Shengen Visa

[horse]

My wife and I will be in the UK next month for a holiday but want to go to europe somewhere for a mini break.

She can easily get a Shengen here as she works for a Thai tour company and previously she got one for France - we then drove around Europe no problem.

(Mind you, nobody checked any passports anywhere, except coming back into UK).

But...

If we get one for France this time and then fly to Spain first (for eg) is this allowed?

Can a Thai get a Shengen visa issued in the UK?

Cheers,

Horse

[Axel]

Basically, you have to obtain your Schengen visa from the Embassy / Consulate of the country of your main destination. If your main destination cannot be ascertained, the country you first enter is responsible for granting a visa.

So, if you got your Visa from a French mission (as main destination) no problem to first arrive in Spain and then to move on to France.

Suggest, you wife better gets her visa before going to the UK.

The Schengen visa is issued by the diplomatic or consular mission with territorial jurisdiction over the place of residence of the alien applicant. Means, the mision in the UK might deny to accept the application, as your wife has no place of residence in the UK.

[Robertzzz]

Can a Thai get a Shengen visa issued in the UK?

Cheers,

Horse

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Horse,

UK is not a member of the Schengen countries. So, it does not seem likely that a non-UK resident can apply there for a Schengen visa. It is correct that once a Schengen visa has been obtained, one can travel to any of the other Schengen countries (as you already experienced). You could run into trouble however, if you apply for a Schengen visa for France but instead fly to Spain. You'd better check this out before finalizing your itenerary.

best regards,

Robert

[Dragonman]

You have to reside in UK to get a Shengen visa in UK.

As prevoiusly stated you need to go to the Embassy of the country which you will be staying longest or, if equal, your first destination.It does not matter if the visa is issued by the French Embassy as your main destination and you fly to Spain first as The Schengen covers all signed up countries.

Have a good holiday

[the scouser]

Horse,

Technically, in a situation akin to yours, your wife requires what is called a family permit. This is issued to non-EU/EEA nationals married to EU/EEA nationals.

As a Briton, you have the right to travel freely within the EU/EEA and this right is extended, inter alia, to your spouse. You should only have to prove that you are a national of an EU country and that you are properly married. The family permit is then issued free of charge. However, as discussed in other threads, some EU countries don't play ball and will insist on issuing a "normal" visa for a fee.

Anyway, try your luck and see what happens.

Cheers,

Scouse.

[lampard10]

We got ours through the travel agency we booked Eurostar with. But we were led to believe that as it was a French visa we HAD to enter Europe through France. Passport control at Paris Central Station confirmed this. In fact if we wanted to go to Germany next trip,we would have to enter through France or get a new visa.

[Dragonman]

Scouse, having looked at the forms required they are the same except you don't have to answer a few questions re. employment, etc. Most Embassies don't seem to charge as per the rules.

Lampard. This is why the Schengen is in place. To visit countries freely. Typical of the French to not know what they've signed up to.It's not a French Visa it's a Schengen.