Tuesday, 28 June 2016
Schengen Visa
Thursday, 23 June 2016
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa
What
is a Schengen visa?
The Schengen visa is a visa issued to certain non-EU
nationals outside the Schengen area. The Schengen area is an arrangement
between 25 member countries (22 EU states and 3 non-EU members) to make
traveling in their territory much easier and less bureaucratic. The Schengen
visa enables many non-EU nationals, business people and tourists to freely
circulate within the Schengen territory without being subjected to border
checks. With the Schengen visa you can travel to any (or all) the 25 countries
using one single visa, thus avoiding the hassle and expense of obtaining
individual visas for each country. The Schengen visa is a visitor’s visa, so
the purpose of your visit must be leisure, tourism or business.
When
to submit an application for a Schengen visa:
The general principle is that you must lodge your
application at least 15 days before your intended visit. You cannot lodge your
application more than 3 months before the start of your intended visit.
Processing times vary at different consulates in different parts of the world.
We recommend that you apply for a Schengen visa approximately 3 months before
your intended travel.
The general processing time for deciding on a visa
application is 15 days after the submission of the application; nowadays, a decision
may be taken earlier than the 15 days stated in the Visa Code. In individual
cases where further scrutiny of the application is needed by consulate, the
time may be extended to 30 days. In exceptional cases, an application may take
up to 60 days.
How
to submit your application:
Some consulates allow for walk-inns while others
allow submission of application by appointment only. Many consulates now allow
for the submission of your application by appointment only. However in
justified cases of urgency, your appointment may be given immediately or direct
access for submitting your application may be allowed. A situation may be
considered as one of urgency where you could not have been applied for your
visa earlier for reasons that could not have been foreseen by you.
Personal
appearance of applicant:
As a general rule you must submit your application in
person. The objective is to allow the consular officer to gain an impression of
the substance of your application and ask questions about the purpose of your
travel. Your biometrics and photo will also be collected as part of your
application. However persons who are known to the consulate for their integrity
and reliability may be exempted from appearing in person. Such persons may
submit their application through a third party or by post. This exemption
cannot be granted to first time travellers.
Although the Visa Code states that your personal
appearance for making your application is different from your personal
appearance for an interview, you may do yourself a lot of good if you prepared
yourself well to respond to the officer’s questions at the time of making of
your application. A decision on your application will likely be made from your
documents and statements made by you at the time of making your application;
seldom will you be called for a personal interview.
Submitting
your application:
For the consulate to accept your application for
processing you must satisfy the following: You must submit a completed and
signed application form, a photograph that meets standard requirements, a
passport or travel document with at least two blank pages and a validity period
of not less than 3 months after the intended date of departure from the
territory, payment of visa fee, and the collection of biometric data.
Where the consulate accepts your application, they
will stamp your Schengen
Visa
passport to indicate that your application is admissible. Unfortunately, many
applicants interpret the affixing of the stamp as an indication of a refusal of
their application. The stamp merely indicates that your application has been
accepted for processing; and this is usually done before a final decision on
your application is made.
For more information
visit here: http://visafromhome.com/schengen-visa/Tuesday, 21 June 2016
Schengen Visa
Fancy a trip to Europe? You must! A trip to Europe is
not as expensive as you may think and can be one of the most enriching
experiences of your life. Each country has its own unique culture which is so
different from our own here in India. From spectacular monuments to scenic
landscapes, from trekking and adventure opportunities to a vigorous nightlife,
Europe has it all. The first step of course is to get your Visa.
Here is all that you need to know about the Schengen
visa for Indians:
What is a Schengen visa:
Short-stay or “Schengen” visas allow holders to move
freely in countries in the Schengen Area for stays not exceeding 90 days per
period of 6 months from your first entry to the Schengen Area. Schengen visas
may be issued for one or several entries. This type of visa is generally issued
for tourism, business travel, family visits.
Indian nationals and nationals of other countries
legally residing in India can apply for a Schengen visa to travel to one or
more of the countries in the Schengen area. On obtaining the Schengen visa, the
holder is allowed to circulate within the Schengen territory multiple numbers
of times. However, if the holder of this visa leaves the Schengen territory,
he/she cannot re-enter again without a new valid visa.
