Schengen tourist visa submitted to wrong country?
Background:
I am going to Sweden this summer to take part in an art competition. I have an invitation letter from the organizer in Sweden, plus my main purpose of going to the Schengen area is to be at this competition. But because I have some other travel plans, I decided to submit a tourist visa application to the Swedish embassy in my home country. My trip agenda is superbly detailed and very truthful; all my hotels are booked.
Problem:
After the competition (5 days), I plan to travel to Norway (7 days). When I was submitting the application at VFS for Swedish visas, the VFS staff didn't say anything and accepted my dossier. The next day, VFS said I should apply for a Norwegian visa instead, because my stay in Norway is longer.
Question:
What would be the best solution now? Clearly it would sound weird if I give the Norwegian embassy an invitation letter to go to Sweden. But now my application is already with the Swedish embassy, and I could do nothing about it. What is the likelihood of being rejected? Should I wait for 15 days and pray? Or should I ask the embassy to retrieve my application?
Spin-off question:
Is number of nights spent the only criteria in determining which country the main destination is?
Best Answer
If it is a multi-entry, long-term visa and it actually gets issued, you should not have problems entering Sweden (I assume this is first port of entry) and also you should not have problems entering Norway (or is it on the same trip?). If anyone asks why Sweden and not Norway, just answer that you have plans to re-visit Sweden later when on the same visa. Please note that it is much easier to enter on the same visa for a second time after already entering and exiting on this visa - chances that you will have zero questions asked.
If for some reason the visa will not be issued, you can try re-applying to Norway.
If this is a short-visit visa it may indeed look weird that you spend more time in the "wrong" country. Otherwise, it may be unusual but it does not put you even remotely in the danger territory, as it would if you'd travelled directly to some 3rd Schengen country instead or tried to do an airport transit to 3rd country via Sweden on that visa.
Also, Sweden may be reluctant to issue further visas to you if you spend less time in Sweden on it than on other Schengen countries. Other countries likely won't care. If Sweden and Norway are on the same trip, they're likely not able to figure out how much time really spent in what country.
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What if I made a mistake on my Schengen Visa application?
What if I make a mistake on my Schengen Visa form - can I correct it? If you made a mistake on your visa application form - you will need to fill out a new one before your appointment at the consulate or visa application center.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 you apply for Schengen Visa from another country?
You must lodge the application for a Schengen visa at the Consulate of the country that you intend to visit, or \u2013 if you intend to visit more than one Schengen State, the Consulate of the country of your primary destination (i.e. main purpose of stay or longest stay).Can Schengen tourist visa be rejected?
Your Schengen visa will be denied if the authorities believe you cannot afford your travel and living expenses in the Schengen area. In order for you visa application to be successful, you must successfully demonstrate that you can afford food, housing, travel, and all other costs associated with their trip.REASONS WHY SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATIONS GET REJECTED (Highly requested)
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