International Student Support

 

Travelling in Europe

 For many international students, studying in the UK offers a great opportunity to explore nearby European countries at weekends or during University vacations. When making plans to travel to Europe it is important to check whether you need a visa to travel, and to satisfy all immigration requirements. The Schengen visa is a popular option for international students wishing to travel to Europe. Below we have provided some information to explain what the Schengen visa is, and what to do to apply.

Do i need a visa to travel to Europe from australia 

Visit the website of the UK-based embassy of the country you wish to visit to check whether people of your nationality need to apply for a visa before travelling to that country. If you are unable to find this information on the website, try to contact the embassy by e-mail or phone. You can find a list of embassies on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website (in the 'London Diplomatic List' document).

If you wish to travel to more than one European country, you may wish to consider applying for a Schengen visa, which allows visits to 26 countries of the Schengen space, and is valid for up to three months. In the following section you can find a list of countries that belong to the Schengen space.

If you wish to travel to a European country outside of the Schengen space, you should contact that country’s embassy in the UK for information about immigration procedures.

Schengen VisaThe Schengen visa allows individuals wishing to visit certain countries within the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland, to travel between these countries using only one visa.  The Schengen space consists of the following countries:

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

There are three types of Schengen visa. The type of visa which most students will require for tourism purposes is the short stay or travel visa, which allows a visit of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

The Schengen visa fee and the currency required for payment may vary according to which country you apply to, but generally the fee for a short stay Schengen visa is approximately €60, payable in pounds sterling based on the exchange rate on the day you apply. Bearers of non-biometric passports who are nationals of Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, FYROM, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania or Kosovo may qualify for a reduced short-stay Schengen visa fee of €35. Some countries outsource the processing of their Schengen visa applications to external companies, and some of these may charge an extra service fee. Please note that visa fees are generally not refundable, whatever the outcome of your application.

 Important issues to consider before applying for a Schengen visa

 - In order to be granted a Schengen visa, you must have a valid passport or travel document that has been issued (not extended) within the previous ten years, and your passport must be valid for at least another three months after the expiry date of your Schengen visa. You must also have two blank pages in your passport. If you do not meet one or more of these requirements, you may need to apply for a new passport before you can be granted a Schengen visa.

- You will need to have a valid visa for the UK, which must be valid for at least another three months after the expiry date of your Schengen visa.
Also, please note that some UK-based embassies may not grant Schengen visas to individuals who are in the UK on a 'C-Visit' visa, or holders of UK visas valid for 6 months or less. If this is your case, you can only apply for a Schengen visa at the relevant country's embassy in your country of residence.

- You can apply for a Schengen visa up to 90 days before the date you wish to travel, but no less than 14 days before this date. Although some applications can be processed within 24-48 hours, it is strongly recommended that you allow at least 14 days for your application to be processed, and for some nationalities this may take up to 4 weeks. Therefore, apply as early as you are able to gather all the required documentation for your application.

- Most London-based embassies (or external companies that they have outsourced visa processing to) will require you to attend an appointment in person to apply, and you may also need to come and collect your passport in person afterwards, so allow sufficient time for this in your plans.

- If you are planning to return to the UK after travelling in Europe, you will have to satisfy the immigration officer at the port of entry to the UK that you meet the necessary requirements for entry into the UK as a student. Before you travel abroad you should check that you have evidence that you are a student enrolled on a full-time course (eg a letter from your School Office) and evidence that you have enough money to support yourself.

Before travelling, you should seek advice from an International Student Adviser if you have already finished your course, but want to travel to Europe at some point during the time remaining on your visa, and then re-enter the UK, as you may need to submit extra documents upon re-entering the UK (for example, to prove that you are coming back for your graduation ceremony).

 How to apply for schengen visa online

 If you plan to visit only one country in the Schengen space, you should apply to the embassy of that country in the UK. If you plan to visit several of the 26 countries, you should apply to the UK-based embassy of whichever country is your 'main destination' - the country in which you plan to spend the most time during your trip. If you plan to visit several countries in the Schengen space, but you don't have a 'main destination', you should submit an application to the UK-based embassy of the country where you will first enter the Schengen space.

