Schegen visa appointment booking

[rusty]

taken from embassy website http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/Where-to-apply.html

There is no appointment system in operation at the French Consulate in Edinburgh, appointments are made through the information line 0906-550 8940 (£1/ min.) only for The French Consulate in London .

Open to the public Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. Admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis, therefore, we strongly recommand that you come at 9:30 am. Except public holidays

[Arthur Little]

taken from embassy website http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/Where-to-apply.html

There is no appointment system in operation at the French Consulate in Edinburgh, appointments are made through the information line 0906-550 8940 (£1/ min.) only for The French Consulate in London .

Open to the public Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. Admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis, therefore, we strongly recommand that you come at 9:30 am. Except public holidays

Thanks, Rusty for posting this link. It's good to know that applicants are catered for on a "Walk-in" basis at the Edinburgh Consular Office ... one of the FEW benefits available to travellers from Scotland ... providing clients bring all the documents needed with them.

But one thing still puzzles me. And that is the mention of fees in the link. I'd been led to believe Schengen Visas were issued *FREE [*for a change!] ... again, on submission of the necessary paperwork. So what IS the situation *here? Do you - or does anyone - know for certain? I mean, it's implied that the visas ARE issued free of charge to spouses of what're referred to as 'European' Citizens (which, in the broader sense, I am) but has this been narrowed down to include people from the British Isles?

[Ji&Ma]

Thanks, Rusty for posting this link. It's good to know that applicants are catered for on a "Walk-in" basis at the Edinburgh Consular Office ... one of the FEW benefits available to travellers from Scotland ... providing clients bring all the documents needed with them.

But one thing still puzzles me. And that is the mention of fees in the link. I'd been led to believe Schengen Visas were issued *FREE [*for a change!] ... again, on submission of the necessary paperwork. So what IS the situation *here? Do you - or does anyone - know for certain? I mean, it's implied that the visas ARE issued free of charge to spouses of what're referred to as 'European' Citizens (which, in the broader sense, I am) but has this been narrowed down to include people from the British Isles?

Hi Arthur - been looking at that link from Rusty and at web of other embassy (Czech Republic) and it seems to me that you are right - Schengen visa should be free for spouse of EU citizen:

From the web of French Embassy (French visa fee) :
Visa application remain free of charge for some categories of applicants (children dependant, under the age of 21/spouses of European nationals) ONLY if the appropriate documentation* is provided when lodging the application.

From the web of Czech Embassy (Czech visa - spouse of EU citizen) :
FAMILY MEMBERS OF EU CITIZENS who require a visa
You can apply for a visa either in person at the Czech Embassy in London or by post. It takes about one week (maximum 14 days) to obtain a visa. It is free of charge. It is also possible to apply for a visa on arrival, at a border crossing point.

*Documentation = marriage certificate + leave to remain - requirement of both embassies...

Hope it helps

[darren-b]

Hi Arthur - been looking at that link from Rusty and on web of other embassy (Czech Republic) and it seems to me that you are right - Schengen visa should be free for spouse of EU citizen:

From the web of French Embassy (French visa fee) :
Visa application remain free of charge for some categories of applicants (children dependant, under the age of 21/spouses of European nationals) ONLY if the appropriate documentation* is provided when lodging the application.

From the web of Czech Embassy (Czech visa - spouse of EU citizen) :
FAMILY MEMBERS OF EU CITIZENS who require a visa
You can apply for a visa either in person at the Czech Embassy in London or by post. It takes about one week (maximum 14 days) to obtain a visa. It is free of charge. It is also possible to apply for a visa on arrival, at a border crossing point.

*Documentation = marriage certificate + leave to remain - requirement of both embassies...

Hope it helps

When my wife used do need these things she got a couple from different Embassies and I never paid for them.

But I have heard that nowadays some of the Embassies are using VFS to manage their visa system, and they may try to charge an admin fee.

