Applying for Schengen visa, what does 'member state of first entry' mean?

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I was filling in the forms to apply for a Schengen visa and I do not understand how to fill in my Member state of first entry. What does it mean exactly?



Best Answer

The Schengen zone has (as of 3 March 2016) 26 member states. And despite Schengen being a single zone for visa and movement purposes, the responsibility for approving Schengen visas is factored out to each of the 26 members.

Member state of first entry ... What does it mean exactly?

A person arrives into the Schengen zone from outside of the zone, like China or Egypt and so on. And the first time you touch down (or otherwise cross a border into a member state), it is your first entry.

At the risk of being pedantic, I can add that you can determine this by examining your itinerary and identifying the first place you will arrive in that requires a Schengen visa.

Also note that the the member of your first entry may or may not be the member who should process your application. See Which country visa should i apply to? - Schengen




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What is member state in Schengen Visa?

Schengen area countries Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

What is the country of first entry to the Schengen area?

Your first country of entry is the country in which you enter the Schengen Area for the first time from the outside. It does not need to be the country that issued you with a Schengen Visa, as you must apply with the nation where you are planning to spend the majority of your stay in the Schengen Area.

What is the meaning of Member State of destination?

In Intra-EU trade the 'Member State of destination'' is defined as the last country to which it is known, at the time of dispatch, that the goods are to be dispatched.

How do I fill out a Schengen Visa?

How to Fill-in the Schengen Visa Application Form
  • Surname (Family Name) Write your name as indicated on your passport (Please do not add the words \u201cmarried name\u201d and the name of your husband)!
  • Surname at birth (Former Family Name) ...
  • First Name(s) ...
  • Date of Birth. ...
  • Place of Birth. ...
  • Country of Birth. ...
  • Current Nationality. ...
  • Gender.




  • How to fill out the Schengen Visa Application Form (Tourist Visa/Short Stay) | Schengen Visa part 5




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