Where To Apply For A Schengen & Moroccan Visa?

[SarahPJ]

Hi there,

I am traveling to the UK with my Thai partner NOT MARRIED (3rd time) in a couple of months for a 6 month stay.

We would also like to go to Europe to see friends and to sight-see. We also have a freind who lives in Morocco and would like to go there too for 5-7 days

I have received mixed messages on how/where to apply for the Schengen visa; so:

1. Can we apply for the Schengen in the UK or does it have to be Thailand?
   
2. I have no idea which country we will go to first, probably Belgium (the other options are Germany and Sweden). This is not fixed as we'd rather do it the easiest way. Does anybody know which is the best/easiest/cheapest embassy to apply at?
   
3. We also want to visit countries with no contacts/sponsors - eg: Italy, Spain, Greece
   
4. If we are visiting multiple countries, am I correct in thinking that we don't have to apply to each countries embassies?
   
5. Should we look or do we need a sponsor in each country? Or can we state that we're funding the trip? If the latter - how much money/evidence will they require (not a problem to provide)
   
6. Do we need to provide details on our itinerary and the hotels/addresses we will be staying at? (Haven't a clue or can we make this up)
   
7. Do the dates have to specific? If so, how specific?
   

Morocco situation: British friend owns a Riyadh there and has invited us to go with her on one trip; so:

1. Same as Q1 above - can we apply in the UK or does it have to be Thailand?
   
2. Do the dates have to be specific?
   
3. Anything else we will need to consider?
   

I'm hoping you will say we can do this in the UK as this would be much easier for us and I will have a clearer idea of dates/counties etc.

Sorry for so many questions, I have tried to think of everything so I don't have to then keep adding posts asking "...............oh and what about this" " forgot to ask that"

Cheers

[SarahPJ]

Hi there,

I am traveling to the UK with my Thai partner NOT MARRIED (3rd time) in a couple of months for a 6 month stay.

Rewind..............traveling to the UK for 3rd time, not 'NOT MARRIED'

Whoops!

[CharlieB]

Normally you should apply for the visa in the country that you are from, or normally reside in. This for your other half should be Thailand. I'm not sure how long you can postdate a schengen visa for. If you get a Schengen visa you will be ok to visit all other countries in the schengen agreement area, but you must make sure you ask for a multiple entry schengen visa. You will need to provide the details of where you are staying in the country you are applying to/your entry country. You will have to supply the dates of your trip, ie the first date you intend to enter the schengen area and the last date you intend to be there.

No idea about Morocco, have you tried using google to search for details. I am guessing they too will want you to apply in your partners home country.

[alyx]

Hey

This is the address

Embassy of Morocco in Bangkok, Thailand.Address:19TH FLOOR,ONE PACIFIC PLACE 140 SUKHUMVIT ROAD (BETWEEN SOI 4-6) BANGKOK 10110Phones:00 (662) 6 53 24 44 / 00 (662) 6 53 24 45Fax:00 (662) 65 32 449Email:[email protected]

It is located near by the Landmark Hotel

Very nice people and no hassles geting a visa especially if you have already obtaine a Schengen one

I hope this has been helpful

[alyx]

I do confirm that uou HAVE to apply in your country of origin (Well obviously not for you as you are allowed to travel in Europe and Morocco without a visa)

You may apply 4 months before the dates of departure (having the visa from the UK might help for the Schengen but I only think that and not sure at all) with any Embssy in Thailand

[alyx]

If you do not have anyone in Europe you have to hold confirmation from the hotels you plan to stay in

Another thing: why do you keep on saying "We" I presume that you are from the UK and your partner from Thailand no?

[alyx]

Normally you should apply for the visa in the country that you are from, or normally reside in. This for your other half should be Thailand. I'm not sure how long you can postdate a schengen visa for. If you get a Schengen visa you will be ok to visit all other countries in the schengen agreement area, but you must make sure you ask for a multiple entry schengen visa.

