Hello guys, 

I planning to have my girlfriend visit me in Switzerland for the first time during Songkhran this year. I did some research and found out that  a flight itinerary was part of the schengen visa requierements. I read as well that some "travel agencies" can, for a small fee, make a temporary booking, the time of the visa application, and then cancel it.

 

I'm a little bit confused on how to proceed, as Songkhran seems to be a very high season period for the thais. So the flights are likely to fill up very quickly (by the way, thai airways flights already full for the 14-16 apr).

 

So, i'm hesitating to:

 

1) Book the most flexible & expensive flight (about 60'000  ) which should allow me to book her flight later free of charge (in theory, but always the risk of fare differences and class availability) in case my gf application would be rejeted.

2) Use the services of this "travel agency" to provide the requested flight itinerary and then take the risk to book her flight, probably wihtin 1 or 2 months, as soon as her application will be approved.

 

My gf is a little bit scared of travelling so far alone (it's her first time) and i think a direct flight is a must, which reduces the flight options.

 

I would appreciate to have the feedback of those (many i think ) who had to deal with such a situation.

 

Cheers

 

 

Are you a Swiss citizen? I assume you are, if you have an other EU/EEA nationality more relaxed rules would apply (see Schengen sticky and one of the many recent Schengen visa related topics).

 

For a visum under the general Schengen visa rules your gf would need to show a reservation (not paid) of transport from Thailand to Switserland (or wherever she choses to enter the Schengen zone, she can also enter via say Germany or Austria etc.). If you book (pay) a ticket now for a flight and the visa is refused you would be wasting your money, so embassies advice not to provide a fully paid ticket untill the visa has been approved.

 

If you fear that the seats/flight you are interested in will be sold out by the time the visa is approved you should book a ticket that can easily be cancelled. The more expensive tickets can often be cancelled with more generous rules on refunds. Or indeed use a travel agent. Whatever costs you the minimum amount of money incase of a visa refusal.

 

Mind you that your teerak can apply as early as 3 months in advance of her intended date of travel. An appointment needs to be given within 2 weeks of the request and the processing time by default is 15 calender days (which can be extended to 30-60 days, see sticky topic). So she comes in april (Songkran) she may be already be able to apply for a visa now.

All right, thanks for your reply mate. I'll probabely go with an expensive ticket (which are all expensive at this time of year, anyway) and cross my fingers.

 

Another question popped up, as i am starting to go ahead with the requierement:

In the sponsorship/inivation letter, i found a sample from the swiss ambassy. And they have 3 questions which i dont know what to reply. 

1. Purpose of the trip

2. What are your relationship with this person ?

3. How often did you see each other ?

4. How long did you stay together ?

 

Should i just say the truth, nothing but the truth, or make it look like we were just friends ?

 

Cheers

Why wouldn’t you tell the truth?

OK. It's maybe a little bit my paranoid side thinking that they might deny her application if they find that later she's planning to stay here for good (with me), as they want to avoid people from poorer countries to come here only for financial reasons.

 

But everything has to have a start one day

Honesty is the best way, in Dutch we say "Eerlijkheid duurt het langst" or "honesty endures the longest". One caught in a lie or raising suspicion of not being honest you will find yourself in rather deep waters. 

 

Now being truthful does not mean you spill all your guts in a lengthy reply that gives the embassy more than they asked for. But a brief answer regarding the nature of the purpose of travel, your relation, your intends etc would be the most wise approach. 

All right, thanks