Schengen visa entry rules for Georgia
I am an Indian Passport holder with a resident visa working in Dubai. I hold a valid Schengen multiple entry visa issued 29th July 2013 and expiring 28 July 2014. I hold US & UK long term multiple entry current visas.
Question: If I enter a Schengen visa recognizing country like Georgia, Turkey, or the Czech Republic before 28th July 2014 for a 10 day vacation with a return ticket, will I be allowed to travel from Dubai and enter that country?
Best Answer
Georgia is not part of the Schengen area, however it does have special rules for valid Schengen visa holders. According to the Georgian ministry of foreign affairs:
Foreign nationals who have a multiple entry US, EU or Schengen member states visas, which have validity for one year or more and had been used once at least, can enter or stay on the territory of Georgia without visa up to 90 days, within the validity term of the visa.
Therefore you will not need a visa to enter Georgia in the circumstances you describe.
Turkey is also not part of the Schengen area and will require you to get a visa to enter its territory. According to the, the rules for Indian passport holders are:
India: Diplomatic passport holders are exempt from visa for their travels to Turkey up to 90 days. Ordinary, Special and Service passport holders are required to have visa to enter Turkey. Ordinary, Special and Service passport holders with a valid Schengen or OECD member's visa or residence permit may get their single entry e-Visas valid for one month via the website www.evisa.gov.tr, provided that they meet certain conditions.
That is, you definitely will need a visa regardless of whatever other visas you have, however you may be able to get an e-visa online. Failing that, you can always get the visa at the airport on arrival. If you are entering Turkey by means other than air (e.g. by road from Georgia), then you will need to get a visa prior to your travel.
Czech Republic, on the other hand, is a member of Schengen area and a valid Schengen visa is required to enter Czech Republic. As you already have one, you should be ok - provided that it was either issued by Czech Republic in the first place or you have already entered Schengen area in the past using this visa or are transiting through Czech Republic to the country that issued the visa.
EDIT: Where you are travelling from makes no difference on the admission policy in any country (with possibly some very rare exceptions, like Israel to Syria, for example). What matters is your country of citizenship and the type of visa or visas you hold.
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Does Schengen visa cover Georgia?
Foreign nationals who hold a Schengen visa can enter Georgia visa-free for 90 days within 180 days.Is Georgia member of Schengen?
The European countries that are not part of the Schengen zone are Albania, Andora, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Ireland, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, The United Kingdom and Vatican City.Which countries can you enter with a Schengen visa?
These countries are: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.Which visa is required for Georgia?
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter Georgia generally must first obtain a Georgian visa, which is placed in the traveler's passport (a visa blank) or is issued electronically (electronic visa).Schengen Visa Country Of First Entry - What Are The Rules?
More answers regarding schengen visa entry rules for Georgia
Answer 2
You won't be able to enter the Czech Republic or any other Schengen country for a 10-day vacation after July 18 (and not July 28!) as your visa needs to be valid until the last day of your stay in the Schengen area and not only on the day you enter (which is the way US visas work for example).
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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