Schengen visas

1
Schengen visas

• An introduction to advising students on Schengen
  visas

Fay Sherrington (University of Salford) and
Joanne Bainbridge (University of
Liverpool) UKCISA Conference 2008 10th July 2008
930am-1230pm
2
Introductions

• Speak to the person next to you and tell them
• Your name
• Institution
• Whether you already provide Schengen advice
• Feedback this information about your partner to
  the group

3
Schengen brainstorm

• In groups, on the flipchart paper provided, write
  down everything you know about Schengen visas!

4
Aims and objectives of workshop

• What is a Schengen visa?
• Why do we need to know about them?
• Who needs a Schengen visa?
• The Schengen application
• How can we improve provision of advice?

5
Background and research

• Follow-up from 07 UKCOSA Conference presentation
• Information on websites
• Visit to a consulate - 2007
• Contacted
• Embassies
• Students
• Advisers
• UKCISA

6
Disclaimer

• Absence of centralised information
• Frequent changes
• Different embassies have own rules
• Information available is web based and therefore
  not regulated
• Web searches often lead to agency websites
• We therefore cannot guarantee the accuracy of
  information provided

7
Subrahmaniam from Pakistan

• I think it is important that students are aware
  of the documents needed and importantly of the
  requirements such as number of days before UK
  visa expiry. Different consulates have different
  requirements although all of them issue the same
  visa!

8
What is a Schengen visa?

• Allows the holder to travel freely in 24 European
  countries known as the Schengen space
• Saves the traveller from having to have a
  separate visa for each country
• Therefore makes holiday experience hassle-free
• Issued by an Embassy or Consulate

9
Origins of name

• Name "Schengen" originates from small town in
  Luxembourg
• Situated near French and German borders
• No border checks were conducted here and this
  symbolised a border-free zone
• In March 1995, seven EU countries signed a treaty
  (Schengen agreement) to end internal border
  checkpoints and controls

Apach and Contz are villages in France and Perl
is a village in Germany
10
History of the Schengen visa

• Before introduction of Schengen
• Border posts existed around the continent
• Nationals of some countries required to have
  separate visas for every country in Europe
• June 1985 original 5 Schengen countries signed
  the Schengen agreement
• 1990 same 5 countries signed Schengen
  convention
• 2007 9 new Schengen countries

11
Recent changes to the Schengen visa

• 24 countries now in total
• UK and Ireland opted out
• Now includes 400 million people
• Improvements to external border security
• Faster and easier travel

12
Schengen space

• Austria
• Belgium
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland

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Group discussion

• Why should we advise students about Schengen
  visas?

What are the advantages of making it easy for
students to travel outside the UK?
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Why should we advise students about Schengen
visas?

• Take advantage of being so close to Europe
• Rise in cheap flights
• May have to travel as part of course
• To attend a conference
• Trips organised by international office/academic
  dept.
• To keep students occupied during vacation time
• Provide wider cultural experience
• To improve their overall student experience

15
Who does not need a Schengen visa?

• All European Union nationals
• List of certain nationalities are exempt
  including
• Canada Malaysia
• Hong Kong Mexico
• Israel Singapore
• Japan USA
• South Korea
• as long as they do not engage in non-tourist
  activity
• Disclaimer this is most up-to-date information
  available so please check with embassy
• Check with embassy before travel to verify how
  long they are allowed to stay in each country
  without a visa
• Exempt nationals may still need to have medical
  insurance

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Different types of Schengen visa

• Airport transit - through international transit
  zone in an airport
• Transit - no more than 5 days (on land) through
  Schengen state to non-Schengen state
• Short stay single/multiple entry - up to 90
  days (maximum 90 days within 180 day period) for
  tourism, business, family visits

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Overview of the Schengen application

• Where to apply
• When to apply
• How to apply
• Application form
• Requirements
• Cost
• Documents required

18
Ming-Huan from China

• I have a trip with my friend for three day in
  Germany. He only get three days Visa. However, we
  missed the flight and we have to buy a very
  expensive ticket since the Visa is going to
  expire in the following days. This is not a good
  experience for us. (Visa is too short).

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Where to apply

• If visiting only 1 country, apply to
  embassy/consulate (in UK) of that country
• If visiting several countries within the Schengen
  space
• MUST apply to main destination i.e. the country
  in which they plan to spend the most time
• Apply to country of first port of entry ONLY if
  there is no main destination i.e. equal time in
  countries
• If non-EU national is married to EU-national they
  must apply to their spouses national embassy in
  the UK (even if not travelling to spouses
  country)

20
Geography test!

• To help you learn and remember the countries in
  the Schengen space we want you to label the map
  we have given you

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When to apply

• Processing times vary
• between embassies
• depending on nationality
• On average 4-6 weeks before travel date
• Dont apply too late!
• Within 3 months before travel date
• Consider busy periods e.g. Easter
• National holidays (embassy closure)

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How to apply

• Apply at embassy/consulate
• In person/by post?
• Make appointment (by phone/website?)
• Application form
• Documents
• Appointment (if applying in person)

23
Ningning from China

• If you need to travel to London for visa
  application, it is better to book an appointment
  late in the morning or in the afternoon, so that
  you can have enough travel time and find a public
  transport more easily.