Well even though I think that it is better to have a multiple what you are saying is not true: one with Schengen visa is allowed to travel back and forth in any part of the Schengen area and does not have to flip a passport at any time (although it is better to have your passport at hands) at any border (which, by the way, are not supposed to exist anymore)

But, in the case you decide to leave Schengen, let's say to go to Morocco , and go back through Spain then you will not be allowed to enter on a single entry which has obviously already been used

[alyx]

For Morocco you do not need a sponsor or an address to show

[alyx]

"If the latter - how much money/evidence will they require (not a problem to provide)"

Consulate will need to see your friend's accounts ; of course theses accounts have to be something like a year old with movements

[SarahPJ]

Thanks all.

I'll have to pick a country and get a sponsor. Belgium is probably the quickest contact for me - does anyone have any experience with obtaining Schengen visas from the Belgium consulate?

Am I right in thinking that he needs a visa for 1 Schengen state only (inc. where we/he will be staying and his sponsors details) and not proof of stay or sponsor from each state we will visit?

We will be leaving for the UK via Malaysia in a couple of months from Thailand, so 4 months isn't an option.

Can he get an application direct from the embassy he's applying to? (I keep saying "we" as I will help him with the procedure to obtain his visas - UK, Schengen and Moroccan)

Does anyone know how much the Moroccan visa is?

Is there a particular order we should get the visas? UK will probably be first

Thanks again

[Krub]

Thanks all.

I'll have to pick a country and get a sponsor. Belgium is probably the quickest contact for me - does anyone have any experience with obtaining Schengen visas from the Belgium consulate?

Am I right in thinking that he needs a visa for 1 Schengen state only (inc. where we/he will be staying and his sponsors details) and not proof of stay or sponsor from each state we will visit?

We will be leaving for the UK via Malaysia in a couple of months from Thailand, so 4 months isn't an option.

Can he get an application direct from the embassy he's applying to? (I keep saying "we" as I will help him with the procedure to obtain his visas - UK, Schengen and Moroccan)

Does anyone know how much the Moroccan visa is?

Is there a particular order we should get the visas? UK will probably be first

Thanks again

I assume you are from the UK and you will be sponsoring his trip, if so go for the UK visa first.

Once you get a six months stay for the UK go for the Schengen visa and then the Moroccan one.

I have prepared 4 applications (all successful) for short term stay Shengen visa from Belgium.

One was in Jakarta and 3 in Bangkok.

In Bangkok, their website sums up exactly what is needed, if you can provide it, you should be OK.

Make sure you ask for at least a double entry if not a multi-entry especially if you intend to go to Morocco and back to the Shengen area.

They will want to see that he has a valid reason to come back to Thailand after his trip (maybe a letter from his employer giving holidays and a job to return to)

They will want to see either an invitation to stay in a private home or hotel reservation and means to pay the bills

In my experience they gave us the exact number of days asked for within the period asked for (example 21 days between June 2 and July 15)

I would not ask the Shengen visa from Belgium if you are not pretty sure of your dates because of this.

Apply morning of day 1 pick-up morning of day 3 or 4 (once with a quick interview)

The Belgium Embassy does not have an appointment system so be there early and you should be fine, they are not very busy.

Good luck

[SarahPJ]

Thanks all.

I'll have to pick a country and get a sponsor. Belgium is probably the quickest contact for me - does anyone have any experience with obtaining Schengen visas from the Belgium consulate?

Am I right in thinking that he needs a visa for 1 Schengen state only (inc. where we/he will be staying and his sponsors details) and not proof of stay or sponsor from each state we will visit?

We will be leaving for the UK via Malaysia in a couple of months from Thailand, so 4 months isn't an option.

Can he get an application direct from the embassy he's applying to? (I keep saying "we" as I will help him with the procedure to obtain his visas - UK, Schengen and Moroccan)

Does anyone know how much the Moroccan visa is?

Is there a particular order we should get the visas? UK will probably be first

Thanks again

I assume you are from the UK and you will be sponsoring his trip, if so go for the UK visa first.

Once you get a six months stay for the UK go for the Schengen visa and then the Moroccan one.

I have prepared 4 applications (all successful) for short term stay Shengen visa from Belgium.

One was in Jakarta and 3 in Bangkok.

In Bangkok, their website sums up exactly what is needed, if you can provide it, you should be OK.

Make sure you ask for at least a double entry if not a multi-entry especially if you intend to go to Morocco and back to the Shengen area.

