Traveling to the Schengen area with a UK visa-rejection stamp, as a citizen of an Annex II country
In July 2016 I have been denied a visa to the UK. Now my concern is if it's possible to enter the Schengen area in September for research and sightseeing with a cross stamp in my passport?
I'm a Canadian citizen.
Best Answer
As specified in the Canadian travel advice for France (exemplary for other Schengen countries) you do not need a visa to enter the Schengen area.
Tourist visa: Not required for stays up to 90 days*
This is not altered by your previous UK visa refusal.
However upon arrival you will have a landing interview which can be anything from a brief look to a lengthy discussion and the outcome can range from admission to refused entry. There is no way predicting that outcome but your denied UK visa is a weak point.
The officer will assume you would want to overstay/work illegaly/do other bad stuff in the Schengen area and it is your job to be able to convince them of the opposite. You will want to have a well-planned touristic itinerary with you, including bookings of accomodation and transport if possible. You mention wanting to go for "research" among others which sounds fairly vague to me and might surely lead to plenty of other questions.
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Can UK citizens travel to Schengen countries?
UK passport holders can cross an external EU border using just a valid passport and stay anywhere in the Schengen Area for up to 3 months. To stay in the Schengen Area for longer than 90 days, a visa or another kind of travel permit is required.Will UK citizens need a Schengen visa?
Although the UK is now outside the EU, British citizens do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Area and stay short-term. Although there are no visa requirements for UK citizens, travellers will need to apply for ETIAS from May 2023.Will Brexit affect Schengen visa?
Since Brexit became official on January 1, 2021, British citizens do not need a visa travel to one or several Member States of the Schengen Area for up to 90 days. Like foreign nationals, they must be able to provide certain documents, including a passport and travel insurance.Can you enter Schengen with UK residence permit?
British citizens are covered by a Schengen visa waiver. This means you do not need to apply for a Schengen visa to visit these countries for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for: tourist travel.11 SCHENGEN VISA REJECTION REASONS | HOW TO APPEAL WHEN DENIED A VISA
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