Applying for Schengen Visa. My UAE residence visa will expire before 3 months from the day of departure from the Schengen area
I am a Indian passport holder who is currently living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Last year (2012) we got Schengen visa and visited Czech Republic and Austria for 10 days.
For this year (2013), I am planning for our summer holidays (July 15th - August 21st) with the family in Europe - France, Italy, Switzerland. However I came to know from the consulate web sites that the documents required for an expatriate UAE residents, the residence permit should be valid for at least 3 months from the day of departure from the Schengen area. Since my residence visa would expire on October 3, I am not sure if I will get the visa or not.
My questions are:
Whether France, Italy & Switzerland emphasize on this 3-month residence visa rule and would they reject the visa on this particular reason.
Is there any neigbouring countries which don't emphasize on 3 month UAE residence validity. If so I could travel to that country first and then continue with rest of my planned trip.
Best Answer
Unfortunately, yes I know that Fr, It, and Switzerland will in fact follow visa requirements very closely. My father worked in the UAE for many years, and this was something we had to deal with.
There are still currents of public discontent of what is seen as overabundance of immigration from the Middle East in many parts of the EU. This leads to occasional rhetoric from politicians about restricting immigration from these regions. I know that you are asking about just a visiting visa, but it has been my experience that such pressures tend to make the rules more closely enforced. You will note that the UAE wasn't put on the no-visa list despite campaigning.
On to question 2. Depends on what you mean by neighboring, but for the most part, no all the countries in the EU act the same way in this regard. It is part of the point of the EU to have equal protection in at all the boarders, then ease of travel within the EU once you are there. I'm afraid to say your best bet would be trying to renew or extend the UAE visa you have, but that's not a really hopeful plan (to in effect get 2 sequential visas before July).
Best of luck.
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Can I apply for another Schengen Visa before it expires?
A visa can be extended if you have stayed less than 90 days in the Schengen Area over the last 180-day period and if you have not exceeded the validity period of your visa. The conditions for granting an extension of a Schengen Visa are very strict and your reason for applying must be serious and unforeseeable.Can I apply for Schengen Visa before 90 days?
Your visa will be valid for a specific period. This period may be shorter than 90 days. You can travel freely between the 26 Schengen countries while your visa is valid. If you want to leave and re-enter the Schengen area within the 180-day period, choose the multiple-entry option when making your application.How many days before Schengen Visa expires can I travel?
For double or multiple entry (circulation visa) Schengen visas, the validity of the visa ranges from 6 months to 5 years. The holder may travel one or several times for up to 90 days over a 180-day period. The validity of the Schengen visa is indicated on the visa attached to the traveller's passport.Can I apply for Schengen Visa 3 months in advance?
Applying six months in advance of a trip is now possible While so far Schengen visa applicants could file an application ad early as three months in advance of their trip to the borderless Schengen area, now this rule has changed. The updated code makes it possible for travelers to apply six months before their trip.Overstaying in the Schengen Zone - How to Extend Your Stay in Europe UPDATED
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