Which countries are covered by the Schengen visa?
As per the European Union, there are currently 26
European countries in the Schengen Area, 22 of which are member states of the
European Union. These 26 countries share a common legal framework and there are
no checks on the borders between them.
The
countries issuing Schengen visas are:-
Austria*
Belgium*
the Czech Republic*
Denmark*
Estonia*
Finland*
France*
Germany*
Greece*
Hungary*
Iceland
Italy*
Latvia*
Liechtenstein
Lithuania*
Luxembourg*
Malta*
the Netherlands*
Norway
Poland*,
Portugal*
Slovakia*
Slovenia*
Spain*
Sweden*
Switzerland
Countries marked as * are included in the European
Union.
When
to apply:-
According to the EU, it is advisable to lodge the
application at least 15 calendar days before the intended visit. It is
important to note that applications can be lodged no more than three months
before the start of the intended visit.
How
to apply:-
Applicants may be required to obtain an appointment
for the lodging of an application.
The applicant shall present a valid travel document
(passport) which extends at least three months after the intended date of
departure from the territory of the Member States (or, in the case of several
visits, after the last intended date of departure from the territory of the
Member States). It shall contain at least two blank pages and shall have been
issued within the previous 10 years.
One shall download the latest form of the application
since that is the only form accepted.
Download the latest Schengen visa application form
2016
The application form can be filled in either by
handwriting or by typing into it. The applicant has to sign the form in the
corresponding gaps. If the applicant is a minor, the parents have to submit a
written consent and also sign in the corresponding column of the application
form.
Requirements:-
Every Schengen country shares more or less the same
requirements for issuing a visa. However, depending on the consulate/embassy,
there can be small differences in the additional documents required.
The application form must be fully completed and signed
in the corresponding blanks.
One recently captures passport-size photo is to be
attached.
The passport as well as all the copies of your
previous visas, valid for at least 3 months prior to your departure is
required.
The passport must have at least two blank pages.
One must have a copy of the reservation of the return
ticket for the time intended to be travelling.
The travel medical insurance policy is to be secured,
covering any medical emergency with hospital care and travel back to ones
native country due to medical motives. This health insurance policy has to
cover expenses up to 30,000 euros, the sum depending on the residing days, and
also it has to be valid in all Schengen countries. The health insurance policy
must be purchased before picking up the visa and if your visa is refused you
can cancel it!
In
addition, tourists need to submit:-
Bank statement (preferably for the last 6 months)
The detailed itinerary of the traveling days in the
Schengen Zone, hotel reservations or a formal invitation letter from a resident
of a Schengen country.
Where
to apply:-
In cases where the applicant will be traveling to one
and only one Schengen country, the applicant has to apply at the appropriate
embassy/consulate of the certain country.
If the applicant is planning to visit two or more
Schengen countries, it is highly recommended to be applying for the visa in the
embassy/consulate of the country you will be residing in for most of the traveling
days, referred to as the main destination.
In case there is no main destination but just a
random visit to several Schengen countries, the applicant has to apply for the
visa in the embassy/consulate on the first Schengen country he/she will enter according
to the itinerary.
Once it’s determined in which embassy/consulate one
will apply in, the applicant will apply in the embassy/consulate of that
country that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.
If
visa is refused:-
Even after the applicant submits all the required
documentation and proof, the consulate/embassy has the authority to deny
him/her the visa since there is no right to a Schengen visa whatsoever. The
magnitude of the documentation will assure the applicant that the request is
accepted and will be preceded yet it’s never a guarantee to an issued Schengen
visa. Therefore, it’s highly recommended not to make nonrefundable travel
arrangement prior to getting the visa.
Applicants who have been refused a visa have the
right to appeal. Appeals shall be conducted against the Member State that has
taken the final decision on the application and in accordance with the national
law of that Member State.
Disclaimer:-
The information provided in this article is to the best of our knowledge.
Please visit the embassy website for the most recent updates.
