URGENT HELP! SCHENGEN VISA ADVICE
 

My wife and I travelling to USA to visit our son, and on the way back will be visiting France, and then my wife's brother in Germany. However, the Schengen Visa (we are citizens of India) has just been issued by the German Consulate in India. The quandary we're in is, that I heard that for a Schengen visa, you have to land first int he country that issued the visa. However, our travel plans are such that we're landing in France. Is there a way around this, or is it a myth, or will they let us into france first?
Thanks in advance!

Hi

I suggest that you contact the French consulate in India.

It sounds like you should be OK.Did you list your "Main Destination" on the visa application form as "Germany"?I havent seen any requirements for having the first country you enter be the same as the issuing country,except in the case that you are visiting several countries and have not designated any one as "Main".Any questions,I would suggest you go back to the GermanConsulate as they issued it in the first place.I hope this helps...S

According to the official Schengen site, you should have the French conulate issue the visa. Here is what is says:

("All depends on the place(s) you want to visit. If you intend to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply at the Embassy or Consulate of that particular country. You apply at the Embassy or Consulate responsible for the state where you live.

If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country which is your main destination.

If you intend to visit several Schengen countries but do not have a main destination, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country which is your first point of entry.")

It seems like there may be a loophole, because it does say the visa should be issued by your main destination country, but that could also mean that you could enter France for transit purposes only if that's the case. The last paragraph does stipulate that if you want to "VISIT" different countries, you should posses a visa from the first one you visit.
I would call the French conulate and verify this. It would be easier to fix it now, as oppose to the airport.
Good Luck and have a great trip!

We got our Schengen visas from the German Embassy in India, despite the fact that we landed only in Amsterdam. Ours was a trip to Netherlands and Germany, with more time in Germany. At Amsterdam, the customs guy did ask why did I get the visa from German and not Dutch consulate and I told hime to his satisfaction that the main country of stay is Germany (which it was). In fact the correct order of preference for a consulte is:
- Main destination country
- Port of entry.

I think you will be fine.