Visa fees to be taken to countries other than Croatia, Ireland, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania have increased by 20 euro. Some conditions other than raise and duration were also facilitated.
COMPLETED FROM 2 FEBRUARY 2020
The innovations in the visa, which the citizens of 105 countries in the world received, were notified to all member states with the regulation dated June 20, 2019, following the amendments made by the EU in the regulation no 810/2009 and passed through the commission in 2018. The changes approved by Lithuania as the last member state have been put into effect as of February 2, 2020.
With the recent changes, while the higher visa fee is being collected, long-term visas will start from one year and a maximum of 5 years will be issued.
The innovations brought by the latest visa regulations were as follows:
VERY RIGHT TO ENTRANCE WITHOUT PROBLEMS
With innovations, the length of stay in EU member states has been adjusted according to whether the person had problems with their previous visa or entry and exit.
Accordingly, people who travel a lot, who do not have a problem with visa or stay in the countries they travel to, will be granted a multi-entry, long-stay right visa, gradually increasing. Such visas will start from 1 year and can be extended up to 5 years.
HIGHER VISA FEE
The figure received since 2006 for the visa application has been raised. The visa will now be paid 80 euro instead of 60 euro. This money will be taken from adults, children under the age of 6 will be exempted from the visa fee as before. For children 6-12 years old, 40 euro will be charged with 5 euro more fee. However, if member countries wish, they will not be able to charge visa fees for children aged 6-18.
WHICH COUNTRY TO APPLY?
If a person is going to visit more than one Schengen country, he must apply to the Schengen country, where he will spend the most time.
If equal time is spent in these countries, applications should be made to the consulates of the country to be visited first. Visa forms will be available in electronic media. An exception was brought to this important convenience. If the person needs fingerprints, he has to go to the consulate and give him a fingerprint.
VISA BY COUNTRY’S TRAVEL
The attitude of the country of the visa-seeker in the Readmission Agreement will also be effective on the visa. According to this section, which gives extensive authority to Schengen countries, if a country is having trouble getting back its citizens who have come to Schengen country illegally, the process of granting visas to the citizens of that country may be difficult.
Time restrictions can be imposed or multiple entry visas can be avoided. In addition, citizens of this country may be charged higher fees and the approval process can be extended.
THREE MONTHS OF APPLICATION NO REQUIREMENT
Application for a Schengen visa was compulsory three months in advance. This period will be between three months and six months. In other words, it will be possible to apply six months in advance and the visa will be given in about 15 days.
Thus, it was aimed to enable people to plan their travels and to obtain cheap travel opportunities in the longer term. It is stated that seafarers can apply to the EU member country 9 months before their arrival.
TRAVEL INSURANCE SUBJECT
Travel insurance is compulsory for those who apply for a Schengen visa. However, with the last change, this condition was tried to be softened and made optional.
It will be sufficient for multiple entry visa holders to demonstrate that they have a sufficient and valid travel health insurance covering the first planned stay. This rule will also be included in the application form.