[rusty]

But I have heard that nowadays some of the Embassies are using VFS to manage their visa system, and they may try to charge an admin fee.

Yes, the visa is free but VFS charge an admin fee, £24

We have just submitted an application for Sweden and although we had to book an appointment 2 weeks in advance, we still had to take a number and wait.

After over 30 minutes of waiting and still around 6 people before us, I complained to the lady processing the applications why, if we had to book an appointment, we still have to queue?

As we had our 11 month old son with us, I think she took pity on us as when she finished the next person, she called us over.

[Arthur Little]

Hi Arthur - been looking at that link from Rusty and at web of other embassy (Czech Republic) and it seems to me that you are right - Schengen visa should be free for spouse of EU citizen:

From the web of French Embassy (French visa fee) :
Visa application remain free of charge for some categories of applicants (children dependant, under the age of 21/spouses of European nationals) ONLY if the appropriate documentation* is provided when lodging the application.

From the web of Czech Embassy (Czech visa - spouse of EU citizen) :
FAMILY MEMBERS OF EU CITIZENS who require a visa
You can apply for a visa either in person at the Czech Embassy in London or by post. It takes about one week (maximum 14 days) to obtain a visa. It is free of charge. It is also possible to apply for a visa on arrival, at a border crossing point.

*Documentation = marriage certificate + leave to remain - requirement of both embassies...

Hope it helps

Many thanks, Jiri & Maricel ... it's very helpful indeed!

[pennybarry]

taken from embassy website http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/Where-to-apply.html

There is no appointment system in operation at the French Consulate in Edinburgh, appointments are made through the information line 0906-550 8940 (£1/ min.) only for The French Consulate in London .

Open to the public Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. Admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis, therefore, we strongly recommand that you come at 9:30 am. Except public holidays

Thanks for the link Rusty. I got invitation from my friend in Paris and offered me free accommodation and food. I'm eager to go but no british passport yet so I need to apply visa and pay fees.

ocuments needed with them.

But one thing still puzzles me. And that is the mention of fees in the link. I'd been led to believe Schengen Visas were issued *FREE [*for a change!] ... again, on submission of the necessary paperwork. So what IS the situation *here? Do you - or does anyone - know for certain? I mean, it's implied that the visas ARE issued free of charge to spouses of what're referred to as 'European' Citizens (which, in the broader sense, I am) but has this been narrowed down to include people from the British Isles?

I am confused now if I can get it free. Please update me Arthur

[Ji&Ma]

Thanks for the link Rusty. I got invitation from my friend in Paris and offered me free accommodation and food. I'm eager to go but no british passport yet so I need to apply visa and pay fees.
I am confused now if I can get it free. Please update me Arthur

Yes Penny - I assume you are spouse of EU citizen so it should be FREE for you
See my previous post in this thread (#12) hope it will be of help...

[pennybarry]

Yes Penny - I assume you are spouse of EU citizen so it should be FREE for you
See my previous post in this thread (#12) hope it will be of help...

Wow! Thanks Jand Maricel.

[Arthur Little]

I am confused now if I can get it free. Please update me Arthur

That's mainly what I'd been wanting to find out too, Penny. And judging from subsequent replies posted here, it looks like you CAN get the VISA free ...

... although, Darren's source would seem to indicate that there MAY be a [?small] administrative fee charged if VFS handles an application.

[darren-b]

That's mainly what I'd been wanting to find out too, Penny. And judging from subsequent replies posted here, it looks like you CAN get the VISA free ...

... although, Darren's source would seem to indicate that there MAY be a [?small] administrative fee charged if VFS handles an application.

Both the Belgium and Italian Embassies in London use VFS who will charge you a fee (£24 I think). I'm not sure if any others use VFS. I do wonder if this is how things are going to go - all Embassies outsourcing to VFS. Otherwise spouses of EU citizens are just going to avoid Embassies that use VFS, and overload the ones who don't.