VISA SHOPPING

2. About Visa Shopping

Visa shopping, a growing trend in several Indian states, especially Punjab, is when individuals acquire visas for countries they may not visit during the visa's validity period. This practice is primarily to gain easier entry into their preferred countries, notably in Europe, even if they already hold a visa for a different European nation.

3. Reasons for Visa Shopping

People engage in visa shopping for various reasons:

• Some individuals purchase visas for countries they have no immediate plans to visit, aiming to boost their chances of obtaining visas for their preferred countries in the future. This is because visa applications can be time-consuming and have the risk of rejection, and visas often remain valid for several years.
• The Schengen Visa, a prominent example, allows travellers to explore multiple European countries without obtaining separate visas. This visa simplifies travel within the Schengen Area, comprising more than 24 European nations, as travellers can move freely without border controls.

4. The Schengen Visa

The Schengen Visa, widely used in visa shopping, offers a valuable advantage for travellers:

•  By obtaining a Schengen Visa from a country with a more straightforward application process, travellers can explore multiple Schengen region countries without the need for individual visas.
• Punjab travel agencies have cited instances where travellers obtained a Schengen Visa from one country when their direct visa application for another Schengen nation was rejected.
• For instance, a rejected Spanish visa application led to entry through a different Schengen country. Similarly, a student initially denied a German visa, secured a Luxembourg visa to travel to Germany.
• Some individuals also engage in visa shopping to enter countries with favourable employment prospects, such as Portugal. Local agents assist in obtaining work visas and facilitating settlement in these countries.

5. Legal Implications of Visa Shopping

• Visa shopping is not inherently illegal, provided travellers adhere to the visa application procedures and acquire valid permission to stay in the country of entry.
• Legal concerns arise when individuals apply for a visa for one country but intend to stay in another or use it solely as an entry point.
• The Embassy of Estonia in New Delhi issued a statement cautioning against visa shopping. It emphasized that, according to Schengen Visa rules, travellers should apply for a visa from the country where they plan to spend the most time.
• The embassy warned that embassies conduct thorough checks of travel plans, and severe consequences, including visa refusal and potential offloading from flights or return home, may follow if travellers engage in visa shopping repeatedly.
• Repetitive visa shopping may arouse suspicion among immigration officials.
• Some countries may object at the airport if a person's visa is for one European nation but intends to enter another.

6. Conclusion

Visa shopping is a practice that offers flexibility in travel, but travellers must carefully adhere to visa rules and intentions to avoid legal complications and possible entry issues.