Schengen visa question
Jun 21, 2005 | 10:20 am
#2
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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
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
Jun 21, 2005 | 1:07 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2003
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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?
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.
Jun 21, 2005 | 4:31 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Naples, Florida
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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?
And yes, you should apply for a visa for the country you are going, arriving etc.
Jun 21, 2005 | 4:42 pm
#5
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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?
Jun 21, 2005 | 6:33 pm
#6
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Philippines
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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.
Jun 21, 2005 | 7:28 pm
#7
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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.
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.
Jun 21, 2005 | 9:45 pm
#8
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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.
Jun 22, 2005 | 8:31 am
#9
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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.
Jun 22, 2005 | 7:21 pm
#10
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Philippines
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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.
Last edited by philipperv; Jun 22, 2005 at 7:25 pm
Jun 23, 2005 | 8:47 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2000
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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?
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
Jun 23, 2005 | 8:49 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2000
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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".
Jun 23, 2005 | 8:53 am
#13
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Naples, Florida
Posts: 7,419
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...
Jun 23, 2005 | 8:53 am
#14
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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.
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.
Jun 23, 2005 | 9:15 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2000
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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.
(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.
Last edited by B747-437B; Jun 23, 2005 at 9:27 am Reason: Added links to Schengen Acquis