subject: Schengen Visas – Hints and tips on the best way to apply for a Schengen visa from London [print this page] Schengen Visas Hints and tips on the best way to apply for a Schengen visa from London
There are many horror stories you hear from South Africans and other nationalities about the nightmare of getting Schengen visas, sometimes just for a weekend away. Here is a list of the Schengen countries:
I travel frequently on a South African passport, and have always found the best way to get a multiple entry one year visa, is to go through the French Embassy. Appointments at the French Embassy can be booked online and they always have late availability, so keep checking every day and you will more than likely get an appointment within a week or two. You still need the standard transport and accommodation booking, letter of employment and bank statements proving you have sufficient cash to cover your time.
On the Schengen application form, you should ask for a multiple entry visa for 365 days. Every time I have done this, I have received it. The also give it to you in about an hour and a half in total, same day! This will allow you to travel whenever you want around Europe without the stress of visas for a whole year. Don't ever listen to agencies that tell you about appointments months in advance and keeping your passport for weeks, go straight through France first and you will get all that stressed lifted. If you get an 8:30am appointment, you are usually out by 10am with your visa, so there is also no need to waste your money getting agencies to do it for you, just go yourself! The web address for the French Embassy in London is http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/-Consulate-general-in-London-.html.
To find out where South Africans can travel without a visa, log onto www.travelwithoutvisas.com
