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Schengen Visa Guide for South Africans: With the first country of entry or longest country of stay being Netherlands
When planning your European adventure as a South African, understanding the nuances of the Schengen Area is crucial. This knowledge not only simplifies your Schengen Visa application process but also opens up a world of diverse destinations.
In this post, we simplify the Schengen Visa application process for South Africans. We focus on applying for a Schengen Visa with the Netherlands as your first point of entry or longest country of stay.
Before applying for your Schengen Visa, it’s crucial to understand which country is your first point of entry or, if visiting multiple countries, your longest stay. This is important because, although the Schengen Visa allows travel through all Schengen states, your application must be made through the embassy of your first entry or longest stay country. Understanding this distinction will streamline your application process.
We’ll get into more of the details throughout the article to ensure you’re well-prepared for your application.
The Schengen Area
The Schengen Area is a unique coalition of 27 European countries including; 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, Switzerland, and the newest member, Croatia.
These countries have opened their arms to travellers seeking to experience the richness of diverse cultures without the hassle of multiple visas.
From the enchanting windmills of Zaanse Schans, to the historic canals of Amsterdam. From fulfilling childhood dreams in Disneyland Paris and sunbathing on the sun-kissed shores of Costa Brava, Spain.
The Schengen Area offers an unparalleled canvas for exploration and discovery with a simple Schengen Visa.
What is a Schengen Visa?
A Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa that allows its holder to travel to any member countries of the Schengen Area, for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. This visa has made travelling between its 27 member countries (23 European Union states and 4 non-EU members) much easier and less bureaucratic.
Eligibility Criteria for South Africans
As a South African passport holder, you need a Schengen Visa to enter any of the member countries. However, there are some basic criteria you need to meet:
Purpose of Visit:
You should have a clear purpose for your visit, whether it’s tourism, business, visiting family or friends, etc.
Valid Passport:
Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended stay.
Financial Stability:
Proof of sufficient financial means to cover your stay is necessary.
It’s essential for travellers to recognise that the duration of the visa granted can differ based on various factors. A critical element often observed to influence the length of stay permitted is the applicant’s financial stability.
For instance, in our own experience, the disparity in the duration of stay offered to us was quite telling. Nadia, who has been self-employed for the past three years, received a visa for a 30-day stay. Anton, with his secure permanent employment, received a 6-month visa. Notably, our applications were identical except for our financial documents and employment security.
This underscores the potential impact of one’s economic profile on the decision-making process of Schengen visa authorities.
Travel Insurance:
When applying for a Schengen Visa, it’s a requirement to have travel insurance. We strongly believe travel insurance is essential, even if it’s not a requirement for the visa application.
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a Schengen Visa
1. Determine Your Main Destination and Complete The Application Form Provided by the Embassy/Consular
The first step in the process is to determine your main destination. Why you may ask? Well, your application should be submitted to the consulate of the country that is your main destination. Ie the country you’ll spend the most number of days.
If you are visiting multiple countries in the Schengen Area and spending an equal number of days in each country, you will need to apply for your Schengen Visa through the embassy of the country of first entry. I.e on our last trip we visited Netherlands, France and Spain. We spent the most time in Netherlands, thus applied through the Netherlands Embassy, facilitated by VFS Global.
As mentioned above, this guide details the steps for South africans to apply for a Schengen Visa, with Netherlands being their first point of entry or longest stay.
Each consulate works different and may have a different visa application centre in South Africa. For the purpose of this post, the main destination is Netherlands.
You can find the application form on the official Netherlands Consular website. You will be required to create an account in order to submit your application. Once the online application is submitted, you will be required to print the documents. You will then be required to make a booking at a VFS Global office where you’ll take the documents along and have your biometrics taken.
2. Collect the Required Documents to Support Your Schengen Visa Application
Gather all the necessary documents, including:
- A completed and signed visa application form.
- A valid passport.
- Two recent passport-sized photographs.
- Travel itinerary. We prepared a travel itinerary with this Schengen Visa application, but notably wasn’t asked to submit it with the documents. At the time, we assumed that the proof of flights and accommodation was enough to satisfy the itinerary requirement. It turned out that it was enough for the Netherlands. However, we later found out that it works a little different when applying for your Schengen Visa via the Spanish embassy. You can read about that process here.
- Flight itinerary indicating departure dates and return dates to South Africa.
- Accommodation Confirmation.
- Proof of sufficient financial means.
- Travel insurance.
- Confirmation that you’ll be returning to South Africa.
3. Book an Appointment for Biometrics through VFS Global
For the biometric data collection, South Africans need to book an appointment through VFS Global. This involves capturing a digital photo and fingerprints. It’s a crucial step, and appointments should be scheduled as soon as possible to avoid delays.
