Applying for a Visa

Information valid and correct at the time of compilation on 20th March 2012. Information is subject to change and the relevant embassy website should be consulted before any application is made.

Applying For A Schengen Visa

Schengen Countries

Some nationals from outside the EU or EEA are required to have a visa before travelling to the Schengen area. Countries that make up the Schengen area are:

Austria Belgium Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France

Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Italy Latvia Lithuania

Luxembourg Malta the Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Slovakia

Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland

Types of Schengen Visas

There are different types of visas that can be used to visit the Schengen area. The type of visa you will need will depend on your circumstance or the Embassy. Some Schengen countries have the following types:

• Short Stay Visa If applying for up to 90 days. Can be single or multiple entry • Long Stay Visa If applying for longer than 90 days. Usually multiple entry • Tourist Visa If applying to visit the Schengen area as a tourist • Visitor’s Visa If applying to visit family and friends.

This type of visitor will not require you to book a hotel if you have a letter from your host staying they will accommodate you

• Business Visa If applying to the Schengen area as a business visitor

General Requirements

Where to apply for a Schengen visa will depend on the following:

• If you plan to visit only one country, then you should apply to that country’s embassy • If you plan to visit more than one country, then you should apply to the embassy of your ‘main

destination’; that is the country you plan to spend the most time in • Or apply to the country you plan to enter first if you intend to spend equal time in one or more

Schengen countries

You will require the following documents to make a Schengen visa application. This list is not an exhaustive and some countries have other specific requirements an applicant must meet.

• Your passport with at least two blank pages or official travel document. • Residence permit for the UK and valid for at least three months beyond the return date of planned

trip to the Schengen country


• Passport photograph. Varies from country to country. Italy requires one and France requires three

• Completed Schengen application form • Appropriate application fee. This will depend on the type of visa applied for. Fees vary from €60

for a short stay visa to €99 or €105 for a long stay visa • Proof of purpose of trip. This can be a letter from the University confirming your studentship or a

letter of invitation from a friend or host in the Schengen country you intend to visit • Evidence of funds to support yourself during your trip. The amount varies. Some countries require

between £30 and £50 a day. If travelling for ten days for instance, you will be required to show between £300 and £500

• Evidence of transport and return to the UK. Some countries will require you to submit a confirmed return ticket with your application

• Evidence of accommodation. This can be a confirmed hotel booking covering your stay in the Schengen country (s)

• Travel Health Insurance Policy with a minimum coverage of £30,000

Country Specific Information

Belgium

Nationals of some countries do not require a visa to enter Belgium if their stay does not exceed three months within any six month period. Please see link for list of countries; http://www.vfs-be-uk.com/exemption.aspx

Applicants who require a visa can apply to the Belgian Embassy by making their applications;

• By post if you have previously had a Schengen visa issued by the Belgian Embassy. Postal applications can be sent to: Belgium Visa Application Centre 1-8 Bateman’s Building South Soho Square London, W1D 3EN You must send your application by special delivery only.

• In person but by appointment only at the Belgium Visa Application Centre in London

• In person only at the Belgium Application Centre in Edinburgh, Manchester or Cardiff. This will incur a mandatory courier charge of £14.80

You can call 0871 376 0023 for more enquiries about applying to the Belgian Embassy.

Application fees must be made by credit/debit card or postal order payable to ‘The Belgium Visa Application Centre’ No cash or cheques are accepted. Visa processing time is a minimum of two working days but may take longer.

Please refer to the Belgium Embassy site for more details; www.vfs-be-com

France

Nationals of some countries are exempt from visa requirements to visit France. Please see link for countries and circumstances that would not require a visa to enter France; http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france/coming-to-france/getting-a-visa/article/foreign-nationals-holding-ordinary

Applicants who require a visa can make their applications to the French Embassy;


• By applying online at this link https://www.tlscontact.com/gb2fr/login.php if in London • By telephone on 0845 7300 118 from Monday – Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm

Visa processing time is 24hrs or up to three weeks for short stay visas.

Appeals can be made within 2 months of refusals by writing to;

Secrѐtariat CRRV, BP 83609 44036 NANTES CEDEX 1 France

For more information, please see the French Embassy website at www.ambafrance-uk.org

Germany

The link below lists the countries that require a visa to Germany and the countries that do not require a visa; http://www.london.diplo.de/Vertretung/london/en/07/Visa/Do__you__need__a__visa__seite.html

The German Embassy charges a fee of €30 for applicants under 18. Visa payments can be made in cash or postal order if applying in person.

Applicants who require a visa can apply;

• By post if you have been issued with a Schengen visa from the German Embassy in the last twelve months

• Online by visiting this link; https://service2.diplo.de/rktermin/extern/choose_realmList.do? locationCode=lond&request_locale=en

• By telephone on 090 655 40740 (calls cost £1.02 per minute)

For more information, please see the German Embassy website at; www.london.diplo.de

Italy

Please check link below to see if you do not require a visa: http://www.esteri.it/MAE/EN/Ministero/ Servizi/Stranieri/IngressoSoggiornoInItalia/Visto_ingresso/Paesi_esenti_visto.htm

Italy charges a fee of €60 for single and €105 for long term visa. The embassy also has a table for calculating means of support required to enter Italy. Please see link at; http://www.esteri.it/visti/sussistenza_eng.html

Can apply up to three months before planned trip. Passports must be valid for at least three months beyond returning date of trip.

Applications can be made:

• In person at Consulate General of Italy in London (for all kind of visas) 136 Buckingham Palace Road London, SW1W 9SA www.conslondra.esteri.it

• Online via http://it.vfsglobal.co.uk

For more information, please visit the Italian Embassy website at; http://www.conslondra.esteri.it

Spain

The link below lists countries that do not require a visa for travel to Spain; http://www.maec.es/subwebs /Consulados/Londres/en/MenuPpal/Servicios/Visados/Paginas/novisaenter_services.aspx


As part of its application requirements, Spain requires a bank statement for the last three months. If you are invited you must get a letter of invitation from the host issued by the Police in Spain.

Applications can be made:

• By booking a telephone appointment on 0871 376 0023 • Online at http://es.vfsglobal.co.uk

Please see www.maec.es for more information.

For specific information on any other Schengen country, please visit the relevant country website. For a list of all the foreign Embassies and Consulates in the UK please go to http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/protocol/LDL-March-12

Documents

Applying for a Visa