Hi GAWN,
welcome to the forum
GAWN wrote:Hi everybody,
does anybody have experience travelling with a Stamp4 EUFam card to an EU country but transiting at a French airport?
Not through an airport, but arriving by boat in Cherbourg:
http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewto ... 693#236693
GAWN wrote:We're going to Germany returning from a trip to Asia, and we'll have to change planes in Paris Airport which will thus be the point were we enter the Schengen area.
Where you go to doesn´t matter in detail. What matters is -as you say- that you enter the Schengen-zone, and this you do in France.
GAWN wrote:I'm a German citizen, my wife is Burmese but holds an Irish Stamp 4 EUFam card.
You´re allowed to enter all of the EU (as per this very thread):
http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=30020
GAWN wrote:The German Embassy has confirmed: no visa required. And, very friendly, provided us with an official letter with their letterhead, confirming this in English, refering to the EU directive and applicable laws.
I wish I would have had only one positive encounter with German embassies. Very nice!
GAWN wrote:Having read about France's problematic position I enquirea at the french Embassy quoting in detail the German letter. The French visa officer replied:
"France doesn't recognize the "Convention 2004" your wife still needs a visa in order to travel to France or through France, even if you plan to travel with her. Due to her nationality the process will take from 2 to 3 weeks."
I guess the guy is simply incompetent - but how are such cases handled by the French imigration? Any experiences?
Some idiot who has no idea about the law under which he has to work. Calling the "Directive" a "Convention" shows that he has no clue. Just ignore the guy, not worth fighting against incompetence.
GAWN wrote:The Airline (Air France/Sky Team) says that in this specific constellation no visa is required for transit in Paris if the traveller is holding a
"family member residence permit issued by Ireland (Rep. of) to a family member of an EEA national, provided travelling with or travelling to join the EEA national or national of Switzerland"
This is also the information given to all check-in agents worldwide, so the problem will definitely only occur in Paris...
That´s perfect, because at least you won´t be denied boarding.
Once in Paris you will have anough time to ask for superior(s) and their superiors, until you end up with someone competent who will overrule any immigration-guy who may want to deny you entry...
Make sure to take as many of the papers of this
>>practical guide<< as you can!
Good luck
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