Russians Advised to Apply for Schengen Visas Early Before Summer Rush

Tour operators are urging Russian nationals planning to visit the Schengen Area during the spring and summer months to submit their visa applications well in advance to avoid unnecessary delays.

According to industry professionals, as the peak travel season approaches, securing an appointment for a Schengen visa becomes increasingly difficult. To prevent last-minute complications, Russian travelers have been reminded that Schengen member states accept visa applications up to six months before the intended travel date.

“The Schengen countries accept documents for review 180 days before the intended trip. Therefore, if tourists want to spend spring or early summer in Europe, it is time to collect and submit documents for a visa,” stated Russian Express.

Increased Demand for Schengen Visas Expected

The Russian Association of Tour Operators has reported that experts anticipate a surge in demand for Schengen visas and travel to the European bloc starting at the end of March. This heightened interest is expected to continue until the end of September when the peak travel season winds down.

Given this projection, travelers have been advised to take advantage of faster visa processing times and greater appointment availability by applying during months when the number of applicants is traditionally lower.

These Schengen Countries Are Processing Visas for Russians the Fastest

Data from the Association of Tour Operators indicate that obtaining a Schengen visa in Moscow is now nearly as efficient as it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, appointment availability and processing times vary by country.

According to experts from BSI Group, Italy currently offers the quickest visa processing times for Russian applicants, along with the shortest waiting period for appointment slots.

Visa appointments at the Italian visa center in Moscow can typically be scheduled between seven to ten days in advance. Once Russian applicants complete their interview and submit their biometric data, the Italian visa is issued within two to three weeks.

France and Spain also process visas for Russians relatively quickly, though securing an appointment is more challenging. As of now, the French visa center in Moscow has no available slots until the end of March.

Regarding Spanish visa appointments, experts have noted that slots for the second half of February will soon be released. Both France and Spain are currently processing Schengen visas for Russian applicants within three weeks.

Additionally, the Greek visa center in Moscow is offering one of the fastest turnaround times, processing visas in approximately seven working days. 

By fLEXI tEAM