The following are responsible for examining applications for short-term or transit uniform visas:

(a) — The Contracting Party in whose territory the sole or main destination of the visit is found.

Under no circumstances shall a transit Contracting Party be considered as the country of
main destination.

The diplomatic mission or consular post with whom the application is lodged shall decide,
on a case by case basis, which is the Contracting Party of main destination, bearing in mind,
in its assessment, all the facts and in particular the purpose behind the visit, the route and
length of visit or visits. When looking at these facts, the mission or post shall mainly focus
on the supporting documents submitted by the applicant.
—
It shall specifically focus on the main reason for or the purpose of the visit when one or
more destinations are the direct result or complement of another destination.
—
It shall specifically focus on the longest visit when no destination is the direct result or
complement of another destination; where the visits are of equal length, the first destination
shall be the determining factor.

(b) — The Contracting Party of first entry, when the Contracting Party of main destination cannot
be determined.

Contracting Party of first entry shall be the State whose external border the applicant crosses
in order to enter the Schengen area after having had his/her documents checked.
—
When the Contracting Party of first entry does not require a visa, it is not obliged to issue a
visa and unless it issues the visa voluntarily, subject to the consent of the person concerned
the responsibility is transferred to the first Contracting Party of destination or of transit
which requires a visa.
—
The examination of applications and the issue of visas with limited territorial validity (limited
to the territory of one Contracting Party or to the territory of the Benelux States) shall be the
responsibility of the Contracting Party or Parties concerned.

1.2. State representing the State responsible
(a) If the State responsible has no diplomatic mission or consular post in a given State, the uniform
visa may be issued by the mission or post of the Contracting Party which represents the interests
of the State responsible. The visa is issued on behalf of the Contracting Party that is being
represented, subject to its prior authorisation, and where necessary, consultation between the
central authorities. If one of the Benelux States has a mission or post, it shall automatically
represent the other Benelux States.

(b) If the State responsible has a diplomatic mission or consular post in the capital city of a country,
but not in the area where the application is lodged, and if one or more of the other Contracting
Parties does have a mission or post, the visa may, in exceptional cases and only in countries
which are geographically very large, be issued by another Contracting Party representing the
State responsible, provided that there is a specific agreement on representation between the two
Contracting Parties concerned and such action is in accordance with the terms of the said
agreement.

(c) In accordance with the provisions contained in (a) and (b), it shall in any event be for the visa
applicant to decide whether to contact either the diplomatic mission or the consular post which
is representing the State responsible or that of the State responsible.