Despite the difficulties, the European Union continues to deepen the interaction of countries in the economic and political spheres. One of the most important manifestations of this association for foreigners is the Schengen area, which covers most of the EU and even some countries that are not part of it. Currently, the agreement is supported by 26 states. There is no border control inside the zone and a visa obtained for any country of the agreement usually allows you to visit others. The Schengen visa for Belarusians also provides these benefits.
Types of Schengen visas
Schengen countries provide six types of visas:
- A - a transit visa that allows you to transfer to flights of airlines in the Schengen countries. Valid only in transit areas of airports. The agreement does not allow moving around the countries.
- B - transit visa for those traveling by land transport. Not issued from 2021. You need to obtain a type C visa.
- С - short-term visa. Subdivided into:
- C1 - stay in the Schengen area for no more than 30 days.
- C2 and C3 - allow you to stay in the Schengen area for 90 days for six months or a year, respectively.
- C4 - continuous stay in the Schengen area for no more than 90 days, but the validity period is 3 or 5 years.
All visas of category C can be single, double and multiple (multivisa). The name speaks of the possibility of repeated trips to the Schengen countries.
- FTD is a transit visa that allows you to travel between the main territory of Russia and the Kaliningrad region.
- LTV - National Territory Visa - allows you to visit only the issuing country. Issued extremely rarely.
- National visa category D. Issued to foreigners who are allowed to stay in the country for a long time for a specific purpose - for study, work, business. Can be single or multiple.
If you have received a multivisa, then the first crossing of the Schengen border must be carried out in the country that issued the visa. Do not forget that the general duration of the visa and the right to stay in the treaty states are different concepts. Usually the 90/180 rule applies: having lived 3 months in the Schengen area, the next 3 months must be spent outside of it.
A Schengen visa is a sticker glued into the passport with the necessary information and stamps. Find out more about how a Schengen visa is processed and applied.
Obtaining a visa on your own
To independently obtain a visa, citizens of Belarus should contact the embassy or consulate of the selected country. Naturally, you will have to provide the prescribed set of papers and go through all the necessary steps.
Documents required for obtaining a visa
The list of documents for obtaining a Schengen visa in all diplomatic missions of the Schengen countries is standard. It includes:
- completed application form;
- photographs 3.5 x 4.5 cm, taken no earlier than six months before the request;
- health insurance policy valid for the entire duration of the trip;
- receipt of payment of the visa fee;
- documents confirming the availability of funds for living abroad at the rate of 40 euros per person per day (for example, a bank statement);
- booking air or train tickets in both directions;
- a child who does not have a foreign passport will need a birth certificate. If he travels alone or with one of the parents, a notarized consent will be required for the travel of the parents or guardians who remain in the country.
This list is not exhaustive. Consular officers can request any other documents, they often ask for a certificate from the place of work stating that the applicant retains a job, a work book for the duration of the trip. Other information may also be requested.
Depending on the purpose of the trip, you may need invitations from relatives or organizations of the host country, a sponsorship letter. The purpose of these requirements is to obtain confirmation of the applicant's return from Europe. Usually, documents require a notarized translation into the language of the target country.
Collection of biometric data
European Union rules are constantly being changed and modified. Currently, visa processing requires a mandatory personal visit to a diplomatic mission to submit biometric data.
Fingerprints will have to be removed, which will later be entered into the Unified European Database for storage for 5 years.
Find out more about how to get your fingerprints for a Schengen visa.
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Visa processing with the help of travel agencies or intermediaries
You can also get a visa using simpler methods: through travel agencies or using various visa centers and other intermediary firms. These organizations have well-established relations with diplomatic missions and extensive experience, which allows them to draw up documents in such a way that there are almost no refusals. However, it should be understood that they will have to pay for the work they have done.
In travel companies, the cost of services depends on the specific country to which you want to go, and ranges from 200 euros. For intermediary firms, this will cost about 150 euros.
There are many offers on the Internet for assistance in obtaining Schengen visas. If you are going to apply for a permit to enter Europe with the help of intermediaries, inquire about the organization you have chosen for this. Unfortunately, scams are common enough, so be careful.
Time and cost
The cost of a Schengen visa, in terms of consular fees, is the same for all Belarusians. It is currently € 60 per adult and € 35 per child from 6 to 12 years old. Interestingly, Russians, for example, pay 35 euros for an adult.
There are categories of citizens who are exempt from paying the fee. Unconditionally, these are children under 6 years old.
If you are traveling for educational, scientific purposes or to participate in various seminars, you also have a chance not to pay the visa fee. Check with the embassy of the country of your choice for these options.
In general, the cost of photos, translations, copies and other overheads should be added to the cost item. Of course, you need to add the costs of salaries to intermediaries, if you turned to them.
The embassies of European countries talk about the terms of applying for a visa three months before the planned trip. At the same time, they set the minimum circulation period at 15 days. However, sometimes it lengthens to 30 and even 60 days.
Is it possible to refuse a Schengen visa
All countries of the world are interested in admitting law-abiding foreigners to their territory and do not want to take care of foreign citizens. Therefore, if you have a rich criminal background, do not have the means to live abroad, or consular officers suspect you of wanting to emigrate with a visa that is not intended for this, an entry permit may be denied.
Find out about the most common reasons why a refusal can occur in our article: "Schengen Visa Refusal".
Conclusion
Obtaining a Schengen visa for law-abiding wealthy Belarusians, provided the purpose of the trip is confirmed, does not present any particular difficulties. However, it should be understood that the diplomatic missions of different Schengen countries have different requirements.If you are afraid of refusal, it makes sense to contact the embassies and consulates of the states of Eastern Europe. These states have softer requirements and higher tolerance for residents of the former USSR. One of the most benevolent countries in this regard is Poland. With the Schengen visa obtained in the Eastern European states, it is possible to visit the countries of Western Europe.
