Can I use a Schengen type C Visa (Tourism) for Business?
I have been a frequent visitor to The Netherlands and other Schengen states (for both business and tourism purposes) in past several years and had many visas issued previously.
The current visa I have is a 5-year validity (valid until 2020) Schengen Type C multiple entry visa issued by the Embassy of The Netherlands. The purpose I have indicated when I applied for this visa was "tourism" in The Netherlands and other Schengen states. I have already used this visa for tourism to The Netherlands and Italy for 8 days last year 2015.
Next month (April 2016), I will be travelling to Norway on business for 5 days. I already have the invitation letter from the host company in Norway. I also believe that I will be required for another business trip to The Netherlands in May 2016.
My two questions which I need your help in are:
Can I use the Schengen visa I have now (ie. issued for tourism) to go to Norway on business?
Can I use the same visa for other business visits within Schengen states?
Best Answer
I have completed my business trip to Norway (flying through Amsterdam). It was very smooth and I did not encounter any issues at passport control regarding the Visa. I was asked about the purpose of the visit and I mentioned it is a business visit to the company I was visiting, no issue at all. To add to this, my Schengen visa was actually on my expired passport and I was travelling with my new passport and also that was fine.
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Is Schengen visa a business visa?
A Schengen business visa allows you to travel to the Schengen Area countries for business purposes. It is required by citizens of countries that have mandatory visa requirements for visits to Europe, and who are traveling with the sole purpose of conducting business.What is Category C Schengen visa?
Type C Schengen visaIt allows the holder to stay or travel freely in the Schengen area for less than 90 days over a 180 day period. It is mandatory for citizens of some countries. Check if you need a category C Schengen visa by reading the Schengen visa entry requirements.What is the difference between business and tourist visa?
In general, 'tourist' visas are issued specifically for the purpose of travel for pleasure, while a 'business' visa generally permits a traveler to engage in normal business-related activities. You need a supporting letter to apply for business visa.Do you need a visa for a business trip?
A foreign national traveling to the United States to conduct temporary business needs a visitor visa (B-1) unless qualifying for entry under the Visa Waiver Program. Examples of temporary business include: Attending business meetings or consultations. Attending a business convention or conference.THE SCHENGEN ZONE TRAVEL EXPLAINED - DIGITAL NOMAD TV
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Answer 2
Yes, Schengen type C visa are simply short-stay visas. Nowhere does the sticker say “tourism”. The regulation contains some lists of documents to include in the application depending on the purpose of the trip but it does not define strictly distinct categories either.
Doing something like that can be tricky with a single entry visa (which is implicitly issued for a specific trip) but multiple entry visa are explicitly intended to offer flexibility and cover other (types of) trips as well. Having all your documents with you if you are challenged is a good idea but with many past trip and a 5-year visa (it's the longest you can get and it means you are a trusted traveller, people typically don't get that the first time around or if they have a risky profile) I would not expect any problem.
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