Applying for a Schengen Visa in Calgary

[lazypucker]

The Mighty CalgaryPuck Forum, I (actually my friend) ask for your help.

My friend, a permanent resident here, needs to apply for a Schengen Visa in order to travel to EU countries. We found out that he can apply with any of the EU Schengen countries' consulate such as Germany, France, Spain, etc.

But here comes the kicker - there is a personal interview step where the applicant will have to go to the consulates in person, and most of these countries' consulates are in Vancouver.

So the question comes if any one here knows how can someone apply for a Schengen Visa in Calgary and don't have to travel to Vancouver (or other cities) for an interview?

Thanks

[Fuzz]

Germany has a consulate here. Not sure if they do those, but you could check.


https://canada.diplo.de/ca-en/vertre...suls/-/1213768


EDIT: oh, wait, it says right on that page they don't do Visa's...maybe they could do the interview part?

[Huntingwhale]

If you friend is a PR, can he not get a Canadian passport? Or is that only for citizens (not sure of the rule).

If he has a Canadian passport, you get your visa stamp at passport control.

[Wormius]

It looks like if you need to apply for a visa, then you have to do it at the embassy or consulate of the country they will be arriving at. I don't think there is anything in Calgary.



The other question I suppose is the country that they're a citizen of still have visa-free travel to the Schengen area?

[GrrlGoalie33]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

If you friend is a PR, can he not get a Canadian passport? Or is that only for citizens (not sure of the rule).

If he has a Canadian passport, you get your visa stamp at passport control.

You need to become a Canadian Citizen before you are eligible for a Canadian passport.

[lazypucker]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

If you friend is a PR, can he not get a Canadian passport? Or is that only for citizens (not sure of the rule).

If he has a Canadian passport, you get your visa stamp at passport control.

PR ≠ Canadian Citizen, thus no Canadian passport

Originally Posted by Wormius

The other question I suppose is the country that they're a citizen of still have visa-free travel to the Schengen area?

If he has a passport that doesn't need the Schengen Visa, then we don't even have this problem to start with

Anyways, based on some quick internet searches, it seems the closet place to get the visa is in Edmonton (there is a full Italian consulate there, I guess E=G for once). There are offices for many countries here in Calgary, but none of them handle visa processing AFAIK

So, if there are some insider information or pro-tip about not needing to leave Calgary to get the visa done, let me know.

[Qwerty]

I had a friend need that about 10 months ago and he had to do the day drive up to Edmonton. I think that is the closest and best option

[JD]

My wife did her Schengen visa in her home country, Uzbekistan, applying through the Spanish embassy in Moscow. No interview was required, but a whole lotta documentation was. Maybe your friend could have better luck doing it through their home country remotely, maybe try contact one of these agencies that do visas. She used one and they ensured everything in the application was just right to minimize chances of rejection.

[LChoy]

Hi

Sorry I just noticed this thread
About 10 years ago I had to apply for a working holiday Visa for the Netherlands. There was a consulate downtown by the Devonian Gardens where I went in person. Would that work for your friend?

LChoy

[ClubFlames]

My wife is a PR resident and we went to Europe last year. We applied online for a request for Visa and had to go down to Edmonton for an in-person interview which was more of a show me your itinerary and if you have the funds and have your return ticket booked.

She got her visa stamped on the passport within 5 business days.

[lazypucker]

Originally Posted by ClubFlames

My wife is a PR resident and we went to Europe last year. We applied online for a request for Visa and had to go down to Edmonton for an in-person interview which was more of a show me your itinerary and if you have the funds and have your return ticket booked.

She got her visa stamped on the passport within 5 business days.

Did you go to the Italian consulate in Edmonton to get this done? And did your wife left her passport with them after the interview and they mailed it back to you few days later (so you don't need to travel again to collect it)?

Also, this maybe a stupid question. I suppose this Schengen visa is a one-time only visa. Every time you are going to Europe you will need to reapply and go through the whole process from scratch again?

[JD]

They'll usually give you one-year of validity. Definitely not a one time only thing.