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Russia Introduces New System for Issuing Schengen Visas

Schengen Visa in passport page

A new fingerprint scanning procedure will be introduced on September 14, 2015, for Russian citizens who wish to issue short-term stay Schengen visas. In order to obtain their visas Russians will have to provide biometric data, which will be stored for five years in the information system and thus provide a database for each visa applicant.

The introduction of biometrics will enable Russian tourists to issue multiple Schengen visas, said the head of the EU Delegation in Russia Vygaudas Usackas. He also expressed the hope that there will be no problems in implementing the new visa system and requested the understanding and patience of Russian travelers in case of any technical problems.

The Greek Consulate in Moscow will be able to increase the number of multiple-entry visas after the introduction of the biometrics system, stated Russian Tourism Industry Union spokesperson Irina Turina, after meeting with the Greek Consul General Eleni Michalopoulou.

Despite the 30% reduction in tourist flows from Russia to Europe, she stressed that the Russian Federation is the country with the highest number of Schengen visa issuing. Last year, Russian citizens issued 5.8 million visas, while 15 million visas were issued worldwide. However, Russian tour operators expressed their concern that the new system will result in fewer travelers issuing Schengen visas.

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