yogi123

Hi fellow travelers (or travellers for those outside the US),

My parents have a Schenzen visa issued by Portugal since they were planning to visit Portugal. Their plans have changed now and they plan to visit France instead. The rules on the French consulate web site say that they MUST visit Portugal (i.e. the issuing country) during their Europe trip.

My question is: if they fly into Paris, stay in France for a week or so, and then return to their home country, how will Passport Control at the airport (i am making the assumption there is a PC desk at the CDG airport that departing travelers need to pass through) know whether they have been to Portugal or not ?

Thanks again for your time !!

hetismij2

It used to be that you had to arrive in the Schengen zone in the country which issued your visa. You were then free to travel to other Schengen countries from there.

As I understand it that is no longer the case, in which case they shouldn't have a problem
But you really do need to check with the issuer of the visa to be certain.

yogi123

Thanks hetismij2.

Do you know whether their passport will be stamped if they visit Portugal by train ? (i.e. how will passport control be able to ascertain if they have been to Portugal or not?).

And will it be stamped if they fly to Portugal ?

Thanks !!

kerouac

Once you are in the Schengen zone, there are no passport checks or stamps. There will be no trace of any other Schengen zone countries visited.

If questioned, all they have to say is that they are planning to go to Portugal. And then, plans can change... as they obviously did.

yogi123

Thanks kerouac !!