Ordinary visa. What is the difference between a regular visa and a Schengen visa

A Schengen visa for Russians in 2019 is needed for those who are going to visit the Schengen states. When traveling to a particular country, you can limit yourself to obtaining its national visa, but it is much more convenient to immediately open a Schengen visa.

Why do I need a Schengen visa

Consider what a Schengen visa gives. Its presence allows you to visit the territory of 26 European countries. By obtaining permission from the embassy of one Schengen state, in most cases you will be able to enter the territory of any member of the agreement. Here you need to take into account some nuances (the rule of the first entry, validity periods), but usually a visa gives the right to travel virtually throughout Europe.

All issued permits are divided into long-term and short-term, by type and purpose of travel (tourist, work, business, etc.). The standard price for a Schengen visa for citizens of the Russian Federation is 35 euros. Although total cost obtaining a permit can vary quite a lot depending on a number of circumstances.

How long is a Schengen visa

The period for which a Schengen visa is issued depends on the purpose of the trip, the frequency of your visits to the countries of the agreement, and a number of other factors. If you are traveling as a tourist, then if you have a positive history of visiting Schengen, you can apply for a permit for six months or a year. The practice of issuing travel vouchers is also widespread. short stay visas up to a month.

Longer-term permits are issued to those who go to study or visit the EU countries regularly for work or business needs. Russians who frequently visit Europe on tour packages may also eventually qualify for multi-visas with a longer validity period.

A popular question is how long a Schengen visa is given for the first time. Usually, when visiting EU countries for the first time, you should not count on a long-term multivisa. The standard option in such cases is to issue a permit for up to 30 days.

Sometimes an annual multivisa can be issued the first time. This may be due to studies, inviting relatives living in Europe, or other factors. In such a situation, it makes sense to turn to intermediaries who will help to correctly collect Required documents, invitations and confirmations. At the end of the article, we will tell you how to get a Schengen visa for a year on your own in Moscow.

How long a Schengen visa is valid is indicated on the document itself. The type of permit, the start and end dates of its validity are indicated, allowable amount entries and total length of stay. The number of entries can be 1, 2 and unlimited (indicated by indexes 01, 02 and MULT - multivisa). IN last case you can enter the Schengen area many times with one permit.

Types of Schengen visas

The validity period of a visa also depends on its type and type. There are the following types of permissions:

• A– enables transit through the airport;
• B- opens for transit by land transport, is given for 1-5 days. Today, the states of the Schengen zone are not issued; instead, you need to obtain a type C permit;
• C is the most requested type. May be issued as short time(15 or 30 days), and up to 5 years;
• D- a national visa, it can be issued for a period longer than 5 years. Type D permits with long validity periods allow you to move around other Schengen states.

It is important to distinguish between the duration of a Schengen visa and allowable period stay abroad. Thus, a multivisa C valid for 180 days allows you to stay abroad for no longer than 90 consecutive days (and no more than 90 days in total). Annual - no more than 90 days every six months.

C visas are divided into the following subtypes:

The longest period that is possible when applying for a standard Schengen multivisa is 5 years. If you need to increase it, you need to get a national long-term visa D.

Types of Schengen visas

According to the purpose of the trip, Schengen visas are divided into types. Their main varieties are:

• Tourist;
• transit;
• Guestbook;
• Working;
• Business;
• Student;
• Children's;
• Immigration;
• official and diplomatic.

Transit, tourist and business cards are more often issued for a relatively short period of time. Guest can be both short-term and long-term. Work, student, immigration, official and diplomatic are usually given for longer periods.

The maximum validity period of a Schengen type C visa is set for citizens who frequently and regularly visit the countries of the agreement on official business. Persons reuniting with their families or planning to leave for permanent residence can also count on a five-year permit. Even more convenient for the latter category of citizens will be the registration of a national long stay visa D.

How much does it cost to get a schengen visa

When drawing up documents, citizens of the Russian Federation need to pay for a permit of categories C or A consular fee size 35 euro. This fee is paid regardless of the place where documents are processed - at the embassy, ​​visa center or travel agency. The cost of opening a national long-term visa D - 60 euro.

