Schengen permit for a child: is registration required if traveling with one parent?

Trips to Schengen countries are no longer rare. Visas cost only 35 euros, which is why many Russians travel around Europe. Some alone, and some with their family, including children. Traveling with a child becomes more complicated, since it is necessary to prepare a separate package of documents and do it correctly.

For a newborn child, an infant or a teenager, a visa will be required in any case. A child needs visas for the same purpose as an adult - to legally cross the border and stay in a foreign country.

In this article we will tell you how visas for children are issued, whether it is possible to refuse the application if the parents already have Schengen visas in their passports, whether the child needs to be present at the embassy or visa center, and whether it is necessary to issue Schengen visas for a child under 2 years of age. You will also find out in what cases a child may not be present when submitting an application and whether fingerprints are required.

Features of visa processing

Do children under 2 years of age or up to one year need visas? Answer: yes, they are needed. A visa is required for all children under 18 years of age. There are no concessions regarding the age of the child. Even if he is a newborn.

Now that we have figured out that everyone needs visas, regardless of age, let’s move on to the documents. When applying for visas, you need to collect the same documents as for an adult, plus a few additional papers. The set of documents looks like this:

1. International passport or birth certificate.
2. Questionnaire. Filled out by the parent on behalf of the child.
3. Photo size 3.5x4.5 cm.
4. Medical insurance is issued in the same way as for an adult. Read more about insurance in this article.
5. Consent from the parents/parent for the child to travel if he is traveling without his mother, father or both parents. Notarized. It is necessary when the child is traveling with relatives or third parties (teacher, coach, etc.).
6. Certificate from school. Required if the child leaves during the school year. If the trip is planned during the holidays, a certificate is not needed.
7. Photocopies of parents' regular passports.
8. Certificate of salary of one of the parents and a sponsorship letter from the same parent.

This is the main list of documents. In some cases, additional papers are required, of which the applicant is notified.

Documents must be submitted to the visa center or embassy of the country you are traveling to. Only tourist visas can be obtained at visa centers. At embassies you can obtain visas of any category and for any purpose.

If the parent has a visa, the child must still receive Schengen. He is not exempt from the individual visa procedure.

Next, we will look at some of the features of obtaining a visa for children of different ages.

For children under 12 years of age

In 2010, a law was passed stating that any citizen of the Russian Federation can obtain a foreign passport from the moment of birth. This is great news, because previously the visa was stuck in the parent’s passport, and this complicated the exit procedure. Especially if the child went on a trip without his parents.

Now any child has the right to receive his own personal passport, which will contain his photograph and personal data. Thanks to this innovation, the child has more opportunities. He can travel abroad without problems without his parents, but accompanied by third parties (relatives, teachers, coaches, etc.).

Children under 6 years of age are not required to submit documents when applying for Schengen visas. The presence of a child is required only for children aged 12 years and older.

The parents must submit the documents themselves. Not necessarily both, one parent can take over the registration procedure. But the documents must contain the signatures of both the mother and father. If it is not possible to obtain a signature or consent from one of the parents, you must provide a document explaining the reason.

If the parents have old-style passports where the child’s data is entered, then the visa can be pasted in. This is necessary if the child does not have his own passport, and there is also no way to quickly get one. It is important that in this case there are blank pages in the parent’s passport.

When applying for Schengen visas for minors, you must attach a birth certificate. Somewhere they require a copy, and somewhere you need the original. In some cases, if you have a foreign passport, a certificate is not needed. Please check individually at the visa center or embassy.

If you are applying for Schengen visas for children under 12 years of age, remember that they do not have to provide biometric data (fingerprints). However, be prepared that during border control the child may be imprinted, not of his fingers, but of his entire palm, since it is small. This doesn't happen often, but it does happen.

For children under 6 years of age, registration is free. After 6 years, fees must be paid. We will tell you more about the cost a little later.

For children aged 12-18 years

When applying for visas for a child aged 12 to 18 years, you need to take into account several important features. If you are planning to obtain a visa for a child under 14 years of age, and you are a parent and your trip will be joint, then the visa can be affixed to your passport. After 14 years of age, a child is required to have his own passport.

