Entering Schengen before the residence permit starts
I am new to this forum, I have read a couple of topics which are similar to mine, but they were very old, so I just want to clarify if everything is the same.
I'm planning to get a long-term student visa (D) for a Schengen/EU country which should start in the end of August. I am also planning to go on vacation to Bulgaria (which is not a part of the Schengen zone but is an EU country) in the beginning of August.
At this point, the nationals of my country are allowed to enter Bulgaria with a negative test. Provided that the situation is the same, won't my future visa prohibit me from entering the EU before it starts?
To clarify, I am the national of a country which has a visa-free regime with the EU (in regular times).
Best Answer
No.
You have a visa to enter the Schengen area and you are allowed to enter Bulgaria as a visitor. That Bulgaria is an EU country does not mean you violate your Schengen visa at a later time for a different purpose. The only problem you can get is if you stay longer in Bulgaria than visitors are normally allowed, or if you violate some other condition of your Schengen visa. But if you're a visa free national for Schengen as well, you could even enter the Schengen area earlier than your D visa starts, as a visitor, and start your D visa stay without entering "on" the visa.
Pictures about "Entering Schengen before the residence permit starts"
Can I enter Germany before my visa starts?
You are free to apply 90 days before the date of your travel for a German visa. It is recommended that you apply 3-6 weeks in advance before you travel to avoid any visa processing delay issues interfere with your travel itinerary.Can I go to France before my visa starts?
To apply for a short-stay visa, the application must be submitted at least two weeks prior to your planned visit; however, it can not be submitted more than 6 months prior to your planned visit.Should my first trip be to the country issued by Schengen Visa can I enter a different Schengen country?
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.How long before my trip should I apply for a Schengen Visa?
Yet, the recommended time to apply is at least 3 to 4 weeks before your trip. If you are applying to a country that deals with a particularly large number of applications, like France or Germany, you may want to apply slightly earlier to allow extra days for your Schengen Visa's processing time.Schengen Area: How does it Work? (Visa, Residence Permit)
More answers regarding entering Schengen before the residence permit starts
Answer 2
If your country is in the visa-exempt 90/180 list for Schengen, then you are indeed exempt from needing a visa for your first ninety days in Schengen. Your time in Bulgaria does not affect it.
When your ninety days are over, however, your visa (if in effect) means you are not guilty of overstay.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: cottonbro, MART PRODUCTION, Kampus Production, Dayvison de Oliveira Silva