Going to Europe with my non-EU spouse on a UK Spouse Visa.

[Taucher]

This is a basic question but I just want to check.

My wife and I were thinking of going on a nice long weekend break to France or Belguim or somewhere. My wife is Colombian and has a UK Spouse Visa since August 2011.

My understanding is that, as the UK is a non-Schengen country, she has to have a Visa to go to a Schengen country? It's a Schengen Visa that she applies for?

Also, I read that you have to have hotel and travel booked in order to get the Visa but I am not sure about booking it all when it is not definite that my wife can even get a visa.

[CR001]

Your wife can apply for the Schengen visa which is issued for free to spouses of British Citizens (if that is what you are). You don't need all the proof of bookings for this application as long as you travel together. You will find information on the visa website for whichever country you choose to go to for spouses and what documents are required.

Thanks

Char