Russians could pay more, wait longer for Schengen visas

BRUSSELS. Sept 6 (Interfax) - The proposal by the European Commission (EC) to suspend the European Union's visa facilitation agreement with Russia involves an increase of the visa fee for all Russian applicants from 35 to 80 euro and processing times extended up to 45 days, the EC stated on Tuesday.

"The proposal to suspend the Visa Facilitation Agreement will put an end to all facilitations for Russian citizens applying for a short-stay visa to the Schengen area. The general rules of the Visa Code will apply instead. In practice, Russian applicants will face a higher visa fee [which] will increase from 35 euro to 80 euro for all applicants," the statement said.

The standard application-processing time will be increased from ten to 15 days. "This period may be extended up to a maximum of 45 days in individual cases, when further scrutiny of the application is needed," it said.

There will be stricter rules for multiple-entry visas. "Applicants will no longer have easy access to visas valid for multiple entries to the Schengen area. Applicants will have to submit the full list of documentary evidence when applying for a visa. They will no longer benefit from the simplified list included in the Visa Facilitation Agreement."