When she just doesn't get it

[groovlstk]

Sorry to disagree!!
Nice Russian girl can make confirmation and book holiday in two times the less amount than American man pays!!
It is truth!!   brave girl

Wouldn't such behavior by a man be evidence of shallow pockets?

brave groov

 

[UTRO]

Wouldn't such behavior by a man be evidence of shallow pockets?

brave groov

 

lol, good point there Groove!! In BG's case, the savings would justify a new fur coat

[Blues Fairy]

Blues Fairy,
I corrected my previous post because it cost nothing to make a person happy, I hope you are    but about the difference between immigration and emigration you can look here just for the sake of your own curiosity  

Olga,

I really don't appreciate your patronizing tone.  Knock it off.

BF

[CanadaMan]

BF:
>The consulates make no distinction between agency-submitted and independent applications.  The person and her circumstances will still be the same regardless of the way she applies.  The only advantage of the agency is that they take her money in cash and do all the booking and money transfers themselves; plus they may have discounts with certain hotels but they'll surcharge for their service and thus eat up the discount.  <

...The reason why Canadaman's girfriend is better to use a travel agency is that she lives in Perm and needs to travel long way personally to a consulate, I guess to Moscow. I think it's not what they both want.

BF, RW has just pointed out at least one fundamental difference between applying by yourself and using an agent.
It seems that if you use an agent, you can bypass the interview/trip to Moscow.
That's at least one big plus for going the agent route.

Besides all this...it seems like the consensus here is that an agent cannot get a Schengen visa any easier than an individual can.
This is a big surprise to me.

[Blues Fairy]

BF, RW has just pointed out at least one fundamental difference between applying by yourself and using an agent.
It seems that if you use an agent, you can bypass the interview/trip to Moscow.

I would double-check that.  A personal interview might still be required (depending on the embassy). 

[UTRO]

BF, RW has just pointed out at least one fundamental difference between applying by yourself and using an agent.
It seems that if you use an agent, you can bypass the interview/trip to Moscow.
That's at least one big plus for going the agent route.

Besides all this...it seems like the consensus here is that an agent cannot get a Schengen visa any easier than an individual can.
This is a big surprise to me.

CanadaMan, Lady I dated from Vladivostok met me with a Schengen Visa her Travel Agent provided her with.
Her Agent took the details of the Trip that I booked on my own, to get the Visa for her.
I had to go back and read some old letters to clarify that indeed the Agent did Not obtain her a Visa with false info as I had previously stated. Sorry for that misleading advice!
Actually she met me in Moscow and we went to her Vlad travel affiliate in Moscow to pick up her International Passport with the Visa applied within.
So yes, you can book yourself and pay her Travel Agent to get her a Visa based on your info. However, make sure that all flights and accommodations are in her name too. Yes, it will cost you.... but it may be more convenient especially if you are in a rush and she has no previous Schengen Visas. Plus, it is 100% legitimate.

[Ade]

BF:
>The consulates make no distinction between agency-submitted and independent applications.  The person and her circumstances will still be the same regardless of the way she applies.  The only advantage of the agency is that they take her money in cash and do all the booking and money transfers themselves; plus they may have discounts with certain hotels but they'll surcharge for their service and thus eat up the discount.  <



BF, RW has just pointed out at least one fundamental difference between applying by yourself and using an agent.
It seems that if you use an agent, you can bypass the interview/trip to Moscow.
That's at least one big plus for going the agent route.

Besides all this...it seems like the consensus here is that an agent cannot get a Schengen visa any easier than an individual can.
This is a big surprise to me.

As RussianWind pointed out, using and agency usually means that the applicant doesn't need to go in person to the embassy/consulate. Agencies also ensure that all the necessary paperwork is completed correctly.

We used an agency for all the trips my wife made. If we hadn't, she would have had to go to Murmansk herself which would have been a real pita.

Not all Schengen countries are the same in terms of visa issuance though. Finland seems to be the most likely to issue to Russians. The likelihood of a successful application goes up dramatically after the first visa. It also helps a lot that the person applying has a stable job and a good income.

