@ Pantha, if it'd be any help, the German embassy requires that Swiss permit to be valid for 1 month. Here (in German) you can find their requirement for an Schengen visa application (as tourist or guest).

You'd be surprise to know that the embassies of EU countries still apply (slightly) different policies in term of Schengen visa application. Friends of mine went to the French, Dutch, and German embassy.

Last time I read the newspaper, Switzerland will implement the Schengen agreement in 2008, meaning we (non-EU people) won't need to apply for Schengen visa if we want to visit the Schengen countries. Don't know the exact date though.

Hi there - thanks for this response. I am surprised that such movement "arbitrage" exists considering you need only 1 visa to get in all countries. I applied for a UK business/travel visa. I didn't even have to go to the embassy, they gave me a 2 year visa. I applied for an Austrian business visa, I had to ruin some of my office hours to go to the embassy and they would only give me a visa for 2 days - the days when my client visits were scheduled and my hoetls were booked.

This whole visa experience reflects on the countries in general. It is much easier to do business in the United Kingdom rather than mainland Europe where xenophobia and narrow-nationalism are two of many reasons that the economies have slowed-down in an era where globalisation in driving growth ... no wonder Germany is marching ahead of tiny landlocked Austria ... still a lot more to be done I guess.

I've just checked on the web. Not all EU countries implement (fully) the Schengen agreement. UK and Ireland are some example. They are EU-member states, but they don't implement the cross border agreement part of the Schengen agrement. I think both countries can afford having their own visa policy since they are detached from the European mainland. Switzerland is in a worse position (from a non-EU POV living here), coz it's neither EU nor Schengen... it's an "isle" on a huge island

For France
for Indian passport(Non-EU)
1. 2 applications/applicant
2. 2 photo
3. passport and copy
4 .L-permit and copy
5. bank statement and salary slip
6 .employee reference letter(orginal)
7 Hotel booking
8. fee 96CHF may vary (EUR60) / adult
child free( up to 6 years)
one member can summit visa applications for entire family

It takes minimum 2 weeks to get visa
Contact details for appointment and any further details 0900847237
Please call 4-5 weeks in advance

For Austria
for Indian passport(Non-EU)
1. 1 applications/applicant
2. 1 photo
3 passport and copy
4 .L-permit and copy
5. bank statement and salary slip
6 .employee reference letter(orginal)
7 Hotel booking (you must make 100% down payment for hotel booking)

8.fee 96CHF may vary (EUR60) / adult
child free( up to 6 years)
one member can summit visa applications for entire family
It takes 5 days to get visa
Not required any appointment (open 9-12) Mon-friday.
Consulate General of Austria in Zurich, Switzerland
Seestrasse 161
8002 Zürich
Switzerland
Phone:
+41-1-283 27 00
Fax:
+41-1-280 37 65
Email:
zuerich-gk@bmaa.gv.at

Let me put my 5 cents in this thread.

Just called to Germany and French Embassies.

French one was a bit frustrating as they said L-permit should be valid at least 3 months prior to the enquiry... Not my case though...
As for B-permit: no restrictions on duration, year-round multiple entry visa. Moreover, it could be issued far beyong B-permit expiration, so you could get to France even if your permit expired.
I'm totally out of luck with this one.

Germany. No restrictions on duration of my L, however - bunch of documents to filled. They were very specific on medicare, as they would need not only domestic insurance coverage, also international travel one.

Both Embassies have huge lines for application processing (typically 3-4 weeks backlog).

And one other thing I've found during I'net surf, which could be useful for some people: Italy allows you to travel now without visa at all if you hold valid B or C permit. If that was known so far - sorry. Good chance to get to see for some time... At least this is what I planned.

Link to the info: http://www.consolato-italia-zh.ch/co...isti-nuovo.htm

They allow you to "travel through", not travel into. This is the transit visa exemption for B/C permit holders. It's not only for Italy but applies to all Schengen countries as long as:

Your stay doesn't exceed 5 days
Your final destination is your home country. (and maybe Switzerland)

I'm not so sure how they enforce the second rule on motorways however..

Be careful here. A friend of mine was once caught and they were very specific. They let her go, because she had a valid air travel ticket out of Italy that particular day. The rules are not clear and vary from country to country, even though they are all supposed to have one border control policy. Don't take a chance, because even if chances of getting caught are one in ten - the chance of having to spend a night or more in a Italian or German prison is also 1 in 10.

I am a non-EU with recently approved B-permit. I'll be travelling to the US shortly and planning to land to Paris (instead of Geneva) on the way back then to take the fast train back to Switzerland. Considering transit visa regulations within Schengen countries, will I have any problems getting in France?

Related to my above post, does your final destination have to be your home country or can it be any country that we are not asked VISA.
I have British VISA, can I go UK via France?

According to a rather recent report on the CH site (August 21st):

So it seems that Switzerland will implement the Schengen agreement until Autumn 2008 (with some other sources quoting November 1st, 2008).

Dear Sir/Madam,
> I'll be visiting London shortly, and would like to use
> a route through France. I am a recent B permit
> resident in Switzerland, and hold a non-EU passport.
> Do I need to obtain a Schengen visa for my transit
> journey through France, which will not exceed 5 days?
>
> Kind regards,


This is French Consulate's respond:

Hello,
If your permit is valid, you do not need a transit visa in your case.
Regards.
M.A.

im southafrican , i have just got my B permit can anyone tell me where can i get a Schengen Visa i live in basel?

can anyone tell me ?

Actually, the Schengen countries are especially picky about non-EU member citizens. Got myself into a situation when transiting via Holland was stuck due to tech problem with aircraft, but my newly issued Schengen visa was from the French embassy. The Dutch made a whole issue about it and nearly terminated the visa as such... So there is a point in "opening" (first stamping) the visa in the country for which it was issued. Just a friendly suggestion ;-)

Dear BonJon, it is in fact true. According to the latest rules and in light of Switzerland joining Schengen treaty (although in some weird way), you are not required to have Schengen visa if you are TRANSITING through a country of Schengen treaty AND HAVE valid VISA for your DESTINATION. You can stay in transit country up to 3 days total. Hope you enjoy your transit through French countryside

Hello

I am an Indian working in Switzerland on B Permit, I hv an appointment with French consulate in Geneva for French (schengen) Business visa. I want to how much time they will take to process this request based on somebody's experience??

My problem is I have to travel to France 2 days after my visa appointment date. Should I take this risk or apply schengen visa from any other consulate?

Any help will be appreciated ..
Need very urgent reply..

Regards,

This is not in the Schengen rules, but some Consulates are pesky about that. Namely the French Consulate in Zürich... but there should be others.

The next time you'll go and do the visa and they discover you didn't do it they'll make it more difficult for you.

The visa is made the same day of the appointment if you have all papers and requisites ready., It would take maximum 2 hours wait

There is a German consulate in Basel

http://www.konsulate.de/info/info_de...el_schweiz.php

call them and ask for info

I just heard that a friend of mine, non-EU resident in Gilbratar with a Maeuritian passport managed to obtain a Schengen Visa valid for 5 years. Is this even possible?

And secondly, wish to confirm that from 2008, there is no need for Schengen visa if there is a valid B-permit for non-EU persons. Thanks