Why did I receive a Schengen visa valid for only 15 days during a one month period instead of 30 days within a 3 month period?

I am traveling to France from England for a duration of 5 days, however, three weeks later I travel to Budapest and other countries as part of a tour and require a valid Schengen visa as I hold a South African passport. What should I do? I have not yet used the Schengen visa valid for only 15 days, therefore should I cancel it and reapply? I cannot wait until the visa expires as it expires on the day I intend on traveling to Budapest.

Best Answer

You cannot cancel a visa, only the issuing authority can cancel it. You can revoke your application, but it seems like the visa has already been issued.

Please do not do something like tear the visa page or otherwise vandalize it, this will cause you more problems than you can imagine.

You can apply for another visa while one is already valid in your passport though. If you explain to the officer why you are applying again, perhaps they can expedite your application (by EU law they are supposed to respond within 15 calendar days).

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What is the validity period of Schengen visa?

The duration of stay within the Schengen Area is always 90 days for the type C Schengen visa, but the validity of the Schengen visa itself may change. For double or multiple entry (circulation visa) Schengen visas, the validity of the visa ranges from 6 months to 5 years.

Does the Schengen visa reset after 180 days?

What is the Schengen 90/180 rule? Under the terms of Schengen, non-EEA nationals cannot spend more than a total of 90 days within a total period of 180 days without a visa. Furthermore, once you've used up your quota of 90 days, you cannot return to Schengen until 90 more days have passed.

How are Schengen days counted?

You may only visit the Schengen Area for a total of 90 days within 180 days. The 180 days are counted backwards from your latest entry or exit date. This means it's counted from the first day you entered (if you have not left yet) or the final day you visited the Schengen Area (the date of exit).

Does the Schengen visa reset?

These days don't need to be consecutive \u2014 the total is cumulative. Once day 181 hits, the count resets itself. For example, if I come to the Schengen Area in January and stay for 60 days and then come back in June for 10 days, that counts as 70 days in 180 days.

Difference between Schengen Visa Validity and Duration of Stay

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