Wednesday, 15 June 2016
Schengen Visa India
Fancy a trip to Europe? You must! A trip to Europe is
not as expensive as you may think and can be one of the most enriching
experiences of your life. Each country has its own unique culture which is so
different from our own here in India. From spectacular monuments to scenic
landscapes, from trekking and adventure opportunities to a vigorous nightlife,
Europe has it all. The first step of course is to get your Visa.
Here is all that you need to know about the Schengen
visa for Indians:
What is a Schengen visa:
Short-stay or “Schengen” visas allow holders to move
freely in countries in the Schengen Area for stays not exceeding 90 days per
period of 6 months from your first entry to the Schengen Area. Schengen visas
may be issued for one or several entries. This type of visa is generally issued
for tourism, business travel, family visits.
Indian nationals and nationals of other countries
legally residing in India can apply for a Schengen visa to travel to one or
more of the countries in the Schengen area. On obtaining the Schengen visa, the
holder is allowed to circulate within the Schengen territory multiple numbers
of times. However, if the holder of this visa leaves the Schengen territory,
he/she cannot re-enter again without a new valid visa.
Which countries are covered by the Schengen visa?
As per the European Union, there are currently 26
European countries in the Schengen Area, 22 of which are member states of the
European Union. These 26 countries share a common legal framework and there are
no checks on the borders between them.
The
countries issuing Schengen visas are:-
Austria*
Belgium*
the Czech Republic*
Denmark*
Estonia*
Finland*
France*
Germany*
Greece*
Hungary*
Iceland
Italy*
Latvia*
Liechtenstein
Lithuania*
Luxembourg*
Malta*
the Netherlands*
Norway
Poland*,
Portugal*
Slovakia*
Slovenia*
Spain*
Sweden*
Switzerland
Countries marked as * are included in the European
Union.
When
to apply:-
According to the EU, it is advisable to lodge the
application at least 15 calendar days before the intended visit. It is
important to note that applications can be lodged no more than three months
before the start of the intended visit.
How
to apply:-
Applicants may be required to obtain an appointment
for the lodging of an application.
The applicant shall present a valid travel document
(passport) which extends at least three months after the intended date of
departure from the territory of the Member States (or, in the case of several
visits, after the last intended date of departure from the territory of the
Member States). It shall contain at least two blank pages and shall have been
issued within the previous 10 years.
One shall download the latest form of the application
since that is the only form accepted.
Download the latest Schengen visa application form
2016
The application form can be filled in either by
handwriting or by typing into it. The applicant has to sign the form in the
corresponding gaps. If the applicant is a minor, the parents have to submit a
written consent and also sign in the corresponding column of the application
form.
Requirements:-
Every Schengen country shares more or less the same
requirements for issuing a visa. However, depending on the consulate/embassy,
there can be small differences in the additional documents required.
The application form must be fully completed and signed
in the corresponding blanks.
One recently captures passport-size photo is to be
attached.
The passport as well as all the copies of your
previous visas, valid for at least 3 months prior to your departure is
required.
The passport must have at least two blank pages.
One must have a copy of the reservation of the return
ticket for the time intended to be travelling.
The travel medical insurance policy is to be secured,
covering any medical emergency with hospital care and travel back to ones
native country due to medical motives. This health insurance policy has to
cover expenses up to 30,000 euros, the sum depending on the residing days, and
also it has to be valid in all Schengen countries. The health insurance policy
must be purchased before picking up the visa and if your visa is refused you
can cancel it!
In
addition, tourists need to submit:-
Bank statement (preferably for the last 6 months)
The detailed itinerary of the traveling days in the
Schengen Zone, hotel reservations or a formal invitation letter from a resident
of a Schengen country.
Where
to apply:-
In cases where the applicant will be traveling to one
and only one Schengen country, the applicant has to apply at the appropriate
embassy/consulate of the certain country.
If the applicant is planning to visit two or more
Schengen countries, it is highly recommended to be applying for the visa in the
embassy/consulate of the country you will be residing in for most of the traveling
days, referred to as the main destination.
In case there is no main destination but just a
random visit to several Schengen countries, the applicant has to apply for the
visa in the embassy/consulate on the first Schengen country he/she will enter according
to the itinerary.
