Schengen visa - do you need to have booked your travel?

[niczaf]

Hi

I want to apply for a french schengen visa in London. Do you know if it is necessary to have actually booked and paid for your travel in advance. I do not really want to book a non-refundable trip and then not be able to get the visa in time.

thanks,
Nic

[ca.funke]

Hi niczaf,

in most cases you just need a foreseen itinerary.

Some embassies tell you differently. You have to check with the exact requirements of the embassy through which you plan to apply.

Rgds, Christian

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

Hi

I want to apply for a french schengen visa in London. Do you know if it is necessary to have actually booked and paid for your travel in advance. I do not really want to book a non-refundable trip and then not be able to get the visa in time.

thanks,
Nic

Given your previous experience with Spain, I recommend that you book your appointment before booking travel.

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

There is a Schengen borders code document that you can peruse.

It talks about an appointment taking at most two weeks, a decision at most three weeks and that one can apply up to 3 months before travel. It appears to suggest that you need to know where you are going and where you'll be staying.

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

Link to above document.

http://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/polici ... 620_en.pdf

[niczaf]

thanks for this.

I loved the 2 week rule. The Spanish are struggling for 3 1/2 weeks. Will try call the embassy tomorrow and point out that they should be offering them in two weeks. Given its outsourced they will probably just blame each other, but its worth a try.

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

It's certainly worth a try. I really do share your frustration.

[ca.funke]

...I loved the 2 week rule...

>>Me too <<