As Consulates around the world process Schengen Visa applications, the staff there decide on whether to grant a visa or not. Regardless of whether you intend to visit only one or several Schengen states, you have to apply at your local Consulate.
Choose the Consulate of the Schengen country where you plan on spending the longest time. If your stays in the different countries are of equal duration, choose the Consulate of the country where you will cross the external Schengen border.
If you only need an airport transfer visa, apply at the Consulate of the country you’re flying to before travelling on.
Whether you need a Schengen Visa depends on your nationality.
If you’re a citizen of one of the countries on the Schengen Area’s list of states with visa requirements, you must apply for a short-stay visa. It doesn’t matter whether you are only visiting one Schengen country or several. Exemptions exist whereby certain nationalities don’t require a Schengen visa, and certain travellers can also travel visa-free.
If you’re only transiting through the Schengen Area, you have to apply for an airport transit visa. The Schengen Area has a list of countries whose citizens require such a visa as well as a list denoting the nationalities that don’t have airport transfer visa requirements.
Citizens of some nations must apply for an airport transit visa for all Schengen states whereas other nationalities must obtain an airport transit visa to transit through some of the international airports in the Schengen Area only.
Can I Apply for My Visa at a Different Embassy?
It is possible that in your area, the Schengen country of your choice does not have a consular presence. If that is the case, you can get in touch with the immigration authority or Ministry for Foreign Affairs of that state to find out where to apply. Schengen countries often represent each other. As a result, you may find a different Consulate in your area may process the application for the Schengen country of your choice.
In practice, this means that if you’re from the UAE, for instance, and you want to travel to Iceland, the Danish Embassy will handle your application. The decision rests with the Danish authorities because they process your application.
When it comes to biometric data such as fingerprints, Schengen Countries part of the Visa Information System collect and share this data through a central database. If the country you plan on visiting is part of VIS, you will have to provide fingerprints at the Consulate of that country or its representation.
Schengen Visa Decision Outcome
Generally, it takes 15 working days to process a Schengen Visa application. If consular officials require additional information, this period may run to 30 or even 60 days. Some Schengen countries need notification of applications and visa issuance, and this process usually takes seven days.
A Schengen visa does not grant you automatic entry to the Schengen Area. At the border, you may still have to produce documents to show how you’re financially going to support yourself, where you’re going to stay, why you are travelling to the Schengen Area and other relevant evidence. It is best to bring the copies of the documents you presented with your application on your trip.
The Consulate you attended will inform you of the decision it has taken on your application. If you’ve been refused a Schengen Visa, you can appeal the decision. The letter informing you of your refusal will contain a precise reason and your avenues of appealing the decision.
You’re free to reapply, but it is vital to take on board the reasons for the initial refusal and make the necessary changes to your application. You will not receive a refund of the fee if you’ve been unsuccessful.
If you apply and then withdraw your application, the Consulate will make a note stating the reason on your application and file it away.
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