Also, a child over 12 years of age must be present when submitting documents, as his fingerprints will be taken. This procedure has been mandatory since 2015. By the way, citizens aged 14 years and older can submit documents independently, without the presence of their parents.

How much does registration cost and what are the deadlines?

Some parents who have never been abroad are sure that they will have to spend a lot of money and time on Schengen visas. But this is a misconception. Next, we will tell you in detail how much the application costs and how long it takes to obtain visas.

The cheapest Schengen visa: which country is cheaper to visit?

First of all, you must understand that if the child is under 6 years old, then registration is absolutely free. I'm not kidding. You won't have to pay a single cent when applying for a visa for a small child.

However, from the age of 6 you are required to pay for registration. The cost depends on how you submit your documents: through a visa center or through an embassy. At the visa center you need to pay two fees: visa and consular. The visa fee differs from center to center and averages 20 euros. The consular fee is fixed and will be 35 euros.

When submitting documents to the embassy, ​​only the consular fee (35 euros) is paid. There is no visa fee.

As for the timing, it depends on many factors. When submitting Schengen documents for minors through the embassy, ​​the time frame is shorter than when submitting at a visa center. Embassies process applications on average within a week. But at the visa center the processing can take two weeks.

note

It is not enough to apply for Schengen for your child. It is important to follow a number of other rules so that the child can use his visa. We will tell you about the basic rules that every parent should remember.

First of all, remember that your child can only cross the border into a Schengen country if he is accompanied. Both parents, one parent (in which case you need a document explaining why the second parent is not accompanying), guardians, relatives, third parties (with parental consent) can accompany you.

This is the law. The child has no right to cross the border alone or with a third party who cannot provide parental consent.

There are situations when a child must leave on his own. That is, unaccompanied. This is possible if the child is over 14 years old and there are good reasons for such a trip. It is necessary to provide documentary evidence of why the child is traveling without parents or any other accompanying persons.

If one of the parents is against the child going abroad and does not give consent, you can go to court. Only a court can decide to send a child abroad in such a situation.

Also remember that when applying for Schengen visas for children under 12 years of age, you do not need to submit fingerprints. At the border, a child’s palm print can be taken, this is legal. But this happens extremely rarely.

Instead of a conclusion

This is everything you need to know about how to get visas for your child. Let's summarize. Schengen visas are required for children under 2 years of age. And in general for any minor. This means that you will have to obtain Schengen visas for a child up to one year old, i.e. to a newborn. The presence of a child is not necessary. The main thing is that the documents are submitted by parents or a proxy.

In general, applying for a visa for a child is not as complicated a procedure as it seems. The same set of documents is collected for a child as for an adult. The only difficulty is photography. If the child is very small, you will have to find a professional photo studio that knows how to properly photograph children for a visa.

Otherwise, obtaining a visa for a child is even easier than for an adult. Children under 12 years of age do not have to submit their fingerprints. If you don't have a passport, a regular birth certificate will do. In short, the registration process is so simplified that you should not have any problems.

If the child is under 6 years old, the parent does not have to pay for the visa. That is, registration is free of charge. If you still have any questions regarding obtaining visas for a child, ask them in the x below. Good luck!

Source: https://visaby.ru/shengen/dlya-rebenka

Schengen for a child: 3 simple steps to obtain a document in 2019

https://pixabay.com/photos/brexit-eu-europe-united-kingdom-4011711/

What could be better than traveling abroad with the whole family? Show your child how huge this world is and how beautiful it is. Surprise him with a new culture and a different outlook on life. But to travel to European countries, a visa for a child is required, which has its own registration rules. In order not to return home from an airport in a foreign country, you need to know the procedure for obtaining a permit to enter the country for a minor.

Read also: Exemption from paying alimony: statement of claim, court, practice

Procedure for obtaining a Schengen visa for a child

In 2019, applying for Schengen for a child is the responsibility of every parent. But if you are not sure that your child’s age should have a documentary permit, then check this information with the Consulate of the country you want to visit.

