I want to start a series of articles about how to obtain Schengen visas in Lviv. 2009. I tried to open a visa to Holland "remotely" by forwarding the necessary documents by mail to Kiev. Unfortunately, the small problem with the host side then still made me go for an interview in Kiev. In fact, I had to go through the whole process in manual mode, which took 2 days (1 day - an interview, Day 1 - A contract of delivery of the passport by mail DPC). I did receive a visa in a week. Total spent two working days, and certain expenses for hotel accommodation.

this time trying to get a Schengen visa to the Czech Republic in Lviv. It's about the consulate the Czech Republic (Lvov, str. Antonovich 130)

come summer, and we decided with my wife "suffer" a little history of tourism in Eastern Europe. In order not to travel to Kiev, it was decided to give up on Czech visa in the Lviv consulate. With the Polish consulate decided not to get involved because of long lines (I myself have Polish visas over the past 5 years did not, so do not speak from personal experience, and the stories of friends).

not publish "necessary documents", it can be found on the website of the Consulate. Now take a variety of visa codes, it is desirable to always read the list on the official site.

mention only some of the "naughty" moments zapamyatalis.

So:

1. How does the consulate "kitchen" from the outside.

In contrast to Western European embassies (the Netherlands, Germany), where all the cool stuff happening on the street.

Phase 1

All those who have registered by phone, and wants to hand over documents, it should hold out and get nomerochek (it is important not to lose it later attached to the visa application form). We arrived at nine in the morning. Before us there were already about 20 people. We had to wait quite a long time - about 45 minutes (because of the queue 3)

2nd place

Having

nomerochek, you wait until it appears on the scoreboard, then you miss the window for filing. There have to be careful - no logical sequence of processing rooms do not. For example there are 2 windows serving rooms 20 and 21, suddenly could open a third window, and start serving numbers beginning with 40. So, if you do not see - it's your turn anulovuetsya and you come back to turn 1. There were also cases in which rooms were discordantly - something I have never seen the 2nd stage took us about 1 hour, we had to go to the cafe, drinking coffee and come back.

third place

there for those who want to pick up papers with a ready visa. Czechs need to once again thank - she served in the same place and turn 1. The standard period of the application - 14 days. If you want to try to pick up earlier - will have to pass every time all three.

2. Filing

With this all as standard. The truth is not without a "quirk." In my insurance (PZU) noted that the insurance must be insert in the Czech language. English language they understand (questionnaires have been completed in English), but will talk to you exclusively in Czech. Be sure to make a photocopy of insurance and "Surrender" (passport). This is a requirement that all documents. Need to glue the photo itself, and the questionnaire did not attach a stapler - you know that the first time in the Czech Republic are going? . Be sure to book your hotel for the duration of your trip and get a confirmation from the hotel on the official form (by e-mail). No faxes do not. I also had to pay rozpechatki advance for a day (check with the photocopy of the POS-terminal hotel), but it did not look. On confirmation of solvency - it is better suited for this copy of the credit card backed up by a check of the ATM. Important - seal hung with the date of the card and CVV code when making a photocopy to this infoy not used by unscrupulous people. Information about the flow of funds from the bank do not need to take (extra cost). Also, do not submit certificates of funds in the account SPD (FLP) - this is a legal entity income, and consider them not to be.

3. Paying Fees

This procedure at the Czech consulate I liked it. Only when your documents are accepted, and no complaints about the list of documents you give them up with a receipt for payment. After that you are applying to another window and pay the visa fee (we have it was 2 * 35 = 70 euros). You need to have free delivery.

4. Transportation

On the need to purchase tickets. It seems that after the adoption of the latest visa regulation, with the Schengen questionnaire missing item "Means of transport" (vehicle), so do not worry about tickets. I have a driver's license IAA, according to the list of documents necessary to submit a copy of registration certificate and a copy of the car. Thus, car owners can not buy tickets in advance, and do so only after a positive consideration of the application.

Thus the total cost of application review: 70evro + 40 € deposit for the hotel.

5. Getting the visa application

Oddly obtaining dokumetiv no problems. A week after the submission of questionnaires (14/07/2010) got my hands on a passport with visas. He came to the consulate at 16:00. Not a single person.