Foreign passports with fingerprints already in 2012
The Fedaral Migration Service will start to issue biometrical foreign passports with fingerprints in the current year. According to the FMS, fingerprints will not form one database and will be deleted later. Information about the owner will be stored in his/her foreign passport only for identification when passing border control.
It is supposed to scan two forefingers, and then record information in a chip. This innovation will ensure the document protection and minimum period of time for border control.
Fingeprint identification will be also required for Shengen visa obtaining. As previously reported, starting from Tuesday, October, 11 a new visa information system VIS has been introduced in Schengen States.
Citizens of North Africa – Livia, Algeria, Tunisia started to implement the new system first. The system will also be introduced in the Consulates of the Middle East and Asia. According to the EU program, the system will work worldwide including Russia by 2014.
Fingerprints will be stored in a database of EU for 5 years and then deleted. This system is supposed to speed up applications processing.
http://actualcomment.ru/news/33821/
Visa center of Italy in Moscow new address
Starting from January, 23 2011 Visa center of Italy in Moscow moved to a new address located at 6 Malyi Tolmachevskii per., bld. 1 (M. Tretyakovskaya, Polyanka). Tel. +7 495 727 3577.
http://www.italyvms.ru/ru/content/index.htm
Visa to Sweden new requirements
Starting from January , 5 2012 applicants for tourist and private visas do not need to fill in an additional form "Family information". Let us remind you, that this requirement was abolished for applicants for business visas a year ago.
Another important change affects the speed-up of visas applications processing time. Starting from February, 1 2012 all visas of “C” categogory (business/tourism/private) are processed within 3 working days. The Consulate fee is 35 EUROs.
http://www.swedenabroad.com/Page____82471.aspx
Russia and Japan simplify visa regime
During the recent visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov in Tokio the agreement on simplified visa regime between two countries was signed. According to the agreement invitation letters from a host country are abolished for business visas, valid up to 90 days.
A new system of multiple entry visas, valid up to 3 years can also be introduced. The date of its coming into force will be announced later.
Liechtenstein joined the Schengen Area
On December, 19 2011 Liechtenstein joined the Schengen Agreement. However, it doesn’t make any difference for tourists. They were long ago allowed to visit Liechtenstein with Schengen visa.
The Agreement on Liechtenstein membership in Schengen was signed in 2008, but abolition of border controls was postponed because of the objections of Germany and Sweden. The authorities of this countries claimed, that the Principality was not struggle hard against tax avoidance.
As a result, everyone could visit Liechtenstein with visa of “C” cathegory, issued by any of Schengen countries, whereas visiting of Schengen with national visa of Liechtenstein was not possible. Now this is the obstruction that is cancelled.
http://www.travel.ru/news/2011/12/20/196594.html
Germany - simplified visa regime for Russia
According to Guido Westerwelle, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, simplified visa regime with Russia can be introduced within the current year. Germany is intended to bring in the system of non-cash payment in more than 60 offices. Citizens, who have already received shengen visa within 2 years will be able to use electronicс application system for getting visa. Visa processing period can also be shortened and many Russian citizens will be able to get visa, valid several years.
Starting from the current year some commercial companies will handle a part of visa procedure. Thus, citizens, geographically remote from the German Consulates will be able to apply for visa at their place of residence. The application will be processed within 2 days.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both individuals and companies will take the advantages of such innovations, and at the same time simplification of visa system will not affect the security of Germany.
http://prm.ru/rest/2011-12-29/115550
