VISA FOR VISITING THE SCHENGEN AREA OF EUROPE

For the Pilgrimage - Schengen Visa        ( UK Visa for visits to St Beuno's)

Spain and Italy are signatories to the 1995 Schengen Agreement. Only one visa is needed. It could be issued by Italy or Spain but we would suggest Spain as it is the country of longest stay and first arrival from the UK.  As we travel from Spain to Italy - ie. within the Schengen area, you will only need a single entry visa for the pilgrimage. 

You can download an application form for a visa from: Spanish Consulate.

All should have a passport valid for three months after the dates of entry into Spain.
If you need a visa please don't apply too soon as it is only valid for six months after being issued.
Visas need to be applied for from the country of residence, not from the UK.
Visas will not be issued from Spanish Consulates in the UK for anyone who doesn't have long-term residency in the UK. You cannot get a tourist/business visa to the UK and then apply in the UK for a Schengen Visa.

Visas: Required by all EXCEPT the following:

1. Nationals of EU countries, plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland; regardless of purpose and/or length of stay

2. Nationals of Andorra, Anguilla, Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Falkland Islands, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Israel, Japan, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, St Helena, San Marino, Singapore, Turks & Caicos Islands, Uruguay, USA, Vatican City and Venezuela need a passport valid for more than 90 days.

3. Holders of travel documents issued by the Geneva convention of July 1951, by Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK for stays of up to 90 days. Please note that British passports that do not have “European community” on the front page require a visa.

4 . Nationals of any of the Schengen member states who hold permanent residency are entitled to re-enter the Schengen area without a visa, provided proof of residence and a valid passport are submitted;

Types of visa and cost: A uniform type of visa, the Schengen visa, is issued for tourist, business and private visits. Short-stay: £17.25 for up to 30 days, £20.70 for up to 90 days (single-entry); £24.15 for up to 90 days (multiple entries), £34.50 for up to one year (multiple-entry). Transit: £6.90. Prices are subject to change and travellers are advised to check with the Consulate before departure. All visas are also subject to an administrative fee. (2009 prices)

Note: (a) Spouses and children of EU nationals (providing spouse’s passport and the original marriage or birth certificate is produced), and nationals of some other countries, receive their visas free of charge (enquire at Embassy for details).

Validity: Short-stay (single- and multiple-entry): valid for six months from date of issue for a stay of maximum 90 days per entry. Visas cannot be extended and a new application must be made each time.

Application to: In person (strictly only by appointment solicited in writing) to the appropriate Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) for where applicant lives. Applications may also be conducted through a travel agency or visa agency that may come in person on behalf of the applicant. Postal applications are not accepted. Travellers visiting just one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of that country; travellers visiting more than one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of the country chosen as the main destination or the country they will enter first (if they have no main destination).

Note: Applicants will be seen by appointment only. Please state number of applicants (immediate family only: wife/husband and descendants) when applying for an appointment. If applying for a family, please send photocopies of passports, plus a self-addressed envelope.

Application requirements:

a) Passport or travel document, valid for at least three months longer than the requested visa with one full blank page to affix the visa.
b) Two completed application forms
c) Two passport-size photos (plus three photocopies), preferably stapled to each page of application form;
d) Fee, payable by cash or postal order only.
e) Proof of purpose of visit (official letter of invitation; return tickets and hotel confirmation).
f) Confirmed accommodation.
g) Evidence of sufficient funds for stay (recent bank statement and photocopies).
h) Formal itinerary, supplied by travel agent or airline.
i) Evidence of medical insurance

St Beuno's will attempt to provide e, f and h above.

Note: (a) Requirements for visas vary according to nationality, passport, travel document used and the purpose and duration of the trip. All documents must be submitted in their original form, plus two photocopies. For more information, contact the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.

Working days required: An appointment to apply for a visa will be received by post within seven days of date of request. Processing time varies, depending on nationality and personal information. Applications from nationals of the following countries will take two to three weeks, and they should not buy tickets prior to applying for and obtaining a visa: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Burundi, China (PR), Colombia, Congo (Dem Rep), Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Korea (Dem Rep), Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian National Authority, The Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Surinam, the Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Once granted, visas may take only one working day to be issued.

NB. The UK and Ireland are not members of the Schengen group of countries.

Information subject to change -Valid 2011