The price of applying for a Schengen visa in 2019 for Russians can be even lower than 35 euros - subject to getting into one of preferential categories. These include:

• Citizens going to study;
• Disabled persons with accompanying persons;
• Close relatives of Schengen citizens;
• Persons traveling for urgent treatment;
• Members of official delegations, governments, supreme and constitutional courts, participants of exchange programs;
• Children under 6 years old.

Often the question arises, how much does a Schengen visa cost for a year or two. The cost of obtaining type C permits does not depend on their validity period. In all cases, you must pay a consular and, if necessary, a service fee.

A service fee is charged when obtaining a permit at the visa center or from intermediaries (in a travel agency). Embassies and consulates are located only in Moscow and large metropolitan areas. Therefore, residents Russian regions in most cases, you have to use the services of visa centers (or travel agencies, which is even more expensive).

Calculating how much it costs to apply for a Schengen visa in 2019, don't forget about medical insurance . Typically, insurance costs 1 euro per day, with a total coverage of 30,000 euros. When traveling to ski resorts, the rates are higher - 2 euros per day.

The total cost of obtaining a Schengen visa in 2019 will independently include:

• Consular fee, 35 euros;
• If necessary, a service fee, approx. 21 euros, different countries- is different;
• Medical insurance - from 1 euro for 1 day.

Value service charge at various countries may differ markedly. So, the fee for 2019 is:

Additional costs for paperwork

The timing and cost of obtaining a Schengen visa in 2019 may be interrelated. So, if you are going to get an urgent permit, then pay twice as much - 70 euros. Documents in this case can do only 3 days.

Upon obtaining permission in travel company the cost of services increases. To increase the likelihood of resolving the issue, you can be issued a “fake” tourist voucher. Services of intermediaries in this case will cost about 70-140 euros.

Terms of registration

The question is, how much is a Schengen visa, in certain situations can be the most important for a person traveling abroad. Usually documents are issued in 5-10 days. The standard review period is 10 days, but sometimes it can be extended up to 1 month. When submitting an application, it is worth considering the possible presence of various national holidays in the coming days. Embassies and consulates are closed on these days.

An important condition is that you can start processing documents no earlier than 3 months from the planned trip.

If you are on a tight deadline, you should order a permit for accelerated procedure. It will cost about 2 times more, but you will get finished result in 3 days. Such a decision may be especially appropriate in the summer season.

Sometimes applicants incorrectly draw up questionnaires or other submitted documents. How much Schengen is done in this case, no one will answer you for sure. In order not to waste time, increasing the likelihood of refusal, all documents must be filled out very carefully. If this causes serious difficulties, it is better to contact intermediaries.

Documentation rules

Let's move on to critical issue: how to open a schengen visa. In order to avoid refusal, it is necessary to correctly fill out the questionnaire and carefully prepare the documents. The questionnaire is filled in English, or the language of the country of application. Some states allow filling out the questionnaire in Russian.

Serious difficulties can arise with the translation of text into a number of languages. When contacting an intermediary company, this problem will be removed, since professionals will deal with the translation. But the services of translators will need to be paid.

The new conditions for obtaining a Schengen visa provide mandatory surrender applicant for biometric data. To take biometrics, you need a personal visit to the consulate or visa application center. The captured data is valid for 5 years.

Required documents

Rules for issuing a Schengen visa standard list documents to be submitted by the applicant. This list includes:

1. A completed application form signed by the applicant;
2. International passport;
3. Certificate of income from work;
4. A copy of the general passport;
5. Two photos;
6. Medical insurance;
7. Confirmation of solvency;
8. Confirmation of the purpose of the trip.

Retirees also need to provide pensioner's ID, minors - parental consent, a copy of the metrics, a copy of the accompanying person's visa.

Please note that the list of documents may vary slightly for different countries and trips for different purposes.

