Without visas, but not without rules, a practice run on visa free regime

On Thursday afternoon the European Parliament with a large margin of votes will decide on visa-free regime for Ukraine.

It is possible to say with certainty before voting in the European Parliament has always been a convincing majority in support of visa liberalization. Against merely right and partly left radicals, many of which (surprise!) Not hide his loyalty to Russia.

Further approval of visa-free calendar also known. "The European Pravda" published it over a month ago and now it is confirmed by all possible sources. "We follow the schedule remained very formal, but they need to go," - say European diplomats.

Consequently, the visa-free will, and it will work in mid-June. And it does not eliminate all problems.

Chief among them - a visa-free work in practice?

What documents have to take abroad? Who will not be allowed into Europe, "zavernuvshy" at the border? What to do with an income statement? Is it true that we have visa-free - "incomplete"?

Where myths, and where is it? The question of visa-free Ukraine in a really mythological, although sometimes, as in the saying, no smoke without fire.

In this publication, "European Pravda" answers to questions that are heard often, and available before launch visa-free will bring new questions in order to clarify again.

Chip you!

First, about the simplest - the basic conditions.

YevroPravda data is available nationwide poll commissioned by the EU, which suggests that the majority of Ukrainian do not even know what is the condition for visa-free biometric passport. And the question of what to do with old passports after the approval of the visa-free, YevroPravda hear even journalism workshop.

So, travel to the EU without a visa will be allowed only to those who have a biometric passport. That passport with a chip that contains the photo, signature and fingerprints of the person.

This is not some exclusive criteria for Ukraine.

This requirement is valid for all states without exception, past visa liberalization with the EU over the last decade; and the European Union in the long issue only biometric passports.

Several years ago, sounded a warning against biometrics in religious circles, but now faded and the problem. In the Ukrainian Orthodox Church finally lifted the question to new documents (Patriarch Filaret personally received biometric passport), now the Church also has no complaints about the passports with chips. The objection sometimes heard only from members of the UOC Moscow Patriarchate.

Notably, although the supporters of Russia long opposed the transfer of the Ukrainian system on new standard in biometric passports introduced in 2010 - much earlier than in Ukraine.

But back to our reality and the question of what to do with current valid passport? The answer is simple: nothing. There are no requirements for the replacement of the EU no.

Have a valid passport multivisa old model? Calm use it to complete its term. If you want to leave the old passport biometrics and place the second document? Please, it is also allowed.

Moreover, you can still contact the embassy visa applicants If you do not have a biometric passport, but there is a need to go to the EU.

For example, in Moldova, where visa-free earned three years ago, last year continued to issue visas to those who need them. Up to seven Schengen consulates working in Chisinau for visas approached 2,000 people. Most of them - foreigners, but about one-third - the citizens of Moldova with old passports.

It may seem strange, because making a new passport costs less than a visa. And do not forget that in Moldova - as well as in Ukraine - has visa facilitation agreement under which pensioners, students and a dozen other categories are eligible for free visa.

This does not eliminate the hassle of registration, the need to go to the embassy or visa center. But the opportunity to put the visa in the old passport will remain in the future.

But biometric passport visa you simply will not go immediately and advise on the border. The EU already preparing instructions for consulates, say sources YevroPravdy.

Packet traveler

This question - the most mythologized.

In social networks popular belief, they say, "all those documents that were still at the consulate, now need to be taken to the border." Have seen even absurd mention that European border guards will ask about "debt in the housing department" and "certificate of good conduct."

According to one of the correspondents, "I would like to know the exact list of "certificates of bath", which will be required at the border."

We have the answer, and it is documented. The EU has so-called "Schengen Border Code" (Schengen border code), wherein said rules of procedure and foreigners crossing the border.

The main conclusion of the Code:

no additional requirements for those travelers who travel to the EU visa regime.

Thus, the European border guards checked aim of the those traveling on visa-free, but their requirements exactly who and visa holders. After all, when you come to the border of the visa in the passport, you just can not let the country. For example, if the guard finds out that you are going to work on a tourist visa.

In Border Code are five requirements that apply to as "Visa" and the "visa-free" foreigners. Entry to the EU allowed those citizens who:

1) having on hand a document for border crossing (passport, travel document child dyppasport etc.);

2) can justify the purpose and conditions of their stay in the EU;

3) have sufficient financial means for staying in the EU and to return to Ukraine, or are able to get them legally (it is - a direct quote from the Border Code);

4) not in the list of persons who are denied entry to the EU;

5) does not pose a threat to public order, security, public health and international relations.

For those who do not have a biometric passport, this list is the sixth point - you must have a passport valid visa.

On the first point we have understood.

The fourth paragraph states, in particular, about the Ukrainian, who was deported from EU member states to ban entry for a specified period (for example, a year or five years).

First case of visa violators - those who worked illegally in the EU who remained in the EU for a longer period than provided visa and of criminals convicted in the EU Member States and deported to their homeland. If the term bans entry to a specific person is not gone, you can be sure of exactly "wrap" on the border.

This, incidentally, can create serious problems for Ukraine.

