France Increases Schengen Visa Processing Time and Fees for Russian |

France Increases Schengen Visa Processing Time and Fees for Russian Applicants

In September 2022, the European Council suspended the visa facilitation agreement between the European Union and Russia, significantly complicating the process for Russian citizens looking to visit the Schengen area for short stays. France, a key member of the Schengen area, has implemented these changes, resulting in longer processing times and higher fees for Russian visa applicants.

The French ambassador to Russia, Pierre Lev, confirmed that Russian citizens applying for French visas will now face a more challenging process. The suspension of the visa facilitation agreement means that Russians applying for a short-stay French visa must now pay €80, up from the previous €35. Additionally, the processing time for these visas has increased from the usual 15 days to a lengthy 45 days.

Despite these hurdles, Russian citizens continue to apply for Schengen visas in large numbers. In 2023 alone, 520,387 visa applications were submitted by Russians, with around 448,890 approved, reflecting an approval rate of 86.26%.

Interestingly, some Schengen countries have maintained high approval rates for Russian applicants, with Poland leading at 99.61%, followed by Iceland at 97.50%, Slovakia at 93.65%, Italy at 93.47%, and Czechia at 92.58%.

While the increased processing times and fees present new challenges for Russian citizens wishing to visit France and other Schengen countries, the continued high volume of applications indicates a sustained interest in travel despite the more stringent requirements.

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