Travelling with 2 Valid visa - Schengen 'C' & 'D'

Travelling with 2 Valid visa - Schengen 'C' & 'D' - Woman Sitting on Luggage

So I'm a non-EU National, due to an upcoming trip in January I have a Schengen 'C' visa that was issued (validity from 5th January to 1st July for 90 days).

In February, I will be in Switzerland for an exchange program for 5 months & have been given a 3 month 'D' Visa (8th February to 7th May). It's only a 3 month validity because from my understanding, the 'D' visa for Switzerland serves only as an 'entry clearance' of sorts, it is the residence permit which will allow me to stay the full 5 months. [Unlike France where the 'D' visa lasts for the entire duration of an exchange]

Anyway, whilst my residence permit is processing, if I were to travel out of Switzerland (or even Schengen), at the border control for non-Schengen or random checks for intra-Schengen, will these 2 simultaneously valid visas be an issue ? Even though they are different types, they both allow travel within Schengen.

From my understanding, once I get my residence permit then my days spent in Switzerland will not count towards the 90/180. However, how do they know how much time I spent out of Switzerland (but within Schengen) ? Or is it based off the validity duration of the Residence permit ?

If so, let's say the permit is valid from 8 February to 8th June, does that mean that the 'C' visa will not be deemed to have been 'used' up till the expiry of my residence permit? so If i remain until 30th June, then my days under the 'C' visa will only start counting from 8th June to 30th June? as well as the days spent in January of course.

My question mainly stems for travels while both visas are valid (& especially when I get my residence permit but the 'C' visa is still valid - is that possible? or does the residence permit sort of annul the 'C' visa?).

Both the 'C' as well as the 'D' visas are multiple entries.






Pictures about "Travelling with 2 Valid visa - Schengen 'C' & 'D'"

Travelling with 2 Valid visa - Schengen 'C' & 'D' - Passport on Top of a Planner
Travelling with 2 Valid visa - Schengen 'C' & 'D' - Woman Wearing Face Mask
Travelling with 2 Valid visa - Schengen 'C' & 'D' - Woman in Gray Knit Cap and Beige Coat



Can I have two valid Schengen visas at the same time?

In theory, it is not possible for a person to hold two valid short stay visas covering the same period. I have a valid Schengen visa but it does not cover my next intended stay, what can I do? In this case, it is possible to file a visa application for another Schengen visa to cover the next intended stay entirely.

What is Schengen C & D visa?

It is issued by the visa services (embassies, consulates, appointed external providers) of a country belonging to the Schengen area. It allows the holder to stay or travel freely in the Schengen area for less than 90 days over a 180 day period. It is mandatory for citizens of some countries.

Can I travel to more than one member country with the same Schengen visa?

IF MY VISA IS ISSUED FOR INSTANCE BY THE GERMAN CONSULATE, CAN I USE THIS VISA AND TRAVEL TO ANOTHER COUNTRY OF SCHENGEN AGREEMENT? Yes, according to the Schengen Agreement rules, the Schengen visa is generally valid for all Schengen area countries.



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Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Anna Shvets, Nataliya Vaitkevich, Anna Shvets, Anna Shvets