At the end of August, the members of the European Union (EU) decided to suspend the 2007 agreement on the simplified procedure for issuing visas to Russian citizens, which means that Russian visa applications will be processed longer and it will cost them more to get a visa.
It also means that in the future Russian citizens will receive significantly fewer visas to travel in the Schengen area, which includes the 22 EU Member States, as well as Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Applying for a visa for the Schengen zone will cost 80 euros for Russian citizens. Until now, it cost 35 euros to apply. The standard application processing time will also be longer.
The possibilities for obtaining multiple entry visas will also be limited.
The new provisions mean that visa applications can be refused or visas cannot be extended. The EU guidelines give countries wide discretion and opportunities to evaluate applications in more detail.
Entry into the EU will still be possible for Russian citizens who have an urgent or special reason to travel to the Schengen area, in particular family members of EU citizens, journalists, dissidents and representatives of civil society. Countries can reduce or completely waive visa fees for members of these groups.
As reported, meanwhile, the decision of the Council of Ministers (MK) entered into force on Friday, together with its publication in the official publication “Latvijas Vēstnesī”, which also limits short-term Schengen visas to Russian citizens in Latvia for non-essential purposes. , such as tourism and leisure.
Similar restrictions have been established by Estonia and Lithuania, as well as by Poland.
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