Your first step should be to visit the website of the UK-based embassy of the relevant country and find out the eligibility criteria, visa fees, application process and the required documents, as these will vary according to which country you are applying to. If you are struggling to find this information on their website, you can try to contact the embassy by phone or e-mail using the contact details which will normally be provided on the website.
Please see list of Schengen countries and their contact information.
Click on the following links for the websites you'll need to visit to apply for a Schengen visa for some of the popular European destinations for travel: France, Germany, Spain, Italy
Most countries will require you to download and fill in an application form, make an appointment to apply in person, and bring your passport and other relevant documentation to your appointment at a designated location. The exact procedure may vary so remember to find out specific instructions from the embassy you wish to apply to.

 Documents needed for application :
The documents required for your Schengen visa application will vary according to the country that you apply to, and sometimes they may also vary according to your nationality. Below we have given an indicative list of documents that most countries will require, however, please consult the relevant embassy for a definitive list of the documents they require before you apply.

1. Passport (or official travel document) and UK entry clearance or Biometric Residence Permit.
2. Completed application form. No application for a visa will be accepted without the appropriate application form. Each country produces its own application form, although generally the same questions are asked.
3. Recent passport-style photo(s). Specific requirements may apply, check with the relevant embassy.
4. Visa fee (usually only payable in cash or in postal orders, in pounds sterling (although check with the relevant embassy for specific information))
5. Evidence of sufficient funds to complete the trip. You will need to show that you can support yourself during your stay in a particular country, usually by presenting bank statements (cash is not always accepted as evidence). Check with the relevant embassy to see if there is a specific amount of money that you need to show for each day of your trip or for the trip as a whole.`
6. Tickets for your return journey to and from the Schengen space.
7. Hotel booking, or letter of invitation from the friends/family members who will be hosting you during your trip.
8. Travel health insurance that covers the entire trip. You can try buying travel insurance from the Post Office as they often offer affordable rates.
9. Evidence of student status. Some countries might require a letter to confirm you are a full-time student. You can obtain the letter from your School Office (UG students), Student Systems and Records Office (PGT students), or Research Student Administration Office (PGR students).
It is recommended that you bring originals as well as copies of each one of your documents to your appointment.
Please note that the list above is for guidance only, and you should consult the relevant embassy for specific information.

Keeping your Documents Safe while  Traveling in Europe
The International Student Support team deals with an increasing number of cases where passports and/or visas have been lost or stolen both in the UK and overseas. It is known that thieves operate in European capital cities and target tourists. We therefore recommend that you do not carry your passport/visa with you, unless when it is absolutely necessary (for example, when crossing borders). When you go out for the day, it is much safer to leave your passport and visa somewhere secure in the place where you are staying, rather than carrying them around with you at all times. Remember that if you do lose your visa or if it is stolen while you are overseas, in most cases you will need to apply for a replacement before you can re-enter the UK, and this can take a number of weeks. It is also recommended that you have a good travel insurance policy which may cover you for costs incurred should you run into problems. Visit our lost and stolen section for more information on this.

European Health Insurance Card

A Non UK/ EEA national can apply for a UK issued EHIC card if you are studying in the UK on a full time course which will last longer than 6 months. To apply for an EHIC, you will need to download and complete the form from the following website http://www.nhs.uk/nhsengland/Healthcareabroad
As a Non UK/EEA national you will also need to send a photocopy of your proof of entitlement to reside in the UK (for example the identity and visa stamp pages from your passport or your Home Office letter).
An EHIC gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare on a temporary stays in other European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland at a reduced cost and sometimes for free. It will cover immediate and clinically necessary state-funded treatment until your planned return home to the UK.
Please note the EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. It will not cover any private medical healthcare or costs, such as mountain rescue in ski resorts, being flown back to the UK, or lost or stolen property.
It is therefore important to have both an EHIC and a valid private travel insurance policy in place before you travel.