Which consulate will give me the longest Schengen visa?
My husband is UK citizen and I have UK spouse visa. Thanks to my husband's job we would like to take one European trip a month. To that end I would like to know which embassy will issue the longest validity Schengen visa. I have already heard that the French embassy gives a multiple entry visa with at least 90 days validity. Can you suggest any others?
Best Answer
90 days (in any 180-day period) is in any event the longest you can stay on a Schengen visa. Schengen visas can be valid for up to 5 years but this has no bearing on the maximum stay, which is still at most 90 days. After that, it's usually necessary to leave the Schengen area for another 90 days before being allowed to return and use your visa again (at least for those who don't have an EU citizen spouse, more on this below).
To stay longer than 90 days at once, you would generally need a national long-stay visa or residence permit, which would allow you to take up residence in one specific member state but would not elsewhere in the Schengen area. If you are travelling/living with your British husband, the rules are however a bit different and you would be entitled to such a residence permit (see this question on another site for a discussion of the finer points of these freedom of movement rules).
Beyond that, where you should apply is not up to you. Except if you change your plans accordingly or simply lie on the application form (a bad idea), the consulate you should apply to depends on where you want to go. So if France is your main destination, you should apply to the French consulate, period.
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How do I get the longest Schengen Visa?
1 year multiple-entry Schengen visaWhich embassy is best for Schengen Visa?
Last year, the Greek embassies abroad approved 95.1% of the applications received. Greece is the fifth most favorite country for those intending to visit the Schengen area for short-term stays, with 855,285 applications received last year.Can you get Schengen Visa for 5 years?
With the 5-Year MEV, you only need to complete your Schengen Visa application once. After it's been approved, your visa will be valid for 5 years, so you don't need to apply for another Schengen Visa within 5 years. In short, more time traveling, less time applying for visas.What is the maximum duration of Schengen Visa?
For double or multiple entry (circulation visa) Schengen visas, the validity of the visa ranges from 6 months to 5 years. The holder may travel one or several times for up to 90 days over a 180-day period. The validity of the Schengen visa is indicated on the visa attached to the traveller's passport.3 Tips to get a Schengen Visa with longer validity II How I got a 3 year long term Schengen Visa?
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