A Schengen visa for my Lao girlfriend
Chris and Nueng in the Netherlands
Chris sent the following email sharing his experience applying for one Schengen visa for his Laotian girlfriend.
Nueng (Phousone) and I met each other 2,5 years ago in Bangkok. We got into a relationship and since then I flew every holiday I had to Thailand / Laos. After all these visits, we thought it would be nice if she would visit me in the Netherlands.
Nueng is Laotian, which is why we chose to make our application at the French Embassy in Vientiane. Unfortunately, this failed, despite all papers and conditions being in order. The French embassy probably did not accept my guarantee with a legalized signature (IND forms are in Dutch) and rejected our application. They gave a lack of financial resources as the reason, despite I have sufficient income.
I only recommend the application in Vientiane to people whose Laotian in question has sufficient money in her account.
Through Rob V. I found out that there was also a second option for us, this was at VFS in Bangkok. Fortunately, this request was accepted. Just like with the first application, it included: Guarantee, weakening the risk of establishment and I also demonstrated through many photos that we have a real relationship. Think of photos of us together from the past two years, for example vacations, outings and with different family members and friends.
Useful tips for people in the same situation:
- Make sure the appointment with VFS is scheduled immediately the day after your girlfriend enters Thailand. Her visa for Thailand is valid for 30 days and it takes time for your application to be processed. In short, avoid overstay in Thailand.
- Make sure your girlfriend is in Thailand with sufficient financial means. For at least 4 weeks.
- She temporarily has no passport. Money transfer via Western Union is not possible. They only accept Laotian passports, no ID card.
The journey to the Netherlands and passing through customs went without any problems. However, Nueng had taken a number of pieces of evidence with him in case there were any questions.
The 7 weeks that Nueng has been in the Netherlands have been fantastic. Many family and friends and visited a number of nice places, including the Keukenhof, Bollenstreek, Amsterdam and Utrecht.
Despite the big cultural differences between Laos/Thailand and the Netherlands, she really enjoyed it. With the exception of the food, “Dutch food have little bit taste and all the food is same same J.” She also thought it was a little cold. The real test in that area will come next winter, the plan is to have her come to the Netherlands again for 7 weeks. We therefore hope to get to know the Thai community in the Netherlands.
Magnificent!
Good luck!
Chris,
Glad that the application via VFS/Bangkok went smoothly. And it proves once again that you can positively influence a visa application by also providing supporting “evidence” (photos, letter of invitation, etc).
Does she now have Mutiply Entry for Schengen?
Good luck / fun next winter!
Do
By the way, my experiences with the French Embassy are the best!. But we are married and live in Laos. Our experience is that you must have your papers in order. But that is also becoming easier for us.
If the French Embassy wants to reject the visa, they will contact the Dutch Embassy as far as they know
Well, really French,
The French are there for the French and many don't even know that the rest of the world speaks English.
Also sad for her to come in the winter.
They really have no idea how cold that is.
A Laos boyfriend came here on a French schengen visa and is happy to be out of the heat. It was also 20 degrees here in February.
There is also a Laotian community here.
French has been difficult for a few years about a Schengen visa for a visit to the Netherlands. Wasn't a problem in the past, although I always sent an English income statement. Is she going to the temple?
Also go to the Thai shops to let her buy the ingredients she needs to cook delicious food with more flavor. Especially the fish sauce is something we don't use very often and with its characteristic taste is much missed by Thai and relatives when they eat here. Have fun and good luck.
ingredients it has to be of course lol
A visit to NL is nice for Lao, but living there is not something. Come this way I'd say. Laos is a special country, and it is a good place to be. I can say it after 26 years here. Me and my partner got married before Lao law, and traveling to NL, applying for a visa, etc. was and is all very easy. The embassy even gave her (my wife) (without having applied for it) a 5 year multi entry visa. Of course every time for only 90 days there, and you can only come back after 90 days. All fine if you only go to NL for a family visit / vacation.
Success!
Thanks for the nice comments and all the useful tips. Unfortunately she does not have a multiple entry, but next summer we will simply apply for a new visa. Then we prepare the weather well and hope that the weather goes well.
Now I think it's a little too early to establish in Asia, but who knows what the future will look like.
Ever read that there are about 200 Laotians in the Netherlands. At least there are a few groups.
There are more Thai products in a Toko than you will find in a Lao kitchen. There are also at least 4 (Thai) Buddhist monasteries where Thai women are always present. And often they also want to see snow.
200 is more than I thought. Nice! By the way, good advice to visit a temple. We will definitely do that next time.
Familiar story, experienced the same with the French Embassy.
Even then (2 years ago) the step of the objection was taken.
Neatly submitted everything in English, rejected because it was not in French.
4 weeks later I flew to Bangkok myself and there with my girlfriend everything was arranged at the Dutch Embassy in 3 working days (same papers and only the copy of the guarantee)
@John:
If the French Embassy wants to reject the visa, they will contact the Dutch Embassy as far as they know
Given the story above, I doubt that.