Getting a visa. What documents are needed?

A visa can be issued both independently and through a travel agency. To obtain a visa, each country establishes its own list of documents, which should be studied in detail.

 

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Documents for obtaining a visa

 

A foreign passport. The passport must be valid at the time of the trip. Copies of all passport pages will also be required.

 

Russian passport. In addition, the original of the Russian passport or copies of pages with personal data (pages with registrations, information about family status, previously issued passports and military duty) are required.

 

Biometrics. Biometrics involves a system for recognizing people by one or more physical traits. To pass biometric data, you need to take a digital photo and undergo fingerprinting. This procedure is a prerequisite for the first visa application.

The following persons are completely exempt from fingerprinting:

• Children under 12 years of age;

• Hand injuries that interfere with the procedure;

Individuals who are physically unable to perform the procedure.

 

Photographs

Basic requirements for photos:

• Photographs must be made in color.

• The number of necessary photos - 2 pieces (you can do more in stock);

• Standard size 3.5 x 4.5 cm;

• 80% of the picture should be on the face;

• The background should be light, close to white;

• If you constantly wear glasses (for medical reasons), then you need to take a picture in them.

 

Workplace certificate

The certificate indicates the position and income of the applicant. If the citizen does not have a permanent place of work, it is necessary to provide an extract from the bank account. This is necessary to confirm your ability to pay. Your family member may also be responsible for you. It requires a sponsorship letter, a copy of the Russian passport (pages with personal information), a work certificate, a bank statement, as well as documents confirming your kinship (original and copy of marriage or birth certificate). If a person is retired, a copy of the pension certificate is required.

 

Students will need confirmation from the dean of the faculty where you are studying, and a copy of the student card.

 

Health insurance

Insurance must be valid in all Schengen countries. Many different insurance companies offer this type of health insurance, so you just need to choose the company whose insurance terms will be most attractive to you.

 

Visa application form

The completed questionnaire must be detailed and signed by the applicant.

You may also need a set of additional visa documents depending on the purpose of your trip:

• Tourism (booking hotel, presenting round trip tickets).

Business; private trip (invitation).

 

It is also worth remembering that to obtain a visa you will have to pay a consular fee. For Schengen countries, the cost of the consular fee is the same and is about 35 euros.

 

The following are exempt from payment of the fee:

• Persons leaving for treatment in medical institutions;

• Disabled persons and their accompanying persons.

If you apply to a travel agency, you also have to pay a service fee for the services provided.

 

 

Visa for minors

 

To apply for a visa for a minor child, the same set of documents is required as for an adult. Additionally, only a copy of the birth certificate and a sponsorship letter from the parent who finances the trip will be required. If a child travels with or without one of the parents, a notarized permission to leave the country must be provided. Original permission is best to have with you when traveling.

 

Obtaining a visa is a rather complicated and lengthy procedure. The process of obtaining a visa can be a complete nightmare if you are refused (after all, employees of different embassies can be demanding and picky towards the applicant). The reason for refusing a visa can be anything. However, don’t be discouraged, because there are some tips on how to reduce the risk of rejection:

• Provide as many documents as possible confirming your intentions.

• Check carefully several times all completed forms. A common typo or spelling error is a common reason for failure.

• Provide only reliable information about yourself.

If you know your rights well, then if you receive a refusal, you have the right to challenge it. Given all the simple rules, you can easily get a visa and go abroad.

 

Text by Irina Mitrofanova

Photograph: apelsinrnd