Schengen visa - Duration of stay question
 

Hello,

I am an Indian national living in the UK. I recently got a multiple entry Schengen tourist visa valid for 6 months. The duration of stay in the visa shows as 15 days.

1. What exactly does this mean?
- Does it mean that I can stay 15 days each time I enter the Schengen area?
OR
- Does it mean that I can stay for a total of 15 days over all my entries into the Schenger area?

2. If it is the second one above, and if I decide to plan more trips, what should I do? Should I apply for a visa with my new travel plans with the relevant embassy?

3. Say I've travelled to one of the Schengen countries for 5 days. I now want to travel to another country for 15 days. So should I go and apply for a visa to allow me to travel for 15 days in that country?

Appreciate all your answers.

Thanks,
Pavan

Re: Schengen visa - Duration of stay question
 

Is your visa type C and does it say MULT on it ?

Re: Schengen visa - Duration of stay question
 

Hello Lorna,

Thanks for responding. Yes it is a Type C visa and it says MULT on it.

Regards,
Pavan

Re: Schengen visa - Duration of stay question
 

Type C is a short term visa which could explain the 15 day duration.

When you applied for your visa did you say it was for a holiday?

MULT is Multi .... a visa that is valid for all of the Schengen countries.
15 day duration means 15 days in total in the schengen area.

It could be 15 days in Spain or it could be 5 days in France, 5 days in Germany and 5 days in Italy.

I hope that helps. If you have any doubts you should contact the embassy that gave you the visa.

Re: Schengen visa - Duration of stay question
 

Thank you Lorna.

I guess if I plan more trips, then I would have to apply again submitting proof of additional travel to the relevant embassy even if the current visa is valid. Is that right?

Regards,
Pavan

Re: Schengen visa - Duration of stay question
 

I'm really sorry but I don't know the answer to that.

It seems silly to give somebody a visa for 6 months if it can only be used for 15 days. Most schengen visas are valid for 90 days of travel and tourism.

You should contact your embassy.

Re: Schengen visa - Duration of stay question
 

That is fine Lorna. I too thought it was very silly of them to just restrict the duration to 15 days, specially when in the past I have travelled so much in Europe.

I will contact the Embassy meanwhile

Regards,
Pavan