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Schengen visa (Short Term Visa – for stay up to 90 days)

What is “Schengen”

Schengen Area, named after “the Schengen states” signifies a zone where 26 different European states, acknowledged the abolishment of their internal borders with other member states and outside, for the free and unrestricted movement of people, goods, services, and capital, in harmony with common rules for controlling external borders and fighting criminality by strengthening common judicial system and police cooperation.
Through Schengen Area, borders between European countries are only visible on maps, more than 400 million nationals of 26 member  states have the freedom of traveling without passport check and border control within and outside the area is guaranteed, as within a single country, since every country share the common travel and movement rights.
The Czech Republic as an the EU Member State also has become a member state of the Schengen Area since 2007.

List of Schengen countries:

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland


For the third country citizens so called “Short-Term Visa” is issued as a “Schengen visa”, that grants a possibility of stay in the Schengen Territory for a maximum of 90 days in any given 180 days.
To be sure how many days from 90 maximum possible days within 180 days remain the traveller should always consult the “Schengen calculator” :


http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/border-crossing/schengen_calculator_en.html

Legal reference:

REGULATION (EC) No 810/2009 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 13 July 2009,establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code)
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32009R0810&from=EN

Timinig –When should the application be submitted

Application for a Schengen (short-term) visa may be filed within 6 months before the planned trip. It is recommended to not to file a visa application later than 15 days before the trip – as it cannot be guaranteed it will be reviewed in time. In most cases, visa applications are processed within 15 days.

Where to apply

As listed by importance, the following rules apply by which you may determine at which office you should apply for the visa, according to the Visa Code, Article 5:
If you intend to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply at the Embassy or Consulate of that particular country.
If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country which is your main destination – main purpose of stay.
If you intend to visit several Schengen countries but you do not have a main destination (a main purpose of stay), you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country where you intend to stay the longest time (if the lenght of time is the same in each Schengen country then you have to apply at the Embassy or Consulate of the county which is your first point of entry).
If you do not need a visa for the Schengen country which is your main destination or first point of entry, please note that you may require a visa for the other Schengen country

Location – of the Czech Application Center of  VFS Global

Effective from November 15, 2015 the Embassy of the Czech Republic has started providing the visa services in cooperation with VFS Global Company. VFS processes the Schengen visas applications in its Visa Application Centre. The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Kuwait approves the visas and returns the passports with visa stickers back to the Visa Application Centre. The applicant can follow his/her visa status via VFS Global website by entering the bar code of his/her receipt.

The address of VFS Global in Kuwait  has changed since November 20, 2016 to:

Arraya Centre, Tower 1, 30th Floor, Al- Shuhada Street, Kuwait City.
(Next to Courtyard by Marriott)
 


 
 
For any further important information please consult :
 
CALL CENTRE NO.: +965 2297 1114
http://www.vfsglobal.com/czechrepublic/kuwait
 
info.czechkuwait@vfshelpline.com
 
  
On your Android Google map search         29.377396, 47.990288
 

Who should apply

All visa applications must be presented  in person, during the VFS Global's business hours, the spouses of the citizens of the EU countries travelling with/after her/his spouse in the Schengen area can also apply at the Embassy of the Czech Republic, always after obtaining an appointment with the Embassy of the Czech Republic on the following address:
Khaldiya, Block 1, Ghazza Street, House 31B, Kuwait
Tel.: +965 2492 6034
Fax: +965 2492 6044
e-mail : kuwait@embassy.mzv.cz

Some detailed quotations from

REGULATION (EC) No 810/2009 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 13 July 2009,establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code)
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32009R0810&from=EN
 

"The Embassy of the Czech Republic closely monitors the implementation of the agreement between VFS Global and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.

The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Kuwait communicates with the external service provider every day and coordinates all the announcements destined to the public with VFS Global. This covers both general information on visa requirements and application forms.

The close cooperation between the Embassy and VFS Global assures that all the technical and organisational security measures  required  to protect personal data against accidental or unlawful destruction or loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure or access are fully respected. The cooperation requires the transmission of files and data between VFS Global and the Embassy.

The process of collection and transmission of data from VFS Global to the Embassy is typically done within 24 hours /except for week-ends/. The decision on the application shall be made within 15 calendar days starting from the date when an admissible application has been lodged. The period required for the decision may be extended up to a maximum of 30 calendar days in specific cases, notably when further scrutiny of the application is needed or on an exceptional basis up to a maximum of 60 calendar days., when additional documentation is needed.

In accordance with Article 13(7)(b) of the Visa Code, the physical impossibility to proceed with fingerprinting shall not influence the decision to issue or refuse a visa.

1.   Applicants aged 12 years or older shall pay a visa fee of EUR 60.

2.   Children applicants (aged between 6 to 12 years) shall pay a visa fee of EUR 35.

3.   The visa fee shall be revised regularly in order to reflect the administrative costs.

4.   The visa fee shall be waived for applicants belonging to one of the following categories:

(a)

children under the age of six;

 

(b)

school pupils, students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake stays for the purpose of study or educational training;

 

(c)

researchers from third countries travelling for the purpose of carrying out scientific research as defined in Recommendation No 2005/761/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 September 2005 to facilitate the issue by the Member States of uniform short-stay visas for researchers from third countries travelling within the Community for the purpose of carrying out scientific research (21);

 

(d)

representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 years or less participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organised by non-profit organisations.

