Schengen Visa - Which Country Is Quicker?

[kunash]

hi. i was having my haircut a few weeks ago, and the guy cutting my hair told me a quicker way to apply for a schengen visa, from the uk. he was from algeria or tunisa and had a uk passport. he said the quicket embassy to apply for a schengen visa was germany - while in the uk. you had to queue up and apply but there was not a proper interview so the whole process was quicker. the french embassy he said, always had a long queue outside. because the interview process was longer.

you could then use the german visa to travel to any european country. i am not sure how accurate this information is, as i have never used a schengen visa before. the man also said, after you have applied for the first visa, the subsequent visas are even easier to obtain.

is there any truth in what he says?

[NanLaew]

Ah yes... the barbershop visa and immigration consultancy.

If you need to get a Schengen visa in the UK and you chose get one at the German Embassy because it's supposed to be faster and easier, then your first port of entry should be in Germany and thence onwards to other Schengen Treaty nations.

A Thai already in the UK cannot apply for a Schengen visa in the UK. They need to apply for one at the Bangkok embassy of the Schengen country of their first port of entry.

Your barber being of North African origin but holding a UK passport, he wouldn't need a Schengen visa... so maybe his advice is circumspect.

How was the haircut btw?

[7by7]

If you need to get a Schengen visa in the UK and you chose get one at the German Embassy because it's supposed to be faster and easier, then your first port of entry should be in Germany and thence onwards to other Schengen Treaty nations.

Not necessarily; you should apply to the embassy of your main destination, but can enter the area via a different state. If driving to Germany, for example, you should apply to the German embassy, but could enter the area via France on a Dover to Calais ferry.

If touring around two or more states then you should apply to the embassy of the country you are visiting first.

A Thai already in the UK cannot apply for a Schengen visa in the UK. They need to apply for one at the Bangkok embassy of the Schengen country of their first port of entry.

Depends on the type of entry clearance they have for the UK. If a visitor, you are correct; however if in the UK with leave to enter/remain of longer than 6 months, e.g. settlement visa, student visa, work permit etc. then they will be classed as resident in the UK and so can apply in the UK.

It is worth remembering, too, that whichever embassy you apply to, if you are the spouse/partner of an EEA national and traveling with or to join your spouse/partner then the procedure is very simple and straightforward. Many of the questions don't need answering, and the visa will be free.

As for the accuracy of the barbers information; from the German embassy, London

All persons wishing to apply for visas to visit Germany MUST apply in person (except application by post - see below) and MUST make an appointment in advance. Applicants must not attend the Embassy without first making an appointment, as admission will not be possible.

[fatpig]

And just to add a little experince into the mix, my wife has been to Europe 15 times. visas were granted by the German and french embassies. We have never been to either country!!!!!!!!!!!

[Khun Jean]

^So in practice you are making it more difficult for future visa applicants.

Now i understand why every few years the visa rules are tighter and take longer.

Thanks.

[kunash]

Ah yes... the barbershop visa and immigration consultancy.

i could not get the man to shut up. all i wanted was a hair cut ( which was good, thank you ), but all he wanted to talk about was visas, and how to '''beat the system''. i just nodded and smiled.