GRODNO, 10 June (BelTA) – Polish visa application centers in Grodno and Lida will not open until Q4 of 2015, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Grodno Andrzej Chodkewicz told journalists, BelTA has learned.
The Consulate General of Poland in Grodno has plans to open a number of visa centers in Belarus in order to simplify and speed up the Schengen visa application process for Belarusian citizens. New centers will be set up in Grodno and Lida. However, this will not happen until the autumn of 2015. Relevant tenders are being held at the moment. Belarusians will be able to pass the necessary visa application procedure at the visa centers for an additional charge. The centers will offer a fingerprint taking service. It is expected that such centers will help reduce the queues and rush at the Polish Consulate. A similar visa center of the Republic of Lithuania has been operating in Grodno since 21 January 2015.
Andrzej Chodkewicz noted that the Consulate General is ready for collecting biometric data. Special fingerprint-taking electronic scanners have been installed at each window for submitting visa application documents. The procedure is quite simple and does not take long.
BelTA reported earlier that the Schengen countries have plans to introduce the Visa Information System (VIS) at all embassies and consulates on 23 June. Once the novelty comes into force, all Schengen visa applicants over 12 years old will have to be physically present to get their fingers scanned. It will not be possible anymore to make a biometric visa through an intermediary like, for example, a travel agency. Biometric data will be valid for 59 months. It will be required for getting a visa to any of the Schengen agreement countries. The fingerprints will not be taken again if a resident applies for a visa for a second time during the period of 59 months. In this period, personal presence of the visa applicant may be not needed.
Andrzej Chodkewicz pointed out that those applying for a Poland national visa will not be required to provide biometric data.
According to the General Consulate, some 11,000-12,000 visas are issued in Grodno monthly.
The Consulate General of Poland in Grodno has plans to open a number of visa centers in Belarus in order to simplify and speed up the Schengen visa application process for Belarusian citizens. New centers will be set up in Grodno and Lida. However, this will not happen until the autumn of 2015. Relevant tenders are being held at the moment. Belarusians will be able to pass the necessary visa application procedure at the visa centers for an additional charge. The centers will offer a fingerprint taking service. It is expected that such centers will help reduce the queues and rush at the Polish Consulate. A similar visa center of the Republic of Lithuania has been operating in Grodno since 21 January 2015.
Andrzej Chodkewicz noted that the Consulate General is ready for collecting biometric data. Special fingerprint-taking electronic scanners have been installed at each window for submitting visa application documents. The procedure is quite simple and does not take long.
BelTA reported earlier that the Schengen countries have plans to introduce the Visa Information System (VIS) at all embassies and consulates on 23 June. Once the novelty comes into force, all Schengen visa applicants over 12 years old will have to be physically present to get their fingers scanned. It will not be possible anymore to make a biometric visa through an intermediary like, for example, a travel agency. Biometric data will be valid for 59 months. It will be required for getting a visa to any of the Schengen agreement countries. The fingerprints will not be taken again if a resident applies for a visa for a second time during the period of 59 months. In this period, personal presence of the visa applicant may be not needed.
Andrzej Chodkewicz pointed out that those applying for a Poland national visa will not be required to provide biometric data.
According to the General Consulate, some 11,000-12,000 visas are issued in Grodno monthly.
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