Application form for Schengen visa can be filled through internet

Application forms for Schengen visas, filled in handwriting, will no longer be accepted. Under the new rules of processing the documents at the Polish Consulate in Minsk, an electronic application form should be filled within 30 minutes.
Effective from May 24, you need to go to the internet, get registered on a special web site and to fill in an electronic application form within 30 minutes and then print out by a color printer. You will also decide about the date when you will submit your documents for consideration.

The Polish Consultae noted the electronic visa application form should be brought by everyone without expection, even those who are computer literate. "I think that pensioners can ask their grandchildren or relatives, etc. to help them fill in the application form", said a staffer at the Polish Consulate.

The Lithuanian Consulate has not introduced such rules but can do it soon "I can't say when we will have an electronic system -- in two weeks or onw month. It is desirable that people bring the application forms filled in electronically. But we still accept those filled in by in writing", the Lithuanian vice consul said.

A representative of Latvia also hopes that electronic forms will soon be introduced. But she says that handwritten forms are still accepted.

Meanwhile, after the introduction of a new visa code of the European Union, the application form for a Schengen visa has changed. Among other things, you have to sign that you agree to give your finger prints along with other personal details if necessary.



These date will be stored at the Visa Information System for five years.

It is expected that European consulates will begin gathering finger prints of Belarusians not earlier than in 2011.

Photo: interfax.by