To open a Schengen visa, the applicant will need to confirm the purpose of the trip and their own solvency. Confirmation of the first can be a letter from the employer, a document on admission to the university, an invitation from relatives, tourist voucher with air tickets. You can confirm solvency by means of a certificate of employment, a bank statement or a sponsorship letter. It is advisable to make an extract not only according to the status of accounts, but also according to the movement of funds for 3 months.

Photographs are usually required in the size of 35x45 mm. The passport must have at least two free pages and be valid for at least 3 months after the end of the trip.

How to apply for a Schengen visa yourself

If you do not want to overpay for paperwork, you can necessary procedures do it yourself. Let's take an example of how to make a Schengen visa on your own in Moscow.

First you need to decide in which embassy to apply for a visa. If a short-term tourist trip with the opening of a one-time permit, then there are no options - you need to get it at the institution of the country of destination.

But to get a multivisa, you can try to choose an embassy, ​​where it is easier to open a permit. The Russians are quite loyal in this sense in Finland, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, and Greece.

If there is a visa center for a specific country in Moscow, then it is better to contact it. You can also try to go directly to the embassy and try to get a Schengen visa for only 35 euros. But usually, when a visa center is opened, all the functions of paperwork are transferred to it.

Procedure for applying for a visa

1. When contacting consular office First of all, carefully study the list of all required documents. Decide on available dates, make an appointment, receive a questionnaire. Carefully read the rules for filling it out.
2. After that, proceed to the collection of documents ( sample list see above). How long you will collect documents - the solution of the whole issue will be so delayed.
3. After collecting all the documents, submit them at the appointed time to the consular officer. You pay the consular and, if necessary, service fee.
4. The consular officer will schedule a time for you to come and get your visa.

All stages of the passage of documents in some cases can be tracked directly on the consular website. Please note that you may not be issued a visa. If this happens, you will be told the reason for the refusal and put the appropriate stamp in your passport.

Let's return to the question of how to get a Schengen visa in Moscow for a year. When applying for a multivisa, the procedure is exactly the same. You just have to consider a number of factors that contribute to a positive decision. Among them are the following conditions:

• You regularly visit Europe on business or leisure trips;
• Do you have relatives living in Schengen?
• You own real estate in the agreement zone;
• You intend to study abroad;
• Do you have business contacts with enterprises from the countries of the zone?

How is it better to draw up documents - on your own or with intermediaries?

Above we have described how to apply for and obtain a Schengen visa on your own. It should be understood that a minor error in the preparation of documents can lead to a refusal. You can write something incorrectly in the questionnaire, miss the validity period of a particular certificate. It can be quite difficult to notice such flaws on your own, and as a result, you will not be able to issue a permit.

To exclude such excesses, you can contact an intermediary agency. In this case, permission will be made within a clearly defined time frame with a very low probability of refusal. You will pay a small amount for the services of intermediaries (approximately 3,000–5,000 rubles), but your chances of timely and positive decision question.

Video: visa processing under the new rules

It is not entirely correct to talk about the difference between a Schengen visa and a multivisa: these are interpenetrating concepts. If you draw parallels, then it's like comparing just fish and, for example, herring. Everyone understands that the herring has all the characteristics of a fish, as it is. But any fish does not necessarily have the signs of a herring, since it is not her with a 100% probability. That is, every herring is a fish, but not every fish is a herring. Before we finally get confused, let's summarize the philosophical calculations: every Schengen multivisa is a visa, but not every visa is a multivisa.

What is the difference between a Schengen multivisa and a single entry visa in fact?

To visit the Schengen states for any purpose that does not involve making a profit on their territory, it is usually issued single visa EU (type C). At the same time, the total period of stay in the territory of the countries of the Agreement should not exceed 90 days in half a year. This provision is relevant both for "short" permits and for "long" visas, the validity of which can be equal to five years.

In addition, a Schengen visa type C can be:

• single (for one trip);
• double (respectively for two trips);
• multiple (for an unlimited number of trips).

