A Schengen visa is a European short-term visa that approves holders to travel through the Schengen area. You will get this type of visa from any one of the Schengen states. This visa allows you to travel around any of the Schengen countries for 90 days in total within 180 days.
26 countries are existing in the Schengen area. These countries have a common visa policy and also have agreed to abolish all their internal borders. However, there is little difference between the visa policies and documentation procedures.
Every citizen of the countries that don’t belong to this Schengen area and also don’t have a visa facilitation agreement with the EU needs to apply for a Schengen visa to come into the membered country. And those who are under the visa-free regime are required to apply for ETIAS.
Through this guide, we will let you what is Schengen visa and know how to apply for a Schengen visa.
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What is a Schengen Visa
Schengen area is the region containing the members of the European Union and also the associates of the European Free Trade Association.
As the 26 countries have permission to travel among themselves, residents of the Union member states are allowed to travel within this Schengen region with their passports or ID cards.
The countries that are included in the Schengen area are:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Denmark
- Greece
- Germany
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Liechtenstein
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- Spain
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
- Malta
- Luxembourg
- Lithuania
- Czechia
If people from countries excluding Schengen areas want to travel to one of these countries then they need to apply for a Schengen visa for member countries that they like to go for.
A Schengen visa is the most usual visa in Europe. This visa enables the visitor to enter, freely travel in, and also exit from the Schengen zone within the specified period.
If you want to live, study, or work in any of the Schengen member countries then you need to apply for the national visa of that European country rather than a Schengen visa.
How to apply for a Schengen visa
To complete the successful visa application you need to follow the steps:
Fill up the Schengen visa application form:
You need to fill out the application form online and after completing the form print it twice. Then you need to check it carefully and sign at the end. You have to fill up your name, date of birth, nationality, passport, and the name of your birth country.
You have to answer some questions such as how long you are planning to stay in that country, etc.
Make a Schengen visa appointment:
You have to appoint an interview through the website of the embassy of the country where you are planning to visit. It will be held in your country of residence.
Complete the Schengen visa requirements procedure:
You need to have all the documents that the Schengen visa requires. Although the documents needed for a Schengen visa may vary from country to country. But generally, the member states of European country needs the following documents for issuing a Schengen visa:
- Application form
- Photo
- Passport
- Flight reservation
- Hotel reservation
- Foreign travel insurance
- Certificate of residence
- Copy of identity card and passport
- Bank account information
You need to organize all the documents so that you can show all these at the time of the appointment. You need to leave your passport to the consulate of the Schengen country where you desire to travel.
During the visa procedure, if you withdraw your passport then the visa application will be canceled.
Show these documents at the appointment:
You need to provide all the relevant documents to the consulate of the country on time. Remember, if you even become late for a few minutes they will cancel your application.
Provide biometrics:
If you have never before applied for a visa to any European country, you need to get your fingerprint scanning at the consulate’s office.
If you have already done this, then you don’t need to do this again.
Verify the details:
After the verification of your documents, these details will be uploaded online onto the system and you will get a printed copy of your application. Then you check all the details carefully and sign in at the end.
You have to pay the Schengen visa fee
The fee for an adult Schengen visa is 80 euros. And you have to pay a Schengen visa fee for a child of 6 to 12 years is 40 Euro whereas no need to pay anything for a baby of 0 to 6 years.
After paying the fees, you will get a receipt copy and you need to keep this copy to get your processed application.
FAQ-
What are the 4 types of Schengen visas?
Ans: The 4 types of Schengen visas are: 1. Type A Schengen visa or Airport transit visa; 2. Type B Schengen visa; 3. Type C Schengen visa; 4. Type D Schengen visa or long stay Schengen visa.
Is a Schengen visa easy to get?
Ans: getting a Schengen visa for visiting a Schengen country can be more frustrating, challenging, and sometimes can be a lengthy process. However, there are a few tricks that you can apply to make it relatively easier and quicker.
How much time does it need to get a Schengen visa?
Ans: The time needs to complete a Schengen visa procedure can vary from country to country. But, usually, applications may take 15 days to 30 days to complete the Schengen visa process.
What is the fastest way to get Schengen visa?
Ans: If you need a Schengen visa to travel to any Schengen member country on an urgent basis then you can contact the embassy of the country. Some of the Schengen countries do their best in extraordinary situations.
Wrap Up:
As you can see, in this article we have mentioned all the relevant information regarding Schengen visa application. If somehow your visa application gets canceled then you can appeal against this decision. Then they will inform you of the reason for the rejection of your visa application.
You need to make amendments where necessary. You can reapply for the Schengen visa and have to undergo the procedures again.
