Shengen Visa

[docetae]

Finally I'm flying to Rome this summer with the woman I have met last march. The main question remains the Shengen visa. I have bought the flight tickets for her , same with apartment booking and as I will assume all expenses during this travel, I was wondering how she has to proceed for her visa request as she must provide detail on her source of revenue, etc.

So feedback from member with the same experience is welcome ...

[Michelangelo]

Don't know for sure...I tried it with your approach of buying tickets and getting hotel independently once, and her visa was turned down to Germany, which is a hard country to get a visa to...

My last two trips to Spain and France, I used a local travel agency to process the visa request.  I paid them for the hotel and plane ticket (about 800 euro) and we got both visas.

So it will be interesting if your girl can get this Italian visa without the clout of the travel agent industry. I hope she can...keep us posted...

[docetae]

As I have contact with a IATA agent I was able to get the ticket at good price, and even if I trust the woman, I do not feel confortable to send the money directly to her. The main point is that this will be her first travel outside Ukraine and we will leave together from Kiev.
Next week, I will go the Italian consulat here to know how I can proceed.

Do you contact your german consulat or embassy before doing the procedure ?

[Shadow]

Germany is not easy to get visa. France and Italy are two countries that are reported to give tourist visa easy.
In Holland we met several Russian tour groups, so visa for them was possible.

To get visa the main rules are:
- To have means to pay for the visit (which you can provide)
- Not to pose any threat
- To have intentions to return to the country of origin.

The last thing is something you should find a way of proving. The other two are just formalities then, if you are personally present and do not look like a pimp 

[PeeWee]

Finally I'm flying to Rome this summer with the woman I have met last march. The main question remains the Shengen visa. I have bought the flight tickets for her , same with apartment booking and as I will assume all expenses during this travel, I was wondering how she has to proceed for her visa request as she must provide detail on her source of revenue, etc.

So feedback from member with the same experience is welcome ...

Why would you not buy the tour package from the Russian travel agent that included her airfare, hotel, and visa? It seems less complicated that way.

Otherwise there are visa applications to fill out, air tickets to buy, visa may get turned down. So much can happen.

Peewee

[coco]

I will send a bottle of Spirit of Schengen to anybody not misspelling Schengen

Yes an tourist agency is the only thing who will work out.

[Michelangelo]

I will send a bottle of Spirit of Schengen to anybody not misspelling Schengen

Yes an tourist agency is the only thing who will work out.

We have obtained 3 Schengen visas, using travel agency approach, and I LOVE Spirit of Schengen :-)))

[jb]

For anyone interested, I think Finnland is the easiest country for a Russian to get a Schengen visa.  Just about any Tourist/Travel Agency in Russia can very quickly arrange the visa to Helsinki at very little cost.  Once in Finnland they can travel/fly anywhere in the EU without a hassle.

Been there, done that.

[coco]

www.vinsmoselle.lu
I wait for your pm

[jb]

Even better.

http://www.whiteowlwinery.com/

Try the pink greatfruit champagne, a truly wonderful breakfast wine. 

[coco]

Thank you for the link,newer heard about wine from Illinois

[jb]

I stumbled up on that winery after attending a funeral for an AM/RW couple we knew from up there, (they died in a car crash New Years Eve 2003/2004).  The family who owns and operates the winery are some of the nicest people I've ever met, we showed up on their doorstep on a January winters evening when everything was closed, yet they opened up everything and gave the two of us the grand tour, then layed out a glass of every wine they make for us to taste, and generally made us feel right at home.

Needless to say, we were both half snoockered by the time we left, but I'll never forget the hospitality and friendship these nice people extended to us that day.

I think AJ knows where this place is.  He used to live in their neighborhood.

[PeeWee]

There is a winery near where I live that produces Rhubarb wine. It is one of my favorites.

Peewee

[docetae]

Why would you not buy the tour package from the Russian travel agent that included her airfare, hotel, and visa? It seems less complicated that way.

Otherwise there are visa applications to fill out, air tickets to buy, visa may get turned down. So much can happen.