Thus, a multivisa is a Schengen visa that allows its holder to travel to the countries of the Agreement an unlimited number of times, not forgetting, however, the maximum allowed number of days of stay for Schengen visas. With both a single entry and a multiple entry single EU visa, you can not only visit the country that issued the permit, but also travel almost all over Europe.

What is the difference between a Schengen visa and a multivisa externally?

Visa stickers "Schengen" of all states of the Agreement are almost identical. They have several degrees of protection and are printed only in a typographical way. The visa stamp has 11 headings: 9 of them carry information about the permit and its owner, it is pasted into one field color photography tourist, and another zone is intended for automatic reading of data.

• "01" - single entry visa;
• "02" - double entry visa;
• "MULT" - multivisa.

The difference between a visa and a multivisa when applying for them

Actually, the procedure for issuing visas of any multiplicity is almost identical, and the consular fee is paid as standard - 35 euros. The questionnaire is filled in the same way, only when requesting a multivisa, a mark is placed in the corresponding field. Accompanying documents similar ones are also required, but they are subject to even more high requirements. Documents confirming the purpose of the trip are especially carefully considered: if a multivisa is requested, then a “reinforced concrete” justification for the need to visit Europe constantly should be submitted. And the biography of the applicant must be impeccable.

Russian citizens traveling in most European countries in 2019 must obtain prior permission to enter and stay in a particular state in the relevant countries. consular services. The facilitation of movement in Europe for our compatriots was signed by the majority of European powers, which allows you to freely cross their borders with a visa from at least one of the participating States. Holders of such a permit as a Schengen multivisa, issued by any country included in this common space, enjoy a great advantage.

Novice travelers, as a rule, are not very well versed in the order of entry into the territories of the countries of the European Union, and the question of what a Schengen multivisa is opens up for them at best when they revisit Europe. In fact, this issue is very significant for any traveler, and its knowledge entails the possibility of simplifying travel across European states for the coming months or even years.

Those Russian citizens who often visit countries that are part of the Schengen area for one reason or another are well aware of what the Schengen multivisa is and what advantages it provides. This permit allows its holder to make multiple (not limited in number) crossing the borders of the participating countries in the time allotted by the visa, in contrast to a single or double entry visa. Thanks to its presence in a foreign passport, any trip can be spontaneous, you can buy last-minute trips, save financial resources, because an application for a new permit is not required.

Visiting rules, validity periods

In order to avoid later problems with crossing the border of one or another European state it is important to have reliable information on how to obtain a Schengen multi-visa, at the consulate of which country, how to enter the Schengen territory.

First of all, it is important to know that such a multi-Schengen visa must be issued at the consulate of the country into whose territory the initial entry is planned, and in whose territory it is planned to spend the largest number of days. Another thing is that sometimes you have to turn to the authorities of the country most loyal to our compatriots, but this is the choice of the traveler himself.

Theoretically, there is a lot of reasoning that when receiving of this type permission, the rule of the country of main entry does not apply (or only applies if the period of stay in several states is the same). In practice, it's better not to risk it.

The period during which a multiple-entry Schengen visa is valid, for the happiness of Russians, is currently starting to be calculated not from the date of its issuance, but from the moment of activation at the first crossing European border. In this case, activation can be done within a few months ( specific deadline depends on the country of issue of the permit and the duration of its validity).

There are several types of Schengen multivisa, depending on the period during which this permit allows you to freely move around the relevant European states:

• Semi-annual.
• For a period of 1 year.
• Three years old.
• Five years old.

The more often a particular foreign citizen visits European powers, the more likely it is to obtain permission for more long term. You should not count on getting a multivisa on your first trip, this happens extremely rarely.

Length of stay. How to find out the number of active days

Receipt entry visa Schengen countries with the right to multiple border crossings does not mean that throughout the validity this document its owner may be located in the territory of the country. The days of stay are also strictly limited, as indicated in the visa stamp itself, which is pasted into the foreign passport. The number of such days is indicated in the column "DURATION OF STAY" in the third line of the sticker. Typically, the amount allowable days stay should not exceed 90 calendar days within one half year.

