Germany Won’t Issue Schengen Visas to Russians Who Don’t Have Valid Bank Accounts in EU
In addition, according to a recent report provided by Mind, German authorities also started to require proof of payment for booked accommodation for visa application, AtoZSerwisPlus.de reports.
The same source shows that the new changes have been confirmed through a statement published on the visa centre of Germany VisaMetric.
“Only up-to-date statements issued in the applicant’s name from a verifiable bank operating in EU member states can be considered. The document must contain information about the current amount of funds in the account(s). The applicant must provide relevant statements from the bank account for the last three months,” the announcement of the Germany VisaMetric reads.
It has been clarified that an account in the EU is needed for all those who plan to apply for a tourist as well as business visas, as well as visas for private visits and for treatment. In addition, an account in EU countries is also needed for participants in cultural as well as scientific and sports events.
Previously, the Association of Tour Operators (ATOR) reported that Germany started to require proof of payment for booked accommodation for visa applications. Back then, it was clarified that bookings from online services with deferred payment after arrival would no longer be suitable.
Despite the new changes, authorities in Germany previously announced that they would grant more residency permits to Russians who are persecuted for specific reasons such as political ones.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Germany, like many other European Union countries, is receiving a large number of Ukrainians fleeing the war, as well as Russian citizens.
According to the figures provided previously by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), one in hundred people with foreign citizenship in Germany was a Ukrainian citizen in 2020. This means that 1.3 per cent of the population in the country is Ukrainian.
The figures provided by the same source show that Russians are ranked in the ninth position as the largest group in this country, representing 2.2 per cent of the foreign population.
Although authorities in European countries have tightened their travel restrictions, imposing harsh sanctions on Russians, authorities in Germany last month announced that they plan to facilitate the visa requirements for all skilled Russian workers who plan to work in this country.