[boaterguy]

I'll jump into the frey! XMAN....I stand in your corner! WTF would I want to travel to the middle east when there are so many other wonderful places in the world to visit! Yes, I would be leary of being an American in the middle east...but the biggest reason I wouldn't travel there is I don't want them to get my business!

As others have stated...the 2 of you do need to be able to compromise...most marriages require a healthy dose of compromise! 

[RussianWind]

When a woman apply for a tourist visa and suddenly there is a foreign man (doesn't matter where he is from) who has paid for her expenses her real propose for getting a visa will be under question and there also can be a suspicion about her desire to immigrate into a country with a help (financial help) of the man.    

Olga, I agree with BF on this matter. Visa officers don't give a damn who the man is if he is not their citizen. I would even say they consider it as a bonus, that means she has a valid sponsor for her trip 

SeriouslyJadedFinland seems to be the most likely to issue to Russians.

To St. Petersburgers and the area 

They are very suspicious to people from other regions because they normally use Finland as a transit country to Spain, Germany whatever and lie to border officers. Silly people don't know rules and their own visa rights.

[Shadow]

They are very suspicious to people from other regions because they normally use Finland as a transit country to Spain, Germany whatever and lie to border officers. Silly people don't know rules and their own visa rights.

The rules are that there are two kinds of visa for tourism:
D-visa which is valid for the particular Schengen country only. If caught outside the issuing country, you are considered illegal.
C-visa which is valid for the whole area. This should be applied in either the destination or the country of entering the Schengen area.

Finnish authorities can be quite sure that people from St Petersburg could use Finland as destination or transit country, however people from Moscow with destination France or Spain will hardly use Finland, thus making the Schengen Visa actually invalid.

[Gator]

GQ,
Why is everyone interrupting our golf chat with this visa info?

I'm attaching our portrait done at El Squid Roe. I'm not sure how the artist actually knew what was on my mind. 

Maybe it was your bedroom eyes.  Siberian Princess has Dos Equis eyes. 

Also, a picture of my personal Anna Rawson practicing.

I see the resemblance.  Excellent athletic setup.  One suggestion: tilt from the waist slightly to the right and then swing around the spine.  For example, Appleby's swing (add site to your desktop):

http://www.pgatour.com/swingplex/02/00/98/index.html

You have done a good job of coaching.  Sabina liked only the dressing up part.   Another source of  

I attempted coaching one enthusiastic RW in sign language.  She had never played 'ball' sports, yet in 5 minutes could strike the ball with some speed.  It convinced me that some RW could be more than "hit and giggle" playing partners.  Her photos in Reply #4:

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=3538.msg64431#msg64431

[RussianWind]

Finnish authorities can be quite sure that people from St Petersburg could use Finland as destination or transit country, however people from Moscow with destination France or Spain will hardly use Finland, thus making the Schengen Visa actually invalid.

Moscow people go to Finland and claim they are going to stay in Helsinki for two weeks with suitcases full of swimming suits  Once they said their destination was Helsinki, they are being checked and other tickets found, and they are being deported from the country as telling lies. Plenty of such stories.

People in St. Petersburg get their 1 year multiplay Schengen visas at once without providing any papers at all. We travel to other countries but it's also normal to go to Finland just for shopping or spa center or a night club.

[Gator]

Moscow people go to Finland and claim they are going to stay in Helsinki for two weeks with suitcases full of swimming suits  Once they said their destination was Helsinki, they are being checked and other tickets found, and they are being deported from the country as telling lies. Plenty of such stories.

Why would Moscow people not apply directly to the destination Schengen country for a visa?  I have never heard of a RW not receiving a  Schengen visa.

People in St. Petersburg get their 1 year multiplay Schengen visas at once without providing any papers at all. We travel to other countries but it's also normal to go to Finland just for shopping or spa center or a night club.

I knew a RW from Archangelsk who traveled 3-4 times per year to Helsinki, and at least once would go from Helsinki to other Schengen countries.  She never expressed concern about going to other countries.  However, she is close friends with a Helsinki couple and perhaps they would vouch for her.  The only concern she expressed (hint hint) was not carrying enough euro if the Finnish border guards stopped her.

[RussianWind]

Why would Moscow people not apply directly to the destination Schengen country for a visa? 