Peewee

In fact, I never used a travel agency and do not even thought to the option. EVerything is already booked , I get flight tickets at IATA cost so this is not an issue if I lose them .. and on site we rent an appartment, I have no payment to do before arrival.
If this does not work we will use a travel agency...

[Jumper]

off topic

I think AJ knows where this place is.  He used to live in their neighborhood.

yeap.very well. much of my youth spent a stones throw from there..lol
 my grandfathers farm is just a few miles from that winery.
They do have some very interesting wines and champaigns, high quality and made with a real sincere and honest enthusiasm for making great wines.. 

it's in Southeastern  Illinois..
in near towns of flat rock (pop 102) LOL
( i went to gradeschool there) ha!

Birds/ Palistine/oblong/robinson
I listed several because i doubt some of them are large enough for map quest to find..LOL

[PeeWee]

In fact, I never used a travel agency and do not even thought to the option. EVerything is already booked , I get flight tickets at IATA cost so this is not an issue if I lose them .. and on site we rent an appartment, I have no payment to do before arrival.
If this does not work we will use a travel agency...

I have found that I can usually get a better fare by using a travel agency than if I book online via Expedia or others. If I am going to China I use a Chinese agency. If to Russia then it is Red Star Travel. To Korea then a Korean agency. They will usually specialize in those countries and will generally have the best fares. Likewise for travel from Russia to anywhere. I have found that if I book via a Russian agency in Moscow that the fare will be more favorable that if I book via another agency outside of Russia. Although Red Star Travel is a good agency to use for any travel to or from Russia, or within Russia.

Always pay for her ticket using a credit card. The cc ticket cannot be refunded for cash. Only back to the card. If she does not show, as recently happened to one lad, they you can ask for a credit back to the card for the unused ticket.

Both Angelo and I used a tour to get ladies from Russia to Paris. The fare was the same for both of us. 800 Euro for airfare, hotel, visa, and breakfast. That is not a bad price for all of that.

Thanks

Peewee

[Bruno]

Germany is not easy to get visa. France and Italy are two countries that are reported to give tourist visa easy.
In Holland we met several Russian tour groups, so visa for them was possible.

To get visa the main rules are:
- To have means to pay for the visit (which you can provide)
- Not to pose any threat
- To have intentions to return to the country of origin.

The last thing is something you should find a way of proving. The other two are just formalities then, if you are personally present and do not look like a pimp 

The last one is not really a problem...

6.  Proof of transport arrangements (return ticket): as soon as your visa application has been approved, you must submit a return ticket (in your name and non-transferable) in order for the visa to be issued.

About the first, be carefull with regulation :

Presentation of a visa does not grant an unconditional right to enter the Schengen area. When you present your visa at the border, you may be refused access to the Schengen area if you are clearly without means of subsistence and are unable to procure such means by undertaking legal paid employment. Proof of adequate means of subsistence may take the form of cash, cheques and credit cards accepted in the Schengen area, the original copy of a pledge of financial support, a work contract, bank statements, proof of enrolment on the trade register and/or of professional activity.

If you are European, the easy way for a visa is the "pledge of financial support"... specific rule are a little different by country, specialy about the income amount requested... a example about the rule for Belgium :

- or the guarantor's financial means: A pledge of financial support is specific proof of means of subsistence. It offers a solution in situations where you cannot prove your own  solvency. Through this pledge of financial support, a Belgian national, or a foreign national resident in Belgium, acts as a guarantor for your period of residence, your return journey and your medical costs. The guarantor should ask for the pledge of financial support (also called Annex 3bis) at the municipality (commune/gemeente) of his/her place of residence. The guarantor does not have to be the issuer of the invitation. When the pledge of financial support has been authenticated by the municipal authorities, the original document must be submitted to the relevant embassy or consulate, within six months of the authentication, together with:

    * a copy of the guarantor's last three pay slips or any other (official) document proving his/her solvency. In the case of a family visit, the guarantor must earn at least 800 euro net per month + 150 euro for each of the guarantor's current dependents and/or + 150 euro for each person invited. In the case of a visit to friends, the guarantor must earn at least 1,000 euro net per month + 150 euro for each of the guarantor's current dependents and/or + 200 euro for each person invited;
    * a copy of a document proving that the guarantor is of Belgian nationality (identity card) or has authorisation to stay in Belgium indefinitely (residence permit).