They will want to see that he has a valid reason to come back to Thailand after his trip (maybe a letter from his employer giving holidays and a job to return to)

They will want to see either an invitation to stay in a private home or hotel reservation and means to pay the bills

In my experience they gave us the exact number of days asked for within the period asked for (example 21 days between June 2 and July 15)

I would not ask the Shengen visa from Belgium if you are not pretty sure of your dates because of this.

Apply morning of day 1 pick-up morning of day 3 or 4 (once with a quick interview)

The Belgium Embassy does not have an appointment system so be there early and you should be fine, they are not very busy.

Good luck

Thanks for this. We'll get the UK out of the way, which shouldn't be a problem - no worries with proof as he has assets here and his own business with proof of work in November and Jan 2010

We will want to travel onto other Schengen states after Belgium (Belgium is not the fixed first point of entry, bur I have a friend who lives there to act as a sponsor and provide necessary details to support the application). We also have friends in Germany and Sweden (2 other countries we want to visit).

Finally, Spain, Italy and Greece are on our travel list, but we don't have contacts there.

Therefore he needs a multi entry for a 6 month period....................so is Belgium still the best place? I have heard Sweden is not too difficult?

I've got the web addresses for Belgium/Germany & Sweden, so will have a good look through them and try and get an answer of I call

A final question - will he need to apply to every consulate or just the point of entry/where we are staying the longest?

Thanks again

[Krub]

I do not think he will get a 6 months multi entry but he might

He only needs to apply to one Consulate as the visa will be valid for all Shengen countries once it is issued

If you have a sponsor in Belgium I would go for that as the sponsor can provide a letter stating that he is welcome to stay at the sponsor's house during his stay in Shengen.

I would say that you will make several short visits to belgium within the 6 months of the UK visa validity to make it easier for them to issue a 6 months visa

Bear in mind that you are only allowed 90 days in any 180 days period in the Shengen countries on a short term visa

Good luck

[SarahPJ]

I do not think he will get a 6 months multi entry but he might

He only needs to apply to one Consulate as the visa will be valid for all Shengen countries once it is issued

If you have a sponsor in Belgium I would go for that as the sponsor can provide a letter stating that he is welcome to stay at the sponsor's house during his stay in Shengen.

I would say that you will make several short visits to belgium within the 6 months of the UK visa validity to make it easier for them to issue a 6 months visa

Bear in mind that you are only allowed 90 days in any 180 days period in the Shengen countries on a short term visa

Good luck

Hello again, thanks for a quick reply!

So to be totally clear:

1. Apply to Belgium (but better to apply for 90 days) and say that we will be paying short visits to Belgium for the 90 day period to ensure he gets a 90 day multi entry visa.
   
2. Once Schengen visa has been issued, he will be able to travel to any one of the 15 Schengen states..............as long as it is within the 90 day period and no one visit exceeds 180 days in any one country?
   

Have I understood correctly this time?

[alyx]

1. Once Schengen visa has been issued, he will be able to travel to any one of the 15 Schengen states..............as long as it is within the 90 day period and no one visit exceeds 180 days in any one country?
   

Have I understood correctly this time?

Schengen covers 25 countries and with a visa you can go anywhere

You will not be allowed to remain on the Schengen space more than 90 days and you will be allowed to apply for another visa 6 months after the 90 day visa has expired

[SarahPJ]

1. Once Schengen visa has been issued, he will be able to travel to any one of the 15 Schengen states..............as long as it is within the 90 day period and no one visit exceeds 180 days in any one country?
   

Have I understood correctly this time?

Schengen covers 25 countries and with a visa you can go anywhere

You will not be allowed to remain on the Schengen space more than 90 days and you will be allowed to apply for another visa 6 months after the 90 day visa has expired

Thank you - understood loud and clear!

[boney]

FYI

I have just applied for a Schengen visa for my Thai girlfriend. I do believe you have to apply in Thailand for her.

We used the Italian embassy as she is going there alone, we are going to (in order) UK, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Czech, Austria, Switzerland. Together then my girlfriend is going on to Italy alone.

I had to supply Hotel Bookings made for Italy, France and Switzerland. (Done this on venere web site, you can reserve and cancel at no cost) I only Told them we are going to France and Switzerland together as long as the total days are the same)

A letter confirming I will sponsor her during her stay in Schengen States (except Italy)

Her Bank Statements showing movement,

Travel and Health Insurance,

Flight bookings

I do recommend asking for a multi entry, and 90 day visa. BUT.

