Can I gain entry into the Schengen area through Spain if my visa is a Type D Italian visa?
I'm an Indian Citizen and about to go to Europe for my Masters Education on an Erasmus Scholarship.
My first semester begins in Italy. But before that we are expected to attend a short introductory course for 10 days in Spain. Can I gain first entry through Spain with an Italian Type D visa?
Best Answer
You should be able to enter through a different port of entry but your residence application for the visa will restrict you from staying long enough.
According to a document on the Ministry of Internal Affairs Website,
Foreigners who would like to stay in Italy must apply for the residence permit. Whoever arrives in Italy for the first time must apply for the residence permit within 8 days.
One may argue that entering Italy is different from entering the Schengen Area. While this may be true, my situation while visiting France on a similar study visa prevented me from spending a long time outside France before my residence permit was issued/applied for.
As long as you can apply for the residence permit on time, while your permit is being processed, Italy allows you to travel in the Schengen Area for the first 90 days of the start of your visa. After that you can easily travel.
SINGLE ENTRY more than 90 days stay ITALIAN LONG-TERM STUDY VISA (type D): With this visa, you can travel from Italy only within the Schengen Area during the first 90 days of your visit; later, once you hold an Italian permit of stay (see below) you will be able to travel freely.
MULTIPLE ENTRY more than 90 days stay ITALIAN LONG-TERM STUDY VISA (type D): This visa permits you to travel in and out of Italy and the other Schengen countries during the first 90 days of your visit; later you will still be able to do it but only with a permit of stay (see below).
Unfortunately they do not explicitly mention whether you can enter the Schengen Area through another port of entry but since they do allow you to visit other countries for the first 90 days, I don't suspect any issues. Of course, the best way to solve this is to call VFS Global which offers Italian Visa services in India.
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Can I enter Spain with Italian Schengen Visa?
If your nationality is one of those that need a Schengen Visa to enter the Schengen Area, then yes, you can enter Spain with this visa without any problem.Can I travel to other Schengen countries with D visa?
Could I use this visa to make a trip to other Schengen States? Yes. According to the Schengen rules, the Schengen visa is generally valid for all the countries in the Schengen area. Please note, however, that you always have to apply at the consulate of the country which is your primary destination (see FAQ no 5).What is Schengen Visa category D?
The national visa of \u201cD\u201d category is granted to the certain individuals who are to be studying, working or permanently residing in one of the Schengen countries.Can I travel in Europe with Italian residence permit?
All foreign national citizens who hold an EU long term residence permit or a valid residence permit of another type, can leave Italy and move freely within the Schengen area for tourism purposes, bringing with them just a passport and the residence permit.THE SCHENGEN ZONE TRAVEL EXPLAINED - DIGITAL NOMAD TV
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