5.   The visa fee may be waived for:

(a)

children aged between six and eleven years;

 

(b)

holders of diplomatic and service passports;

 

(c)

participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organised by non-profit organisations.

Within local Schengen cooperation, Members States shall aim to harmonise the application of these exemptions.

6.   In individual cases, the amount of the visa fee to be charged may be waived or reduced when such a decision serves to promote cultural or sporting interests or interests in the field of foreign policy, development policy and other areas of vital public interest or for humanitarian reasons.

7.   The visa fee shall be charged in euro, in the national currency of the third country or in the currency usually used in the third country where the application is lodged, and shall not be refundable except in the cases referred to in Articles 18(2) and 19(3) of [REGULATION (EC) No 810/2009 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 13 July 2009,establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code)].

When charged in a currency other than the euro, the amount of the visa fee charged in that currency shall be determined and regularly reviewed in application of the euro foreign exchange reference rate set by the European Central Bank. The amount charged may be rounded up and consulates shall ensure under local Schengen cooperation that they charge similar fees.

8.   The applicant shall be given a receipt for the visa fee paid."



Required documents for application for visa

The following documents should be submitted by each applicant:

1. Completed visa application form. This form has to be signed by the applicant.

2. Passport or official travel document
The applicant shall present a valid travel document satisfying the following criteria:
its validity shall extend at least three months after the intended date of departure from the territory,
it shall contain at least two blank pages (preferably two consecutive pages)
it shall have been issued within the previous 10 years,

3. For the non-Kuwaitis applicants: Documents proving the legal status in the State of Kuwait – original Residency ID Card and Residency Sticker in the passport. The Kuwaiti residence permit should be valid at least 3 months beyond the intended departure from the Schengen member state territory.

4. One recent passport photograph of one's entire face, which shows a clear-cut and exact likeness of the applicant (without sunglasses or head covering, unless it is on account of religious or medical reasons). The photo must be taken against a plain, light background with a good contrast in colour or black and white. It must be of clear and good quality and printed on regular photographic paper.
Photos that do not comply with these standards should not be accepted!
Children apply in separate application form even if they are registered in a parent's passport, they need always their own visas with a photo (free of charge under 6 years of age). However, applicant should also submit one recent passport size photograph for every child travelling with him.

5. Proof that you can proceed to the next country after you have visited the Schengen countries, i.e. confirmed itinerary/airline reservation or airline ticket and required visa.

6. Proof of sufficient funds for your intended stay in the Czech Republic, e. g. personal bank statement (must show your name and address), travellers checks, etc.

7. Letter of continued employment including income statement. If you are self employed a business license and tax return forms are required.

8. Proof establishing the purpose of your trip:
tourism (confirmed hotel reservation, invitation letter with verified signature, itinerary etc.)
medical treatment (health/medical facility confirmation etc.)
business trip (business relations confirmation, invitation/application for participation in consultations, supporting letter from the hosting company)
seminar/conference (invitation/ticket for congress, expo, conference, seminar etc.)
culture/sport (confirmation about cultural/sport activities in the Czech Republic etc.)
study (acceptance letter from the school, registration letter etc.)
scientific research (hosting agreement with a research institution etc.)
emloyment (work permit issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs  or employment contract, if the type of work is exempt from the work permit in accordance with Act. No. 435/2004 Coll. on employment)
official invitation (formal invitation authorized by the Alien Police)
- the formal invitation replaces some required supporting documents as financial funds and proof of accommodation
- the invitation form is submitted in its original form by the visa applicant

9. Medical health/travel insurance that meets the following criteria:
It is valid throughout the Czech Republic/Schengen territory.
It is valid during the entire period that you will be in the Czech Republic/Schengen territory.
The coverage is at least € 30,000 (US $45,000).
The coverage includes evacuation, repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical care and/or emergency treatment in a hospital.

10.  Visa Fee is in cash in Kuwaiti Dinars only.
Visa fees vary depending upon the exchange rate between the Czech and KD currency. Visa fees are non-refundable.

IMPORTANT: Additional documents may be required.

Please note:

The Consular Department of the Czech Republic Embassy has the full authority to evaluate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant. The applicant is hereby informed that submitting the aforementioned documents does not guarantee the automatic issuance of the visa.

According to the Visa Code, Article 24, a uniform visa allows the holder to travel in the entire territory of the Schengen area.

Previous stays within the territory of a Member State on the basis of a national long-stay visa or a residence permit have no influence on the stays allowed by a uniform visa or a visa with limited territorial validity.

 
VIS Information system

The VIS is a central database for the exchange of data on short-stay (up to three months) visas between Schengen States. The main objectives of the VIS are to facilitate visa application procedures and checks at external border as well as to enhance security.

The VIS will contain all the Schengen visa applications lodged by an applicant over five years and the decisions taken by any Schengen State's consulate.

For the purpose of the VIS, applicants are required to provide their biometric data – fingerprints – while applying for a Schengen visa. Biometric data, along with the data provided in the Schengen visa application form, will be recorded in the VIS central database.

Therefore, all Schengen visa applicants will have to appear in person at the Visa centre  when lodging the application, in order to provide their fingerprints.

Exemptions from the fingerprinting requirement are provided for:

- children under the age of twelve

- persons for whom the collection of fingerprints is physically impossible

Attachments

Schengen_visa_ApplicationForm 118 KB PDF (Adobe Acrobat document) Jun 13, 2014