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Schengen visa question
I would like to take a European vacation with my Philippine girlfiend. What Schengen country would be the easiest to apply for a visa with?
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what makes SCHENGEN is that ALL countries have the same rules!!! if you've acces to one Schengen country, you've acces to all of them.
do you know anyone in Schengen countries? what is your port of entry? FRA? CDG? CPH? maybe you call the embassy of those countries or a local travel agency to get more information. for example german embassy at manila has a good website with documents to print. http://www.manila.diplo.de/en/01/Vis...timmungen.html all info about Schengen Visa here hope I could help you. enjoy your stay |
Originally Posted by philipperv
I would like to take a European vacation with my Philippine girlfiend. What Schengen country would be the easiest to apply for a visa with?
AFAIK the Schengen countries do not have any common database for visa applications, so technically it'd be possible to apply for a visa from another embassy if you are not "lucky" with the first application. I have sent out invitations for Indian and Russian friends at some point. My Indian mate was working in London and he entered Schengen in Germany (with a Finnish Schengen Visa) - apparently this wasn't a problem. BTW, people selling invitations to Russians is a problem here in Finland - not sure how big a problem, but it has happened. Finally, I remember a mate of mine sending an invitation for a girl from Manila he knew. She got a Finnish Schengen visa, did a tour around Europe (never visited Finland, I suppose) and returned back home - again, apparently no problems. However, I would recommend you to apply for a visa from the embassy of the country you're actually going to. |
Originally Posted by philipperv
I would like to take a European vacation with my Philippine girlfiend. What Schengen country would be the easiest to apply for a visa with?
And yes, you should apply for a visa for the country you are going, arriving etc. |
I think the OP was asking which country would be easiest for a visa, and from that info he would choose his gateway airport. All I can say is forget France. They seem to be pretty xenophobic these days. Maybe Sweden?
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Thanks for all your posts. We tried Germany already and got denied. Going through Italy now and plan to attend a trade show in Milan. Asking them (the trade show organizers) for an invitation letter now to assist us with the Italian Schengen visa.
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If a visa application has been denied by one Schengen consulate already, the passport will have been endorsed on the observations page with a stamp in ultraviolet ink that gives the date of the rejection and the post rejecting it. This may or may not be visible to the naked eye but will be visible under a UV light.
Due to the lack of an effective centralized Schengen visa database as okko noted, any other Schengen consulate to which an application is submitted will always check for that stamp to determine whether a previous denial exists. If so, they will contact the consulate that placed the stamp to determine the details of the case. Local post policies largely determine the acceptance or rejection rates for each country and the paperwork required to receive one. However, some general observations dealing with consulates from Schengen states in multiple countries are that France, Spain and the Netherlands are the easiest to satisfy for C-class visas while Germany and Italy can be very sticky. That said, there are exceptions to every rule and local posts may vary widely. |
Does this mean that, since one country already denied the application, it would be a waste of time to try another? There actually was a visible stamp put in the passport indicating that the visa application was made and then the code "C1". I haven't checked it with an ultraviolet light yet.
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Originally Posted by philipperv
Does this mean that, since one country already denied the application, it would be a waste of time to try another? There actually was a visible stamp put in the passport indicating that the visa application was made and then the code "C1". I haven't checked it with an ultraviolet light yet.
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Originally Posted by chrissxb
I would not say that it's a waste of time. circumstances may change and new rules could apply. i am not sure, but maybe a european travel provider (I am sure, there is a german or french tourist information office in Manila) could help you with application since you want to leave money in europe, don't you? ;)
The point you raised is what upsets me the most. I'm willing to spend a substantial amount of money in their country and then they treat me this way. Makes me want to say "scr** them!" and then decide to go somewhere else that won't give us a hard time. Taking a holiday is not worth this kind of hassle. The places in Manila that we have contacted want us to buy our tickets with them as a condition of them helping us which isn't acceptable to me. Thanks for your input. |
Originally Posted by philipperv
Does this mean that, since one country already denied the application, it would be a waste of time to try another?
If it was denied for lack of supporting documentation, then a new application for a new purpose at a new consulate would probably have minimal issues from the previous denial. If it was denied for misrepresentation or fraud (this is more common than one might think even if it may be unintentional - for example people often mention hotel references on their planned itineraries without actually making the bookings - the consulates DO check these references about 10% of the time), then there are more significant issues to be addressed. In the case you reference, my experience leads me to believe that the following documentation should suffice : a) an invitation from the trade show b) a specific itinerary (does not have to be ticketed, only reserved) showing a return date from Italy (even if it involves a side trip to other Schengen countries) c) sufficient funds to sustain the traveler/s in Europe (for Italy these are statutorily set amounts - see below for the details) d) a permanent job in the home country (appropriate documentation from employer required) or in case of student the relevant enrolment documentation A covering letter explaining the circumstances of the trip in bullet point format will also be very useful to the visa officer considering the application. If you are able to provide the above documents, you should have little problem establishing bonafides, even with the usually anal-retentive Italian consular officers. :) --- Statutory availability of funds required to be demonstrated to acquire a Schengen visa from Italian consular posts. Single travelers EUR 269.60 for upto 5 days EUR 44.93/day for 5-10 days EUR 51.64 + EUR 36.67/day for 11-20 days EUR 206.58 + EUR 27.89/day for 21-89 days Groups of travelers (per person) EUR 212.81 for upto 5 days EUR 26.33 for 5-10 days EUR 25.82 + EUR 22.21/day for 11-20 days EUR 118.79 + EUR 17.04/day for 21-89 days |
Originally Posted by philipperv
There actually was a visible stamp put in the passport indicating that the visa application was made and then the code "C1".