[docetae]

I have found that I can usually get a better fare by using a travel agency than if I book online via Expedia or others.

In fact there are two issues : First , I hate hotel and prefer apartment, not a lot of agency can provide them ... Second, I get access to IATA fare, so between 70 and 50% of the regular price on Airline ticket. In fact for this travel, I pay more in taxes and fuel charges than for the base price...

Following the comment from Bruno, I'm rather optimistic as I will travel all the time with her from Kiev (Canada -> Ukraine, Ukraine -> Rome, Rome-> venise, Venise-> Rome, Rome -> Ukraine, Ukraine -> Canada ...).

Will keep posting on this thread as soon I get news.

[mischief]

You can easily get a visa without an agency… I used to work in one and know that an agency can help only if it has a good reputation with an embassy… the rest you can do yourself…
Here is what you’ll need to help her:
1.   a letter addressed to the Consul of Italian Embassy with a request to issue a visa for Ms… and explanations that she is your girlfriend and would like to meet her in Rome, that you are covering all her expenses and providing insurance on the territory of Italy … if you need an example of the letter let me know…
2.   copies of your passport, tickets, apartment reservation
3.   copy of your pay stab or letter from your company of your position and annual salary…
4.   would be nice to give them few pictures of two of you together…

She can find out what other documents she will need to have by calling consulate…

[Ste]

Once in Finnland they can travel/fly anywhere in the EU without a hassle.

Not strictly true, jb. As usual the UK doesn't participate in Schengen, along with Eire cos we have our own 'Schengen' the 'CTA' - Common Travel Arrangment which allows Brits and Irish to mingle freely without any visa or residence requirements at all.

In fact, without checking I think with all the new States only comparively few EU states are part of Schengen, ISTR Czech Rep isn't for one. I wasn't going to check but I am now! Here goes:

The 15 Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. Iceland and Norway aren't in the EU.

The 25 EU States are the Schengen list less Iceland and Norway, plus Czech Rep, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, Slovenia and Slovakia. I think!

Plus Romania and Bulgaria in 2007 if they do their stuff. Lets hope not because we in the UK are scared stiff of Gypies....

Ste

[PeeWee]

Not strictly true, jb. As usual the UK doesn't participate in Schengen, along with Eire cos we have our own 'Schengen' the 'CTA' - Common Travel Arrangment which allows Brits and Irish to mingle freely without any visa or residence requirements at all.

In fact, without checking I think with all the new States only comparively few EU states are part of Schengen, ISTR Czech Rep isn't for one. I wasn't going to check but I am now! Here goes:

The 15 Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. Iceland and Norway aren't in the EU.

The 25 EU States are the Schengen list less Iceland and Norway, plus Czech Rep, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, Slovenia and Slovakia. I think!

Plus Romania and Bulgaria in 2007 if they do their stuff. Lets hope not because we in the UK are scared stiff of Gypies....

Ste

Gypsies! Don't forget to include the tramps and theives, Ste.

Peewee

[Ste]

If you think about it, Schengen is EEA less UK/Eire less all the crap Countries.

Ste

[jb]

Steve,

Thanks for the correction, it's good to know the Island Fortress still stands at least a little bit.

[Michelangelo]

Not strictly true, jb.
The 25 EU States are the Schengen list less Iceland and Norway, plus Czech Rep, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, Slovenia and Slovakia. I think!

Snotty Brits :-)

[BC]

jb,

I think there may be 'double standard' visa regime/allowance for EU countries that don't have geographic borders with other EU countries. 

It may be easier for FSU folks to visit such 'island' EU states that had other visa agreements with FSU states they do share common borders with.