Schengen Visa information- VISA GUIDANCE

Introduction

During your time at the University of Central Lancashire you may have

opportunities to travel which will widen your experiences of other cultures

and enhance your time in the UK. Applying for a visa can seem confusing or

difficult, so it is important that you plan and prepare plenty of time in

advance.

This document lists all countries who participate in the Schengen visa

scheme.

Importantly, this information is for those students who are already in the UK

on a Tier 4 or Student Visa – it is not intended to provide information on how

to apply for a Tier 4 Visa or extend an existing visa to remain in the UK. For

full information on applying for a Tier 4 Visa for the UK you should refer to

www.ukvisas.gov.uk.

What is a visa?

A visa is a document issued by a country giving you permission to enter the

country for a given period of time. Most countries will require you to have a

valid visa as a condition of entry. Visas are obtained by prior application at the

country's Embassy or Consulate. You will be charged a non-refundable fee for

issuing a visa. Schengen visas currently cost €60. Visas are typically stamped or

attached into your passport.

Visas can be single-entry, which means the visa is cancelled as soon as you

leave the country, or multiple-entry, permitting multiple entries into the

country with the same visa. Please note you cannot apply for a new Schengen

visa whilst another one is still valid.

Once issued, a visa will typically have to be used within a certain period of time

and the period of validity usually starts only on entry into the country.

Overstaying a visa's validity period is considered illegal and you may be fined,

deported and even blacklisted from entering the country again.

A Schengen visa issued by an Embassy or Consulate of the listed Schengen

countries allows the holder to travel freely in all of these countries. However,

if you are travelling to more than one country, you may be required to hold a

return ticket for some countries or other proof of onward travel – please check

the requirements of the country you are applying to before you purchase

your return travel ticket.

Rules for applying for a Schengen visa

If you intend to visit ONLY ONE SCHENGEN COUNTRY, you must apply for a

visa at the Embassy or Consulate of that country.

If you intend to visit SEVERAL SCHENGEN COUNTRIES WITHOUT HAVING A

MAIN DESTINATION, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate

of the first country of entry.

If you intend to visit SEVERAL SCHENGEN COUNTRIES, with ONE COUNTRY

BEING YOUR MAIN DESTINATION (i.e. you intend to stay in a particular

country for more time than the others), then you must apply for a visa at the

Embassy or Consulate of the country in which your main destination is

situated.

Your stay is limited to 90 days within any 6 month period.

*Please note: the Schengen Agreement applies only to those specific

countries who signed to the Agreement within the EU and EEA – the

Schengen Agreement is not specific to all European Member countries but

only to those listed in the ‘Participating countries’ section.

Holders of Schengen visas are still subject to immigration controls and are

not guaranteed entry into any of the Schengen countries.

Non-Schengen Visas

If you intend to visit countries which are not listed in the ‘Participating

countries’ section, you will be required to apply to each individual country

you wish to visit.

You should also note that if you are planning a trip which includes one or more

countries listed in the Schengen agreement and a country which is not listed

you will need to apply to one of the Schengen countries and also to the

Embassy of other country/countries you will be visiting. For example, if you

were planning to visit France, Germany, Spain and Ireland you would have to

apply for two visas as follows:

A Schengen visa for France, Germany or Spain

A tourist visa for Ireland

Tips when making a visa application:

• Holidays should only be taken during official University vacation periods.

• When you telephone an Embassy number you will be charged a

minimum of 60p per minute – do not use your mobile as it could be very

expensive.

• When telephoning for an appointment, have your passport with you and

a pen and paper.

• When posting your application never post cash. Always send a Postal

Order for the exact amount required.

• Always buy travel and health insurance whether or not it is required as

part of the visa application.

• If you are booking your accommodation and travel with a Travel Agent,

take your passport with you to ensure that the names entered in the

booking are identical – always check the spellings.

• If you wish your passport to be returned to you by post you should

submit a special delivery prepaid self-addressed envelope.

• You should normally allow 4-8 weeks for the processing of your

application from the date of appointment or receipt of documents,

before the proposed journey is undertaken - check the relevant Embassy

website.

Important Visa information

Providing false information in a Schengen visa application will be taken very

seriously by the Embassy and the applicant themselves will be held

responsible for the fraudulent claims; even if someone else completed the

form, the applicant who signs the form is responsible for all information

provided in that form. Please do not be tempted to be involved with this type

of deception. If you do then your Schengen visa application will be refused

and you are putting yourself at risk of being prosecuted.

You should also remember that, when applying for a Schengen visa, you must

apply either to the Embassy of the country where you will be visiting first, or

the country where you will be spending the most time. You should not apply

to a different Embassy because you think your application will be dealt with

quicker or more favourably there - this is known as ‘visa shopping’ and is

disapproved of by Embassies. ‘Visa shopping’ may also lead to the refusal of a

Schengen visa. The University of Central Lancashire will not assist you if we

believe that you are ‘visa shopping’.

Due to the fact that an Embassy can change the information on its website at any time, you are strongly advised to check the Embassy web page prior to submitting your application. We cannot take responsibility for any changes of information which occur on Embassy websites.

Supporting letter from UCLan

You will be required to send a letter from the University that confirms you are a registered student at UCLan. In order to obtain this letter you need to apply for a ‘confirmation of being a student’ letter from The <i>.

Please note that letters can take 10 working days to be processed. Please do not make any visa appointments or arrange any travel until your letter has been issued.

Schengen Visa information- PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES

Please see the list of countries below, which require a Schengen visa. Embassy details can be found at http://www.embassyworld.org/

Austria

Belgium

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

Italy

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Netherlands

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Schengen countries in orange

Non-Schengen countries in blue