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Originally Posted by philipperv
....The places in Manila that we have contacted want us to buy our tickets with them as a condition of them helping us which isn't acceptable to me...
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Which country to get Schengen visa from
Been through this one before.
Official rules state that you should get the visa from the FIRST Schengen country you are going to enter. Does not seem to be much in the way of cross-checking though, many immigration officers just look at the visa and let you go through. |
Originally Posted by WHBM
Official rules state that you should get the visa from the FIRST Schengen country you are going to enter.
Look at pages 324-326 of the following document for further information : http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/...en00010473.pdf 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. |
Just want to add that main destination seems to be defined as the one that you will spend the most time in. But if you have a trip that starts in France for 3 days and then Italy for 4 days you may be able to apply at either consulate.
In US, it is much much easier to get your Schengen visa from the French consulate than any other countries.
Originally Posted by B747-437B
* If visiting several Schengen countries, an application should be handed in at the Embassy or Consulate of the country in which your main destination will be.
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Originally Posted by mntblue
Just want to add that main destination seems to be defined as the one that you will spend the most time in
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Originally Posted by B747-437B
Common misconception.
. I guess this complies with point 3 of your rules. Anyone who is in London and goes along Cromwell Road past the Natural History Museum will see, particularly in Summer, the huge queue of overseas visitors daily at the French consulate. I presume this is because they are the easiest ones to grant the visa. |
Originally Posted by mntblue
In US, it is much much easier to get your Schengen visa from the French consulate than any other countries.
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Originally Posted by WHBM
we make various trips to different countries over the 6/12 month duration of the visa. But we were advised to get visa from Finnish consulate in St Petersburg (is straightforward) and then go to Finland for the day and get an entry stamp, so we can then go where we like in Schengen from London later without query
Of course, this tends to be a very ignored rule as consular officers get just as sick and tired of seeing the same applicants over and over again as the applicant does of seeing them! The Germans however are sticking to the letter of the law for the last 2 years thanks the scandal that rocked them. I deal with the local German Embassy here on a regular basis and it is like pulling teeth to have them issue a visa for anything longer than 3 months. |
Originally Posted by B747-437B
Theoretically, the Finnish consulate should not have issued a multiple entry long duration visa without specific evidence of an intent to return to Finland on multiple visits during the visa duration.
But it's a general rule with visas, the more they see you have been acting properly in the past the more they will be more liberal with you now. |
Originally Posted by WHBM
But it's a general rule with visas, the more they see you have been acting properly in the past the more they will be more liberal with you now.
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Originally Posted by philipperv
I would like to take a European vacation with my Philippine girlfiend. What Schengen country would be the easiest to apply for a visa with?
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Originally Posted by B747-437B
Not the Germans of late. ..... they gave him a single entry valid for 30 days since he was only showing a single trip confirmed.
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There is a contradiction in all this if there is an insistence on seeing booked travel arrangements.
This was fine and a standard thing some years ago when you could book and change at will. But nowadays many/most pre-booked fares are non-refundable, a situation visa providers somehow seem to have missed. How can visa officials ask to see evidence of booked travel arrangements that are usually non-refundable before deciding whether or not to grant the visa. Anyone have an answer to this one ? |
Originally Posted by USAFAN
I think you mentioned it in this thread already: The German officials (up to foreign minister, minister for interior) are questioned regarding a policy "for easy handling/permitting of visa applications" (in Kiev and elsewhere). Saying this, right now Germany is not a good source for quick and easy Schengen visas.
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Originally Posted by WHBM
There is a contradiction in all this if there is an insistence on seeing booked travel arrangements.
This was fine and a standard thing some years ago when you could book and change at will. But nowadays many/most pre-booked fares are non-refundable, a situation visa providers somehow seem to have missed. How can visa officials ask to see evidence of booked travel arrangements that are usually non-refundable before deciding whether or not to grant the visa. Anyone have an answer to this one ? |
To USAFAN:
You've never been to the Philippines, have you? To everyone else: I think that I made a big mistake even going to the German embassy to begin with. I know that now. When I try the trip again in a few years i'll go to the French emabssy. Thanks for all your input. |
P.s.
No ultraviolet stamp was placed on the passport.
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afaik, as long as you show your bank statements and your itinerary, and give them a letter indicating that you are going to finance every step of your girlfriend's trip, then there shouldn't be any problem
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Originally Posted by philipperv
No ultraviolet stamp was placed on the passport.
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