SJ Mobilità – Blog

There are visas which are read in different ways depending on the countries:

1^st –  These are Straightforward Visas. For example UK, USA visas, where you have a visa validity start (Valid from) and end date (Valid Until) which is self-explanatory. The visa is valid for a specific period of time and you have to travel and return within that period.

2^nd  – These are similar to Schengen visas, where you have a start and end date of validity (Valid From and To) and also there is duration of stay in Days along with number of entries. This means you can travel within that specific period of time but the duration cannot exceed the total number of days granted. For Example, Duration (start and end date) might be granted for 6 months and days might be given only 30 days, which means within that 6 month period, you can stay in the country only for 30 days only.

Besides you also have to check the number of entries granted. It can be single, double or MULT (multiple), so if there is single entry issued then you can travel only once and your stay cannot exceed 30 days. If double entry is granted, you can make 2 trips and the duration combining both travels cannot exceed 30 days. For multiple you can make multiple trips but cumulative duration of stay cannot exceed 30 days.

3^rd  – These are entry visas, where you have a start and end date (issue and expiry date) and there is also remarks where specific duration is granted, most of the time it’s issued for 30 days or more, depending on the country. In this case, you can travel any day as long as, it’s within the validity period, however you can return even after the expiry date of the visa and you cannot exceed 30 days or the number of days granted. In short you need to land in the destination within the validity period but return can be before or after the visa expiry date, but ensure to comply with the duration granted for the trip.

In brief when you travel, please don’t stay in the country till the last day of the expiry date, always keep few days buffer to keep any natural calamities/delay. If you end up on the last expiry date and you are stuck at the airport, do remember being a foreign national you have to procure an emergency visa and then travel, this is going to complicate the situation further.

If you need any further advice, am just an e-mail away, do reach out to me at jani.jermans@sjmobilita.com

Many of us are aware that the short term visit visa (Tourist/Business) which is issued by any of the Schengen countries can be used to travel to other Schengen countries as well. The following countries come under the Schengen Region: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

There is also a Schengen visa compliance that needs to kept in mind before you choose to apply for visa.

• First apply to the particular Schengen country where you intend to visit.
• 2^nd point – if you happen to travel to multiple Schengen countries on a same visit, then choose the country where you are spending most number of days.
• 3^rd point – if you are travelling to multiple countries and duration for each country is the same, then apply to the country where you are landing first.

The greatest mistake that most of the applicants make is to apply for the country that has less processing time than the actual country that you wish to travel. This is the biggest mistake that you can make and it’s a Non-Compliance to the Schengen visa policies. Please never do that. Make the right decision and apply at the right consulate for a safe and compliant travel.

Good luck.

If you need any help, do reach out to jani.jermans@sjmobilita.com.

This is an article for all those who have assistants to help you out with your application like corporate honchos/celebrities. Many of the times I have noticed that you sign the application but don’t verify whether the application details are filled out correctly by your assistants.

Mostly we have seen that the Previous Travel or Rejection history of the applicant gets missed out or is incorrect. Even though the mistake is not intentional, if the application is submitted with incorrect details it can get you banned. There is no apology or sorry that will help you to get the ban revoked.

To give an example, Once there was a top management employee whose application got rejected because he didn’t disclose that his previous application for the same country had been rejected earlier. His secretary filled up the form. She wasn’t aware of the fact and missed disclosing the previous rejection details. During the verification of the application the consulate found evidence of the earlier rejection and his application got rejected again due to incorrect/false information being provided.

My advice, please fill up your application by yourself, if not at least verify the details before signing if it is filled by someone else. When you sign the application, you are certifying that you have checked that the application details are correct, accurate and no false details are provided. Treat it like a legal contract, you would never sign a contract without reading it and the same is the case with your application.

If you need any help, am just an e-mail away, do reach out to me at jani.jermans@sjmobilita.com.