How to move around from Schengen?
Having a Schengen visa, you can travel freely in any of the states included in the Schengen agreement. However, there is a set of rules that must be followed, otherwise the visa may be refused in the future.
Rule of first entry
Such a rule exists. Its meaning is that when you plan to visit several states, you must first visit the one in which the visa was obtained. For example, having a French visa, entry to the Schengen zone is carried out through France.
Article 12 of the Schengen Convention reflects the rule of first entry: "visas are issued by the diplomatic or consular representation of the contracting party, which is the first place of entry."
But there are exceptions.
Transit Schengen visa
When you need to cross the French border, you must travel to the country by plane based on the rule of first entry. After all, you can't get to France from Ukraine right away. But you can also choose a car for travel.
Then the transit rule will apply. You can stay in each transit country on the way for 2-5 days (in each country, the time limit is different). It turns out that, traveling by car with a French visa, it is possible to stay, for example, for two days in Poland and Germany. And this will be transit. Although officially the first Schengen zone country you visit is France.
When are they not allowed to enter the Schengen country with an existing visa?
- If you cannot convincingly prove that you are going to go to the country whose embassy issued you a visa.
- If there is no document confirming the purpose of the trip, other necessary documentation.
It is better if you do not neglect the rule of the first entry, the main country. The consulate that issued the visa is interested in your visit to their country. If you do not plan to visit a Schengen country, but want to, for example, travel around Europe, then the embassy can cancel the current visa, or confirmation of your stay in the destination country will be requested at your next application.
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