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Schengen

riatolken

Member
Time of past OR future Camino
plan to walk end of may 2013
Hi there, We are going to do the Camino de Santiago from Jean Pied de Port and would like to know, traveling from South Africa, how do we give proof of where we will be staying, as we are not booking anything in advance. What will be the requirements for obtaining a Schengen visa? : thanks a lot, Ria
 
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€149,-
Ria, if you type in Schengen in the search engine you will find much wisdom.

Welcome.
 

Hi There

Please visit http://www.csjofsa.za.org

The Confraternity of South Africa has all the required information.
Once registered you will collect a letter and your Camino Passport from the secretary.
The letter is used when applying for the Schengen, you will not need pre booked accommodation.

Send me a PM for more information as I can assist with the Schengen visa process and website.

Regards,
Darren
 
Camino Way markers in Bronze
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
5 years ago people applying for a Schengen Visa through the Spanish Embassies had a very hard time because they had no invitation to visit Spain, no accommodation and, in some instances, were going to be in Spain for many weeks.

I had a meeting with the Pretoria Consulate and asked if there was a way they could make it easier for pilgrims. They decided that the best way was for people planning on walking the Camino with no accommodation booked ahead to join the CSJ, include a copy of the 'credencial' and a Visa letter with their applications.

Clause 8 of the Schengen Application requirements deals with Camino pilgrims.

It states that applicants planning on walking the Camino de Santiago should apply to the CSJ of SA for a 'credencial' and send a copy of the front page as well as a Visa Letter from them confirming that they are a member and that they are walking the Camino.

Its a pity that you have to join an organisation but this was the only way they would accept applications from people walking the Camino.
 
Sillydoll, do you know if there is something similar for people wanting to do other long distance walks in Europe? My big goal is to walk the Iron Curtain Trail, but Schengen issues seem to make it an impossibility to do in one hit.
 
The Schengen states adhere to the same rules and regulations and all are strict about enforcing the maximum 90 days visit in any 6 month period. It was possible for a friend to walk the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome in 2007 because at the stage Switzerland hadn't yet joined and he had 10 days or so walking in Switzerland. Now it is almost impossible to walk the entire distance unless you skip sections so as not to exceed the 90 day restriction.

You'll have to find out if any of the 20 countries are not part of the Schengen agreement.

20 nations are part of the Iron Curtain Trail project, among them 14 members of the EU.


The Schengen alliance includes:
Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland (not a European Union Member State)
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein (not a European Union Member State)
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway (not a European Union Member State)
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Swiss (not a European Union Member State)
 
Lightfoot Guide to via Francigena
Guides that will let you complete the journey your way.
Hi Ria
I am looking forward to you contacting the Confraternity of St James of South Africa. http://www.csjofsa.za.org/ All our details are on the web page.
Pam
 
I am currently in the process of joining the Confraternity of St James, and this is something I am more than happy to do for the assistance they can give in applying for the Visa. I am dealing with a lady named Pam, and she has been very friendly and helpful. My concern is just around the Occupation part of the visa application. I resigned at the end of September, and have no intention of going back into that line of work. In fact, that is what I want to obtain more clarity on while on the Camino: what is my life purpose, and what do I need to do to achieve it. Is the Spanish Consulate understanding on that point? I am traveling alone to a country I have no friends or family in, and leaving my kids and husband at home. I have the funds/medical aid, etc, I truly hope that the job that I hated to much by the end hasn't got another opportunity to take a jab at me.
 
Oh! Look at that! The post above is the self same Pam I mentioned in my post. Hello Pam!
 
Altus BALI Sleeping bag liner
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
Monya, you can list your occupation as housewife.
 
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