More Schengen troubles....

[guru_ian1]

Hi...

I am sorry if I am covering old ground, and yes I have read other posts on this topic.

I find myself in a similar situation to a number of other people. I have booked a short break for my wife and I to Italy, and before doing so I was aware that my wife would require a visa. One of the requirements for the visa application is booking details and so I (stupidly) assumed it would make getting the visa easier to have bits of paper saying it was all paid for.

Neither of us had any idea that getting a Schengen visa would require an interview, in fact the thought had never even entered our heads, having obtained numerous other visas in the past without ever being interviewed and in a number of cases not even having to go the embassy.

We now discover that the earliest available appointment to apply for the visa is well after the holiday which is itself 6 weeks away.

I have read most of the posts, some which suggest trying at another embassy, Beligum seems a good bet because you can apply by post. There is also much mention of the 'right' of non-EU citizens married to EU citizens to travel into EU countries without first getting a visa: can anyone provide any specific information as to whether an Indonesian with a UK residence permit married to a UK citizen would stand any chance of getting out of Stansted airport in the first place and then into Italy?

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

If you want to make the trip without a visa, it is important that
(1) that you are an EU citizen and have a valid passport
(2) that your spouse is married to you and that you have the marriage certificate
(3) that your spouse has a valid passport
(4) you carry a copy of Directive 2004/38/EC in english and italian
(5) you carry the emergency contact details of the british embassy in rome (for consular matters) and a phone you can use to call them if you are unduly delayed on your arrival in Italy

I would strongly advise you to
(1) read through http://eumovement.wordpress.com/directive-200438ec/
(2) Contact http://ec.europa.eu/citizensrights/ for an assessment of your specific situation and rights you have to enter Italy in the case that you do not have the visa

I would guess though that you will not have a problem from the Italians. So far I have never heard of somebody being turned back by the EU border guards.

As people have pointed out, the first stage is to get on the flight. If possible, check some baggage so that they will have to unload it from the plane if they deny you boarding. You might even want to consider booking a separate ticket so that you can check in baggage at the desk as the UK citizen, AND ALSO do online check-in (no online passport check) for original reservation.