Just to clarify and not give any misleading information to the poster - I applied via the Spanish embassy 'cause at that point I was planning to go to Spain - change of travel plans - and went to the Channel Islands instead !

Hi Everyone,

I am non-EU citizen living in Zurich on B-permit , I would like to visit schengen countries with my family in these summers .Hence , I would like to know how should we apply for the schengen visa , which embassy should we approach and what are the basic required documents for this visa...
It wud be very kind if anyone of u guide us in this regard with ur experiences or convey any related information .

Thanks
gerek

Where do you want to go first?

we wud like to go Germany first....

then you could call the german embassy or consulate and ask what papers do you need to apply for a schengen visa. The schengan visa is usually multiple-entry and valid for 6months.

Hello,

you should approach the embassy of the country you would visit first.

But be aware of following :
1- You and your family would need to get a letter from your krankenkasse that they cover upto 30,000Euros per person or obtain a travel insurance from Europaishce reise versicherung.
2- Make sure that you take an appointment for submitting your application. It can sometimes take even upto 4weeks to get an appointment.
3- Make sure you have invitation letter / hotel reservation confirmation in original. Emails not accepted in German embassy.
4- Calls to the embassy for enquiries will end up on premium numbers which are expensive. (You pay like 3CHF/min !!)
5- Each applicant (eventhough from same family) have to be present while submitting the application for the first time.

Better call the embassy and find the latest info before even planning your trip.

best rgds
-ilango

Hello,
I'am a non-EU citizen and just got Permit B. I want to travel to France later. Do you think if I still need Schegen visa?

thanks,
mimi

I'm not EU either and don't need it - but that won't help you.

If you need a visa to go there before your B, you'll still need one.

It's more complicated than just EU vs. non-EU.

For example, until the US government goes and does something foolish (which it seems they're about to do), my American passport allows me to travel freely in most (all?) of the Schengen countries without a visa.

Here's country-by-country information, and it's in the wikipedia so it has to be 100% true:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union_visa_lists

Hi
I am obtaining a schenge visa from 25th to 29th of May
I ahve booked teh tickets to italy and for the return journey we are taking a train at 23.00 PM on 29th which is on the same day the schengen visa expires

Is it valid to travel like this? The SBB has no idea on this as they dont deal with Visa and according to them since i am already on the train and it's outbound from italy they thin it is of no issue but not sure though.

Please let me know if any one has some inputs on this or have knowledge about this.


Thanks

Page Refresh !!

I'd say if you are not crossing into a Schengen country with that expired visa, you should be ok.

Best bet would be to ask the Italians. They're most likely to find you (but if you're Switzerland-bound then they won't likely care). Ensure you have your Swiss permit with you.

I am working in Switzerland and have an L permit which is valid for one year. Can anyone please tell me, whether i need any extra visa to visit the neighbouring countries like france, germany and italy...and if yes where can i get more information on this..and what is the procedure...

thanks.
Patmi

I am working in Switzerland and have an L permit which is valid for one year. Can anyone please tell me, whether i need any extra visa to visit the neighbouring countries like france, germany and italy...and if yes where can i get more information on this..and what is the procedure...

thanks.
Patmi[/quote]

yes, you need a schengen visa and the you need to apply at the consulate of the country which is u r first entry point..

I think u r an non EU and want to go to italy you atleast need a B permit..


Thanks

One of my work colleagues (from India) has an L permit and needs to get a visa to visit nearby countries. She can only get a visa from the relevant embassy in India so is for the time being limited to Switzerland (and India)

Hi Patmi,

In general visa requirements for any country depend on your nationality (i.e. your passport) not your residence permit. Without knowing your nationality, no one will be able to answer your question.

Also, more information on visas can be had at the authorities representing the countries where you want to travel to (i.e. embassies or consulates).

The information gathering procedure usually involves either picking up the phone or perusing the respective embassy / consulate website (and, wonder of wonders - scrolling up through this thread).

The application procedure involves filling up a form, attaching a picture and paying the requested fee which varies from country to country.

I'm a non-EU with B-Permit. Have applied for a Schengen visa (SV) at the German Embassy in Bern 3 times. Every time there was always a surprise for me, so I want to share it here:

1. as of this year, they are very strick in implementing the biometric photo (they used to accept the photos made at the cheap photo maschine). So better get it done in a photo studio and show them what the German requirements are (France, Italy, etc may have other photo requirements). http://www.bundesdruckerei.de/de/bue...b/2_1_2_b.html

2. whenever possible, get the invitation letter mailed from Germany (the embassy staff like to see a dated post stamp)

3. make sure you bring enough cash with you (they don't accept EC- or credit cards). To be on the safe part: find out what the current fee is and bring double as much cash (you'll never now if they'll change the fee in the last minute).

4. last time the embassy staff asked to see my health insurance card (bring this with you!), and he complained because there is no EU symbol on the back of the card. I showed them my insurance certificate which states that my insurance covers me worldwide. The staff said "but worldwide does not necessarily mean EU"... I thought "how stupid can this person be?". I told him that this certificate was acceptable in my last two applications. Then he went to ask his other colleagues and found out that this certificate was indeed acceptable.

5. seems like the validity of the SV depends on the staff mood. My first visa was valid for 11 months (max. 90 days of stay in EU countries). The 2nd visa was valid for 3 months (max. 30 days). The third was valid for 7 months (max. 60 days). I failed in my attempt to change their decision. There is no transparency on this decision. The funny thing is, the staff said that starting 2007, they only give SV valid for max. 6 months. But I guess he miscalculated and gave me 7 months instead . My colleague went a month later and got only a 6-month SV. His wife's SV application was rejected because she had just been less than 3 months in Switzerland and this was her 1st SV application (her passport shows that she never traveled outside her home country before).

Hope this prepares you of what to expect at the German Embassy (beside standing inline outside before they let you pass the metal detector and enter their waiting room in the basement).

I hold a non-EU passport. The austrian embassy (like any other Schengen-agreed embassy I would presume) won't issue a visa if swiss permit expires within 3 months. And the swiss issues B-permits for 1 year only - so cannot travel for 3 months out of 12 in the year. This sucks big time!!! Any way out (other that getting out of Swiss-land)?