VISAS TO EUROPEAN (SCHENGEN) COUNTRIES

What is a Schengen visa?

A Schengen visa is a unified visa that is issued by countries that are active members of the Schengen agreement. These are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Portugal. The agreement has abolished internal border controls and allows free movement of people within the Schengen area of the member states. A Schengen visa issued by a member state is valid for the territory of all member states. Britain is not a member of Schengen Agreement.

Do I need a Schengen visa to travel around Europe?

Nationals from the following countries do not usually need a visa to enter Schengen territory: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Uruguay, USA and Venezuela.

This list varies between the Schengen countries and is subject to change. Some Schengen countries also impose temporary restrictions on free travel and close the border occasionally. Check with the embassy or consulate before travelling.

Visas to Europe are fairly easy to get for students in the UK with France and Germany being very lenient in their issue and generous with duration. Both the French and German Consulates are known to issue multiple-entry Schengen visas for three to six months’ duration. Visas to new EU member states are more difficult to obtain.

Where to apply for a Schengen visa

You need to apply for a visa at the embassy or consulate of the Schengen country that is the country of your main destination. According to Schengen regulations, the country of main destination is the country where you will spend the longest part of your stay in the Schengen area. If you are not certain of your main destination, then you can apply for your visa at the Consulate of the country of first entry in the Schengen area. If unsure about the above, then check with your International Office or your Student Advice Centre.

How to apply for a Schengen visa

Applying in person

All applicants who wish to visit Schengen countries, except Sweden, must book an appointment with the consulate before applying for a visa. Appointments can either be booked by phone or via the internet. Sweden operates a first-come-first-served basis and around 50 tokens are issued by the consulate in London every morning.

Appointments by phone

You can book an appointment with the embassy or consulate by dialling a special automated appointment booking line at least one month before your planned journey. The call costs £1.00 per minute and usually lasts for around 10 minutes. You’ll then have to choose the date and the time for your visit to the embassy or consulate. The system will record your passport number and your address. An appointment letter will then be sent to your address which you need to take with you to the embassy or consulate on the day of your appointment. Appointments can be booked for up to four persons travelling together.

Appointments by internet or email

The French Consulate now offer booking via the internet, while the Austrian Consulate lets you book an appointment by email. You will need to give your passport details, dates of your trip and your UK visa details. A letter will then be sent to you either as an email attachment or by post. You’ll need to take that with you when you go to the embassy for your interview.

Applying by post

Some consulates permit residents living away from Greater London to post their application. The distance varies with each individual consulate. The requirements are the same. You’ll need to send all the supporting documents and payment (cheque, postal order or banker’s draft only) along with a completed application form. Make sure you post your application by recorded delivery and remember to enclose a pre-paid recorded delivery envelope for the safe return of your passport.

Visa service

Visa services exist all around Britain and you can find them listed in local newspapers, magazines and your local Yellow Pages. They offer assistance in submitting and collecting your application from the embassy for a fee. You may find it convenient to use this service because it avoids you having to queue at the embassy or consulate which will save you time. You’ll need to fill in the required application form and hand it over to the visa service along with your supporting documents and fees. The visa service will then hand over your application to the embassy/consulate. The cost varies from company to company with some charging additional fees of up to £20 per hour for queuing. Usually companies in London charge around £80 plus the visa fee. If everything is in order, the passport, along with the endorsed visa is returned within 24 hours. No special favours are shown to applications submitted through a visa service company. Embassies and consulates treat all applications the same. Popular ones are Visaservice (Tel: 0870 890 0185, www.visaservice.co.uk), and the Schengen Office (Tel: 020 7240 3535, www.theschengenoffice.com).

Schengen visa requirements

Visa requirements vary according to embassies and consulates with most of them insisting on seeing proof of your student status, sufficient funds to cover your trip (around £35–£40 per day), travel insurance, a return ticket to your country of residence and proof of accommodation (hotel or hostel reservation) in the country you are visiting. If you are staying with friends, then you need to submit an original Certificate of Board and Lodging. This must be obtained from the local town hall or police station by your friends in the Schengen country.

