Entering the Schengen area 12 days before my visa expires
I have a Vietnamese passport. I'm planning to visit Vietnam on July 7th and be back in the Czech Republic (in Schengen area) on August 29th. My visa is a multiple-entry, long-term, D type visa (for study purposes) and the expiration date is September 10th. I am afraid that the boarding officer will not allow me to enter EU since the arrival is so close to the expiration date.
Is it OK for me to enter Schengen on August 29th when I have only 12 days left until visa expiration?
Best Answer
Your visa is valid until 23:59:59 on the expiration date. Therefore, from a strictly bureaucratic point of view, you should be allowed to re-enter the Schengen area since you have a valid visa. However, as you say, the immigration officer might have some questions regarding the closeness of the expiry date to your date of entry in the country.
If you want to shed some light on those doubts bring all supporting documents that you think are necessary to explain your situation. These can be in the form of a proof of onward travel - i.e. plane tickets out of the Schengen area on a date prior to the expiry of your visa - or of a proof that you have applied for a visa extension and are likely to get it - say the application submission receipt along with a proof of student status lasting longer than your current visa validity window.
All in all you are the one responsible for bringing the right documentation to support your case. Also I suggest you be honest with the immigration officer and don't try any tricks.
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Can I travel on the last day of my Schengen visa?
For double or multiple entry (circulation visa) Schengen visas, the validity of the visa ranges from 6 months to 5 years. The holder may travel one or several times for up to 90 days over a 180-day period. The validity of the Schengen visa is indicated on the visa attached to the traveller's passport.How many days before visa expires can I travel?
The maximum stay for that is 90 days. As long as your passport is also still valid then for your planned trip of 10 to 15 Feb, you will be fine. From the State Dept website: "The visa expiration date is shown on the visa along with the visa issuance date.How long do you have to leave the Schengen zone before returning?
Under the terms of Schengen, non-EEA nationals cannot spend more than a total of 90 days within a total period of 180 days without a visa. Furthermore, once you've used up your quota of 90 days, you cannot return to Schengen until 90 more days have passed.Can I travel with my visa almost expired?
A visa must be valid at the time a traveler seeks admission to the United States, but the expiration date of the visa (validity period/length of time the visa can be used) has no relation to the length of time a temporary visitor may be authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to remain in the United States.Overstaying in the Schengen Zone - How to Extend Your Stay in Europe UPDATED
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