The procedure for obtaining a visa for a person under the age of majority is the same and differs only slightly depending on the age of your child.

Child under 6 years old

If your child is under 6 years old, then you can get a visa for him in 2 ways:

1. Apply for a foreign passport. According to Russian legislation, every citizen has the right to purchase a foreign passport from the first days of life. In this case, permission to enter the country is indicated in his personal document.
2. Put a visa stamp in the foreign passport of your parents or parent. In this case, the child can travel only with the relative in whose passport he is registered. If the child visits Schengen without a parent, but with a trusted person, then he will have to issue a foreign passport for the little citizen.

An application for permission to stay in a foreign state for a child under 6 years of age is written by a parent, and the child’s presence is not required.

If, when receiving a visa for a person under 18 years of age, the parents decided to include it in their passport, then the document must have an additional 2 blank pages for the child. This applies to each child, therefore, if you have several children, then each requires 2 blank sheets in the passport.

Child from 6 to 18 years old

Up to the age of 12 years, a child can be included in the parents’ passport and travel only with them or accompanied by a third authorized person. Noticeable changes in the registration procedure begin only at the age of 12:

1. To fill out the application, a child who has reached 12 years of age must appear together with a parent/authorized representative at the visa center.
2. After reaching 14 years of age, a minor must have his own personal passport. It is no longer possible to enter it into the parent’s document.
3. After 14 years of age, a child acquires the right to travel on his own, but only if his parents can prove their ability to provide him financially.

https://pixabay.com/photos/girl-child-childhood-summer-field-2172318/

A Schengen visa for children under 12 years of age is obtained in exactly the same way as for children. You just need to remember that after 14 years your child acquires new rights and responsibilities.

Documents for registration

If you are preparing a child for a trip, then you also need to collect a package of documents for him. A visa for minors is issued in all Schengen countries upon collection of papers. The specific list depends on the selected country and it is better to check this information at the Consulate. But the general package of documents looks like this:

• a completed application for permission by the parent or the child personally;
• foreign passport of a minor (if available, children under 6 years old are included in the adult’s documents);
• a copy and original of the birth certificate (regardless of the person’s age);
• for the father - a military ID;
• a copy of the passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation (children over 14 years old);
• copies of passports of parents or authorized representatives;
• minor's insurance policy;
• consent of one or two parents for the child to travel abroad (if he is traveling alone, accompanied or with only 1 parent);
• photographs (check their parameters at the country’s Consulate);
• a certificate from school for a Schengen visa or from kindergarten;
• confirmation of the financial security of the parents or a letter of sponsorship;
• document on adoption or establishment of guardianship (if available);
• a document confirming the fact of relationship between the parent and the child if they have different surnames (certificate of change of surname, certificate of divorce, marriage);
• a power of attorney certified by a notary for a third party with whom the child is traveling abroad;
• certificate from the parents’ place of work (position, salary, name of the employer’s organization).

https://pixabay.com/photos/writing-pen-man-ink-paper-pencils-1149962/

If a child is raised by one parent, then this fact must be confirmed by documents:

• death certificate;
• court decision on deprivation of parental rights;
• certificate from the place of imprisonment;
• court decision on adoption or guardianship;
• other evidence that will show that the parent is raising the dependent alone.

Third parties who travel with a minor to Schengen countries may include teachers, coaches, relatives (grandparents, aunts, older brothers and sisters, etc.).

Despite their relationship, whether distant or not, it is his parents, mom and dad, who represent the interests of the child. Therefore, for other persons, a power of attorney is issued by the parents.

The only exceptions are those cases when these relatives raise children themselves due to deprivation of parental rights of biological parents, their death, etc. In such cases, a power of attorney is not required; it is only necessary to confirm the fact of guardianship of the child with the help of documents.

Processing times and cost of visa

Before starting the visa process, you need to know that it takes time. And, despite the fact that the deadline for its registration rarely lasts longer than 2 weeks, it is worth starting earlier.