You’ll also need to submit two passport-size photographs along with your application. The processing time varies anything from a day to a month depending upon your nationality. The cost of a Schengen visa varies from £6–35 depending upon the consulate you apply to. Some embassies and consulates accept cheques and credit cards, however, it is best to check their website before you go. Visa fees are also subject to change every month depending on the exchange rate between the euro and pound. All visa fees are non refundable.

Make sure that your passport is valid for more than six months. Some embassies and consulates are known to insist that your ‘leave to remain in UK’ is valid for more than three months before your date of travel. You can download application forms from the respective embassy websites.

When to apply

You should apply well in advance – usually a month and a half before you intend to travel. Appointments get quickly booked up during the months of March, June, July, August and, in particular, December.

Schengen countries embassies and consulates in London

Austrian Embassy
18 Belgrave Mews West
London SW1X 8HU
Tel: 020 7235 3731
Fax: 020 7344 0292
24-hour visa information number: 09065 508 961
Visa booking number: 020 7344 3289
www.austria.org.uk
Email: visa@austria.org.uk
Nearest tube station: Hyde Park Corner

Belgian Embassy
103-105 Eaton Square
London SW1W 9AB
Tel: 020 7470 3700
Fax: 020 7470 3710
24-hour visa information number: 09065 508 963
Visa booking number: 09065 540 777
www.diplobel.org/uk
Email: belconsul@aol.com
Nearest tube station: Victoria

Danish Embassy
(Also issues visas for Iceland)
55 Sloane Street
London SW1
Tel: 020 7235 9531
Fax: 020 8333 0266
24-hour visa information number: 09065 508 975
Visa booking number: 09065 540 755
www.denmark.org.uk
Email: lonamb@um.dk
Nearest tube station: Knightsbridge

Finnish Embassy
38 Chesham Place
London SW1
Tel: 020 7235 9531
Fax: 020 7235 3680
24-hour visa information number: 09065 508 1122
www.finemb.org.uk
Email: sanomat.lon@formin.fi
Nearest tube station: Hyde Park Corner

French Consulate
6A Cromwell Place
London SW7
Tel: 020 7838 2000
Fax: 09001 669932
24-hour visa information number: 09065 508 940
www.ambafrance.org.uk
Nearest tube station: South Kensington

German Embassy
23 Belgrave Square
London SW1
Tel: 020 7824 1300
Fax: 020 7824 1449
www.german-embassy.org.uk
24-hour visa information number: 09065 508 922
Visa booking number: 09065 540 740
Nearest tube station: Hyde Park Corner

Greek Embassy
1A Holland Park
London Wll 3TP
Tel: 020 7221 6467
Fax: 020 7824 1449
24-hour visa information number: 0906 550 8983
Visa booking number: 09065 540 744.
www.greekembassy.org.uk
Email: consulategeneral@greekembassy.org.uk
Nearest tube stations: Hyde Park Corner or Knightsbridge

Italian Consulate
38 Eaton Place
London SW1X 8AN
Tel: 020 7235 9371
Fax: 020 7823 1609
24-hour visa information number: 09065 508 984#
Visa booking number: 09065 540 707
www.embitaly.org.uk
Email: visti.londra@esteri.it
Nearest tube station: Victoria

Luxembourg Embassy
27 Wilton Crescent
London SW1X 8SD
Tel: 020 7235 6961
Fax: 020 7235 6961
www.luxembourg.co.uk
Email: embassy@luxembourg.co.uk
Nearest tube station: Hyde Park Corner

The Netherlands Embassy
38 Hyde Park Gate
London SW7 5DP
Tel: 020 7590 3200
Fax: 020 7225 0947
24-hour visa information number: 09065 508 916
Visa booking number: 09065 540 720
www.netherlands-embassy.org.uk
Email: consular@netherlands-embassy.org.uk
Nearest tube station: Gloucester Road

