Russians will Experience European Visa Code Hands-On Next Year

26.06.2009 — News

THE SVERDLOVSK OBLAST.

The adoption of Community code on Visas (Visa Code) - common rules on procedures and conditions for issuing short-stay visas for Schengen Member States - will not have the significant influence on the work of EU countries' visa services in Ekaterinburg.

The new visa regulation that has been approved by the EU Council on 25 June 2009 introduces new standards for consular services in terms of processing visa applications; a decision should be taken within 15 calendar days.

At the time of submission of the first application, Member States should collect fingerprints and introduce them - along with the photograph - into the Visa Information System (VIS). In case of a refusal, Member States are obliged to give a motivation of their decision and refused applicants have the right to appeal.

Mr. Rostislav Taborsky, Vice-Consul of the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Ekaterinburg, told RusBusinessNews that it takes as a rule less than 15 days to take a decision on issuing a visa. In case of a refusal, the motivation with a reference to a specific article is given.

"In a way, the introduction of the Visa Code will influence the work of our department, but not greatly. The new regulations for issuing Schengen visas will be applied gradually. In particular, as far as I know, the collection of fingerprints for Eastern Europe citizens, including Russians, will not begin before next year," - said Mr.Taborsky.

According to Dr. Chaba Bajtaj, Consul of the Consulate General of Hungary in Ekaterinburg, Russia has a bilateral agreement with the EU whereby visas should be issued within 10 days. In addition to that, in case of emergency visa can be issued within 3 days. These conditions are stricter than those of the Visa Code.

"The Hungarian Consulate gives the refused applicants motivations for its decision, either in person or by phone. Refusals are rare, though, and do not exceed 1%", Dr. Bajtaj noted.