days.

How much does the design of the "Schengen" cost?

According to the European Mission, the size of the visa fee does not depend on the term of the Schengen. Its size is determined by a specific consulate and is about 35 euros. In some cases, for example, if the application is submitted by the tourist three days before the trip, the collection can be doubled.

Demand for a Schengen visa in Russia

Representatives of ATOR note that the introduction of biometrics in the consulates of the Schengen countries coincided with a sharp reduction in the tourist flow from Russia to the countries of Europe. The complex foreign policy environment prevents the opening of new visa centers on the territory of Russia. Meanwhile, it can greatly facilitate the implementation of the innovation. It is noteworthy that some European countries, on the contrary, closed their centers.

According to statistical data, against the background of the devaluation of the Russian currency, the number of complaints for the design of the Schengen has significantly decreased. However, despite this, the Russians continue to occupy the first place among the citizens of other countries of the world who are requesting permission to travel to the Schengen area. So, according to the results of the last year, 5,8 million visas were issued in the Russian Federation.

To avoid further reducing the flow of tourists from Russia to Europe, ATOR sent a letter to the EU Delegation in Russia. It proposes to open new centers on the territory of the country, which will take fingerprints from Russians to obtain a Schengen visa.