FAQ
|
What
is the Schengen agreement about?
|
|
Effective March
26, 1995 the Schengen agreement has been implemented.
The aim is to remove immigration control for travel
within the collective territories of the member states.
This creates a
'border-less' region known as the 'Schengen area'.
Travel between Schengen countries will in principle be
without document check.
Only at the external borders
(incl. international airports) of the Schengen area
document checks will be performed.
|
|
|
Which
countries belong to the Schengen area?
|
|
The Schengen
countries are (as from 25 March 2001)
 |
Austria
|
Belgium
|
Denmark
|
Finland
|
France
|
Germany
|
Greece
|
Italy
|
Luxembourg
|
The
Netherlands
|
Norway
|
Portugal
|
Spain
|
Sweden |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
|
|
What
is a Schengen visa?
|
|
A Schengen Visa
is an official document handed out by the embassy of the
country of destination.
This visa allows the passenger
to enter some or all countries part of the Schengen
area.
Schengen visas
should be obtained prior to arrival in the Schengen
territory.
There are 6
kinds of Schengen visa:
-
Airside
transit visit-ATV "Type A"
This visa is required for those nationals who cannot
use the Transit Without Visa-facility at all,
-
being
in direct transit in a Schengen airport when
arriving, and departing from/to Non-Schengen
countries.
-
In no way does this visa gives access to
the Schengen territory, it is only valid during the
transit.
-
Of course, people in possession of a type
visa B, C, or D do not need the Type A visa.
-
Transit Visa
"Type B"
This visa is issued for a passenger making a transit
in the Schengen territory which is exceeding
-
the
allowed transit-time and for passengers who are
transiting in more than 1 Schengen airport.
-
This
visa allows a limited stay (indicated in the visa)
in the Schengen area.
-
Visa for a
short stay or travel visa "Type C"
This visa is valid for a maximum of 3 months, as
indicated in the "Duration of Stay".
-
It is
the common "Schengen visa"
-
Visa for a
long stay "Type D"
This visa is valid for a stay of more than 3 months.
It is always valid for 1 Schengen-country and
authorises the foreigner to transit by a Schengen-country,
different than the country of final destination
-
Visa with
limited territorial validity. L.T.V. (whether type
A, B, or C)
This visa is only valid for the Schengen country
mentioned in the "Valid for" box.
-
The
entry and the departure from the Schengen area has
to happen in the country mentioned in this box
(with
the exception of type D)
-
Collective
visa
This visa is delivered to passengers travelling in
group. It is delivered to the responsible of the
group and is valid for all passengers indicated on
the visa.
|
|
|
Does
everybody need a Schengen visa to enter the Schengen Area?
|
|
No, there are
exceptions.
For more details
and confirmation about the visa requirements, you must
contact the embassies or consulates of the concerned
Schengen countries.
Passengers who
do not have the required visa, will be denied to board
the aircraft. It is the passenger's responsibility to
have all documents (identity card, passport, visa) which
are required by the concerned States.
|
|
|
I
am flying with Virgin Express from London to Brussels (Belgium),
which is my final destination. Do I need a Schengen visa?
|
|
Yes, you need a
Schengen Visa, unless you are
|
a national
of Belgium
|
a British
national holding a passport endorsed 'British
Citizen'
If your passport is endorsed
 |
'Dependent
Territories Citizen' or
|
'British
Overseas Citizen' |
|
your
passport must also bear endorsement 'holder is
entitled to readmission into the UK' or proof of
re-admittance to country of passport issuance.
|
a national
of Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bolivia,
Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia,
Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea,
Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg,
Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, The Netherlands,
New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay,
Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak
Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Uruguay, USA, Vatican City, Venezuela.
|
Holders of
Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR |
| | |
Nationals of all
other countries DO NEED a Schengen Visa.
For more details
and confirmation about the visa requirements, you must
contact the embassies or consulates of the concerned
Schengen countries.
|
|
|
I
am flying from London to a Schengen country. However, it is not
a direct flight but I will be transiting through Brussels. Do I
need a Schengen visa?
|
|
You must travel
with a Schengen Visa, when you need a visa for
|
the Schengen
country of your final destination
|
the Schengen
country you are transiting
|
the country
of your final destination and the Schengen country
you are transiting |
| |
For more details
and confirmation about the visa requirements, you must
contact the embassies or consulates of the concerned
Schengen countries.
|
|
|
I
am travelling from a non-Schengen country to my final
destination. However, I will be transiting via two or more
airports in the Schengen area before I reach my final
destination. Do I need a Schengen visa?
|
|
Regardless if
your final destination is situated in the Schengen area
or not, TWOV (Transit without Visa) is NOT possible
anymore for transiting in more than 1 Schengen country,
because the passenger is then entering the Schengen
territory (borderless). As a result, all nationals of
states who require a visa for one or more Schengen
states need a visa AT ALL TIMES.
For more details
and confirmation about the visa requirements, you must
contact the embassies or consulates of the concerned
Schengen countries.
|
|
|
SCHENGENVISA