For example, on New Year's Day, due to the abundance of people wishing to spend this holiday in Europe, the number of necessary registrations increases. Therefore, it is advisable to start the procedure a month, or even two months in advance, so as not to overstay your tickets.

https://pixabay.com/photos/money-finance-business-success-2696234/

On normal days and during off-season travel, a visa can take from 5 to 14 working days to be issued. Please note that visa centers and consulates are closed on weekends, state and national holidays.

The cost of production depends on the age of the minor. For example:

• Schengen visa for a child under 2 years old is free in all countries;
• in Germany, Sweden, Poland, Austria and other countries, obtaining a visa for a child up to 6 full years is free (it is better to check this information at the Consulate of the country);
• after reaching 6 years, you must pay a fee of 35 euros (2450 rubles as of July 2019);
• some countries (Italy, France, Denmark, the Netherlands) charge adults for a child of any age if the latter has a personal foreign passport;
• in Finland, Belgium, Hungary and Switzerland they do not charge additional fees to parents if their child is under 14 years old and is included in the passport of one of the adults with whom they are going to travel.

On average, if your child has already reached 6 years of age, then a visa for him will cost almost the same as for an adult. But the established cost must be found out at the Consulate of a foreign state, since the conditions for issuing the document may vary from country to country.

Validity of a Schengen visa for a minor

Since children under 14 years of age are prohibited from traveling to Schengen countries on their own, their visa must 100% match the document of the person accompanying him (parent, authorized representative).

If the child is going on a trip on his own, then it all depends on the type of visa:

• short-term (for one or two trips). It is the easiest to make and is valid from the moment of arrival in a foreign country and ends with arrival at home;
• multiple permission is available only with mutual power of attorney for each parent by the other parent (mom for dad, dad for mom). It is more difficult to obtain, but its validity period is a certain period of time: from several months to years.

Options for accompanying a child while traveling

As mentioned above, children can be sent to a foreign country with different people. Depending on the support option, only the package of documents during assembly will change.

With both parents

If a minor travels to the Schengen area with both parents, then you will need:

• personal passport of the little traveler (if available);
• a parent’s foreign document in which the child is registered (possible only in an old-style passport).

No powers of attorney are required for adult family members; you just need to collect a basic set of documents along with your parents’ passports for travel.

https://pixabay.com/vectors/boy-child-dad-daughter-family-1300401/

Single parent

If for some reason children travel to Europe with only one parent, then the second one, who is not traveling, must sign an agreement for the minor to travel with the other parent. This is reflected in the package of documents as follows:

• a photocopy of the Russian passport of a relative who remains in Russia;
• a certified power of attorney from one parent to the other, that is, permission for the child to leave the country;
• If the child has registered another parent in the passport, then you need to write down the person with whom he is traveling in the document or issue a personal foreign passport.

Independent trip

When traveling independently, a person under 18 years of age, but provided that he has reached 14 years of age, must make an effort when applying for a visa and collect a full package of documents :

• photocopies of both Russian passports of the parents;
• personal foreign document of a teenager;
• proof of the financial security of the child by the parents;
• prove the purpose of the trip (most often, minor children travel abroad alone to study; this fact must be proven, since the Consulate may ask questions about the purpose of the visit to the country and why the child is traveling alone);
• power of attorney of both parents, that is, their mutual permission for their child to leave the country alone.

Traveling accompanied by a third party

If a minor traveler will not be accompanied by his parents on a trip, then the legality of this action must be indicated:

• power of attorney from both parents (if both are present) to a third party that he can accompany their child;
• photocopy of the authorized representative's passport;
• photocopies of parents' passports;
• personal foreign passport of a minor.

Such measures have been taken to eliminate cases of illegal abduction of children abroad by any relatives or strangers.

Read also: Divorce without children: through the registry office, through the court, without property

Biometric passport

Some countries require their visitors to obtain biometric passports. This is a document that identifies the person and stores the owner’s biometric data: fingerprints, retina.

This passport simultaneously protects its owner, but at the same time, in the event of an offense, it gives out all the data about him. But if you are not going to violate the law of a foreign country, then the document will only help you.

