April 5, 2010, new visa Code — compulsory for all countries — participants of the Schengen Agreement — came into force. The purpose of new Code implementation is unification of procedures for issuing visas, regardless the country's consulate, which issues the visa.
In accordance with the changes, the term of applications’ consideration to issue Schengen visa will be ten days. In case of visa issue denial, the country will be obliged to explain the reason of decision, but due to the fact that a number of EU members will have to make changes in national legislation, this clause will be applied from April 5, 2011, Charter- 97 press center informs.
New Code stipulates that now Schengen visa for up to three months will cost 60 euro for a person older the age of 12 years, for children from 6 to 12 years old — 35 euro. This rule will not refer to Russia, Ukraine and several other states which have an agreement on simplification of visa regime with the EU.