Norwegian Embassy
25 Belgrave Square
London SW1X 8QD
Tel: 020 7591 5500
Fax: 020 7245 6993
www.norway.org.uk
Email: emb.London@mfa.no
Nearest tube station: Hyde Park Corner

Portuguese Embassy
3 Portland Place
London
WIN 3AA
Tel: 0870 005 6970 or 020 7581 8722
Fax: 020 7581 3085
24-hour visa information number: 09065 508 948
Email: portembassy-london@dailin.net
Nearest tube station: Knightsbridge

Spanish Embassy
20 Draycott Place
London SW3 2RZ
Tel: 020 7589 8989
Fax: 020 7581 7888
24-hour visa information number: 0906 508 970
Email: embespuk@mail.mae.es

Swedish Embassy
11 Montague Place
London W1H 2AL
Tel: 020 7917 6413
Fax: 020 7917 6400
24-hour visa information number: 020 7917 6400
www.swedish-embassy.org.uk
Email: ambassaden.london-visum@foreign.ministry.se
Nearest tube station: Goodge Street

Students in Scotland

Students living in Scotland can also apply directly with the consulates in Edinburgh in person or by post. Not all Schengen countries have consulates in Scotland. Consulates are open from 09.00am to 12.00 noon, Monday to Friday. Please call them to check whether they will deal with your application.

The Danish Consulate
4 Royal Terrace
Edinburgh
Midlothian EH7 5AB
Tel: 0131 556 4263

French Consulate General
11 Randolph Crescent
Edinburgh
Midlothian EH3 7TT
Tel: 0131 225 7954

German Consulate
16 Eglinton Crescent
Edinburgh
Midlothian EH 12 5DG
Tel: 0131 337 2323

Italian Consulate General
32 Melville Street
Edinburgh
Midlothian EH 3 7PG
Tel: 0131 226 3631

Netherlands Consulate
53 George Street
Edinburgh
Midlothian EH 2 2HT
Tel: 0131 220 3226

The Norwegian Consulate
86 George Street
Edinburgh
Midlothian EH2 3BU
Tel: 0131 226 5701

Spanish Consulate General
63 North Castle Street
Edinburgh
Midlothian EH2 3LJ
Tel: 0131 220 1843

Visas to Switzerland

Switzerland has recently relaxed its visa regulations in order to boost its tourist industry. Nationals from the following countries do not need a visa to travel to Switzerland for a visit: EEA member states, Andorra, Australia, Brunei, Fiji, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Tuvalu and all North, Central and South American countries including those in the West Indies (Caribbean Islands) with the exception of: Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti and Peru whose nationals need a visa.

All other nationals who hold a Residence Permit for the UK endorsed on the passport do not require a visa to travel to Switzerland for up to three months. A UK residence permit or a UK temporary residence permit (one usually given to students) has to be originally issued for more than six months and one day. At the time of entry into Switzerland this permit must be valid for a further three months and the passport must be valid for three months after the date of departure from Switzerland. Check with the Swiss embassy before travelling.

Swiss Embassy
16 Montague Place
London W1H 2BQ
Tel: 020 7616 6000
www.swissembassy.org.uk
Nearest tube station: Baker Street

VISAS TO OTHER EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES

Do I need a visa?

EEA nationals do not need a visa to travel around the other EU member states. Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Uruguay, USA and Venezuela do not require visas to visit most of the new EU member states.

Visa requirements

Visa requirements to other European countries are similar to Schengen visa requirements with most of them insisting on seeing proof of your student status, sufficient funds to cover your trip, travel insurance, a return ticket to your country of residence, an invitation letter and proof of accommodation in the country you are visiting. Processing times vary for some nationalities with countries like Latvia and Slovakia insisting on obtaining a clearance from their home ministry before issuing a visa. At the moment, there is no need to book an appointment and visas are issued on a first-come-first-served basis. Fees vary according to the type and the duration of the visa.