This document is issued at the age of 12 and is valid for 10 years from the date of issue. If a child cannot receive biometric paper, then an old-style document is issued for him, which is valid for 5 years.

If your baby has already reached the established age, then the following documents will be required to produce such a passport:

• a copy of the passport of a minor citizen of the Russian Federation;
• a copy of the birth certificate;
• a copy of the passport of the parent or legal representative of the child;
• a copy of the minor’s foreign document;
• receipt of payment of state duty;
• a completed application for the issuance of a biometric passport in two copies (the sample will be in an organization that specializes in this service). Different applications are written for an adult and a minor.

To obtain this document, you should contact the territorial center of the migration service. They will help you collect documents and tell you how best to carry out the procedure for obtaining a passport.

Conclusion

Traveling with children is always pleasant. But don’t forget about the legal aspect of the trip.

Since the child is a dependent person, you need to prove to the country’s Consulate that the entire trip will not cause him harm.

That is, all the necessary documents have been collected, which will show the purpose of the trip, as well as the protection of the minor during the trip. This is usually proven by powers of attorney for adults and financial documents.

When preparing your child for a trip, do not forget about the importance of each document, because it is on their basis that the country’s Consulate will give permission to enter.

(1

Source: https://migrator.ru/how/visa/oformlenie-detskoj-shengenskoj-vizy

Schengen visa for a child under 14 years old: documents, filling out an application form

Home › Visas › Schengen

25.05.2019

To travel to EU countries bound by the Schengen agreement, foreigners are required to obtain a Schengen visa. This document allows you to travel abroad to several countries at the same time. It is designed for adults and children, regardless of age.

Features of obtaining a Schengen visa for a child

The procedure for obtaining a visa to Schengen countries for children depends on:

• age;
• purpose of the visit;
• number and category of accompanying persons.

The price of a visa also depends on the listed factors.

Child travels with parents

If a child travels abroad with his parents, then to obtain a visa, contact a visa center, travel agency or the Embassy of the country where the children and parents plan to spend more time.

Children under 12 years of age may not come to the visa center or embassy in person. Documents for them are drawn up on the basis of the birth certificate and from the words of the parents. In this case, children may not be included in the parents’ foreign passport.

Child travels without parents

Children from 0 to 14 years old inclusive have the right to travel to Schengen countries without parents, but accompanied by adults responsible for them. The document is issued to the person accompanying the minor.

The latter bears not only legal, but also financial responsibility for the children he accompanied. A power of attorney must be drawn up in the name of one of the parents or an accompanying person.

This document is not necessary if the parent:

• died (confirmed by death certificate);
• deprived of parental rights by court decision.

A power of attorney is not needed for guardians and citizens raising children alone - single mother, single father.

Important If the children are not traveling with either their father or their mother, then each parent writes permission to leave, indicating in it the contact information of the person to whom they are entrusting the minor.

Exit documents are prepared by:

• for making a tourist trip abroad;
• for the purpose of educating children abroad;
• to undergo treatment in one of the health centers;
• for other needs.

Important A visa is required; without it, a minor will not be allowed into the country, even if his parents or accompanying persons have correctly completed documents.

A visa for a child is issued if:

• a hand-filled or computer-printed application form;
• foreign passport (children under 6 years old can be included in their parents’ passports);
• photocopies of passports of parents or accompanying persons;
• birth certificates (original and copy required, original will be returned, copy will be taken away);
• insurance policy (Schengen is not issued for children without health insurance);
• certificates from kindergarten;
• consent for the departure of minors (required if the children are accompanied by one of the parents or a close relative);
• a sponsorship letter or financial guarantees (drawed up by an accompanying person, certified by a notary, confirms that the costs of living a child abroad are borne by a specific citizen);
• photographs (the size and quantity are specified at the Embassy, ​​where the Schengen visa for the child is issued).

