Adoption Of New Rules For Visa Applications in the Embassies of France, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Switzerland

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   At the beginning of the week the French Consulate in Moscow increased a period for visa issuing to 11 days, therefore tour operators require documents to be presented two weeks before a trip. Oleg Balakirev, General Director Deputy of DSBW, commented on the situation as follows: ‘at the moment the situation is not problematic as tours for May holidays were sold in advance’. However, tour operators do not feel enthusiasm towards the French initiative expecting the beginning of May.
   Meanwhile, the Embassy of the Netherlands in Moscow came to terms with Russian tourists having permitted those who have two Schengen visas not to be interviewed in the Embassy. ‘Before an interview in the Embassy was obligatory. But for two weeks we have presented documents of some of our tourists. Besides, as a rule experienced tourists go to Holland, therefore there are many tourists with two visas in their passports’, said Svetlana Stroganova, General Director of Eurotravel. Furthermore, Oleg Balakirev outlined the importance of the new rule for tourists from Russian regions as now they do not have to waste time to come to the interview to Moscow.
   The Consulate of the Czech Republic also adopted certain changes. According to Lanta Tour Voyage, starting from May 1st a list of documents to be presented to the Embassy will be diversified with a letter from work and a copy of a Russian passport.
   Meanwhile, the outcome is to be seen regarding the simplification of visa regime to enter Switzerland. The Embassy of the country in Moscow confirmed that the issue is being negotiating however it is early to comment the results.