Utilizing a previously issued Schengen visa for travel post pandemic
I am fully vaccinated with an EU approved vaccine. I have a multiple entry Schengen visa (Type C) that is valid till Jan 2023. It was issued by the Embassy of Netherlands.
I have used it previously (in 2018 and 2019) to travel to several countries in Europe. I understand that new visa issuance was put on hold during the Corona virus pandemic. But I believe previously issued and valid visas are not impacted by any regulation. Is that correct?
I want to travel to Austria on this visa but the Embassy here gave me TWO different answers: on the phone they said "fine, no problems" but on email they told me "to check with Embassy of Netherlands".
Asking this question as a 're-confirmation' from the community because the official websites (https://reopen.europa.eu/) doesn't say anything. The updated travel restrictions at the time of writing (Sep 29) for the countries I checked (Netherlands, Austria) also don't have any mention for previously issued and active Schengen visas.
TL,DR: want to use an active Schengen visa (issued by NL) but going to Austria this time.
Best Answer
For the benefit of the community, here is my travel experience:
There are absolutely NO ISSUES in traveling on a previously issued and still active/ valid Schengen visa. I did this and it was smooth, just like pre-pandemic days. So please disregard any false information that travel agents et al are spreading.
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Is my Schengen Visa still valid after Brexit?
As of January 1, 2021, the United Kingdom is officially a no longer a member of the European Union and its relationship to the Schengen Agreement remains unchanged. The Schengen visa does not give you permission to travel to the UK, but Schengen travel assurance from Europ Assistance covers you!Can I use my Schengen Visa for a completely different purpose and entry point?
Schengen visas may allow for a single-entry or multiple entries. With a single-entry visa you can enter the Schengen area only once. This is indicated on the visa sticker by "01". With a visa allowing for two or multiple entries you may enter twice or several times during the validity of the visa.What happens if Schengen Visa is not used?
It could be fine, immediate deportation or even getting banned from entering the Schengen Zone for a specific amount of time. Finally, yet importantly, it does not matter if you have entered Schengen territory on a Schengen Visa, or if you are the national of a country, to which a visa waiver has been applied.Can I apply again for Schengen Visa?
You can reapply for your visa, or you can appeal the initial decision made on your first visa application. Keep in mind that when you reapply for your Schengen Visa, it might be automatically refused due to the refusal of your first application.Schengen visa!! Schengen visa after refusal
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