Buzz
Schengen Visa:
This visa allows entry to any country within the Schengen area (Europe), comprising 26 countries: Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Finland, France, Greece, Estonia, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia. Once adorned with this sacred Schengen visa, you only need to go through immigration once when entering the first country and exit again in the last country within the Schengen region. In between, you can freely travel across Schengen countries without any notification, but always carry your passport as police may conduct checks unexpectedly, just as Ưng Hoàng Phúc sings.
European Schengen Visa Application Procedure
Although sharing a Schengen visa, typically, you need to apply for a Schengen visa at the consulate of the country you first fly into. There are cases where having a visa from one country allows entry into another, but you must prove that the country with the visa is where you will stay the longest, and this can be a bit complicated. So, for a smooth process, just apply for the visa of the country you plan to fly into.
According to hearsay, obtaining a visa for France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain is easier because these four countries issue Schengen visas for independent travelers without requiring an invitation or sponsor. So, the advice is, getting a Schengen visa for France is fine for first-time European travelers, as there are direct flights to France, and airfares are relatively cheaper than the other countries.
Louvre Museum, Paris
So here, I am pleased to guide everyone through the procedure of applying for a Schengen visa at the French consulate:
Step 1: Schedule an appointment (mandatory)
To submit a visa application for France, you must schedule an appointment in advance. Although online information suggests that you can submit directly at the French Consulate (LSQ), the majority of people will submit their applications at the agency that receives applications on behalf of the French Consulate, named TLScontact.
TLScontact address in Hanoi: Capital Tower, 17th Floor, Tran Hung Dao Street, Cua Nam Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Phone number: +84 (0) 24 3939 2662
TLScontact address in Saigon: Vincom Center, 12A Floor, 72 Le Thanh Ton & 45 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Phone number: +84 (0) 24 3939 2662
How to schedule an appointment:
Step 2: Prepare your documents
Many people worry about applying for a European visa independently, fearing rejection if they haven't traveled to fancy countries or earn a low income, blah blah blah... The second piece of advice is to prepare your documents exactly as required by the consulate, then there's nothing to worry about. Note that all information should be prepared in English.
Step 3: Submit your application
In case your application doesn't meet the requirements, better luck next time! But honestly, if you prepare your documents as outlined above, why would you even fail, right? :v
Step 4: Await Passport Return
Everyone's application will be thoroughly reviewed by the French consulate. If there are any doubts or additional information needed, the consulate may request additional documents or schedule an interview. In such cases, don't worry, you'll receive a detailed email guide.
The visa processing time is approximately 15 days after submission. The TLS service will either call you or send an email notifying you to collect your passport. And that's it. Muahaha.
Typically, the consulate grants a 30-day tourist visa, single entry, valid for 3 months. If luck isn't on your side, you might only get the exact number of days you plan to travel, single entry, still valid for 3 months.
Once you have the visa, it's time to hit the road! Don't forget to check out the services available in France through us.
Our team captured a beautiful shot beneath the Eiffel Tower
Posted by: Ky Ky
Keywords: Independent Schengen Visa Application for Traveling Around Europe
