As a non EU citizen residing in EU country that is not part of Schengen agreement (Republic of Ireland), it is quite a hassle to travel around. Been asked multiple times I thought to document it down here and some tips to help.
Applying the visa is a symphony between readiness of your application forms/documents and aligning the travel dates according to the appointment availability.
List of countries that are part of Schengen is here.
Where to file
Depending on your country of longest stay, you apply to the specific embassy. Some have their own system in place while others are third party dependant like Denmark, Netherland with VFS and Spain with BLS.
For first timer it is better to go with countries like Spain/Portugal rather than Belgium/Germany/Nordic countries as the later countries are less likely to give multi-entry long span visa. Whereas Spain almost always provides 6 month multi-entry by default. Once you start using up your visa, these guys will gradually increase your validity on subsequent applications.
Appointments
After filling up the application in their respective sites, you have to look for visa appointments. Almost all of them are after you fill up the form. This will test your patience and tenacity. Sometimes you might have to change your travel dates even based on the nearest available appointment which might require re-filling the form.
List of documents
- Your IRP
- Your last 3 pay slips
- 3 months bank statements
- A letter from employer
- If student, a no objection letter from your college
- Cover letter stating your dates of travel, mode of finance, travel plans
- Flight tickets or at least an itinerary from [bookforvisa.com] works
- Hotel reservations [ cancellable bookings at booking.com or hostelworld.com ]
- Visa application form
- 2 Passport size photos
- Your passport in original and few copy of its pages
- Travel insurance of 30k euro coverage [ a reliable and cheap option is chill insurance ]
- If you are travelling as a dependant, then a letter from your sponsor and means of finance.
- Most of the systems allow grouping applications if traveling as a couple, however if some systems don’t, you may file separate applications with cross referencing each other over a cover letter and few documents validating your relationship like marriage certificate and joint address proof.
Usually the results are out within 2-4 weeks. Happy travelling !!
A handful of links that might help
| Country | Form | Appointment |
| Belgium | https://visaonweb.diplomatie.be/en | https://appointment.diplomatie.be/Home |
| Denmark | https://applyvisa.um.dk/ | https://visa.vfsglobal.com/irl/en/dnk/ |
| France | https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/group/france-visas/accueil-usager/ | https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/ie/a-qui-sadresser |
| Italy | https://prenotami.esteri.it/UserArea | |
| Netherlands | https://consular.mfaservices.nl/my-applications | https://visa.vfsglobal.com/irl/en/nld/login |
| Portugal | https://pedidodevistos.mne.gov.pt/VistosOnline/ | |
| Spain | https://ireland.blsspainvisa.com/ | https://ireland.blsspainvisa.com/visa4spain/index.php |
Slovakia | https://www.mzv.sk/en/web/en/visa-and-services/schengen-visa#4398_zfwa_inpage_nav_8 | https://www.mzv.sk/en/web/dublin-en/contact_us |
| Czech | https://www.mzv.cz/dublin/en/visas_and_consular_information/schengen_visa_up_to_90_days/general_information.html | All visa applicants MUST schedule an APPOINTMENT with the Consular Section by calling the phone number: +353 (0)1 668 1135. |
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