To calculate the number of days you can still stay in a European country, you can use various online services, visa calculators. But they all work one by one simple algorithm, with which it is very easy to make these calculations yourself.

Suppose a traveler has received a multiple-entry visa for six months with the possibility of staying in the territory of the Schengen countries for 90 days. Then the calculation of available days will look like this:

1. It is counted from the date of the first crossing of the border six months. During this period, you cannot stay in the Schengen area for more than 90 days.
2. According to the available entry and exit stamps, the periods of stay in the Schengen countries are determined (in this case, the day the stamp is received is included in general term stay in the state).
3. All periods of stay foreign country Europe are summed up.
4. When subtracting from the total number of allowed days (in this example - 90), the sum of all previous days of stay is obtained total active days, during which you can still stay in the Schengen country.

Despite the fact that it sounds somewhat complicated, in reality the coveted result is achieved by simple addition and subtraction or using a special calculator.

Grounds for extradition

General basis for extradition foreign citizen multiple Schengen visa is the need for frequent visits given state. At the same time, the first trip to one of the European countries that has joined the agreement will most likely be made on single entry visa. Further, a citizen can already apply for a multivisa, which is issued to foreigners who frequently visit the country on business, visiting relatives, etc.

In addition, there are states that are most loyal to Russian travelers, and in order to attract more tourists, issues multiple entry visa travelers. However, such permission can only be claimed for the second and subsequent times.

Which country's consulate to contact

The European Community Visa Code obliges foreigners who require an entry permit to apply for a visa at the consular office of the country in which they plan to arrive directly (or which will have the largest number of days of stay).

However, in order to simplify the specified document Russians often prefer to apply for a multi-visa at the embassy of the most “hospitable” countries, those that issue multi-permits more often and with the least obstacles. In such loyal powers include:

• France.
• Spain.
• Italy.
• Greece.

At the same time, one should not forget that most the time spent in Schengen must be taken to stay in the country that issued the visa in order to successfully receive multiple visas in the future.

Required documents

List of documents for obtaining a multiple visa stamp practically no different from general package necessary papers. These include:

• Completed and signed in the prescribed manner.
• Two color photographs 3.5*4.5 cm in size, made in accordance with all the design rules (70% - the applicant's face, no glare and shadows, no tinted glasses and hats, the location of the face in the center, symmetrically).

• Identification passport Russian citizen abroad (it must be valid for another 3 months after the expiration of the visa).
• Inactive foreign passports, if they have marks or visas of the countries included in the Schengen area.
• Copies of all completed pages of the civil passport.
• Evidence of financial security and close ties with the homeland: a certificate from work, bank statements, sponsorship letters etc.
• A copy of the relevant health insurance policy.

• Proof of accommodation (which may be a hotel reservation or an invitation from relatives or friends with an obligation to provide the traveler with accommodation) and copies of return air tickets.

When filling out the application form in case of desire to obtain a visa for multiple entries Special attention should be given to points on the number of entries requested, the length of stay and the planned dates of entry and exit from the Schengen area.

For any number of requested entries, a corresponding mark is made without specifying the number (“multiple”). The length of stay cannot exceed 180 days per year or 90 days per half year. The date of entry is indicated planned, the date of departure - the year is counted (for annual visa) from the planned date of the first border crossing. So, for example, if the entry will be made on 05/01/2017, then the departure dates should be indicated on 04/30/2018.

Terms and cost of registration

When making visa permission with the right to multiple border crossings of the Schengen countries, will not differ from the usual single entry visa. In some countries, the cost of such registration is different, but usually it is 35 euros for adults and children from 6 years old (persons younger than this age receive a permit free of charge). If necessary urgent clearance this price doubles to 70 euros.

The terms for granting a permit are individual, but from the period of its validity, the number possible entries does not depend. Thus, the terms for consideration of the application and documents for a multivisa are general, they can be found on the website of the consulate of a particular state.

