How to Define Main Destination for Schengen Visa
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It truly is vital to understand that – so that you can stay away from pricey errors. If, say, you arrive to submit your visa application in the German consulate, but it turns out that your main holiday location is Austria, the visa officer will reject your application. If so, you will have to book an appointment with the consulate of the country where you are planning to spend most of your time. This might take a week or even longer, and you also may be left with too little time to have your visa application processed. We advise you not to book your tickets and accommodation before you sort out your visa.
The following examples will demonstrate how to identify what Schengen country is your main destination. If you are planning to spend 3 days in Germany and return in the UK, you are going to only one Schengen country, so it is your main destination, and you will have to submit your application at the German consulate.
Another example. If you are visiting a few Schengen countries within one trip, and begin with Germany, spend there 3 days, then visit Austria for 3 days, go to Italy for 3 days and then back to the UK – you will need to apply for your visa with the German consulate. Because are staying the same number of days in each Schengen country, you should lodge your application at the consulate of the country you enter first - in this case it's Germany.
If you plan to stay in Germany for three days, then spend 4 days in Austria and after that three days in Italy, the main destination in this case is Austria because you will be spending more days there. In this case you would need a visa for Austria, which is a Schengen visa and if it is multiple entry it will allow to travel to any Schengen country.
Please allow at least one month for your visa to be processed.
It truly is vital to understand that – so that you can stay away from pricey errors. If, say, you arrive to submit your visa application in the German consulate, but it turns out that your main holiday location is Austria, the visa officer will reject your application. If so, you will have to book an appointment with the consulate of the country where you are planning to spend most of your time. This might take a week or even longer, and you also may be left with too little time to have your visa application processed. We advise you not to book your tickets and accommodation before you sort out your visa.
The following examples will demonstrate how to identify what Schengen country is your main destination. If you are planning to spend 3 days in Germany and return in the UK, you are going to only one Schengen country, so it is your main destination, and you will have to submit your application at the German consulate.
Another example. If you are visiting a few Schengen countries within one trip, and begin with Germany, spend there 3 days, then visit Austria for 3 days, go to Italy for 3 days and then back to the UK – you will need to apply for your visa with the German consulate. Because are staying the same number of days in each Schengen country, you should lodge your application at the consulate of the country you enter first - in this case it's Germany.
If you plan to stay in Germany for three days, then spend 4 days in Austria and after that three days in Italy, the main destination in this case is Austria because you will be spending more days there. In this case you would need a visa for Austria, which is a Schengen visa and if it is multiple entry it will allow to travel to any Schengen country.
Please allow at least one month for your visa to be processed.