The standard photo size for visa documents is 35x45 mm. A certificate from a kindergarten is received no earlier than 1 month before the intended trip. The sponsorship letter can be handwritten and contain:

• name of the Embassy, ​​address where it is located;
• address and full name of the document originator (one of the parents, grandparents and other relatives, guardians acts in this capacity);
• date, month and date of compilation, signature;
• contact information (phone number, email address).

A copy of the originator’s passport is added as an attachment to the letter. A certificate from the employer or an account statement confirming the financial solvency of the accompanying person is required.

Application forms and samples for a Schengen visa

The application form for a Schengen visa can be filled out on a computer or by hand. They are written in Latin letters, all words must be clear and clearly distinguishable. The completed application form is sent to the Embassy or visa center in electronic format. A sample of filling out a Schengen application form for minors can be found on the Embassy’s website or on our website in a special article.

If the child does not have a child’s foreign passport, then the visa is affixed to his parents’ passports, provided there is free space there.

You can fill out the Schengen visa application yourself at home or in the presence of an Embassy employee.

For a visa, you will need the documents listed above and the personal presence of a minor who is already 6 or 12 years old (Embassies of different countries indicate different ages of the child).

Children over 14 years old can travel independently if they have a letter confirming their financial solvency.

Filling out a Schengen visa application online step by step instructions

You can fill out an application for a Schengen visa for a child online. Let's look at how to fill out what to indicate and what not to indicate in this document in more detail. To begin, go to the website of a specific Embassy, ​​follow the link, download and print or fill out the document online.

The first three points of the questionnaire are personal data, including full name. Filled out as in a foreign passport. Everything is also filled out in accordance with the passport. In the form you will need to indicate:

• place of residence (registration address);
• place of birth (month and year of birth);
• floor;
• marital status (for a child – single or unmarried);
• list of persons performing parental responsibilities (name, address);
• national indication number (the column is left blank);
• category and data from the parents’ passport;
• foreign passport number, if the minor has one;
• date of issue and place of issue of the passport (name of institution);
• phone and email.

In the “professional activity” column, select “no profession.” Paragraph 20 indicates the address and name of the educational institution. For minors, the application form is the same as for adults.

Paragraph 23 indicates the country that is the first to enter the Schengen zone.

Paragraph 27 deals with fingerprints; they have not yet been taken from children or adults, so it is left blank.

The form is signed by one of the parents or an accompanying person.

Authorization of registration on the visa center website

In Moscow and any other major city in Russia, documents are processed through a visa center. At the same time, applicants wishing to obtain Schengen for a minor:

• there is no need to come to the visa center in person;
• the necessary professional assistance is provided.

The center operates seven days a week and has direct communication with the Consulates of all Schengen countries. To apply for a visa, it is enough to go through a simple authorization, indicating personal data, email and telephone number by which the center staff could contact the applicant.

Step 1. Personal information

Personal data of accompanying persons and the minor are transferred to the application form from the foreign passport. You need to be careful, in some cases the child’s middle name does not need to be indicated, since it is not used in Europe.

Step 2. Contact information

In the application form and when registering at the visa center, they indicate real information about the place of residence and the electronic mailing address of the persons entrusted with the care of the minor during his stay abroad.

Step 3. Previous visas to Schengen countries

If you have previously received a Schengen visa, then the data indicated in it can be transferred to a new document, of course, if they have not changed. Having a visa that has already been opened before allows you to count on quickly receiving it again.

Step 4: Travel Expense Data

Data on travel expenses are entered in paragraph 33 of the questionnaire. Here you can indicate your card number, bank account, and the amount you plan to take with you on your trip.

Step 5. Other data

Some points of the questionnaire are left blank. If the information is provided incorrectly, the visa will be denied. If the parents and the minor have different surnames, then it is necessary to indicate a document confirming their relationship.

Step 6. Confirmation

The period for issuing a visa, provided that the application form is filled out correctly, depends on the country whose Embassy the applicants apply to. On average, confirmation of the issuance of a travel document arrives within 7 to 14 days.

Read also: Inn for a child: through government services, what documents are needed, application

Can they refuse?