4. Attend the Visa Interview
Attend the visa interview on your scheduled date, bringing all the required documents (refer to step 2). Be prepared to answer brief questions about your trip and background honestly.
5. Pay the Visa Fee
There’s a non-refundable visa fee that must be paid when submitting your application. This fee is subject to change, so check the latest fee when applying. You can also add premium service to your experience, at an additional fee. It is important to note that premium service does not mean that your Schengen Visa will arrive sooner. It simply means faster services at your biometrics appointment, with a dedicated seating lounge.
6. Wait for the Decision
The processing time can vary, but typically it takes about 15 calendar days for your passport to return with your Schengen Visa. It could be longer during peak seasons, or unexpected delays. Be sure to factor in unexpected delays that could occur, so don’t wait for the last minute to make your application.
How Far In Advance Should You Apply For A Schengen Visa?
To ensure a smooth travel experience, it’s crucial to plan ahead when applying for your Schengen Visa. For Netherlands, you can start the application process as early as six months before your trip, but be sure to submit your application no later than 45 days prior to your departure. This time frame allows ample processing time and helps avoid any last-minute stress.
As mentioned above, processing times for Schengen Visas can vary. For instance, friends of ours who applied for a Schengen Visa at the same time as we did had their longest stay planned in Switzerland. They received their visa in roughly 10 days, while it took about 15 days for ours to be processed. We submitted our applications in July, with our departure dates set for mid-August.
This variation highlights the importance of allowing enough time for your application to be processed, as different countries and circumstances can influence the timing.
Tips for a Successful Visa Application
- Apply Early: Aim to apply at least 2 months before your intended travel date. This is especially important if you plan to travel during peak European summer season – June to August. It can sometimes be difficult to get a biometrics appointment at VFS, so be mindful of all factors to avoid delays.
- Complete Documents: Ensure all your documents are complete and accurately filled out. Triple check this before your VFS appointment. It’s also important to note that when making an application for more than one person, that you print a copy of the supporting documents for each applicant.
- Organise your documents in a folder: Print all of the required documents, then organize and categorize them in a flip file. This may seem like a tedious administrative task, but you’ll thank yourself later. At your biometrics appointment, you’ll be asked for these documents. Instead of searching frantically through a pile of papers, you can simply turn to the relevant sleeve with ease and no anxiety at all.
- Show Ties to South Africa: Prove your intention to return to South Africa, like employment letters or property ownership. From our experience, fixed employment seems to play a significant role in the length of stay granted on your Schengen Visa.
- Be Honest: Always provide truthful information and genuine documents.
Obtaining a Schengen Visa as a South African can seem daunting, but with the right preparation and understanding of the process, it can be a smooth experience.
We found that staying calm and being well prepared with our documents made the process fairly simple. The online system works well and processes are streamlined for efficiency.
Beyond Borders: The Extended Reach of Your Schengen Visa
The Schengen Area
While the Schengen Area is often associated with the European Union (EU), its composition extends beyond EU borders. This includes countries like Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. These nations, while not part of the EU, are integral members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). They have adopted the Schengen acquis, which are the set of rules and regulations governing the Schengen Area, through specific agreements linked to the Schengen Agreement.
For South African travellers, this means that a Schengen Visa grants access not only to EU countries within the zone but also to these fascinating EFTA countries, all within the realm of your Schengen Visa.
Unique Entities Within the Schengen Zone
There are also unique cases like Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City. These are independent states that have opened their borders but are not officially part of the Schengen visa-free zone. As a Schengen Visa holder, you can visit these microstates seamlessly as part of your European journey.Although there may be some particular terms an conditions of entry for each of these states, so be sure to do some additional research in this regard.
Special Members of the EU and Schengen Zone
Adding more intrigue to the Schengen Area are regions like the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands. Despite being located outside the European continent, these territories are special members of the EU and part of the Schengen Zone. South Africans can explore these stunning islands, renowned for their breathtaking landscapes and unique cultures, on the same Schengen Visa.
In summary, the Schengen Visa is a key that unlocks more than just the conventional European countries. It offers travellers access to a mosaic of cultures, landscapes, and experiences, encompassing EU and non-EU countries, unique independent states, and exotic island territories.
Remember, visa regulations and requirements can change, so it’s always wise to check the latest information from the official consulate or embassy website before applying. Safe travels and enjoy your European adventure!
Let us know if you found this post helpful in the comments. If you have any more tips please share them with us. We’re all here to learn and grow together.
Until our next post, keep #roamingwiththekolbes!
With love and appreciation,
The Kolbes
*These tips are based on our personal experiences during our travels. You may have different experiences and alternative opinions based on your own travels. These are not meant to act as directives, instead they are suggestions which may be helpful to someone making this application for the first time.
