Schengen visa for permanent resident

[durden2128 4]

So my Russian wife and stepdaughter want to vacation with me in Europe ( Italy , UK, France ) , but they need Schengen visas . They only have temporary green cards and work permits currently . My stepdaughter is 17 and has very little contact with her dad . Do we honestly need paperwork from him authorizing her to travel to Europe with us ? She got stuck and detained in Russia already once because her outdated letter from a judge showing he forgave his custody to her was evidently “too old “ and it cost her a missed flight and “$1700” to get a new flight and new letter from a judge authorizing her to leave Russia without her father . Can we do all the schengen paperwork ourselves without her father , or do we need all the notarized , certified letters showing he gave up all custody of her in order for her to travel with us ? All the letters are in Russian , which means they are worthless without a certified translation . We just want to travel for once without issues . 

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

30 minutes ago, durden2128 said:

They only have temporary green cards and work permits currently

What exactly does this mean? (You don’t need a work permit if you have a green card)

But yes, for under 18, written, signed and dated permission of both parents is required for a schengen visa. (Along with a bunch of other documents.) When does she turn 18? 

 

[durden2128 4]

They have conditional green cards . That’s what pisses me off . She has. Signed dated letter from a judge . But that’s from 2017 which immigration office rejected in Russia when she tried to fly back to US. She doesn’t turn 18 until end of July when summer is almost over . 

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Unfortunately an old signed letter won’t be enough. These are the requirements for a minor to get a visa:

https://uk.diplo.de/uk-en/02/visa/documents?openAccordionId=item-507088-4-panel (This is via the German website but all schengen visas have the same requirements; I’ve personally gotten 5 schengen visas from 4 countries, including France, for my kids so I can confirm)

 

Minors (under 18 years of age)

Separate application form for each child 

Application must be signed by both parents unless one parent has sole custody or a residence order for the minor (proof thereof to be submitted, e.g. court order, adoption documents, sole custody certification). 

Original passports from both parents and copy 

Original birth certificate of each child and copy 

Important Travel Notice for minors: We strongly recommend to always bringing a declaration/letter of consent signed by both parents authorising the minor to travel and stay in Schengen territory and appointing a person that will be responsible for them while travelling

Edited February 4, 2020 by SusieQQQ

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Also I see you mention U.K., do they need UK visas too?  U.K. is not part of schengen. Not sure if Russians need visas. U.K. visas are the most PITA of any anywhere so I hope not.

Edited February 4, 2020 by SusieQQQ

[durden2128 4]

Oh I’m glad you mentioned UK . It would mean ANOTHER visa then right in addition to schengen ?  Ah screw it... Mexico is far easier . So my question is , she still needs all this info from her dad even though he isn’t in her life ? Do we even have to mention him and bring him up at all ? I mean how do they know he’s even alive or that I’m not the biological parent ? It’s just so incredibly difficult with everything they require for minors . I appreciate all the info so far 

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

5 hours ago, durden2128 said:

Oh I’m glad you mentioned UK . It would mean ANOTHER visa then right in addition to schengen ?  Ah screw it... Mexico is far easier . So my question is , she still needs all this info from her dad even though he isn’t in her life ? Do we even have to mention him and bring him up at all ? I mean how do they know he’s even alive or that I’m not the biological parent ? It’s just so incredibly difficult with everything they require for minors . I appreciate all the info so far 

How they know who the biological parents are - they require a copy of the long form birth certificate 

If claiming he is dead, they want to see a death certificate. 
It may seem like a huge schlep to you, but look at it from the perspective of trying to prevent kidnapping and trafficking.  It would be a much bigger problem overall if it was easy to take kids across borders without parental consent.

I agree, Mexico (or Canada), combined with a summer cruise to the islands (or Alaska), and waiting till she is 18, are probably easier options for you. 

[Boiler 45,912]

Schenegen only covers some European Countries, UK has never been in it.

[Neonred 3,609]

13 hours ago, durden2128 said:

So my Russian wife and stepdaughter want to vacation with me in Europe ( Italy , UK, France ) , but they need Schengen visas . They only have temporary green cards and work permits currently . My stepdaughter is 17 and has very little contact with her dad . Do we honestly need paperwork from him authorizing her to travel to Europe with us ? She got stuck and detained in Russia already once because her outdated letter from a judge showing he forgave his custody to her was evidently “too old “ and it cost her a missed flight and “$1700” to get a new flight and new letter from a judge authorizing her to leave Russia without her father . Can we do all the schengen paperwork ourselves without her father , or do we need all the notarized , certified letters showing he gave up all custody of her in order for her to travel with us ? All the letters are in Russian , which means they are worthless without a certified translation . We just want to travel for once without issues . 

I'm very surprised.  My step daughter got her K-2 visa @ 16 and came to US @ 17 without ever needing any letter (which we didn't have).

[durden2128 4]

From what country ? She got stuck in Russia and needed a new judge letter from 2019.