EU Schengens ?

[Brett]

Hi Great Site, very helpful. I'm British, born in London, my wife of 15 years and daughter of 11 recently got their Settlement Visa for the UK (they are both South African), we now live in London. How do we go on holiday to Europe? We cannot get a Schengen Visa from the Spanish or French Consulate as they say we must apply in my wife and daughter's home country (SA), but it seems ridiculous having to go back to SA just to take a day trip to Calais? has anyone had the same problem? Thanks.

[Obie]

No, they did not say that. Perhaps you misread what they said.

You can apply in the country you are lawfully resident in, which in the case of your wife and child, is the UK.

Apart from that, you are a British Citizen, an EEA national who is covered under article 5 of Directive 2004/38EC, and hence has a right to travel to any memberstate within the EU/EEA with your wife. You only need to provide proof of your relationship and you EEA nationality and her passport, and the visa will be issued to her.

In your case, whether or not, you wife has a lawful resident in the UK, which she obviously has, will not have a bearing on a visa application.

[Wanderer]

They r yanking ur chain, apply either via post at French Consulate if u live outside London (ie Southern England) or in person.

Don't bother with spanish consulate unless you like to be abused and humiliated!

Unless of course ur going to spain and spain only - then u have to - ur chosen consulate should either be the main destination or first port of entry.

Just re-read, as u live in London it's a visit I'm afraid, never much fun in any scenario. Just remember to have ur wits about you when calling the 0906 booking line, any hesitiency costs dear, it's £1.50 a minute! Other than that and travel etc the visa is free.