Once it’s determined in which embassy/consulate one
will apply in, the applicant will apply in the embassy/consulate of that
country that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.
If
visa is refused:-
Even after the applicant submits all the required
documentation and proof, the consulate/embassy has the authority to deny
him/her the visa since there is no right to a Schengen visa whatsoever. The
magnitude of the documentation will assure the applicant that the request is
accepted and will be preceded yet it’s never a guarantee to an issued Schengen
visa. Therefore, it’s highly recommended not to make nonrefundable travel
arrangement prior to getting the visa.
Applicants who have been refused a visa have the
right to appeal. Appeals shall be conducted against the Member State that has
taken the final decision on the application and in accordance with the national
law of that Member State.
Disclaimer:- The information
provided in this article is to the best of our knowledge. Please visit Schengen
Visa India website for the most recent updates.Saturday, 11 June 2016
Schengen Visa
Georgia,
Kosovo, Ukraine’s visa-free access to EU delayed:
The
Wall Street Journal reports that the bloc’s powerful member states have raised
new concerns regarding Ukraine, Georgia, and Kosovo’s visa-free grants,
subsequently pushing the approval on to September at the earliest.
Organized crime deriving from Georgian gangs takes
place as a major concern for Germany, while France is concerned that the visa
waivers could create further security vulnerabilities at times of heightened
terror fears.
In recent months, the European Commission recommended
visa-free status for Georgia, Kosovo, Ukraine, and Turkey. While the latter’s
bid has been put on the back burner as EU and Turkish officials are now
targeting an October deal until Ankara completes several final tasks. The other
countries’ bids, on the other hand, were expected to move rapidly.
Georgia is waiting for a decision on the matter,
since December. Kosovo’s bid was expected to win backing within three-to-six
months since the Commission’s recommendation in May. Whereas, Ukraine since
April.
However, on Wednesday, June 8, when the ambassadors
of 28 EU nations met in Brussels, the sufficient support required to back the
move toward the visa lift has failed to be gathered, reports WSJ.
EU officials and diplomats maintain that September
appears to be the earliest date for the EU governments and the European
Parliament to sign off the agreements.
Italy and France agree that the decision should wait
until the approval of new rules, which will allow easier suspension for
visa-free regimes in case of abuse. Other countries have also slowed down the
approval. Only in September is The European Parliament formally expected to
back the changes.
Visa-free regimes are a crucial tool for the Bloc
towards binding neighbors closer and advancing reforms in neighbor countries.
Further delays may deplete the pro-western forces in countries like Georgia and
Ukraine, who struggle with their hostile neighbor, Russia.
Myola Tochytskyi, Ukraine’s ambassador to the EU,
stated that he hopes the EU governments and the parliament will formally
approve Kiev’s visa bid by early autumn, at the latest. Further delays and
linking Ukraine with other countries will impair EU’s credibility, added Myola
Tochytskyi.
Kosovo’s and Georgia’s officials have also reacted
with concern towards the delay.
“Brussels literally has no more reasons to delay,”
Kosovo’s President Hashim Thaçi told The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.
“Kosovo should not be held hostage to any disagreements between—in this case
Brussels and Ankara. We have done our homework,” he said.
The proposal for the visa waiver came as a result of
the positive assessment of implementation of Visa Liberalization Action Plan
submitted by the European Commission.
Source: http://schengen-visa-india.tumblr.com/post/145748511113/schengen-visa
Wednesday, 8 June 2016
Schengen Visa
Fancy a trip to Europe? You must! A trip to Europe is
not as expensive as you may think and can be one of the most enriching
experiences of your life. Each country has its own unique culture which is so
different from our own here in India. From spectacular monuments to scenic
landscapes, from trekking and adventure opportunities to a vigorous nightlife,
Europe has it all. The first step of course is to get your Visa.
Here is all that you need to know about the Schengen
visa for Indians:
What is a Schengen visa:
Short-stay or “Schengen” visas allow holders to move
freely in countries in the Schengen Area for stays not exceeding 90 days per
period of 6 months from your first entry to the Schengen Area. Schengen visas
may be issued for one or several entries. This type of visa is generally issued
for tourism, business travel, family visits.
