Schengen Visa from the German Embassy - A few questions.

[Frogster1953]

I have three questions regarding an application for a Schengen Visa.

In particular, I am looking for response from anyone who has recently applied for and used a schengen visa from the German Embassy.

Question 1
According to the German Embassy website “You may apply by post”:-

1. If you are a spouse of an EU or German national or
2. If you have had a Schengen visa from the German Embassy in London issued within the past 12 months or
3. If you have had at least 2 used Schengen visa from any Schengen Embassy issued within the past 24 months or
4. If you have had a one-year or multiple-year Schengen visa within the last 24 months and have used it.

I assume that Item number 1 applies to my wife, who is a Thai, on a settlement visa, married to a UK national (residing in the UK). So a postal application it is.... without any fees as far as I can tell?

Question 2
The website then goes on to say:- “Documents required for spouses of EU nationals:

• EU-national's passport + copy
• applicant's passport + copy
• marriage certificate + copy
• address in Germany
• visa application form with one passport picture”

Regarding the point above about the “Marriage Certificate + Copy”….. I seem to remember someone saying that the Embassy kept the Original Marriage Certificate, anyone have any comments on this?

At about £60.00 for a Marriage Certificate and Certified Translation it is a bit naughty if this is the case.

Also, it asks for an address in Germany, so I suppose one could just give any old hotel address (it does not ask for confirmation of a booking, etc)…. Comments?

Question 3
The website also states:- “Please Note that the main destination of your travel needs to be Germany in order to apply with the German Embassy!!! If you use your visa to travel mainly to another Schengen State, or if you cancel hotel bookings after you received your visa from us your next visa might be refused!”

This is an interesting point, my plan is to enter via Belgium, and drive into Germany, (with the intention of obtaining the German Stamp at the boarder to satisfy the Visa requirement – stay in Germany a while, then return via Belgium).

Do they still have border checkpoints / stamps? or more to the point…
or, as is my understanding...
Do they have open borders where you just cross without passport control / stamps….

If the later is so, then how can the German Embassy prove that you did or did not enter Germany, when it comes time for you to apply for another Schengen in the future?

Cheers
Kev

[bifftastic]

Kev, I can only answer question 3.

There is no border! All you see is a sign saying 'Wilkommen aus Deutschland' which you might miss as you drive past it, and a slight bump in the road which signifies that you are now on a much much better road surface!

So, I have no idea how they know if you actually went to Germany or not.

[deland]

Question1 is 1


Question 2, They can't keep your marriage paper!!
Address just put anything hotel!!

And i've driven to germany afew times and you don't see anything!"no border controls" leaving one country and entering another you wouldn't notice,

Prikphet misses has not long done her's so maybe they can tell you more

[Prikwaan]

Kev,

Question 1
Yes it's FREE

Question 2
We sent original + copy by Special Delivery Next Day. My husband booked the hotel and use the confirmation from the hotel (however we did not stay in this hotel after all)

Question 3:
I think they ask you to get your passport stamped at the crossing/border. However, this isn't always possible so I'm not sure how they would ever know. I applied for the Schenghen but haven't used it so far to travel in Europe, so if i apply next time I'm not sure how they would know one way or another if I've travelled at all ?!?!?

And also your wife can read about this visa from my blog below.
http://prikwaan.blogspot.com/2011/10...ouse-visa.html

[Frogster1953]

Thanks all,

Schengen Visa (German Embassy) applied for today.

Kev

[Frogster1953]

Update on the Visa Application:-

24th Feb 2012, Documents all returned safely by Special Delivery - 4 working days turnaround.

Inside my wifes passport is a 6 month multiple entry Schengen Visa with a maximum of 90 days stay at a time duration.

On the website they say that only a Schengen Visa with a maximum of a 3 month duration is possible by post.... I wrote a polite covering letter to the embassy, asking for a 6 month Schengen Visa as we intended to re-visit in the summer and it would save me having to apply again.

Visa Issued !!!

[sisaket]

a few trips into europe then frogster , nice one , enjoy

[Frogster1953]

a few trips into europe then frogster , nice one , enjoy

First trip in two weeks time....Her sister is married to a chap in Belgium, it's my wife’s birthday that Sunday.... so a "long weekend" visit, coupled with Birthday celebrations equates to lots of Brownie points, as I am such a nice, kind and thoughtful husband with a good heart, mak mak!!

(Cheap flights from Manchester also…. £31 per person return….) Game on!



Kev

[colin244]

You smoothie Mr Frogster

colin 244

[lamai]

First trip in two weeks time....Her sister is married to a chap in Belgium, it's my wife’s birthday that Sunday.... so a "long weekend" visit, coupled with Birthday celebrations equates to lots of Brownie points, as I am such a nice, kind and thoughtful husband with a good heart, mak mak!!

(Cheap flights from Manchester also…. £31 per person return….) Game on!



Kev

We will apply for a schengen visa for France, so I may need to help

[vulcan2]

OK Folks My wife and Stepdaughter would like to go to France she has booked her Holidays for last two weeks in Aug I know she would have to obtain a Schengen. I plan to drive so we could enter via Holland or France.
From Frogsters post it looks like the Germans are on the ball So that could be our main destination.
My questions are They both have ILR In Expired Passports I know they would have to carry them both in order to enter the UK. Do the Germans require them both ? I take it the Shengen Be placed in new passport.
Thanks in Advance Ken

[the_link]

Yes, vulcan, you'll have to provide all four passports.

And you can reacquaint yourself with the lovely people at VFS and cross their palms with 36 pounds for the pleasure. Optionally, there is the text service available at 1 pound 50 pence each.

[vulcan2]

I just rang the VFS helpline in order to make sure of the fees From the website they say £24 Each for processing the Visa and £8.90 each for the postage back. I spoke to an Indian man and had to hold for him to check.
He came back and told me that my Stepdaughter would have to apply in person. My wife could apply by post because she is married to a UK national. But NOT my stepdaughter. Looks like the trip is OFF. Too much hassle best wait for Uk passports. They can apply now for citizenship so next year no problem

[chrishawkins]

I thought it was £18 service charge per Visa ??

[the_link]

I paid £18 for my wife's German Schengen back in June, chris.