Swiss embassy now to issue only Schengen visas
Friday, 12 December 2008
FE Report
The Swiss embassy in Dhaka from now on will issue Schengen visas to Bangladeshi businessmen and tourists as the Schengen agreement between Berne and the European Union comes into force today (Friday), a senior Switzerland government official said here Thursday.
Elmar Meyer, visa officer of the Swiss embassy in Dhaka, told the FE Thursday, 'Switzerland will start issuing Schengen visas, valid for maximum three months, to Bangladeshi tourists and businessmen instead of issuing only Swiss visas.'
'The Swiss-EU Schengen cooperation will remain operational with effect from December 12,' he added.
While travelling with a Schengen visa, the visa-holder can travel to any or all member countries of the European Union (EU) using one single visa, thus avoiding the hassle as well as the expense of obtaining a separate visa for each country.
This will benefit particularly the persons who wish to visit several European countries on the same trip. The Schengen visa is a 'visitor visa.' It is issued to citizens of those countries, from where they are required to obtain visa before entering Europe.
Mr. Meyer said the Schengen visa will not only allow one to travel in Switzerland but also in the whole Schengen area. Conversely, Bangladeshi passport holders with valid Schengen visas issued by other Schengen states will also be able to enter Switzerland without an additional Swiss visa, he added.
'This is the outcome of the bilateral Schengen agreement signed in October 2004 between Switzerland and the European Union,' he added.
The Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh will adopt Schengen procedures while issuing visas.
When asked, a senior official said a Schengen visa allows its holder to travel freely within the Schengen countries for maximum 90 days in every six months.
The Schengen visa-holders are not allowed to live permanently or work in Europe, he added.
He, however, said it is strongly recommended that one plan one's journey in accordance with the timeframe of the Schengen Visa as extensions can be very difficult to obtain.
All Schengen countries are in Europe. A total of 30 countries including all the European Union countries, except Ireland and the United Kingdom, and the two non-EU member countries (Iceland, Norway) have signed the Schengen agreement.
Under the Schengen agreement, about 16 countries --Austria, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxemburg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands and Switzerland--have so far ensured the common border control and visa.
The Swiss embassy in Dhaka from now on will issue Schengen visas to Bangladeshi businessmen and tourists as the Schengen agreement between Berne and the European Union comes into force today (Friday), a senior Switzerland government official said here Thursday.
Elmar Meyer, visa officer of the Swiss embassy in Dhaka, told the FE Thursday, 'Switzerland will start issuing Schengen visas, valid for maximum three months, to Bangladeshi tourists and businessmen instead of issuing only Swiss visas.'
'The Swiss-EU Schengen cooperation will remain operational with effect from December 12,' he added.
While travelling with a Schengen visa, the visa-holder can travel to any or all member countries of the European Union (EU) using one single visa, thus avoiding the hassle as well as the expense of obtaining a separate visa for each country.
This will benefit particularly the persons who wish to visit several European countries on the same trip. The Schengen visa is a 'visitor visa.' It is issued to citizens of those countries, from where they are required to obtain visa before entering Europe.
Mr. Meyer said the Schengen visa will not only allow one to travel in Switzerland but also in the whole Schengen area. Conversely, Bangladeshi passport holders with valid Schengen visas issued by other Schengen states will also be able to enter Switzerland without an additional Swiss visa, he added.
'This is the outcome of the bilateral Schengen agreement signed in October 2004 between Switzerland and the European Union,' he added.
The Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh will adopt Schengen procedures while issuing visas.
When asked, a senior official said a Schengen visa allows its holder to travel freely within the Schengen countries for maximum 90 days in every six months.
The Schengen visa-holders are not allowed to live permanently or work in Europe, he added.
He, however, said it is strongly recommended that one plan one's journey in accordance with the timeframe of the Schengen Visa as extensions can be very difficult to obtain.
All Schengen countries are in Europe. A total of 30 countries including all the European Union countries, except Ireland and the United Kingdom, and the two non-EU member countries (Iceland, Norway) have signed the Schengen agreement.
Under the Schengen agreement, about 16 countries --Austria, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxemburg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands and Switzerland--have so far ensured the common border control and visa.