Wouldn’t it be amazing if you got a lengthy multiple entry Schengen visa on your first try?
Let’s be honest, it can be a major hassle to apply for a Schengen Visa. Especially so, for our travel hungry friends back home in the Maldives who have to travel to neighbouring Sri Lanka to even make an application. So, we thought we would give our 2 cents worth to our readers back home and anybody else struggling with the Schengen visa application.
February 2020 UPDATE
With the Schengen visa rules changes that came into effect in February 2020, the EU has made it even clearer how you can obtain a longer duration multiple entry visa.
For 1 year validity
The applicant should have previously obtained and lawfully used three visas within the previous two years.
For 2 year validity
The applicant should have previously obtained and lawfully used a multiple-entry Schengen visa valid for one year within the past two years.
For 5 year validity
The applicant should have previously obtained and lawfully used a multiple-entry visa valid for two years within the past three years.
The 5 year validity will not be applicable to passports that expire every five years as the validity of the visa should not exceed the validity of the travel document. This also means that if you do want a 2 year validity you should have at least 3 years validity on your passport. Information obtained from www.schengenvisainfo.com.
First-time visitors: Multiple entry schengen visa tips
The new updates described above are great news for frequent travellers. But what about people who have never visited the schengen area? From our experience, here are some tips that may help!
Provide evidence of at least 2 trips
The best thing that you can do to ensure you get a long term Schengen Visa is to have at least 2 trips already booked within a 6 or 12 month time frame. We have done this several times, and been successful in getting a lengthy multiple entry visa. In doing so, it shows that you have a valid reason for asking for a multiple entry visa. You have provided proof that you want to come back into the Schengen area in the future.
Here’s an example of what we mean:
Scenario: Netherlands is your first point of entry and/or major destination (where you intend to spend the longest time).
Where should you apply from?: Netherlands visa service provider (in most cases VFS Netherlands).
Suggested first trip: flight bookings and hotel bookings to Netherlands for April 2020
Suggested second trip: flight bookings and hotel bookings for September 2020 (5 months after first trip)
PRO TIP: Have Belgium as your second trip/destination. Why? Because it is part of BeNeLux (BelgiumNetherlandsLuxembourg) region, which gives you an even better chance of obtaining a longer term visa.
Attach a letter asking for it!
It sounds obvious, but it’s really not. Why would it be? It’s not part of the application check-list! Write a politely worded letter, and ask them whether you can have a multiple entry Schengen visa for 6 or 12 months. Give them a valid & genuine reason. For example, “nature of my work doesn’t allow me to take time off to make frequent visa applications, but I really love travelling and wish to travel in Europe in the coming months”. We don’t have solid proof this works but a couple of people we spoke to have mentioned that they had better luck when they attached a letter asking for multiple entry. It’s worth a try right?
Frequent travellers: Multiple entry schengen visa tips
In addition to what we’ve mentioned in the February 2020 update section, we’ve got one more tip on how you could get your multiple entry visa.
Repeat applications from the same embassy
This really worked in our favour when we applied for the second and third time from the VFS Netherlands. In our second application, we got a 6-month validity, and in our third, we got 1 year!
Useful reminders for all applicants
Finally, we would emphasise that you take ALL the required documents with you when you go for the application. If you don’t, your application process may be delayed, or worse, rejected! There’s no point in taking a chance and missing even one document as this would mean you’ll again have to wait a couple of days/weeks to get another appointment.
One thing we found when applying from VFS (Visa application centre) in London is that the required document checklist does not say that you have to bring the appointment letter. This is a letter you get by email once you finish the application form. They won’t allow you to go in if you don’t have an appointment letter. So make sure you take your appointment letter if applying from VFS.
Having said all this, there’s absolutely no way that you’re 100% guaranteed to get the visa. It is entirely in the hands of the visa officer who deals with your case. Mind you, the visa officer is not the one who collects your application at the application centre so there’s no point sweet talking him/her unfortunately.
Useful Links
Some Schengen Visa application centres in London and their websites
Some Schengen Visa application centres in Sri Lanka and their websites for our Maldivian friends
France (Can apply for Spain from here as well)
We hope you found this article helpful in your quest to travel around Europe. Please let us know if you guys have any other tips and tricks that you use in the comments section! We would greatly appreciate it.
Happy travels!
Amana & Bobbé