On this page you can read the "horror" stories from our members, and their experience with the visa regimens in Europe. If you have a similar story, please send it to Slaven Klobucar at slaven@lymec.org

Horror story in Italian Embassy
Majda Zeherovic, Sarajevo
MLBiH, Mladi Liberali Bosne i Hercegovine

Did you ever feel that you want to change your country, to feel more free and equal with other citizens of Europe? That is a feeling that citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina have every day in their lives. The freedom to travel is a right that Bosnians don’t have. The reason is all the different visas that are necessary for their travel. Always when I’m thinking about that, I remember my mother’s words: ‘‘before this stupid war we where really free.

With our passports we could travel wherever and whenever we wanted.’’ For most of my friends that is something totally unreachable. In that case I can say that I’m really a privileged member of my country. Still it’s not easy. Different embassies have different approaches and different demands. One of my worst experiences was with the Italian embassy in Sarajevo. In April this year I planned to go to LYMEC EC and Congress in Switzerland, and my friends Vedrana Gujic and Slaven Klobucar invited me to travel with them by train. From the beginning I knew that it wouldn’t be easy because I had to get Swiss visa, then Italian and Slovenian transit visas. Still I decided to try because I knew we would really have a lot of fun travelling together. Without any problems I got my visa for Switzerland.

Very happy and with a lot of enthusiasm I went to the Italian embassy. And that’s were the story begins. I didn’t feel comfortable from the first step I entered into that small room full of different people waiting to give their papers. Two of the women that are working there had a really terrible attitude that I just could not stand. They were telling to one woman that she’d never get her visa and they were telling that with voice full of superiority. Still I was thinking that it would not be the case with me. I had my Swiss visa in my passport and a full bag of documentation that proved that I would return to Sarajevo. But it was not enough. First the woman working there asked me why I was travelling to Switzerland and I presented her my invitation letter for the Congress and EC. Then she asked me for which organization I’m working in and I gave her the letter of my party, which confirmed that I’m their representative on the event. Then I got another question why and from where I was going to travel with train. And, of course, with a smile on my face I explained.

After that question I decided that I would not be a slave answering all her unnecessary questions and obeying her strange demands. She asked me how much money I would bring with me. I explained. She then asked me to make copies of all the money that was going to bring with me, because on the border they would check if I’m having that money. I looked at her, touched the money in my pocket and ask myself if I should do that? Should I be the slave of this stupid and nonsense system?

I thanked her and went out. I felt really free! In the same time I was proud that I didn’t continue with that long, unnecessary procedure. I took the plane directly to Switzerland and very proudly attend the LYMEC event. Majda Zeherovic International vice-president of Bosnia and Herzegovina

No education for you...you do not qualify!
Petar Djordevic, Belgrade
CYA - Civic Youth Alliance of Serbia

This is my story how visas stopped me in my intentions to develop my career!

I was working and studying hard whole my life! It was sometimes very hard, but also very satisfying! At one point I was suggested to try and go abroad for some additional education. It was so exciting! Wow! Application was accepted and I got even a scholarship from the foundation.

The preparations went well and I was excited because of the new opportunities, of new challenges, new perspectives and future career! The day of departure was near as I started to collect all the necessary documents for visa procedure!

Copies of copies of copies of documents! Number of certificates for me, my parents, from their employers, my schools ... Expensive insurance ... everything! After being in line in front of the consulate for five hours. I finally reached the chance to apply for it.

Impolite lady on the other side of the counter asked rather humiliating questions, like what I think of the prostitution, and would I use the services provided by the prostitutes. They asked me weather I plan to get married there, do I consume drugs, what do I think of the terrorism ... Well, I guess that was it! Five hours of waiting, for 2 minutes of humiliation! I, for sure knew where Euro scepticism comes from - those lines in front of the embassies!

I was called few days later, and shortly informed that my application was refused!