By pandemonium that occurs in Lviv near the Polish consulate in st. Bold, where issue Schengen visas, it seems, already accustomed to it. On the abnormal lines in "consulate" city officials are responding somehow sluggish, they say, it's not their business ... And people who stand in queues for several days (sleep in cars or on benches) not in a hurry to write complaints to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Odessa. After all necessary visa Schengen visa urgently. During the year, with complaints already formally requested ... Two citizens.
«Schengen visa. 100% guarantee »
We already wrote about the brokers who are "working" around the consulate. Men in black jogging suits (they can be seen with the naked eye) contribute to the Ukrainians in obtaining Schengen visas and working ... Polish diplomats deny any involvement in associates and say: what is happening behind the fence of the consulate, - "not our business." Where, they say, watch the local authorities and the police?
Two years ago I made a Schengen visa through an agent code-named Nicholas, paid for it $ 130 (if visas were officially free of charge), no registration on the Internet and not even going to dipuchrezhdeniya.
After the publication of which I described in detail the entire mechanism of the shadow visa illegally, broke an unprecedented scandal. I wrote about it and the Polish press. A few months later at the consulate staff changes have occurred. Changed the head of the visa department, and then the Consul General of Poland in Lviv - it was Grzegorz Opalinskaya. When it several times changed the strategic leader of the visa department.
But, alas, from personnel reshuffles, the situation is "the fence", "consulates" not fundamentally changed. The information I received, gives reason to conclude that: dealing with a well-organized criminal groups.
buy newspapers with advertisements. Under the heading "Rest. Visa" is full of ads like: "Schengen visa. Full registration and submission of documents to the consulate. 100% reliability and warranty." I call on these numbers of mobile phones. Many of these ads with an office in Kiev. Capital for the visa-yourselfers entrepreneurs asking twice the price. Offer 50% discount for children (although up to 18 years visa free). Said the source, that I live in Lviv, I need a Schengen visa for a year, eating, say, in Italy. It informs what must have this documentation, and proposes to transfer by train to Kiev. For services "Schengen businessman" requests 1250 euro (formerly the Schengen visa costs 35 euros). Says that he will carry the paper to the Italian Embassy in Kiev. Does not require prepayment. Although some of my interlocutors said that half the amount for the visa must pay in advance.
Meanwhile, on the site of the Italian Embassy read the warning: "Visa Application Centre in no way associated with agents that are located near the VFS. We advise applicants not to cooperate with representatives of "...
queue at the consulate - 350 UAH., Invitation - $ 150
I found another interesting announcement similar content. Tell the same story and said that she wanted to meet. I hear in the receiver: "I uzhevozle Polish consulate. And tomorrow, going to Poland on the invitation." I understand that I was dealing with an intermediary. He says over the phone that I should prepare a "stack of documents." In addition to invitations, invites me to draw itself on a firm ... Wondered, was I had a Schengen visa. Say no. "Then, you must first open a short-term visa. Take the shuttle bus. Crossed the border and return home. Then we'll open up a visa for six months." Know that a visa will have to wait two weeks. The paperwork will cost me 350 euros. "Of course I can not open a visa and without your presence, but it will be more expensive - 500 euros." I asked if he could make a visa in three days? "Are you laughing at? 'This is unreal." From conversations with agents, I realized that many people open a Schengen visa at the Polish consulate. They're coming to Poland, and then - to Europe, to work ... The task of the mediator (in most cases) to take your money and get you, for example, in Italy, it is of little interest!
On Thursday, about two o'clock, I went in, "consulates" on the street. The brave. Reception of documents has ended, but the people in front of the office was still sea ... Several people were quarreling among themselves. Others wrote down their names on paper in total list (there were about 300 people). A woman began screaming at the young guy who was obviously "tipsy": "Who are you? Who gave you the right to manage the queue here? Gathered here a gang of ten people, and will indicate what to do. Why does not Ivan Franko such problems? "(There's issued work visas. - Ed.). I recognize the woman from the trailer that the queue at the consulate is 350 UAH., A job offer - about $ 150.
