Cruise embarks in Rome, visits mainly Greece ports and disembarks in Athens where I am flying out of also, which country to apply Schengen Visa in?
I will be flying in to Rome 3 days ahead of my cruise sailing date which sails out of Rome for an 11 day cruise of Greek isles (including 3 port days in Turkey), finally disembarking in Athens. I will also be staying an extra 3 days in Athens before flying out of Athens to go home.
Where should I apply for a Schengen visa, at the Greek embassy or at the Italian embassy? What happens if I apply to the wrong embassy?
Best Answer
In a nutshell, the rule is to apply to the main destination and, if there is no main destination, to the first country you will visit in the Schengen area. Based on your description, I don't think there is a clear “main destination” to your trip so I would apply to the country through which you will enter the Schengen area, namely Italy. But it's also possible to regard Greece as the main destination because of the time spent in the islands.
What happens if you apply to the wrong embassy/consulate is that they should decline to process your visa application as per article 18 of the Schengen Visa code:
Article 18
Verification of consular competence
When an application has been lodged, the consulate shall verify whether it is competent to examine and decide on it in accordance with the provisions of Articles 5 and 6.
If the consulate is not competent, it shall, without delay, return the application form and any documents submitted by the applicant, reimburse the visa fee, and indicate which consulate is competent.
(Article 5 is the one defining the rules I described at the beginning of my answer.)
In particular, it's not a “refusal” (article 32), it does not count as a negative decision or precedent and you should even get your documents and money back (which is not the case for a refusal) so you have lost nothing except the time it takes to wait for the consulate to get back to you and reapply somewhere else.
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Can I enter Italy with Greece Schengen Visa?
As a general rule, you may cross any Schengen border with visa issued by any Schengen country. However, you should try and stick to your itinerary as filed when applying for your Schengen Visa.Do you need a Schengen Visa for transit?
If you are traveling through an airport in the Schengen area, even if you are not leaving the terminal, you may need to obtain a Schengen Airport Transit Visa. The requirements stipulating your entry into a Schengen Airport as a third-country national are determined by your resident status and citizenship.Do I need a visa to transit through Italy?
Italy Airport Transit Visa You must stay in the airport even if it means waiting overnight. You need an Airport Transit Visa for Italy if you are stopping at an Italian airport to catch another flight and continue your travel to a destination outside the Schengen area.Can I travel to Schengen countries on single entry Schengen 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.How To Apply Europe Tourist Visa / Schengen Visa from India – All You Need To Know - Part 1 Q\u0026A
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Answer 2
If you start in Rome, then it's easiest to apply to the Italian embassy of your country though not strictly necessary. They will anyway ask you for the purpose of your visit at which point you can show your itinerary.
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