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Can I Travel UK with Schengen Visa?

A very close friend from Asia always asks me, “Can I travel to the UK with a Schengen Visa?”

This is a very common question, and it has crossed many people’s minds. If I were to give a straightforward answer, it would be: NO.

You cannot travel to the UK with a Schengen Visa. You need a separate visa to travel to the UK. However, you can travel to the UK without a visa if you are a citizen of an EU country. There are also many questions and common misconceptions regarding the UK and the Schengen Visa. In this article, we will try to clear up these questions and misconceptions.

First, you cannot travel to the United Kingdom if you do not have a valid UK visa. Now, let’s see what a UK visa is and what a Schengen Visa is.

What is a UK Visa?

 

A UK Visa is the visa you need to travel to the United Kingdom. The UK was part of the European Union and was also a country where you could visit with a Schengen Visa a few years ago. But now, it is not. So if you want to travel to the UK, you need a valid UK visa issued by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

What is a Schengen Visa?

 

A Schengen Visa is the official visa or document that allows non-Europeans to travel to all 29 countries that are part of the Schengen area. With this visa, one can travel from one country to another without any identity checks at the borders. There are different types of Schengen Visas, but the most common one is the short-stay visa, which allows visitors to stay up to 90 days over a 180-day period.

Here is the list of all Schengen countries arranged alphabetically:

 

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland

UK Visa Requirements:

 

  • UK Visa Application Form: You need to fill out the form. You can complete it online through the website visa4uk or use a manual application form.
  • Photographs: You should submit two recently captured colored photographs. You must follow UK Visa regulations when taking the photos.
  • Passport: You need a valid passport, which should be valid for at least three more months beyond the date you plan to leave the United Kingdom.
  • Accommodation Proof: You need to show documentation of where you will stay while traveling in the United Kingdom.
  • Financial Solvency: You need to show your bank statement or payslip to prove that you are financially solvent to cover travel and other expenses while staying in the UK.
  • Travel Itinerary: A detailed travel itinerary or plan is required for a UK Visa. In the plan, you need to show where you will travel within the UK and when you plan to do so. You should include all the dates of your travels, the places you will visit, the meetings you will attend, and the tours you have booked.
  • TB Test Result: Citizens of some countries need to submit the results of a Tuberculosis test.
  • Biometric Info: You need to submit your biometric information if you are applying for a visa that allows you to stay for more than six months. You will need to provide your fingerprints and a digital photograph. Application centers will take your necessary biometric information.
  • UK Visa Fees: You need to submit the receipt that proves you paid the visa fee.
  • Letter from Your Employer (If employed): You need to submit a letter from your employer confirming your position at work, your salary, and how long you have been working there.
  • Business Documents (If self-employed): If you own a business or are self-employed, you need to submit documents that support your identity as a businessperson.
  • Admission Letter or Offer Letter (If Student): Students must show a letter from their educational institution confirming that they are enrolled and have been granted a leave of absence.
  • UK Visa Invitation Letter (If applicable): If a UK resident friend or family member sends you an invitation letter, you must submit it. Your host must be a UK national or a resident legally staying in the UK.
  • Birth Certificate (If you are under 18): If you are under 18, you need to submit your birth certificate.
  • Parents’ Permission and Guardian Biographical Info (If you are under 18 and traveling with someone other than your parents): A letter written by your parents confirming that you are traveling with someone with their consent. This letter should contain the details of the person accompanying you. You also need to submit a copy of your parents’ or legal guardians’ biographical page of the passport.

What to Show at the UK Port of Entry: 

 

  • Passport
  • UK Visa

Where to Apply First (UK Visa or Schengen Visa): 

 

We suggest you apply for the UK Visa first. If your UK Visa is granted, there is a very high chance that you will get your Schengen Visa. So applying for the UK Visa first will be a wise decision.

Can EU Citizens Visit the UK Without a Visa? 

 

If you are an EU citizen, you don’t need a UK visa for a short visit of up to 90 days.

Can UK Citizens Visit Schengen Countries? 

 

Yes, UK citizens can visit Schengen countries without a visa.