Russians travel to Schengen Area

DimaG

Hi,
What about Russians, wishing to travel to EU? They need Schengen Visa.
From what I read, this is (now, after sanctions) issued only to diplomats, members of government, or to those having some kind of business with EU. Schengen Visa is issued from EU member States.
So, "normally", a Russian can go for tourism to Turkey, but cannot pass to Cyprus or Greece, or wherever else in EU.
Do you know of any way to bypass this and visit a member State? Maybe a "special invitation", for specific days and only inside accommodating country (not continuing travel to other Schengen Area country)?
Thanks

Cal

I took this information from the KRIIS (dot) EE website:

The restriction does not apply to all Russian citizens. Crossing the state border will continue to be possible

for Russian nationals visiting direct ascendants and descendants (children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents); a spouse, a person with whom one shares minor children. The person that is visited has to be the citizen or a holder of a long term residence permit of Estonia or some other European Union country, living in Estonia. It is also allowed to enter the country if the Russian citizen is travelling with a person that is visited who is compliant with the mentioned requirements. NB! It is not possible to visit a relative, spouse or person with whom you share minor children if that person is living in Estonia based on a temporary residence permit.
If a Russian citizen wishes to enter Estonia to visit a citizen or a holder of a long-term residence permit of Estonia or another European Union country living in Estonia, or is travelling with them, but the person that is visited or a fellow traveller of the Russian citizen is not their ascending or descending relative (child, grandchild, parent, grandparent), spouse or the parent of a shared minor child then the Russian citizen cannot enter Estonia.
diplomats;
Russian nationals with a short-stay visa and registered employment in Estonia or with a student visitor visa;
people directly employed in the international transport of goods and passengers.
Exceptional entry is also allowed on humanitarian grounds and for dissidents. The entry restriction does not apply to border crossers with a long-term (type D) visa.

There is more information on the website. It may also be worth it to investigate the Norway website. The are not allowing Russians to enter for tourism but there may be similar exceptions.

MBizzy

I am currently experiencing the same problem, my wife and i have our appointment in Warsaw for our visa interview. It is mind boogling that in these times they cant approve a few day visa for the appointment and it is beyond me. In order to get to a Schnegen country it still requires a visa and only 2 countries are still working with Russians to obtain them (Italy & Spain). It would require to travel first to Turkey from Russia then to the Schnegen country in which you hold the visa and then to your destination. Some countries are giving Russians who have a visa and are flying a hard time to enter the country and if the option is available, by train for some reason is alittle more lax.

Cal

It's all a big mess. I am not 100% sure, but I heard a lot of Russian people were applying to Greece in order to get the Shengen visa. Then one simply enters Greece, spend a day or two, then go to wherever you need to in order to complete the visa interview. It is very hard, I agree. When applying, one will need proof of where staying (hotel reservations) and medical insurance for the entire trip. Make sure to have that included in the Schengen visa application. Also a cover letter including a time line might be helpful. Be as informative as possible while at the same time "keep it simple" so as not to overwhelm the person that examines the application. That is my 2 cents.

phoebe

Obtaining any schengen visa presently is nigh on impossible for Russians, even the easy Greece application of the past is subject to extra checks and long waits. Currently Italy processes the quickest but success rate is running at 20% currently with long waits. Most approvals are if you have a family member living in EU country.