France is one of the most attractive countries in the world for many tourists. This fact is fully justified, because there are a lot of interesting places that amaze the imagination with their beauty and have a long history. But in order to see the Cote d'Azur, cultural centers, Disneyland and the beautiful capital, you need to arrange Schengen to France. It is important to collect documents completely, otherwise you can drag out the deadlines, which will reduce your stay in this wonderful country.
Do I need a visa to this country, citizens of Russia?
For those who have never traveled in this direction, the question remains relevant: do I need a visa for those people whose visit is France? Schengen is necessary, and there can be no reservations. Every tourist is required to obtain a visa to this state.
You can come here not only as a tourist. Someone intended to visit relatives, others seek to get a high-quality European education here, while others go to work. In each of the cases listed, an entry permit is required. The temporary exit of France from Schengen at the end of 2015 did not particularly affect the process of paperwork.
New design rules
It is important to know that since September last year, changes have appeared in the legislation that everyone who is interested in France should know. The Schengen is issued only after the tourist has submitted biometric data , including for minors. You need to take a picture and provide your fingerprints. All this can be done at the visa center. Fingerprinting does not apply to children whose age is less than 12 years, and photographs are needed in any case. The data obtained is valid for 59 months, after which it is necessary to repeat the procedure. Due to the need to provide biometric data, everyone who is interested in France (Schengen) should be personally present at the first stage of paperwork for entry into this country.
Where are visas issued to this state?
It is known that this state is among the countries that have signed the international treaty. According to this agreement, one visa is valid in all territories. France left Schengen for only a few weeks in November last year.
An entry permit is issued to Russian tourists (like any other) in a general manner for a limited time. At this time, you can freely travel around the agreement, admire the beauties, get acquainted with the sights. Making a person can do it yourself or entrust this issue to a specialized agency.
In 2016, the Schengen (visa to France) is issued without any difficulties for foreigners and does not take up a lot of time. Citizens of the Russian Federation, for example, can obtain permission at numerous visa centers or the French consulate. Finding them in the capital or another city is also not difficult, and soon the tourist’s dream to visit a fabulous country will come true.
Is it possible to visit a country with a Schengen of another state?
Sometimes certain categories of citizens have the opportunity not to receive a separate French visa, it is enough to have documents for entry to any other country in which an international agreement on free border crossing is in effect. Many have heard that France is repealing Schengen, but this measure was temporary, and in 2016 it no longer has force.
In connection with the validity of the single visa agreement for the territory of more than 25 states, you can not issue a separate permit if the tourist has a Schengen in Italy, Norway, Germany and other countries that have signed the agreement. However, do not forget about the established procedure for visiting this zone, if the main goal is France. Schengen allows you to visit other countries of the coalition, but most of the time you need to spend in the one where the visa is issued. Therefore, you should plan your vacation so that there are no problems with paperwork the next time, as the consulate will certainly notice a violation of the visa regime.
Suspension of Schengen France
The government of the country in 2015 officially announced to the whole world after one of the political meetings that the borders of this state would be closed for exactly one month from mid-November. The reason France suspended Schengen was the UN climate conference. It was planned in Paris at the end of November-beginning of December 2015. At that time, riots and mass flooding of territories by immigrants were recorded throughout Europe. In this regard, the Minister of Internal Affairs of the state told the press that France has suspended Schengen for a while.
The government of the country explained its decision by the fact that there is a danger of terrorist acts on its territory, which is why security should be strengthened. Major political events are always associated with the fact that the flow of visitors to the country, including from third countries, can increase. Consequently, there is a certain risk of the entry into France of representatives of terrorist groups, from which the government decided to defend itself that way.
What visas are available?
The answer to the question about which visa should be issued depends on the purpose of the visit of a foreign national to the territory of France. As a rule, many tourists from Russia come here to visit interesting famous places, sea resorts, mysterious Paris. Some are invited by invitation to their close relatives and friends. There are also those who dream about European education or employment in this territory. Sometimes Russians move to this country for permanent residence with their whole family.
You can apply, complete the application form (Schengen, France), and apply for paperwork in Moscow, the northern capital, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Vladivostok and other cities of the Russian Federation (depending on where the citizen lives).
It is conditionally possible to divide all permits for entry into this state as follows:
- Schengen visa (category C). Suitable for short trips for holidays, issued for a period of 90 days.
- The second category (national permit D). This document expands before travelers not only time, but also the legal framework. It gives you the opportunity to stay in France for a long time, travel to Europe, find a job or enroll in training.
Documents for registration
A full package of necessary papers is already half the battle, so you should approach this as responsibly as possible: know the parameters of photographs and copies, fill rates, and more. The established rules have been in force for several years and changed only at the time when France temporarily suspended the Schengen.
What do you need to submit to the consulate?
- Completed application form according to all rules (in English or French). Signed in three places on some of the last pages (it is important that the signatures in the passport and application form are identical).
- International identity card in the name of the applicant. It is important that its validity expires no earlier than three places after the tourist returns from the territory of the Schengen visa. It is necessary to have 2 blank pages in the passport and additional pages for children if they travel with their parents together.
- Two photographs of the established sample.
- Copies of all the applicant’s former passports and the first page of the valid certificate, as well as copies of all foreign visas that the citizen had previously issued.
- A copy of the applicant’s national passport.
- Medical certificate.
- A complete set of travel documents of the applicant in both directions.
- Consular fee receipt.
Additional papers and references
In some cases, you will need to provide additional documents for a trip to France.
- If the trip is planned by car, a certificate of registration of the vehicle and other documents are required.
- Confirmation of income or availability of the required amount of money from the applicant.
- Documents confirming the hotel reservation.
- If there is: an invitation from French citizens, commercial organizations, a certificate of admission to the university, confirmation of family ties, and more.
How to apply for a questionnaire
It is very important that you fill out the application form provided at the consulate without errors. In addition, it can be downloaded from the Internet and filled out in advance. The requirements are standard, but they must be followed.
The questionnaire (Schengen, France) is completed as follows:
- French or English is required;
- legible handwriting;
- the accuracy of the information provided;
- signatures in all specified places.
If you are not sure that the form is filled out correctly, you should compare it with the samples (they are always available at each embassy, on sites, and in the visa center in two languages).
Documents for children
If the trip is planned with children, then for each of them you need to collect a separate package of documents:
- original birth certificate;
- written consent (or power of attorney) from the second parent must be drawn up in advance and must be notarized;
- the questionnaire is filled out by the legal representative, the rules are similar to those established for adults;
- if the child goes on a trip together with both or one of the parents, then permission to leave the Russian Federation is not required.
A visa for a minor must be pasted into the passport of one of his legal representatives (except for children who have their own document, a foreign passport).
In November 2015, France closed Schengen for several weeks, but there were no significant changes in visa processing for Russians. In 2016, all bans were lifted and the state is again ready to welcome all tourists, even if their visa is not to France, but to any other country in the Schengen zone.