‘The introduction of the visa section in German Consulate-General gives local people extra opportunities to travel to Schengen area; it’s just that one will have to spend the better part of time in Germany,’ says Olga Gular, Director of Zima-Leto Travel Agency.

‘As a matter of fact, there are quite a few ethnic Germans in Ural Federal District, so, with a chance of getting a visa in Yekaterinburg, more people will undoubtedly start traveling to Germany at the invitation of their relatives of friends. We used to send such applications to Moscow, but things got much easier now. I think we’ll get more people willing to go to Schengen countries as soon as this year,’ Ms Gular noted.

The solemn opening ceremony took place on March 6, 2007. The Consulate is already issuing Schengen visas, with applications accepted since February 27; there have been over a few hundred applications already.