What is the VIS, BIODEV Biometric Schengen Visa and how will it effect me?
The introduction of the Biometric visa is very likely to greatly increase the appointment booking time at the embassy.
In June 2004 the European Union decided to implement the Visa Information System (VIS) by the end of 2006.
VIS holds the biometric data contained in every visa issued by the Schengen States. The biometric data consists of fingerprints of both hands and a photograph of the applicant. The data is stored in an electronic chip attached to the passport upon issuance of the visa.
The collection of biometric data has and will alter the processing of visas considerably as applicants will now be required to appear in person and applications by mail or via proxy will no longer be accepted, regardless of the applicants’ place of residence or status.
This new initiative was launched in 2005 and has already been experimented in 7 French Consulates around the world. A number of Belgium consulates are also carrying out, in parallel, the same experiment.
It is anticipated that the French Consulate in London will be issuing biometric visas by the end of the first semester of 2007.
As many of you will already know it currently takes several weeks to obtain an appointment. The recent change in the processing rules requiring spouses of EU nationals to attend the consulate in person along with their partners is already set to increase the waiting time. Compulsory personal appearance of all visa applicants is highly likely to create further delays. Business visitors are therefore advised to apply or renew their existing visas as soon as possible.
I am going on a tour to Spain Germany and France, at which embassy should I apply for my Schengen visa?
You have to apply for a visa at the embassy of the country that is considered the Main Destination. This is defined as the country in which you intend to spend the most amount of time on the initial trip taken on your new visa OR.. if an equal amount of time is to be spent in each country, only then will the main destination will be the country that is entered first. You should note that you will be required to supply additional confirmed bookings documentation for all of the other countries that you are proposing to visit.
How do I get a multiple entry visa for France?
The French embassy decides on the type of visa to be issued according to various factors ranging from the travel insurance taken out; previous travel history; the length of resident Leave remaining on the passport; quality of supporting documentation etc.
The visa period issued is entirely at the discretion of the French Embassy's visa section and the ultimate decision to issue a visa at all rests with them. However, there are some things that you can do to improve your chances of getting a longer term visa for France:
1. Submit good recent original documentation
2. Ensure that you have at least 6 months medical/travel insurance that includes repatriation (1yr is preferable) – provide the policy documentation
3. Sign the French Embassy issued Assurance form to assure the French Consulate that you will have travel insurance the next time that you travel to France or any of the other Schengen countries.
Why did I only get a Single entry French Schengen visa this time? I was given a 6 month multiple entry visa for France before!
Did you treat France as your Main Destination when you first travelled on your last visa? If you used it to go to a different Schengen state/country or spent more time there than in France, it is highly likely that you will be penalized for misusing the system. All of the Schengen participating Embassies are computer linked and the stamps in your passport show your travel activities - Some Embassies actually reject applications on such grounds.
Why is the documentation that you require different to that shown on the French Embassy web site?
This is the criteria that the French Consulate General have given us agents to work by. It is a little stricter because we have to have more evidence to prove that you are who you say you are and that you have going to return to the UK or your home country on completion of your trip. The French authorities also want to know where you are staying whilst in the country and may carry out checks to see if you have actually checked into the accommodation that you have stated on your application documents.
I already have a schengen visa that was issued by a different embassy but it expires next month, can you get me a French Schengen visa before it expires?
No, None of the embassies of the Schengen countries will issue a visa if there is already one active in your passport. The visa has to be formally canceled at the issuing embassy before a new one can be issued – they will not even issue a visa dated from after the expiry date of the current visa because this would still be regarded as having 2 active visas
My UK residence visa runs out in 3 months time and I want to visit France before I return home. Can I still get a visa?
Yes it is possible for us to lodge your visa application. You will have to supply the original return flight tickets to your country of origin along with an employer’s letter addressed to the French Embassy that states your work history with them and your intention of returning home on completion of your visit.
I have a UK leave to remain endorsement but it is not actually in my passport, the Home Office endorsed a separate document – I have the Home Office letters to prove that it is genuine.
As agents, we are only permitted to submit French visa applications where the UK leave is physically endorsed in the actual passport.
Visa Austria |
Business & Tourist visas for France arranged at short notice