I'm a british citizen living in England with my wife who's here on a settlement visa and we want to go on a cruise around the southern europe area. I have been searching the internet and asking cruise lines (who then direct me to some other visa company that then says I need to ask the cruise lines) how does it work for my wife? Does she need a shengen visa first? I have heard that if you are not staying over night in any country then you don't need a visa providing that you are permitted to stay in the uk, something about a 'blanket visa' which is issued on the cruise ship that acts as a day pass to the stop off countries.

Does anyone know how it works or where I have to ask to find out for definate how it works?

In theory, if your wife gets off the ship, she will need a visa. If you will be visiting southern European countries, she will just need to get the one Schengen visa. However, if you'll be stopping off in any North African countries, too, she'll need separate visas for each N. African country. Apply for the Schengen visa at the embassy of the first country you intend to enter. The visa should be free as your wife is married to a Brit. cit.

Scouse.

Ok, thanks. The country that we first enter will most likely be Italy and we have the appointment all set up for the 8th of May. Where can I get a list of all the things that I need to take to the appointment.

Passport (with visa)

Passport photos

Marriage certificate with english translation

Utlility Bills for proof of address?

Should I take a bank statement?

Proof of her employment in the uk?

Anything else?

You should only need to demonstrate that you are married, that you are a British citizen, and that your wife has medical insurance for trip (which can be a European medical card, so you don't need to specifically take out an insurance policy). However, it's better to do a belt and braces job on it rather than have to traipse back and forth to the Italian embassy, so take with you all of the stuff you've mentioned just in case they ask for it.

Scouse.

Where can I get a list of all the things that I need to take to the appointment.

At the Italian consulate

What's the quickest way to sort out a European medical card, and where do I do it?

https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do

We recently ordered one for our son. It took about four days to come through.

Scouse.

Hi there, I'm almost ready to go and apply for my wifes shengen visa, but on the application form there are a few bits that I'm not a hundred percent sure what to fill in and I know you guys have a lot more experience with this stuf than I do so I figured I'd ask. I've also attatched the application form so you can look at it.

number 18: If you reside in a country other than your country of origin, have you permission to return to that country? if yes, give number and validity.

but there are two numbers on her visa one is in red and in the top right hand corner of the visa and the other one is called a VAF number. Which one do I write?

22. Type of visa: airport transit, transit, short stay, long stay. I suppose if we go on a cruise it would be a short stay visa?

26. other visas and theire period of validity. I suppose that would be the settlement visa currently in her passport?

33. Means of transport. Would that just be cruise ship?

34. Name of host or hotel. What do I put if I don't know? Or I'm just on a cruise ship.

35. Who is paying for your cost of travelling and for your costs of living during your stay? Myself, Host person/s Host company:

Basically myself and also my father (who will be travelling with us) will be funding everything. So what do I put.

Also. I have already applied for our european health insurance cards but we haven't got them through yet. Will the reciept of application be okay when we go to apply for the visa or am I going all that way to get told I don't have the card so it's a no go? (which would be a pain considering it's £80 in travel expenses for me to get there)

If anyone has any light to shed on it I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks guys.

visaform_1.doc

I'd answer them as follows:-

18. Give the number in red and state the visa's validity;

22. Short stay;

26. None unless your wife has any other current visas;

33. Cruise ship;

34. Cruise ship;

35. My husband and father-in-law.

As medical insurance is a requirement, I'd wait until you get the health cards before applying.

Scouse.

Thanks Scouser, by all rights you should never have to buy your own pint again. On the one about who's funding it it also says - say who, how, and present corresponding documentation - does that mean I have to give them a bank statement of mine and my fathers? Because mine won't astound and my dad may not like giving me one of his.

The reality is that as a British citizen you have an intial three-month right of residency in any other EEA country, and this is automatically extended to your spouse, irrespective of her nationality. As a consequence, your finances are largely irrelevant, although, if you wish, you may present one of your bank statements.

You solely need to demonstrate that you are a British citizen, that you and your wife are married, and that you have medical cover. Even if you were not to have a proverbial pot to piss in, neither you nor your wife could be denied entry to another EEA state for the intial three-month period.

Scouse.

Thanks yet again, scouse.