shengen difficulties for approach to trans-africa trip.
 

Just been denied a shengen by the french consul to allow transit through europe to north africa.since i'm planning to leave the UK within the last week of my UK visa they will not issue a shengen.

Just don't know how i'm going to get myself and my bike to africa?

please help!

Try another country to which there is a ferry connection. How about going via Ireland? No border controls between Irish republic and N Ireland. If all else fails try Norway.

or the ferry UK to Spain (e.g. Porthmouth -Bilbao)could be an option. They probably won[t even check your passport......

Thanks guys,
The Spanish ferry idea is difficult since the last time I used it they checked my shengen validity so think it is out.

Don't think there are any ferries going straight to morroco from the UK.

Try to get either trhu Dutch or Greek consulates, they're the easiest ones...Never asked a question!
The french one is REALLY tough...Especially if you're from South America!

Don't apply for a shengen specifically for that trip. Get one for a "Paris shopping trip" 4 months before. They should give you a 6 month multi entry visa so you take the Eurostar to Calais and back to activtae the visa and then it covers you for your Africa departure.

Problem now is that they will have a record of your application so they will most probably turn you down again. AND when filling in applications for any other Shengen country you have to declare whether a previous application has failed....

Holland and germany Visa's are very difficult. Maybe Spain will sort you one then you can just take the ferry to Bilbao or Santanda

Hi,
Sorry to butt in to this thread but I'm curious: What's a shengen? I apologise for my ignorance!
matt

another option might be the RoRo from Grimaldi , from UK to West Africa.(Marocco or Senegal). They take passengers too.
www.grimaldi.co.uk

Schengen is a small town in Luxembourg. Most EU countries signed an agreement there to abolish border controls between member states. It also provides for a single visa to visit any and all EU countries.

french turned me down but thankfully managed to blag a single transit visa from the spanish. thanks for all the input.
regards
mark

hello, which passport are you on, or which nationality ?