A visa permit in, with an unlimited number of possible border crossings, provides ample opportunities for movement around Europe. It is unlikely that novice travelers will be able to apply for such a permit, but for people who often visit European powers, such a visa can be granted without difficulty. To do this, you just need to collect the entire package of official papers and correctly fill out the questionnaire.

The concepts of "visa" and "Schengen" are often considered in a general context. But each of them has its own interpretation. What are they most often expressed in?

What is meant by visa?

concept visas most often correlates with a permit, the presence of which gives a citizen of one state the opportunity to cross the border of another country - if between both entities international relations installed visa regime. The document about which in question, is not needed if the countries have agreed to establish, in turn, a visa-free regime.

The visa is most often pasted into the traveler's passport. She may be:

1. short-term (act within a few days or months);
2. long-term (lasting several years);
3. tourist (intended only for entry for recreation and not giving the right to work);
4. business (intended for a person to visit another state for business purposes);
5. working (designed for a person to enter the country in order to carry out labor activities);
6. immigration (assuming the subsequent registration by the entering person of a residence permit or citizenship).

There are definitely a large number of other types of visas, but those listed above are the main ones.

It can be noted that there is such a document as transit visa. It gives the traveler the right to stay only in the international zone of an airport or other transport terminal located in another state, but does not allow him to cross the border of the country (or allows him, but for a very short time - usually for several hours).

It is worth noting that the presence of a visa for a traveler does not guarantee his passage through the border of the state to which he is sent. The border guard has the right to ask him in detail about the purpose of the visit, and if the answers do not suit him, refuse the person to enter the country. Of course, such cases are rare, but the refusal of a traveler with valid visa at the entrance to the territory of the state - a procedure that is provided for migration rules many countries.

Visas are also classified:

1. for those that are issued upon the arrival of the traveler in the state;
2. for those for which you must first notify the authorities of another state;
3. for those that require pre-feed documents for consideration by the migration structures of another country, as well as their consent to issue a visa;
4. for those requiring a successful interview with the migration authorities of the host country;
5. for paid;
6. for free.

In general, most of the visas issued modern states, corresponds to at least one of the above characteristics.

In world practice, the so-called exit visas. They were introduced, for example, in the USSR. Citizen Soviet Union in order to travel outside the state, it was necessary to obtain appropriate permission from the migration departments.

Russians can leave their state freely. However, citizens of the Russian Federation to enter Europe may require a Schengen visa - or, in a simpler version, "Schengen". Consider the specifics of this permit document in more detail.

What is a "Schengen"?

Under " Schengen"It is customary to understand a visa that entitles a citizen of the Russian Federation to enter the territory of any of the states that have signed the Schengen Agreement - as a rule, regardless of which particular state issued the visa. But it is recommended, of course, to cross the border of the Schengen zone through the country that issued the appropriate permit. Or, as soon as possible, head to this country and spend a lot of time there.

"Schengen" refers to visas that are classified as:

• paid (when drawing up the relevant document, the main fee is paid - about 35 euros, sometimes a service fee is added to it - about 21 euros);
• issued subject to prior submission of documents for consideration by the migration authorities of the country of visit, as well as obtaining their consent to issue a visa.

The presence of a valid Schengen visa allows a citizen of the Russian Federation to visit some European countries, not included in the Schengen zone - Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus.

Comparison

One or another difference between a visa and a “Schengen” should be sought if, under the first concept, we consider a permit document that does not coincide in its main features with the second - that is, it is free or does not require prior submission of documents to the consulate.

So, for example, free visas for citizens of the Russian Federation are issued by Vietnam (lasting from 1 month, you can enter for up to 15 days without a visa), Lebanon, Malaysia. The same states, as well as many others (such as Myanmar, Nepal, Zambia, Cape Verde), do not require prior submission of documents to the consulate for a visa.

The peculiarity of the Schengen visa is the possibility of its holder to freely cross the borders of any states included in the Schengen zone. In turn, national visas, as a rule, allow you to visit only the country that issues the relevant documents.

Having determined the difference between a visa and a Schengen visa, we will reflect the conclusions in the table.

Table