Cyprus

Cyprus High Commission
93 Park Street
London W1K 7ET
Tel: 020 7240 2488
Fax: 020 7836 2602
Cyprus.embassyhomepage.com*
Nearest tube station: Canon Street

Czech Republic

Embassy of the Czech Republic
26 Kensington Palace Gardens
London W8 4QY
Tel: 020 7243 1115
24-hour visa information number: 09069 101060
Fax: 020 7243 7926
www.czechembassy.org.uk
Nearest tube station: Notting Hill Gate

Estonia

Embassy of Estonia
16 Hyde Park Gate
London SW7 5DG
Tel: 020 7589 3428
www.estonia.gov.uk
Nearest tube station: Hyde Park Corner

Hungary

Hungarian Embassy
35B Eaton Place
London SW1X 8BY
Tel: 020 7235 2664
Fax: 020 7235 8630
www.huemblon.org.uk
Nearest tube station: Victoria

Ireland

Irish Embassy
17 Grosvenor Place
London SW1X 7HR
Tel: 020 7235 2171
ireland.embassyhomepage.com*
Nearest tube station: Hyde Park Corner

Latvia

Embassy of Latvia
45 Nottingham Place
London W1M 3FE
Tel: 020 7312 0040
Fax: 020 7312 0042
latvia.embassyhomepage.com*
Nearest tube station: Baker Street

Lithuania

Lithuanian Embassy
84 Gloucester Place
London W1U 6AU
Tel: 020 7486 6401/2
Fax: 020 7486 6403
lithuania.embassyhomepage.com*
Nearest tube station: Baker Street

Malta

High Commission of Malta
Malta House
36-38 Piccadilly
London W1V OPP
Tel: 020 7292 4800
Fax: 020 7734 1831
malta.embassyhomepage.com*
Nearest tube station: Piccadilly Circus

Poland

Polish Consulate
73 New Cavendish Street
London W1W 6LS
Tel: 0870 774 2800
www.polishembassy.org.uk
Nearest tube station: Great Portland Street

Slovakia

Slovak Embassy
25 Kensington Palace Gardens
London W8 4QY
Tel: 020 7313 6470/7243 0803
Fax: 020 7313 6481
www.slovakembassy.co.uk
Nearest tube station: Notting Hill Gate

Slovenia

Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia
10 Little College Street
London SW1P 3SH
Tel: 020 7222 5400
Fax: 020 7222 5277
slovenia.embassyhomepage.com*
Nearest tube station: Westminster

* Embassyhomepage.com is privately run and is not an official website of the embassy, high commission or consulate.

CONTACTING YOUR EMBASSY FOR HELP

Most countries have diplomatic representation in the UK. You might have to register with your embassy depending on your national requirements. It is useful to have the contact details of your embassy in case of any trouble. The following are contact details of a few of the diplomatic representations in the UK. Full embassy listings are available on the web at www.fco.gov.uk

American Embassy
24 Grosvenor Square
London W1A 2LH
Tel: 020 7499 9000
Fax: 020 7408 8020
www.usembassy.org.uk
Nearest tube station: Bond Street

Australia High Commission
Australia House
Strand
London WC2B 4LA
Tel: 020 7379 4334
Fax: 0207 240 5333
www.australia.org.uk
Nearest tube station: Temple

Brazilian Embassy
32 Green Street
London W1K 7AT
Tel: 020 7499 0877
Fax: 020 7399 0877
www.brazil.org.uk
Nearest tube station: Marble Arch

Canadian High Commission
38 Grosvenor Street
London W1K 4AA
Tel: 020 7258 6600
Fax: 020 7258 6333
www.canada.org.uk
Nearest tube station: Bond Street

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
49-51 Portland Place
London W1B 4JL
Tel: 020 7631 1430
Fax: 020 7433 3 653
www.chinese-embassy.org.uk
Nearest tube station: Regents Park

Ghana High Commission
13 Belgrave Square
London SW1X 8PN
Tel: 020 7235 4142
Fax: 020 7245 9552
www.ghana-com.co.uk
Nearest tube station: Gloucester Road

