WHAT IS SCHENGEN VISA?

Schengen visa is a document that is valid on the territory of any Schengen Member State which abolished passport control between countries. Having a Schengen visa, you can travel freely in the Schengen countries, which are 26 at the moment: Austria; Belgium; Hungary; Germany; Greece; Denmark (excluding Greenland and Farer); Iceland; Spain; Italy; Latvia; Lithuania; Liechtenstein; Luxembourg; Malta; The Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Slovakia; Slovenia; Finland; France; Czech Republic; Switzerland; Sweden; Estonia. The following countries automatically enter to the Schengen area (although the agreement is not signed): Andorra (with Spain); Monaco (with France); San Marino (with Italy).

The Schengen visa is divided into categories:

• airport transit visa of “A” category – entitles crossing international transit areas located in the territory of the Member States. The validity of this visa depends on the required number of stay in the transit area of an international airport in the territory of the contracting countries, but the term may not exceed 3 months;

• standard Schengen visa of “C” category – gives the right to stay in the Schengen area for 90 days within six months;

• long-term visas of “D” category give the right to stay in the Schengen area for 90 days within six months. The Schengen Code does not regulate the issuance of long-term national “D” visas. The issuance of such visas is partly governed by the law of the EU, and partly by the national legislation of EU Member States.

• transit visa of “B” category is not provided according to the rules of the Schengen Agreement. Instead, a standard visa of “C” category with a note “transit” is granted.

List of documents required for visa:

• filled in application form for visa + 2 photographs.

• documents confirming the purpose of the trip.

• documents confirming the applicant’s intention to leave the territory of the Member States: booking of air tickets; proof of financial means; proof of employment; proof of connection with the country of residence;

• insurance.

However, the above-mentioned list of documents under Annex 2 of the Visa Code, defines a non-exhaustive list of documents submitted to obtain a visa. The consulates have the right to request any additional documents. Keep in mind that possession of a visa does not guarantee crossing the Schengen area.

The Border Guard Service grants permission for entry!

RIGHT FOR USE THE SCHENGEN VISA

Who is authorized to consider and decide on applications?

According to Art. 5, Chapter 1, Section 3 of the Visa Code, applications for a standard Schengen visa are considered by:

– Member State whose territory is the sole destination of the visit; That is, an applicant shall submit documents to the consulate of the country which he plans to visit.

– EU Member State which territory is the main destination of the visit in terms of the duration or purpose of stay if the visit involves more than one destination. That is, if you plan to visit more than one country during your trip, then it is important to determine the main destination – the country where you will stay the longest period of time. You have to go to the consulate of this country with an application for the Schengen visa.

– EU Member State, which external borders are crossed by an applicant when entering the territory of the Member States, if the main destination cannot be determined. If you plan to visit several Schengen countries and the main destination cannot be determined because the trip involves staying about the same amount of time in each of the visited countries, you have to apply to the consulate of the country which borders you cross in order to get into the Schengen territory.

According to Art. 4, Chapter 1, Section 3 of the Visa Code, the consulates shall consider applications and make appropriate decisions. However, as an exception, the decision to cross the border can be taken at the External Borders of the Member States by authorities responsible for checking persons, i.e. border and immigration officers.

What is the maximum time I can stay in the Schengen area?

With a standard Schengen visa of “C” type you can stay in the Schengen area not more than 90 days during any period of 180 days. That is, take 180 days from today and check that the number of days in the Schengen countries does not exceed 90. Under the following link you can find a calculator that helps you calculate the time that you were in the Schengen area during the last 180 days.

Can I open several Schengen visas?

You cannot and do not need to open several Schengen visas as a Schengen visa entitles you to travel throughout the Schengen area. However, you can open several Schengen visas immediately if their validity is consistent. For example, you opened the French Schengen visa which is valid from 05.05 to 10.05, but on 11.05 you plan to prolong your trip to Germany. In this case, you can open a German Schengen visa which is valid from 11.05 and you therefore do not have to leave the Schengen territory to legally continue your journey to Germany.

What is a Schengen multivisa of “C” category?

It is a multiple entry visa that allows you to cross the border of the Schengen area many times during specified period and stay on the territory of the Schengen area not more than 90 days during any 180-day period. How long can I stay in the Schengen area with a visa of “D” category? You can stay in the State which granted a visa of “D” category according to the time of stay and the duration of a visa, and on the territory of the Schengen area not more than 90 days during any 180-day period.

Do I need an airport visa in the Schengen area?

You need an airport Schengen visa of “A” category if you plan to change the plane at the airport in the Schengen Member State, thus you arrive outside the Schengen area and you plan to go outside the Schengen area after a change.

May I be prohibited to cross the border of the Schengen area, if I have a Schengen visa?

You may and they have a right. The decision to cross the border can be taken at the External Borders of the Member States by the authorities responsible for checking persons, i.e. border and immigration officers. If these services will be in doubt due to the purpose of your trip, they cannot allow you to cross the border of the Schengen area.

Such cases are common in practice, if applicants make false business invitations.

May they make an entry of me in SIS database, if I had never been to the Schengen area?

They may. It is common in practice. It can be a common mistake. They made an entry of your namesake, and they got you. Sometimes, an applicant, who has never been to the Schengen area, was denied a visa because his data was entered in SIS. In that case you have to defend your rights and undergo the process of withdrawal from SIS database.

If I was denied a visa due to the fact that my data is entered in SIS database, do I have the opportunity to get a visa at the consulate of another Schengen Member State?

SIS database is the only information system for all Schengen Member States. If one country has made an entry of you in the database by imposing a travel ban for the entire Schengen area, then any other country will not open a visa for you. First you need to cancel an entry in SIS database and then apply for a visa.

 OUR SERVICES

We provide legal support services in regard to Schengen visa application process:

• consulting on document preparation for visa purposes (individual approach to every client);

• registering for document submission at a consulate ;

• filling out visa application forms;

• providing examples of required documents;

• notarial certification;

• insurance;

• translation of documents;

• a careful examination of all prepared documents to be submitted to a consulate.