Taking Thai girlfriend to europe on Shengen visa

[lagojardin]

I'm a Brit and want to take the girlfriend over to europe for a couple of weeks next year. Anyone have any experience in getting a shengen visa for a Thai national ? I'm thinking of Spain but if its any easier I'll fly into anywhere if the flights are cheap.

[Arnold]

As far as I know, a tourist visa is no problem, if the trip - including return flight - is booked by her with a Thai travel agent.

[pitsch]

I think it is not so easy. I know 2 Germans and 1 Swiss who did not get a Schengen Visa recently, although they have several years relationship with their girlfriend and one of the girlfriends is not a bargirl. It seems to be more difficult now than before.

[ken.p]

Lagojardin,
I agree with Pitsch. I also have a friend who lives with his wife in the UK, they applied Schengen visa to travel to Spain for a two-week holiday. Had a lot of expense and visa was refused.
Maybe different when applying in BKK.
Good luck

[jamesfrancis1]

My wife has a Shengen visa lodged with the Spanish Embassy Bangkok.
We are visiting Spain(2 cities) and Portugal next year.
We put the papers in on the 16 December and no news yet as to when it will be out.
I am British married for 19 years.
Last year we got a Shengen visa for a visit to Portugal,Italy and Greece.
We applied at the Portuguese Embassy in Bangkok(has to be the country you will spend the most time in) and it was out in 3 days.

Now we have Christmas and New Year which could be slowing the process down, but l had really hoped it would be out by now.

A new Visa Office opened the day we submitted our papers, much more convenient to get to than the Spanish Embassy.

Spain Visa Application Centre (VFS Global).
Mercury Tower Building,
09th Floor
Phloenchit Road,
Near BTS Chitlom, Bangkok.

Here is a link....
http://www.vfsglobal.com/spain/thailand/index.html

Good luck

[Big Boy]

We applied at the Portuguese Embassy in Bangkok(has to be the country you will spend the most time in)

I've not been in the business of obtaining Shengen Visas for at least 10 years now. However, back when I needed to do so, it was always the first port of call as opposed to the country you would be spending most time in. Has that changed?

[dtaai-maai]

I don't really see how that could be enforced in practise. And what if you're doing a week in each of them?!

[jamesfrancis1]

This VFS Global office had counters set up for processing Italian visas.
This service is not open as yet,if interested keep checking VFS Global website/Italian Embassy web site.

[jamesfrancis1]

Yes Big Boy that was what we were told.

This is from the VFS Global web page....

"Kindly note that the visa must be requested at the Embassy of the Schengen country where the applicant will spend more time during the trip, or of the main destination".

[jamesfrancis1]

I don't really see how that could be enforced in practise. And what if you're doing a week in each of them?!

We had to submit our itinerary together with bookings for flights/hotels.
This is how they can check what time you plan to spend in each Shengen country.
Now if you can change a booking with out a penalty after the visa has been issued,they may never know.

Here what they say...

5 "A round trip ticket to and from Spain or Schengen States. Please bear in mind Spain must be the main destination. You do not need to buy the ticket to apply for the visa: a reservation is accepted. However, you will be requested to submit the actual ticket before the visa is actually issued, in case the visa is approved. If the trip includes several destinations, proof of transport must also be submitted.
6 Documents stating the purpose and schedule of the journey;

a. Private trip / Tourism: tour program, if travelling with a group, and/or hotel reservation and proof of transport between different cities / countries".

[dtaai-maai]

Oh for the age of spontaneity... no backpackers allowed then?
There must be an element of discretion involved here, surely?
Joking aside, there are many people, particularly me, who like to play it by ear when travelling. I couldn't go on a package tour, and if I was travelling through Europe, I'd want to move on when the feeling took me, not when my pre-arranged schedule demanded.

[Frank Hovis]

DM - The benefits of having a well accepted passport !
US/Euro/Aus passport holders are free to travel pretty much anywhere anytime with simple Visa On Arrival.

An interesting link https://www.henleyglobal.com/citizenshi ... trictions/. I guess Malaysia scores so highly from having been British perhaps.

[dtaai-maai]

Interesting link, Frank. I was a bit surprised to see how low Vietnam is on the list.

The first few paragraphs are worth quoting here, as there is always a lot of confusion about what constitutes a visa:

International Visa Restrictions

Visa restrictions are imposed by countries to control the crossing of their borders. Almost all countries now require visas from certain non-citizens who wish to enter (or leave) their territory.

A visa does not guarantee entry, however. It merely indicates that your passport and visa application have been reviewed by a consular officer at an embassy or consulate of the country you wish to enter, and that the officer has determined that you are generally eligible to enter the country for a specific purpose.

A visa allows you to travel to the destination country as far as the port of entry (airport, seaport or land border crossing) and ask the immigration officer to allow you to enter the country. In most countries the immigration officer has the authority to permit you to enter. He or she usually also decides how long you can stay for any particular visit.

[jamesfrancis1]

Oh for the age of spontaneity... no backpackers allowed then?
There must be an element of discretion involved here, surely?
Joking aside, there are many people, particularly me, who like to play it by ear when travelling. I couldn't go on a package tour, and if I was travelling through Europe, I'd want to move on when the feeling took me, not when my pre-arranged schedule demanded.

Ah the backpackers,yes.

In the mean time Backpackers, maybe time to trade in the backpack for a chic top of the range designer labeled Gucci matching travel cases, with matching accessories of course.
Short back and sides replacing those free flowing locks of hair.
A fine suit with collar and tie to travel in and present one’s self to Immigration at the border.

Wait, NO, NO the “free spirited traveler” must prevail.

Seriously I am sure there must be a little “wriggle” room with these rules.
Just a case of finding them.

interesting link Frank.

[jamesfrancis1]

Just got an SMS from the Spanish Embassy Bangkok to say my wife's Shengen visa is out and at the VFS Global office.
Does not say..."you got it"...but we are remaining positive it is OK

Nice timing Spain, just at New Year
I hate to travel on the roads at this time of year, brown trousers driving