Applying for a Schengen Visa from a foreign country???? Help!!
Oct 26, 2009, 6:03 am
#1
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Join Date: Oct 2009
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Applying for a Schengen Visa from a foreign country???? Help!!
As a South African citizen, I will be travelling to the U.K in December on a 6 month tourist visa to meet up with my boyfriend, who is a British citizen. I plan to do much travelling whilst there.
I have never been out of South Africa, and I'm sure there is much surprise waiting for me.
We would like to travel around Europe, unfortunately we cannot plan out our trip until my arrival in the U.K as he will have to see with regards to his job. I therefor cannot apply for a Shengen Visa as I cannot give an itinerary just yet.
Will it be possible to apply once in the U.K? How difficult will this be??
How do I go about doing this the right way??
TIA for any advice....
I have never been out of South Africa, and I'm sure there is much surprise waiting for me.
We would like to travel around Europe, unfortunately we cannot plan out our trip until my arrival in the U.K as he will have to see with regards to his job. I therefor cannot apply for a Shengen Visa as I cannot give an itinerary just yet.
Will it be possible to apply once in the U.K? How difficult will this be??
How do I go about doing this the right way??
TIA for any advice....
Oct 26, 2009, 6:40 am
#2
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
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Welcome to FT, melfunction.
As far as I know, the UK-based embassies of Schengen states will only accept visa applications if you have a residence permit for the UK - a tourist visa won't be accepted.
However, as I've never needed to apply for such a visa, I don't have any direct experience, so will leave others to expand.
As far as I know, the UK-based embassies of Schengen states will only accept visa applications if you have a residence permit for the UK - a tourist visa won't be accepted.
However, as I've never needed to apply for such a visa, I don't have any direct experience, so will leave others to expand.
Oct 26, 2009, 7:05 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2002
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Hi melfunction and welcome to FlyerTalk. FlyerTalk can be is a large and confusing place, particularly to begin with, and it can sometimes be difficult to know where to ask your question. To keep the confusion to a minimum, we ask that questions are only asked in one place. The other place you've asked this question, the Europe forum, is I think a slightly better place than here in the UK forum, so I'll move this over there where it can be merged so all the answers are only in one place. Enjoy your trip!
Oct 26, 2009, 7:09 am
#4
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Oct 26, 2009, 8:19 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2002
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Hi, and welcome to Flyertalk.
I found this on the web site of the German Embassy:
This is only one embassy out of many, but I wouldn't be surprised if others had similar rules.
I don't believe you need a detailed itinerary to get a visa... but even if you do there is no law against changing your itinerary once you have a visa. If you have a rough idea of when you're going to be travelling then you should be able to get a visa before you leave South Africa; if you need proof of accommodation you could make a few flexible hotel reservations (i.e., of the type where you don't pay anything if you cancel), or get letters of invitation from friends
I found this on the web site of the German Embassy:
ONLY applications from residents in the UK can be accepted.
I don't believe you need a detailed itinerary to get a visa... but even if you do there is no law against changing your itinerary once you have a visa. If you have a rough idea of when you're going to be travelling then you should be able to get a visa before you leave South Africa; if you need proof of accommodation you could make a few flexible hotel reservations (i.e., of the type where you don't pay anything if you cancel), or get letters of invitation from friends
Oct 26, 2009, 8:54 am
#6
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Maybe it is a good idea to cross-check with the embassies of the Schengen Countries in South Africa and apply there for a tourist visa. I do not know of any rule that requires you to enter the Schengen area directly from South Africa.
6 Months might get problematic. From the web page of the German Embassy in South Africa:
6 Months might get problematic. From the web page of the German Embassy in South Africa:
A Schengen Visa entitles the holder to an accumulated stay of up to 90 days within a period of six months for 25 European Countries! These 25 European Countries are: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland (Schengen Area). Only one visa enables you to travel to all said countries. You have to submit your application for a Schengen Visa to the representative of the country which - considering the main purpose of your intended stay - is your main destination. This usually means that you have to apply at the Embassy or Consulate of the country where you are going to spend most of your time. If no such main destination can be ascertained, please contact the representative of the country of your first entry into the Schengen States.
Oct 27, 2009, 2:50 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: UK
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6 Months might get problematic.
Oct 27, 2009, 4:23 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2004
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I think the 6 months referred to the time away, mostly spent in the UK, with one or more side trips to continental Europe. The UK normally gives leave to enter for 6 months for tourists.
Oct 28, 2009, 2:20 am
#9
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To the best of my information you cannot apply for Schengen from the UK if you are not resident in the UK (student, work permit, etc).
So apply from South Africa. Book fully flexible Eurostar train tickets and book a hotel night or two. submit this as evidence of your itinerary. As soona s you have your visa cancel your bookings. Make sure all your bookings are 100% refundable.
This is the practical step a lot of people take when in your position.
One other thing. The country you apply to for visa must be the first country you enter.
Good luck.
So apply from South Africa. Book fully flexible Eurostar train tickets and book a hotel night or two. submit this as evidence of your itinerary. As soona s you have your visa cancel your bookings. Make sure all your bookings are 100% refundable.
This is the practical step a lot of people take when in your position.
One other thing. The country you apply to for visa must be the first country you enter.
Good luck.
Oct 28, 2009, 2:31 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2000
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The only "3 month" restriction on the Class C Schengen visa is that it restricts the holder to no more than 90 days presence in the Schengen states during any rolling 180 day period.
Oct 28, 2009, 2:38 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2000
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Another urban myth.
A vast majority of visa nationals entering the Schengen area do so at a major air hub such as AMS, FRA, CDG, MAD, etc... and then connect onwards to their final destinations.
One should apply to the country of PRIMARY DESTINATION for a Schengen visa, and not the point of FIRST ENTRY, which in many cases will differ simply due to air travel logistics. Only if one has no PRIMARY DESTINATION does the FIRST DESTINATION (different from FIRST ENTRY) become relevant.
A vast majority of visa nationals entering the Schengen area do so at a major air hub such as AMS, FRA, CDG, MAD, etc... and then connect onwards to their final destinations.
One should apply to the country of PRIMARY DESTINATION for a Schengen visa, and not the point of FIRST ENTRY, which in many cases will differ simply due to air travel logistics. Only if one has no PRIMARY DESTINATION does the FIRST DESTINATION (different from FIRST ENTRY) become relevant.
Oct 28, 2009, 4:25 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2002
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One should apply to the country of PRIMARY DESTINATION for a Schengen visa, and not the point of FIRST ENTRY, which in many cases will differ simply due to air travel logistics. Only if one has no PRIMARY DESTINATION does the FIRST DESTINATION (different from FIRST ENTRY) become relevant.
Oct 29, 2009, 8:13 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2000
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South African document holders of certain demographics (young, caucasian or coloured, limited travel record, no long term employment) are considered extremely high risk at this time and they will be subjected to a much higher standard of scrutiny of intent at Schengen gateways, even as valid visa holders.
Apr 21, 2015, 2:17 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 1
Same situation as melfunction
Hi melfunction, I know it has been a few years since this post, but I am in almost the same situation as you (I am in the UK already and need to go to Europe for a student conference). Please can you mention what you ended up doing?
Apr 21, 2015, 4:26 am
#15
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An Indian relative of mine went from the U.S. to the UK to do a Master's or Phd in the UK and had a UK visa for a student. She submitted her Indian passport to the relevant Schengen countries to get Schengen visas while there. Her visiting friends from other developing countries requiring a visa for the UK and Schengen countries applied for their Schengen visas while visiting in the UK; and most of them got their Schengen visas while some were refused.