came into force the new Code on Visas EU. On the one hand, the issuance of visas is simplified, in particular, to develop a single application form for a Schengen visa. On the other hand, Russians will have to obtain a separate questionnaire on the child.
New Visa Code EU introduced a common legal rules governing visas on the territory where the Schengen. "Code harmonises the provisions relating to the consideration of applications and decisions - explained to Gazeta.ru in the EU representation in Russia. - Previously, in each embassy were their demands. In addition, the Code increases the transparency of procedures and legal certainty. It provides for the provision of information about the reasons for visa refusal and an appeal in the case of a negative decision ».
Thus, if a visa is denied, then the Russians will be able to learn from because of what has been done, and to appeal the decision of the Embassy.
However, in tourist agencies said that EU countries need time to prepare. "They say that part of the EU countries have to make changes in national legislation, so to explain the cause of failure in the consulates will not be soon," - explained to Gazeta.ru Director of Travel Agency "A-line" Nina Blashkevich.

The most obvious change was the introduction of a single questionnaire for all Schengen countries.

see her sample can be available from the embassies of Belgium and Finland. As previously reported to Gazeta.ru head of the consular department of the Latvian Embassy in Russia Vija Bush, a single application form has a different shape, but almost all remained the same as in the old questionnaire. "In the new 37 points, while the old form 48 points," - said Mrs. Bush. According to her, the applicant will have to sign the document twice. "Signature must be put, reassuring information about yourself and about your trip, as well as at the end, affirming that all the information about the rules of stay in Schengen countries have read and understood, - has explained the embassy spokesman. - In addition, at the end of the questionnaire included information that the visa fee is not refundable, and that for a multiple entry visa valid insurance is required on all trips. When submitting documents need insurance that covers only the first trip ».
Even in the questionnaire added a new 27-second paragraph, which asks, handed the applicant fingerprints. "This is due to the fact that the Visa Code introduces the requirement of collecting biometric data, but this rule will be introduced gradually since the end of 2010, - said Mrs. Bush. - For the Russians it will happen within 2 years. At present, this column Russians can leave blank, although the remaining items, we require the mandatory completion of "yes" or "no." Other changes, according to the head of the consular section, just specify the information that is now in the questionnaires.
Although it is theoretically a new profile introduced on April 5, some countries began to accept it before and some will use it later.
In particular, the Embassy of Finland takes on new forms, from 29 March, and the French embassy had not yet decided on the date. "France has the opportunity to defer until the fall of the introduction of a new form, and we used it as necessary adaptation", - said earlier Gazeta.ru "the spokesperson of the French Embassy in Russia Tom's Buffet.
Some embassies, including Latvia and Belgium, point to Internet sites that from April 5, they will not accept old-style forms, but in tourist agencies say that the others have agreed to introduce a transitional period. "I have been tourists who have decided to go to Spain, and they filed a form the old model, - said director of tour agencies Nina Blashkevich. - I specifically called the consulate, they said that within 2 weeks will still be considered the old form ».

However, it was April 5, most embassies of the Schengen area did not work - they have extended Easter holiday.

Particular attention must show tourists traveling with children, as the code requires to obtain a separate visa for the child. "If earlier the child fit into an adult visa, but now must make a separate visa for it, and this visa will be affixed on the passport, which registered the children, - explained the spokesman of the Russian Union of Travel Industry Irina Tyurina. - If the mother was traveling with two children to rest, then it has in the passport must be three blank pages - for her and her two children. And it should be borne in mind, otherwise you will not be able to paste a visa for the children ».
Representative of the PCT added that the document contains mostly instructions to the consulates, and not for tourists. "It is very detail the procedures for the consulates, - said Turina. - Although many points made in the code used previously in practice. For example, the consulate now has the right to issue an annual multivisa tourists, who often travels, even if he initially asked for a one-time visa. Previously, both on its own initiative, there were Spanish, French and Estonians. Even before the entry into force of the Visa Code is the same decision was made by Greece ».
In addition, the EU Delegation in Russia similar to that between the Union and our country continue to be an agreement on visa facilitation , which was signed in 2007.
«In addition to a fixed visa fee is 35 euros, it implies a simplification of the necessary documents, the obligation of the application within 10 rather than 15 days, and abolition of visa fees for a wide range of people, - the representative office. - All of this will work and after April 5 ».
New Visa Code adopted state - EU members except Britain and Ireland (Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus will apply Visa Code, as soon will become part of the Schengen area without internal frontiers save) as well as countries within the Schengen zone, but not EU members (Iceland, Norway and Switzerland).

TEXT: Anastasia Berseneva
Photo: ITAR-TASS