Can I use my single entry Schengen visa to go to a different Schengen country than originally planned?
My friends and I planned to visit Germany, so I got a single entry tourist Schengen visa to Germany. However, my travel plans have changed since then, because my friends are going to Italy instead. I don't have time to apply for a visa to Italy, but I have been told that I can use my Schengen visa to enter Italy. Is that true?
Best Answer
I got a single entry tourist Schengen visa to Germany. However, my travel plans have changed since then, because my friends are going to Italy instead. I don't have time to apply for a visa to Italy, but I have been told that I can use my Schengen visa to enter Italy. Is that true?
This is true. A single entry into the zone occurs when a person first enters the zone and is fully consumed when the person leaves the zone. During the visit, movement within the zone is not controlled. That's the theory.
However, the situation laid out by your question means you are outright asking for trouble...
At the control point in Italy, the official will see a single-entry Schengen issued presumably by Germany. This will flag up as something to be delved in to.
They will be entitled to ask why you entered the zone in Italy and more to the point, the official will be entitled to see your arrangements for immediate onward travel to Germany along with your accommodation arrangements in Germany.
If you cannot provide satisfactory answers and/or documentation, the official will be entitled to conclude that you are attempting to abuse the terms and conditions of your visa (which you are). At that point you become vulnerable to removal.
A less frictionless strategy would be to enter the zone in Germany and then depart for Italy. That clears the issue about why Germany issued the Schengen, but leaves open the possibility that the official is not satisfied with your accommodation and arrangements for leaving the zone from Germany.
In either case, the best practices strategy is to request an revocation of your Schengen in favour of one issued by Italy.
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Can I travel to other Schengen countries with single entry visa?
With one-entry visa you can travel the Schengen area only once. It is indicated in your visa as \u201c01\u201d. With two-entries or multi-entries you can respectively travel to the Schengen area twice or several times during the visa validity period. I HAVE A VALID LONG STAY VISA/ RESIDENCE PERMIT FOR A SCHENGEN AREA COUNTRY.Can I use my Schengen Visa for a completely different purpose and entry point?
Schengen visas may allow for a single-entry or multiple entries. With a single-entry visa you can enter the Schengen area only once. This is indicated on the visa sticker by "01". With a visa allowing for two or multiple entries you may enter twice or several times during the validity of the visa.Should my first trip be to the country which issued my Schengen Visa?
There is no general requirement that you must enter the Schengen Area through the country that issued your visa. Your main destination may be different than your first destination. To prevent complications, stick to your itinerary as best you can.Can I have 2 Schengen visas at the same time?
In theory, it is not possible for a person to hold two valid short stay visas covering the same period. I have a valid Schengen visa but it does not cover my next intended stay, what can I do? In this case, it is possible to file a visa application for another Schengen visa to cover the next intended stay entirely.Schengen Visa MULTIPLE ENTRY vs SINGLE ENTRY
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