Indian High Commission
India House
Aldwych
London WC2B 4NA
Tel: 020 7836 8484
Fax: 020 7836 4331
www.hcilondon.org
Nearest tube station: Holborn

Jamaica High Commission
1–2 Prince Consort Road
London SW7 2BZ
Tel: 020 7823 9911
Fax: 020 7589 5154
www.jhcuk.com
Nearest tube station: Gloucester Road

Embassy of Japan
101–104 Piccadilly
London W1J 7J
Tel: 020 7465 6500
Fax: 020 7491 9348
www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp
Nearest tube station: Green Park

Kenya High Commission
45 Portland Place
London WIN 4AS
Tel: 020 7636 2371
Fax: 020 7323 6717
www.kenyahighcommission.com
Nearest tube station: Oxford Circus

Embassy of the Republic of Korea
60 Buckingham Gate
London SW1 6AJ
Tel: 020 7227 5500
Fax: 020 7227 5503
korea.embassyhomepage.com*
Nearest tube station: High Street Kensington

Malaysia High Commission
45 Belgrave Square
London SW1X 8QT
Tel: 0207 235 8033
Fax: 0207 937 2925
malaysia.embassyhomepage.com*
Nearest tube station: Knightsbridge

Mexican Embassy
42 Hertford Street
London W1J 7JR
Tel: 020 7499 8586
Fax: 020 7495 4035
www.mexicanconsulate.org.uk
Nearest tube station: Hyde Park

Nigeria High Commission
9 Northumberland Avenue
London WC2N 5BX
Tel: 020 7839 1244
Fax: 020 7839 8746
www.nigeriahc.org.uk
Nearest tube station: Charing Cross

Pakistan Embassy
35-36 Lowndes Square
London SW1X 9JN
Tel: 020 7644 9200
Fax: 020 7644 9224
www.pakmission-uk.gov.pk
Nearest tube station: Knightsbridge

Russian Embassy
6 Kensington Palace Gardens
London W8 4QX
Tel: 020 7229 2666
Fax: 020 7727 8625
www.rustradeuk.org
Nearest tube station: High Street Kensington

South Africa High Commission
South Africa House
Trafalgar Square
London WC2 5DP
Tel: 020 7451 729
Fax: 020 7451 7284
www.southafricahouse.com
Nearest tube station: Charing Cross

Singapore High Commission
9 Wilton Crescent
London SW1X 8SP
Tel: 020 7235 8315
Fax: 0207 245 6583
www.mfa.gov.sg/london/
Nearest tube station: Hyde Park Corner

Saudi Arabia Embassy
30 Charles Street
London W1J 5DZ
Tel: 020 7917 3000
Fax: 020 7917 3255
www.saudiembassy.org.uk
Nearest tube station: Green Park

Sri Lanka High Commission
13 Hyde Park Gardens
London W2 2LU
Tel: 020 7262 1841
Fax: 020 7262 7970
www.slhclondon.org
Nearest tube station: Lancaster Gate

Taipei Representative Office
50 Grosvenor Gardens
London SW1W 0EB
Tel: 020 7396 9152
Fax: 020 7600 315
www.roc-taiwan.org.uk
Nearest tube station: Victoria

Tanzania High Commission
43 Hertford Street
London W1C IAS
Tel: 020 7569 1470
Fax: 020 7495 8817
www.tanzania-online.gov.uk
Nearest tube station: Hyde Park Corner

Thailand Embassy
28 Princess Gate
London SW7 5JB
Tel: 020 7589 2944
Fax: 020 7823 9695
Nearest tube station: Gloucester Road

High Commission of Uganda
58-59 Trafalgar Square
London WC2N 5DX
Tel: 020 7839 5783
Fax: 020 7839 8925
Nearest tube station: Charing Cross

Ukraine Embassy
60 Holland Park
London Wll 3SJ
Tel: 020 7727 6312
Fax: 020 7792 1708
www.ukremb.org.uk
Nearest tube station: Notting Hill Gate