"head turn" offers people the record and stand at the consulate until he get inside. At night, about two in the morning, will roll. "What good is that I put down - she said. - In the morning they brought the bus people and shove them out of turn. And the police are watching in silence" ... A man calms her: "It's better when they are in control of all, nobody blatantly not fit" ... The prospect of sleeping on the street is not to everyone's taste. "I will come in the morning, going to turn and stand," - says one woman. Another she replied: "If you're on the list is written, there is no guarantee that those guys you" for the bacon, "there does not kicked out. Yesterday, as a man thrown out of the queue".
«Documents rent to the consulate on the other hand ...»
Then there was even more interesting. In the newspaper I found an ad: "Schengen visa and travel service! Advice and support at the border. Passenger transportation in Italy." I called. In a conversation a man says that he has an office in the heart of the city. Asking for a meeting. Take with a hidden camera. I go to the address, but fall in ... the bank. The woman looks surprised, does not understand what I want from it. "It's a bank!" - Says nervously. Go outside and go to the next gate. At the entrance to encounter the two men explain that seeking a travel agency here. "And you're looking for Andrew?". Shake my head in the affirmative. At this moment, not paying attention to us runs a young boy. "It came to Andrew," - says the man. The guy asks what I need, and somewhere to call. After a moment passes me the phone. I told him that I needed a visa. Man asks to wait for 20 minutes, because just returned from the Polish consulate. I understand that re-entered on the mediator. After a while, come back to this court (on the upper floors of the people live there, at the bottom - in offices). There is no sign there.
Andrew few stumbles. Takes the form of intelligent men, 35-38 years old. Invites me to the office (there are two rooms, tables), offers to sit down in front. I pretend that visas "no boom-boom." Assures me that there is good communication in Consulate. He says that on the appointed day and time of bringing the documents in the "consulate", but on the other side. Consul takes them. "If you have time to bring your passport and application form today until seven at night, tomorrow I will rent them. A week later, the visa will be ready. I was with him on Thursday, thus meeting this gentleman at the Consulate are held on Fridays (!).
I am interested in the price of a visa and whether such a place that I will not miss at the border? "The Schengen visa costs 280-300 euros - says it (the price is lower than in other agencies, we can assume that the visas do it together..) - You get into our beads, the driver will take you where necessary. On paper, you write, what to say at the border. If you continue to the customs officer about something is to ask, then our driver will settle ".The blond man tells
case of a woman who was traveling through Poland to Italy. The customs officer attached to her, arranged for questioning. She broke down and confessed to going. Pole without explanation gave her deportation. "We have no such cases exist. Everyone of us is going, moving abroad" - soothes me, "entrepreneur".
He does not hide his satisfaction with. He says that wanting to go to Italy has increased significantly. Obviously, money is flowing river here ... He says if I need a job in Italy, it will help.
"Look (shows me a blue passport girl. She was placed at the consulate refused. While abroad she never was." "So why did not issue her a visa?" - I asked. "They said it in the list people who are not desirable for the visit to Poland. You know that the Poles are now building a new consulate? - Ask. - They need money. Therefore, the failure has become greater. People are paying for 35 euros, but do not receive visas "...
"Do not you think that I earn so much. Now I have two passports with the visas are ready, and pick them up in no hurry. People have no money, plans changed," - adds Andrew. "And if you with me to Italy, go three girlfriends, a discount on visas do?". "Lose 20 euros per person" ... "You know, move across the border is difficult to go on foot - much easier" (referring to the pedestrian crossing). ... At this point in his cell who's calling. I quickly say goodbye ...
Meanwhile ...Consulate General of Poland
Lviv selling cars. Buy a consular car can everyone in the auction. Who offers the highest bidder, you will be able to buy it.
You must send or bring to the consulate sealed envelope, which should be basic information about Bidder from bidding on cars and explanations of how the funds will be paid (Franko str, 110). Participation in the auction will be those who pre-pay 10% of home value of cars in cash, "consulates" (street Kotsyubynsky, 11-a / 1). Everyone except the winners of the auction, these tools promise to return.
the list: "Volvo S-80" (2001 release), "Volkswagen Passat" and a minibus, "Ducato Fiat" (both 2003 issue). Starting prices are ranging 4-5 thousand euro. Inspect cars can be on certain days by appointment at the Consulate General of parking. Applications will be accepted until September 30.