Children are usually not denied a visa. But if this happens, then the reason for the refusal lies in the incorrect completion of the application, inaccuracies in the documents or the lack of necessary certificates. If the person accompanying the children causes suspicion among the Embassy staff, Schengen will also be denied.

If a minor does not have an insurance policy or it expires while the children are in the territory of a foreign state, a visa will not be issued.

Important Particular attention should also be paid to the expiration date of the accompanying person’s document. So, if a minor can stay in Germany on a visa, for example, until June 30, and an adult’s visa expires on June 29, the child’s document will be refused.

The Schengen child visa is quite simple to apply for. Another huge advantage is that some countries do not charge a consular fee for issuing it specifically to children. A specialized visa center can help with visa applications.

Source: https://piliggrim.ru/vizy/shengen/shengenskaya-viza-dlya-rebenka

Applying for a Schengen visa for a child

To enter the territory of foreign countries, you need not only a passport, but also an entry permit. A visa is required for both adults and children. Schengen for a child is issued according to an agreement signed by 26 countries of the world.

Features of a Schengen visa for children

If you are planning to travel with children or send a minor on your own to a foreign camp or for treatment, you must obtain an entry visa. If we consider the documents that the embassy of the host country will require from a visitor under 18 years of age, then their list is almost no different from the list of papers required by an adult citizen of the Russian Federation.

Adults fill out and collect documents for children. At the same time, experts recommend additional consultation at the visa center about how a Schengen visa for children is issued.

Up to 1 year

In order to travel to relatives or for treatment with a child under 12 months of age, the baby must also obtain official permission from the authorities of the receiving country. Upon birth, a newborn can receive not only a birth certificate, but also, starting in the spring of 2010, an international passport. The child receives Schengen within the same time frame as adult applicants.

Children under 6 years old

In order for a minor child to travel with or without his parents, he needs to apply for Schengen. Until six years, the list of documents required by the embassy is small. If children under 2 years of age leave the Russian Federation, then adults fill out a Schengen application form for them online or by hand in black ink.

To apply for Schengen for a preschooler, a copy of the minor’s birth certificate and civil passports of mom and dad are attached to the package of documents. In addition, they include a child’s foreign passport and a photo of the person leaving, 3.5 * 4.5 format.

A child under 6 years old cannot travel to a country that has signed the Schengen Agreement without a sponsorship letter from the person paying for the tour. The document must contain the full name of the parent and child, the date of birth of both persons and the passport details of the sponsor. The contact phone number and e-mail of the child paying the expenses are also indicated.

Biometric data from children from 0 to 6 years old is not taken at consulates, but when crossing the border, a customs officer can take a photo of the minor’s palm print. The procedure takes a few seconds and the child will not feel any discomfort.

Children from 6 to 18 years old

In order for minors from 6 to 18 years old to be able to travel to countries where a Schengen entry permit is required, parents collect the same package of documents as for children under 6 years old.

At the same time, 16-year-old citizens who have received a Russian passport include a copy of the document in the Schengen package. Students of secondary schools or technical schools attach a certificate from the place of study to the above list of papers if the departure is planned during the school period.

For example, if a child is 10 years old, then such paper will be required.

For children under 12 years of age, it is not necessary to appear at the embassy to obtain a Schengen visa, but this may be required due to the legislative characteristics of different countries.

Travelers who have reached the age of 12 come to the embassy and visa center in person to submit biometric data.

In addition, if the parents have an old-style foreign passport, then a traveler under 14 years old can paste the permit there.

Design nuances

Experts note that obtaining a Schengen visa for a child takes the same amount of time as for an adult. When going to a visa center or consulate, you need to collect the entire package of necessary papers. In addition, it is taken into account with whom the minor will be in the Schengen zone. By law, children under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Child travels with parents

A child's departure abroad can take place with mom and dad. In such a situation, to obtain entry permission, parents attach their own notarized copies of Russian passports to the child’s documents. In addition, adults bring certificates from their place of work and receive bank statements stating that their financial situation allows them to travel with the child.

The child is traveling with one of the parents

In the case when you have to travel only with mom or dad, to obtain Schengen a person from 0 to 18 years old will need, in addition to the basic documents:

• permission to leave from the parent remaining in the country;
• document on relationship;
• certificate of absence of father or mother.