Indian nationals and nationals of other countries
legally residing in India can apply for a Schengen visa to travel to one or
more of the countries in the Schengen area. On obtaining the Schengen visa, the
holder is allowed to circulate within the Schengen territory multiple numbers
of times. However, if the holder of this visa leaves the Schengen territory,
he/she cannot re-enter again without a new valid visa.
Which countries are covered by the Schengen visa?
As per the European Union, there are currently 26
European countries in the Schengen Area, 22 of which are member states of the
European Union. These 26 countries share a common legal framework and there are
no checks on the borders between them.
The
countries issuing Schengen visas are:-
Austria*
Belgium*
the Czech Republic*
Denmark*
Estonia*
Finland*
France*
Germany*
Greece*
Hungary*
Iceland
Italy*
Latvia*
Liechtenstein
Lithuania*
Luxembourg*
Malta*
the Netherlands*
Norway
Poland*,
Portugal*
Slovakia*
Slovenia*
Spain*
Sweden*
Switzerland
Countries marked as * are included in the European
Union.
When
to apply:-
According to the EU, it is advisable to lodge the
application at least 15 calendar days before the intended visit. It is
important to note that applications can be lodged no more than three months
before the start of the intended visit.
How
to apply:-
Applicants may be required to obtain an appointment
for the lodging of an application.
The applicant shall present a valid travel document
(passport) which extends at least three months after the intended date of
departure from the territory of the Member States (or, in the case of several
visits, after the last intended date of departure from the territory of the
Member States). It shall contain at least two blank pages and shall have been
issued within the previous 10 years.
One shall download the latest form of the application
since that is the only form accepted.
Download the latest Schengen visa application form
2016
The application form can be filled in either by
handwriting or by typing into it. The applicant has to sign the form in the
corresponding gaps. If the applicant is a minor, the parents have to submit a
written consent and also sign in the corresponding column of the application
form.
Requirements:-
Every Schengen country shares more or less the same
requirements for issuing a visa. However, depending on the consulate/embassy,
there can be small differences in the additional documents required.
The application form must be fully completed and signed
in the corresponding blanks.
One recently captures passport-size photo is to be
attached.
The passport as well as all the copies of your
previous visas, valid for at least 3 months prior to your departure is
required.
The passport must have at least two blank pages.
One must have a copy of the reservation of the return
ticket for the time intended to be travelling.
The travel medical insurance policy is to be secured,
covering any medical emergency with hospital care and travel back to ones
native country due to medical motives. This health insurance policy has to
cover expenses up to 30,000 euros, the sum depending on the residing days, and
also it has to be valid in all Schengen countries. The health insurance policy
must be purchased before picking up the visa and if your visa is refused you
can cancel it!
In
addition, tourists need to submit:-
Bank statement (preferably for the last 6 months)
The detailed itinerary of the traveling days in the
Schengen Zone, hotel reservations or a formal invitation letter from a resident
of a Schengen country.
Where
to apply:-
In cases where the applicant will be traveling to one
and only one Schengen country, the applicant has to apply at the appropriate
embassy/consulate of the certain country.
If the applicant is planning to visit two or more
Schengen countries, it is highly recommended to be applying for the visa in the
embassy/consulate of the country you will be residing in for most of the traveling
days, referred to as the main destination.
In case there is no main destination but just a
random visit to several Schengen countries, the applicant has to apply for the
visa in the embassy/consulate on the first Schengen country he/she will enter according
to the itinerary.
Once it’s determined in which embassy/consulate one
will apply in, the applicant will apply in the embassy/consulate of that
country that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.
If
visa is refused:-
Even after the applicant submits all the required
documentation and proof, the consulate/embassy has the authority to deny
him/her the visa since there is no right to a Schengen visa whatsoever. The
magnitude of the documentation will assure the applicant that the request is
accepted and will be preceded yet it’s never a guarantee to an issued Schengen
visa. Therefore, it’s highly recommended not to make nonrefundable travel
arrangement prior to getting the visa.
