Any info on visas for RW's to visit EU?

[Streetwise]

Does anyone have up to date info regarding the process for a Ukrainian citizen obtaining a "Schengen" visa to enter the "Schengen" group of countries in the EU?

On the same note, does anyone know the current situation for entering the UK? (I assume this is more difficult!)

The last time I looked into this, it was extremely difficult for a Russian or Ukrainian girl (especially if young and single) to obtain a visa, even with the support of a citizen from that country. It was virtually essential for them to have proof of employment in their homeland, and a letter from their employer granting them the necessary leave.

I remember that Embassy Officials (in the British Embassy at least) were very sceptical of romantic connections and even marriages, due to high numbers of "economic migrants" using this as a vehicle for their real purpose. I believe that they hold very searching interviews for visa applicants. The underlying risk as that, if refused, they would stamp her passport to this effect which made it doubly difficult for her to obtain such a visa in the future.

I'm sure it's just as difficult for visas to the U.S.A. but the bureaucratic process is probably different.

Has the situation in Europe changed? Is it still as difficult as it was? Does anyone have any experience or advice for making this happen? I haven't been involved in this process for a while as my last liaison RW was with a Latvian (they don't need visas to enter EU countries.)

Grateful for any information.

[wilmc]

... in response to Any info on visas for RW's to visit EU? , posted by Streetwise on Jul 26, 2003

My experience is with a lady friend from Moscow, Russia, so I can not advise concerning Ukraine.  I will assume the process is similar though.

My friend has no significant "hooks" in Russia but she has had no difficulty getting a Shengen visa to visit Spain.
She has needed proof of accomodations, hotel or resort reservations in her name and tickets for transport to and from.

I wanted to show her my favorite city, London, but she was very apprehensive about getting a visa to visit the UK.  I encouraged her to try.  She applied and had an interview and easily received her visa, again proof of accomodation and transport was required.    

She is a very intelligent and attractive lady and I imagine she had little difficulty charming the British official.

One reason for the Russians to be apprehensive is that at the US Embassy if their request for a visa is turned down their passport is stamped to indicate that they were refused a visa.  I do not know if the Brits do this or not.   All the Russians I have met hate the prospect of having their passport stamped this way.

On the day I accompanied my friend to apply for a tourist visa at the US Embassy in Moscow the bureaucrats were turning everyone down.  The clerk questioned my friend as to the reason for her visit and when she said it was to visit with me and my family, he asked if we were contemplating marriage.  I said not until she had a chance to visit America and meet my family and friends and have some confidence that she could be happy there.  The clerk said, "No good, what you need is a K1 visa."  He had his stamp poised to stamp her passport when I protested and requested that he not stamp her passport.  I asked if there was not some possible way to avoid this stamping of the Russian passport.  He thought for a moment and said, "Well, if you withdraw the application, I guess there is no need to stamp the passport."  I reached under the glass partition and pulled back the application forms and the passport and said, "done."  Of course Uncle Sam kept our application fee.

[wilmc]

... in response to Re: Any info on visas for RW's to visit ..., posted by wilmc on Jul 26, 2003

http://www.german-embassy.org.uk/schengen_or_short_term_or_trav.html

[Streetwise]

... in response to check out this web page, posted by wilmc on Jul 26, 2003

Many thanks for the above info!

Yes, I have also come across this fear of having the passport stamped with a refusal; presumably they are afraid (with some justification probably) that it will jeopardize any future applications; the embassy official will look at the previous stamp and assume the worst, without checking the reason for the refusal. It's a strange logic that they would withhold the stamp if you withdrew the application, but that they didn't mention this until you did. The worry is, if they process the application behind closed doors and you don't know it's been stamped as refused until they hand the passport back her.

When I go to the embassy with my girlfriend I'll be sure to attach her passport to a piece of string when we hand it over the counter!!! Only civil servants could come up with logic like that, just goes to show the absurdity of bureaucracy.