Most do but some get Finnish visa for their own reasons. Like cheap flights. I do not understand them honestly.

I have never heard of a RW not receiving a  Schengen visa.

They exist. Like recently my friend didn't get her Finnish visa having many visas from Germans. Reason - she didn't use her previous Finnish visa properly - visited Finland for one day and then spent many days in Germany. Fins are so sensitive and offensive 

The only concern she expressed (hint hint) was not carrying enough euro if the Finnish border guards stopped her.

They normally don't ask. I was asked about cash just once when a border officer woke me up and started asking questions. When he asked where I was going to stay, I didn't find anything better than to say the name of the first hotel I could remember. It turned out to be the most expensive hotel in Finland. The officer made his eyes round and asked if I had enough money... or yeah I had 10 times more than enough.

But now you can just show a credit card.

[Ade]

To St. Petersburgers and the area 

They are very suspicious to people from other regions because they normally use Finland as a transit country to Spain, Germany whatever and lie to border officers. Silly people don't know rules and their own visa rights.

Yes, I've also heard that there have been some crack downs trying to catch people landing and almost immediately catching a flight out to other Schengen states. As far as I'm aware, even the C-visa is supposed to be applied for in the country where the person will spend most of their time.

We used Helsinki once, I met my wife there and we stayed for the weekend before catching a flight back to Norway. For those that may be a little worried about getting their first Schengen visa in other stricter countries, Finland maybe somewhere to consider just to get their foot in the door.

[RussianWind]

As far as I'm aware, even the C-visa is supposed to be applied for in the country where the person will spend most of their time.

Fins are loyal. They understand that their country is boring and not much to do there. But they get offended when somebody just uses their loyality. It's not exactly about most of the time, it's about the main target. For example if you visited Finland for 3 times, spent 9 days all together and spent 12 days in Spain, it's still be ok.

[Chicagoguy]

Where is Xman, the OP ?

[Moonlight]

*i have not read the whole thread*
BRAZIL!!! Copocobana

[Shadow]

Where is Xman, the OP ?

Probably on a romantic beach...

[Aloe]

I should warn not to do this. There are some travel agencies what "forget" to book a hotel on a client's name. There are some fanatic visa officers who make call to these hotels and if the booking is not confirmed, they refuse with the visa. The agency tells to a client that the conulate didn't give the visa for unknow reason and they grab the money in any case - either she gets the visa or not.

It's better if she brings them data of a specified hotel and flights, so they will officially book them.

I read similar stories on russian travel forums, people complain how agency screwed up their application by adding false papers, or by just forgetting something, or some agency faked a signature cuz the client forgot to sign the form, and got denied cuz of that, and it doesnt affect the agency anyway, because they keep their fee for applying for the visa no matter the outcome.

[Aloe]

They exist. Like recently my friend didn't get her Finnish visa having many visas from Germans. Reason - she didn't use her previous Finnish visa properly - visited Finland for one day and then spent many days in Germany. Fins are so sensitive and offensive 

Just curious, how do they find out? I went to Belgium with a french visa, nobody checked my passport or tickets for that matter on the train ride from Paris to Brussel (only takes 1 hour too)

[Shadow]

Just curious, how do they find out? I went to Belgium with a french visa, nobody checked my passport or tickets for that matter on the train ride from Paris to Brussel (only takes 1 hour too)

When you leave Finland it is a bit harder because of the geography.
Most people there for go by plane or boat, where there are controls and boarding procedures.

[Aloe]

I got a 2 month valid, up to 30 day stay, multiple entry schengen visa from the french embassy, in a brand new, absolutely clean passport, i recommend french visa to everyone   Got it 1 day after submitting my papers too.
At the border they only looked at the visa, e-ticket home and said enjoy your stay
I did everything like this website tells you, even sort papers in a specific order, they have detailed instructions and forums for all countries http://archive.travel.ru/france/formalities/visas/

[SANDRO43]

nobody checked my passport or tickets for that matter on the train ride from Paris to Brussel (only takes 1 hour too)

Because you were already WITHIN the UE. But didn't they check your train ticket ?

[Aloe]

Because you were already WITHIN the UE. But didn't they check your train ticket ?

nope, nobody checked anything