Permission to leave from the other parent is always required. This rule applies even if the spouses are married.

If the surnames of the child and the mother are different, the consulate requires a document proving the relationship. This can be a child’s birth certificate or a marriage or divorce certificate certified by a notary.

If a child is being raised by one parent, then the embassy must provide documents about why this happened. For example, a woman may have a single mother certificate or a parent may have been deprived of rights to a child.

In addition, the reason for the absence of a second adult in the life of a minor traveler may be death, and in this case, a copy of this certificate, certified by a notary, is included in the package of documents.

Child travels without parents

It happens that children go on holiday abroad without their parents. Some are taken to a children's camp or on vacation with relatives, while others study. In this case, the following is attached to the usual package of documents:

• parental consent to travel;
• sponsorship letter;
• power of attorney;
• Schengen adult;
• round trip air tickets;
• information about your place of residence abroad.

Consent from parents for the child to travel abroad.

When releasing a teenager with an adult escort (relative or stranger), both parents must write to a notary and officially certify the power of attorney and consent to travel. The package of documents includes copies of the Schengen card and international passport of the accompanying adult, copies of round-trip tickets and information about where you will be staying during the trip.

Where to apply for a visa

There are diplomatic missions of Schengen member countries in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In the capital, the embassies of countries that are popular with tourists can be found at:

• st. Mosfilmovskaya, 62 - Hungarian;
• lane Leontyevsky, 4 - Greek;
• lane Prechistensky, 9 - Danish;
• st. Bolshaya Nikitskaya, 50/8 - Spanish;
• lane Denezhny, 5 - Italian;
• st. Chaplygina, 9 - Latvian;
• lane Borisoglebsky, 10 - Lithuanian;
• st. Klimashkina, 5 - Polish;
• lane Kropotkinsky, 15/17 - Finnish;
• st. Bolshaya Yakimanka, 45 - French.

In the Northern capital, children can obtain Schengen by visiting the diplomatic missions of countries at the following addresses:

• st. Marata, 15 - Hungarian;
• Chernyshevsky Ave., 17 - Greek;
• al. Bolshaya, 13 - Danish;
• st. Furshtatskaya, 9 - Spanish;
• pl. Teatralnaya, 10 - Italian;
• 10th line V.O., no. 11 - Latvian;
• st. Ryleeva, 37 - Lithuanian;
• st. 5-ya Sovetskaya, 12 - Polish;
• pl. Preobrazhenskaya, 4 - Finnish;
• Nevsky Ave., 12 - French.

By visiting the embassy or consulate during business hours, you can get advice and submit documents for Schengen.

List of documents

In order for the consulate of a Schengen country to allow a child to enter, the mother or father collects documents, including:

• questionnaire;
• application for Schengen;
• copy and original of birth certificate;
• children's foreign passport;
• photo;
• health insurance;
• copies and original passports of the parent (foreign and civil);
• certificate of financial security during the trip;
• parent's work certificate;
• sponsorship letter;
• permission to process data.

The validity of the parents' passports must be one month longer than the date of return. If a children's Schengen is pasted into mom or dad's old passport, then there should be 4 more blank sheets.

Cost and processing time

The visa processing period for persons aged 0-18 years takes from 5 to 14 days. If emergency treatment is needed abroad, the consulate is provided with an appropriate certificate from a doctor or other document explaining the urgency.

The price for Schengen for children over 6 years old is 35 euros. In addition, VCs may charge an additional fee for document processing. Countries that issue Schengen for free to persons under 14 years of age are the Kingdom of Belgium, Hungary, the Republic of Finland and the Swiss Confederation, and this is only possible with the condition that the children’s visas are pasted into the parents’ passports.

In order for the holiday or trip to visit relatives to be successful, and for the minor to be allowed into the Schengen territory, parents must collect a complete package of documents for themselves and the baby.

Source: https://VisaNow.ru/oformlenie-viz/shengen-dlya-rebenka