The Italian embassy were very rude during the interview and treated her like shit,

They said she can not have a visa for up to 90 days but only for the days intended to spend in the schengen states.

When she phoned after waiting in the hotel for an answer after 3 days (she lives in Chiang Mai) because the didn't call her yet. They said she can come and get her passport but she will have to pay for her flights first or they wont give it to her.

she only got the visa for the total number of days she will spent in Schengen states.

So, I do not recommend going to the Italian embassy for the Visa, apparently they are like this with everyone.

She then applied for the uk Visa the day after, last time took 3 days this time took 6 days.

Recommend submitting for the UK visa first, but better if you send in emails, photos together, visa stamps etc that you are in a genuin relationship for the UK visa.

Sorry can't help with the Morroco part.

let me know if you find a decent embassy for your schengen Visa... good luck

[puipuitom]

1. Once Schengen visa has been issued, he will be able to travel to any one of the 15 Schengen states..............as long as it is within the 90 day period and no one visit exceeds 180 days in any one country?
   

Have I understood correctly this time?

Schengen covers 25 countries and with a visa you can go anywhere

You will not be allowed to remain on the Schengen space more than 90 days and you will be allowed to apply for another visa 6 months after the 90 day visa has expired

Thank you - understood loud and clear!

PLEASE .. STOP to see the EU member states ( for visa) as independant states. All countries in the Schengen agreement can be seen as ONE country.

Only: the issuing embassy wants to keep up the story, you have OR to use the coutnry of first arrival OR the country of longest stay as the country of issuing.

So, when you enter via the Channel ( Eurostar train, or ferry of ..) to France, go to the French embassy. Where you stay afterwards, in fact nobody gives a heck. Even impossible to check as there is no immigration check afterwards.

They only want to be sure, there will be nobody from .. abroad on THEIR expenses, so : show you have money for all your stay ( or a person / company as sponsor / friends you will stay for free is enough , in fact they nearly never check )

AND a healty insurance ( also wise for such a long period, you have a personal liability insurance )

AND a return ticket.

( wise to show some assets in TH. Maybe they will give it a split second attention only, buy it helps, when you want 'specialities' like multi-entrance, longer as 90 days etc )

With my Thai business partner we arrived in 2003 by ferry from Dover in Calais ( to continue via Belgium to NL and Germany ). We even could not FIND the immigration. So, in fact, never entered legally the Schengen area. Two months later via Amsterdam Airport back to TH. Nobody ever asked a question.

Europe is NOT the Country of Freedom ( USA), where you have to pass an interview, which might result in a refusal without any explanation. ( Two Thai ladies going to a business contact, but refused because .. Mr Chales Wintheiser, chef of the USA embassy immigration dept decided ..they went to their USA fiancee, and it was not sure they would return ( ask khun Taksin if he for sure returns .. )

LAST-BUT-NOT-LEAST: staying without a valid visa might be illegal, but is no criminal offence. When you leave after .. 12 years, the border police will check if you have any open penalties left / criminal record / financial claims, but for the rest ..

[alyx]

PLEASE .. STOP to see the EU member states ( for visa) as independant states. All countries in the Schengen agreement can be seen as ONE country.

With my Thai business partner we arrived in 2003 by ferry from Dover in Calais ( to continue via Belgium to NL and Germany ). We even could not FIND the immigration. So, in fact, never entered legally the Schengen area. Two months later via Amsterdam Airport back to TH. Nobody ever asked a question.

1)Well you should have stressed a bit more (I hope it is what you are saying) that you are talking about the visa process only, some people might get confused by your statement

2) Even if it really happened to you and your friend I don't think that you should advertise the fact: when crossing the Channel there are some custom's officer (strange you didn't encounter any but possible)

What I find a bit less realistic is the part at the airport (especially Schipol with a up to date control): they are bound to ask how one enters in the country without a visa unless of course your friend had a visa but did not have it stamped but then again very strange

So if that ever happens to anyone please insist on having your passport stamped otherwise you might get in trouble and if you intend to go back later, then you might see an application turned down