The number of people who are denied entry to the EU for certain known, and probably talking about hundreds or even thousands of people. Visa violators in the first few weeks can go to visa-free border, where a bunch of failures and will worsen the state statistics.

In the fifth paragraph (those that are international or criminal danger) refers to those who are in the databases of Interpol or Europol; Another example - those who recently traveled to Syria or Iran. These people quite a bit, even across Ukraine.

We are not in vain missed the second and third paragraphs - they apply to all travelers without exception. So focus on them more.

"Where are going?"

First - just a little theory.

The visa regime is quite archaic tool, which is why the EU is gradually abolishes it to other states. Keep it only for those states that have a high level of visa refusals; Ukraine no longer is.

The main objective of visa and border checks - ensure that a person does not plan to violate immigration rules.

If simplified, the EU has two key rules for travelers:

will not work without a work visa and adhere to the so-called "rule of 90 days" (stay in Schengen to 90 days per 180 days).

These rules are crucial and that they check guard.

Now back to the EU legislation, the border code. The documents which the border guard may ask, in Annex 1 thereto, depending on the purpose of travel.

For business trips (travel) is:

•    meeting invitation, or
•    other document confirming trade or business relationship (note: this is a direct quote, so you can choose the convenient and possible document), or
•    exhibition ticket collection or if the purpose is attendance.

By the way, note that for business travel return ticket is not included in the list of required documents, and it is logical - sometimes a business visit may be delayed. But be prepared to explain this need for border guards.

Tourism or private trips you ask for:

•    accommodation reservation or invitation (not official "visa" and arbitrary!) if you are going to stay with friends;
•    A return ticket (if you are traveling by car, it is not a requirement);
•    route or plan your trip.

Moreover, EU legislation give passengers the right to prove his integrity by various documents and provides more flexibility than the standard "visa" package.

Going zupynyatymetesya car and camping? Fine, then you can do without reservation, citing the border guard and giving it information about your planned route.

But the main thing - exactly the same documents sometimes require guards now!

As we have already noted, border rule after the start of visa-free remain unchanged. Anyone who travels to the EU confirm, on the border always ask about the purpose of the visit, and if the guard has at least a shadow of suspicion, the requested documents show - whether print or electronic format.

But no "information with the housing department!"

It is only on those documents that the traveler still had to take along when traveling abroad.

The myth of the "reference bank"

The last item on the list of border crossing conditions - the financial capacity.

Again, this condition has now, for the visa. Exactly the same extent as for visa-free act. But for some reason people like the myth that the border will have to take bank notes, certificates of work, data on real estate or anything else to confirm financial condition.

Myth became so popular that even the Georgian Foreign Ministry has included this requirement ... the list of advice for fellow citizens to the start of visa-free! Posters from this requirement (among other items, of course) is now pasted in Tbilisi subway cars.

While the EU insists: it is true. Such a requirement is not in the official specification of rules for visa-free Georgia, which distributes the Commission. And, of course, it's not in the border of the EU Code.

It violates the main principle that guards not require documents that the tourist does not take a trip (a certificate from the bank will not take no conscious traveler).

Moreover nonsense is the idea that someone's sure to help your property. Recall this item relates to the border rules that you have to be money available for living. Obviously, this property does not affect.

This writer has reason to believe that this option is the basis for mass checks on visa-free. Cases where the EU at the border asked to show the cash, now are rare; Moldovan experience, which has visa-free for three years, indicates that our neighbors it was also noticeable problem.

But to be sure - see what options gives us the EU legislation. The Code provides traveler several options:

 1) cash (but almost no one in the EU carries significant amounts of cash)  
 2) traveler's checks (old and outdated version)
 3) paid accommodation and tickets
 4) financial guarantees host
 5) Credit Card

Actually, the last point can be limited.

We live in the XXI century, for Europeans no secret that credit is now the primary mechanism for storing and spending. The experience in those rare cases where the border asked about the funds sufficient to present the international payment systems.

And, of course, still advise her to have sufficient funds or credit limit, because of conflict cases, you may be asked to call a hotline and check the bank balance. And this - enough.

A reference to - forget.

"No, nothing will change!"

It is difficult to say where myths come about "the same documents, but now - on the border," because they have no connection with reality.

Perhaps their distribution efforts and made foreign "friends". Perhaps we owe also will "find betrayal" where it is not. Presumably, "added pepper" and that Ukrainian too often deceived in matters of visa-free, and therefore faith is not - at least on the statements of politicians.

But this is not a promise, but the legislation. Also - on EU legislation, which does not hastily change.

So there is every reason to assert that most of the rumor that the "visa-free is not true" and "nothing will change" is plainly false.

Thus, in the first months will be some problems and bend. So, just to be on the ground border complications, especially with Poland (since there is now congested checkpoints). Thus, people with blank passports will be treated with more suspicion and often asked to show reservations, tickets and other documents.

But after the first trip and first passport stamp is not empty.

The only thing that is a real threat - it's non-compliance us, citizens of Ukraine. And if in six months we hear about mass violations of "rules of 90 days" or the "trips" of illegal workers - if Ukraine really have problems with visa-free. But this is - is another story that we hope will never become a reality.