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The Schengen application form

• 2 sided complete both sides
• Home address means UK address
• Complete form in full before appointment
• If student is staying at more than one hotel then
  write details of first hotel and then (various)

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Requirements

• Need specific number of months left on both
  passport and UK visa (usually 6 months)
• Student visa must be in passport
• Need blank page in passport
• Cannot apply using a travel document unless have
  Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK
• Must not already have a valid Schengen visa

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Cost of application

• Differs according to country applying to
• Approximately 47 sterling
• Payment by cash/postal order
• Non-refundable
• Free to non-EU spouses and dependants of EU
  nationals (including UK nationals)
• Some countries have agreement with EU and
  therefore pay lower application fee (approx. 27)
• Applications for educational trips are free

27
Linda
Most Internet holiday sites require money to be
paid at the time of the booking. It may be
difficult to get a full refund in case the visa
is refused. The consulate strongly advises
against buying any tickets or paying for
accommodation before the visa is granted.
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Documents required

• Proof of sufficient funds
• Medical insurance
• Photographs
• Passport
• Purpose of trip e.g. invitation letter,
  conference
• Accommodation details
• Airline reservation/flight details
• Evidence will return to UK/home country
• Proof of university registration

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Useful information

• Token based systems (limited number of
  applications per day) arrive early
• Expensive appointment booking line
• Group applications
• Emergency applications
• Agencies
• Supporting documents are not returned
• Visas often issued at embassies only (not
  consulates)
• If travel date passes, need to provide new travel
  plans

30
Hakeem from Nigeria
I spent over 30 on a compulsory premium phone
number before I could book.
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Netherlands Consulate visit 2007

• Even if UK visa is less than 3 months may still
  consider application but could be problem if
  going to other countries afterwards
• 30 minimum per day required
• Bank statements should not be older than 30 days
• If need visa returned in emergency can collect
  from London Embassy between 3-4pm
• Do not do group applications
• Do not usually do emergency applications but may
  make exceptions for funerals etc.
• If want to withdraw application, must put it in
  writing

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Consulate visit 2007
continued

• Require all applicants to sign an at own risk
  declaration
• If consulate requests additional documents, these
  can be dropped-off/faxed later
• Do not request to see flight tickets initially
  but may request later
• If want to study in Holland need to do MVV
  application not Schengen
• Common mistakes
• Student registration letter and other documents
  not recent enough
• Travel insurance sometimes does not state exact
  dates of travel. Must show it is current.

33
Florin from Romania
Advice to students? Patience, and to do exactly
as is written in the instructions.
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Following the application

• Schengen visa does not guarantee entry
• Carry photocopies of all supporting documents
  when you travel
• Ensure passports are stamped on entry/exit
• Refusals
• Schengen Information System (SIS)
• Appeals

35
Conditions of use of visa

• Schengen visa not appropriate if you wish to
  remain in a Schengen state for longer than 3
  months (e.g. Erasmus)
• Cannot take up employment or establish a business
  or trade or profession
• Misuse - stick to plans stated in application

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Group discussion

• Discuss new ideas and best practice to advise
  students on Schengen visas
• How can you ensure your students have successful
  applications?

• How can you improve the
  overall provision of Schengen advice at your
  institution?

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How can we improve provision of advice?

• Give information on Schengen visas early
• Presentation at orientation
• In pre-departure guide/international student
  handbook
• Produce advice leaflet for students
• Email reminders leading up to vacation times
• Presentation/workshops leading up to vacation
  times
• Up-to-date web information
• Map of Europe next to desk
• Try and give student an idea of what to expect
  when visiting the embassy (check embassy website,
  feedback from students)

Continued
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How can we improve provision of advice?
continued

• Ask students applying for Schengen visas for
  feedback feedback form
• Give information to academic departments
• Visit embassies/consulates gather information
  and build relationships
• Give students list of consulates in region
• Share information on local consulates at regional
  meetings e.g. AISA

39
Neelam from Pakistan
There were not very long queues and the building
was quite comfortable. There are no shops near
German embassy so it is better to get food and
drink.
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Sources of information

• Individual embassies websites
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office website
  www.fco.gov.uk for list of foreign embassies in
  the UK (select from drop-down list)
• UKCISA mailing list
• Your own students!

41
Future of Schengen visas

• Cyprus and Switzerland expected to join Schengen
  space this year
• Romania and Bulgaria expected to join Schengen
  space by 2011

42
Schengen Quiz!

• Turn over all your handouts
• You have 5-10 minutes to complete quiz

There is a prize for top scores!!
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Conclusion

• Reassurance
• not as complicated as you think
• Cant know all the answers
• advice differs from country to country
• Be proactive in gathering information
• Be proactive in giving advice

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Contact details

• Fay Sherrington
• T 0161 295 0475
• E f.sherrington_at_salford.ac.uk
• Joanne Bainbridge
• T 0151 794 6669
• E joanne.bainbridge_at_liv.ac.uk

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End of presentation

• Thanks for participating in this session.
• Good luck with all your Schengen advice!
• Fay and Joanne