If your travel plans include visiting Europe for a short trip, you might as well apply for a Schengen visa. The thing is that despite being part of Europe, the United Kingdom isn’t encompassed within the Schengen zone. This is because the country, besides Ireland, has decided to opt out of joining this zone since it has been established.
But despite not being part of the Schengen area, British citizens still have access to travel to Europe without a visa for a 90-days time frame. Applying for a Schengen visa within the UK allows foreign travellers to enter and explore the Schengen zone, and ultimately, Europe.
However, many people still get confused about travelling to the Schengen territory mainly because there are various policies required for you to understand first. In this scenario, it would be best to seek the help of Immigration lawyers since they’ll help you navigate through the entire process so that you can have a hassle-free journey and trip ahead.
This article will detail a comprehensive guide to obtaining a Schengen visa in the UK.
Why do you need a Schengen visa?
Since the UK’s membership of the European Union until February 2020, its own citizens have been allowed to visit the Schengen area without necessarily having a visa. But even so, not every UK resident has the right to travel through the states of Schengen without having an appropriate visa sticker on their respective passports.
A Schengen Visa is basically a permit that allows citizens of eligible countries to go to the Schengen Zone only for a limited amount of time. This visa is usually sought if your purposes for travel are short business trips or tourism-related trips.
Currently, the Schengen zone is the world’s widest, free travel area. It covers 26 countries and enforces no border control whatsoever as well. The typical method of accessing Europe is through a Schengen visa since it permits you to travel freely within its jurisdiction. However, you’ll still need to comply with other requirements depending on the main intention of your trip.
The Schengen Visa is only for short-stay trips since its validity lasts for 90 days maximum. That said, you can’t use this visa if you plan to work, study, or live permanently within the Schengen zone. For that, you’ll need a national visa for the specific European country you want to stay long in.
When do you need a Schengen visa?
You’ll need a Schengen visa before proceeding with your trip if any of these things apply to your situation:
- A foreign-passport holder living in the UK legally, and you possess the passport of a country that:
- Holds a visa-free agreement with Schengen but you have been denied entry in the Schengen area previously
- Does not hold a visa-free agreement with the Schengen Area
Requirements and Application Documents for a Schengen Visa
Schengen states are usually represented in the United Kingdom by Embassies and Consulates. They also have a set of specific requirements for those who want to apply for the visa, though these are by far the most common ones:
- Travel document or valid passport
- Valid UK residence permit or other types of identity card
- Passport format photo
- Accomplished application form
- A cover letter that details the intent of your travel
- Evidence of travel arrangements
- Travel insurance
- Proof of participation in group travel or hotel reservations
- Recent check statement of your current account in the UK shows £55 minimum funds spent per day per person in the area
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa in the UK?
To apply for a Schengen visa in the UK, you must first submit your duly-accomplished visa application form to the Consulate or Embassy of the country you plan on visiting. You can also use the Schengen visa to visit more than one member state. However, if you’re planning to travel to more than one Schengen-based country, you must first submit your application to the first country or destination you prefer to stay for a longer time.
Then, you’ll have to book an appointment at the local Consulate of your desired Schengen country. You can easily do this process online since it’s more convenient. Fill in the visa application form with all the necessary details and settle all the required documents alongside it.
You will have to attend a visa interview and then submit these documents with your application form to the consular officer. In the interview, the officer will ask you certain questions regarding your trip where you plan on visiting and your reasons behind it. Once this is finished, you’ll have to pay the fee for your visa application.
Remember that you have to submit your visa application roughly 15 days before you’re set to travel. Regardless, it’s not permissible to apply earlier than at least three months before the exact date you plan on entering the Schengen zone. It typically takes 15 days before the Consulate reaches a decision.
