The Affiliation of Tour Operators in Russia (ATOR) says it is feeling the influence of the European Fee’s stricter visa processing circumstances for Russian residents, as 9 European international locations now “not settle for paperwork from vacationers.”
Final Friday, the European Union (EU) made the choice to droop the visa facilitation settlement with Russia, making it more durable for Russians to journey in Europe.
“The visa facilitation settlement with the Russian Federation has been suspended. Because of this Russian residents will obtain Schengen visas below the final circumstances of the EU Visa Code,” ATOR wrote on their web site Tuesday.
ATOR describes itself as the biggest affiliation of tour operators in Russia.
In accordance with tour operators, the record of EU international locations which have up to now issued and proceed to just accept paperwork for visas for vacationer journeys embody Italy, Spain, Greece, France, Hungary and Cyprus. Notably, the visas being granted are nationwide visa — not Schengen, which permits a vacationer entry to different European international locations too.
“Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands not settle for paperwork from vacationers,” it claimed.
In response, the European Fee referred CNN to their visa tips, which had been posted on-line final Friday. The rules outlined how short-stay visa purposes lodged by Russian residents ought to now be processed.
European Commissioner for Dwelling Affairs Ylva Johansson stated final Friday that “being a vacationer within the EU isn’t a elementary proper.”
“Member States are suggested to verify totally and with a fantastic degree of scrutiny visa purposes from Russian residents. Visas must be refused the place consulates establish safety dangers,” she continued.
“The EU will stay open to those that have to be protected, like journalists, dissidents, human rights activists, and other people touring for household causes,” Johansson stated.
In accordance with the rules consulates are in a position to “adapt their procedures” and are allowed to “take up 45 days” on deciding Russian vacationer visa purposes, versus the “15 days in common instances.”
“Member States ought to chorus from issuing multiple-entry visas with lengthy validity, as Russian residents could not meet the circumstances for getting into the EU in the long term, given the financial instability, the restrictive measures and political developments in Russia,” the brand new tips add.
In the beginning of September The Czech Republic, and Latvia already began to take measures to limit Russian journey, whereas Estonia banned Russians who already had visas from getting into the nation.
CNN contacted the international affairs ministries of the Netherlands, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Denmark, and Belgium, and so they haven’t responded but to requests for remark.
