French visa confusion
I currently hold a multi entry Schengen visa that is valid until May. I have used up my 90 days for this 6 month period staying with my parents who have recently emigrated tho France.
I am now moving to the UK from South Africa at the beginning of January. I have two questions. As I am leaving my home country will I be able to apply for a Schengen visa whilst in the UK once my current visa expires and if not will I be able to apply for a second visa while my first one is still valid while I am in my home country?
Best Answer
You can:
- Apply for a visa in the UK once you live there (i.e. have some sort of long-stay visa or permit, not merely a visitor visa). That's the regular procedure for foreign residents in the UK who need a visa to visit the Schengen area and is not a problem at all. Since you said that you are “moving” to the UK, I assume you will have some sort of resident status there and this would seem to be the easiest solution for you.
- Ask a French consulate in the UK to consider your application even if you don't live there. The difference is that you have to explain why they should and they might refuse but that's not impossible, see e.g. Can I apply for Schengen visa from London as foreigner? and Can we apply for a Schengen tourist visa while visiting another country on a short-stay visa?
- Apply to renew your multiple-entry visa up to six months before it expires (article 9 of the Schengen Visa code). Rules for single-entry visas are more restrictive and having used your 90 days could in this case lead to a refusal but in your situation, with a multiple-entry visa and a legitimate reason for repeated visits, applying now in South Africa should be OK. There is not much time left for this, though.
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Why would a French visa be denied?
One of the reasons the embassy or consulate of the Schengen country might refuse to give you a visa are; Failing to present financial statements, lacking proof of funds for the duration of your stay in Schengen Area and for the return to your home country.Is it hard to get a French visa?
The process of getting a French Visa is not easy, nor quick. You can complete the application process for a France visa by following the steps listed below: Choose the right Embassy. Compile the documents file.What do I do if my French visa is rejected?
An applicant whose visa has been refused may lodge an appeal against the decision to refuse a visa to the Commission de Recours contre les D\xe9cisions de Refus de Visa, BP 83609 44036 Nantes CEDEX 1, within two months of being officially informed. This appeal must be motivated, signed and written in French.Do embassies know about visa refusal in other countries?
As long as there is no visa rejection stamp on your passport none will know that another country has denied your visa. Except for Schengen countries as they use the same system and they will be able to pull you information. In the Western world all of the embassies are linked into common computer networks and systems.Why I left France (...and why my French visa got rejected) | French visa application process
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