Applicants who have been refused a visa have the
right to appeal. Appeals shall be conducted against the Member State that has
taken the final decision on the application and in accordance with the national
law of that Member State.
Disclaimer:-
The information provided in this article is to the best of our knowledge.
Please visit the embassy website for the most recent updates.
Source: - https://www.evernote.com/shard/s743/sh/6334e439-71b0-4524-8595-bf2768d6904d/181557d57f7aad0a9f9e2bb59b6cce83Thursday, 2 June 2016
Schengen Visa India
In order to get a Schengen visa, it is necessary to apply for
multiple entry visa from one of the Schengen countries. (For more on Schengen
countries, read our article.) I applied and got a tourist Schengen Visa through
the French Embassy last year: and here’s the good, bad and ugly of the process.
Where to apply?
The French Embassy has outsourced the processing of their visa
to an Indian company called VFS. So all the necessary information about what,
where, how and when is available on the VFS France site. Any applicant
can download visa forms for different categories for the site too.
How much it costs?
For information on the visa fees structure: http://visafromhome.com/schengen-visa/. When we
include the Visa fee + VFS’ processing charges, it rounds up to about Rs 5000.
How long it takes?
There are two aspects to this: first is scheduling of
appointment and then the entire procedure of submitting, interview and getting
the visa. The first part entirely depends on how busy the VFS is. I would
definitely recommend getting your appointment date at least a month or
month-and-half before your departure. This can be done online or by calling
their VSF service.
Once you have your date, the second part takes only 2 days and
is done at the French Consulate of Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata (to the
best of my knowledge). So remember, if you don’t live in these cities, there
will be a trek involved.
On the scheduled appointment day, the applicant has to FIRST go
to the VFS office and submit the documents. The VFS officer then issues an
interview token upon the receiving of the visa fee for the following day. The
applicant then goes for his interview the next day (at the French Consultant)
and receives his visa the very day.
Regarding the paperwork?
Don’t underestimate the power of paperwork. If they ask for a
document, make sure you have it. And don’t let pride step-in. In my case, I
happily wrote that my father was funding my trip – even though it was not the
case – and showed his bank statements instead of mine, because of course, it
made my application stronger. I arrived with a complete set of travel,
accommodation and financial documents.
Questions at interviews?
The good news about the French Visa system is that if your paper
work is strong, then the interview is a mere formality. For the tourist visa,
they ask the usual questions like: who is funding? How many days? What
accommodation? Etc. If the applicant is traveling alone, they might ask why? To
that I simply give a guarded but confident answer like “some of my friends will
be joining me on my trip”. Please do NOT mention things like “I have
family” or boyfriend. These are strict NO. At visa interviews, it is never a
good idea to be TOO HONEST! (Though, read Aditi Tandon’s
comment below for a contrary view. Also, if you get nervous during interviews,
it might be better to just stick to the truth and slug it out).
What is a biometric?
The French consulate insists on taking biometric every time the
applicant applies for a visa. Biometrics involves taking imprints of all your 8
fingers and 2 thumbs on a machine that they keep for records. I think, all the
four consulates now have the biometric facilities available. When I applied
last year, only the Mumbai and Delhi Consulates did, which meant I had to
travel from Bangalore to Mumbai for this.
Other tips.
Even if you are actually staying with friends/family/hosts, I
would suggest for you to not mention this in your application. The French
system has a complicated procedure for anyone staying with French citizens. The
host family has to first collect a paid application from the Town hall. Next,
they are forced to answer absurd questions related to their personal/financial
situation. (Again read Aditi Tandon’s comment below for a contrary view. Also,
if you get nervous during interviews, it might be better to just stick to the
truth, get your paperwork done in advance and slug it out).
Take my advice, just make cheap hostel bookings across the
country that you can easily cancel after getting your visa: they can’t question
the bookings and it is the simplest and easiest way to keep the paper work
light. (And stick to your story during the interview).
Multiple set of original documents: Always keep two set of
originals of your bank statements or other documents. My bank statement was
misplaced by the VSF officer…thankfully I had another copy of my originals at
the day of the interview.
- See more at: http://visafromhome.com/schengen-visa/
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