What Is Schengen Visa?
A Schengen Visa is a travel document that allows foreign nationals to travel freely within the Schengen Area, which includes 26 countries in Europe. The visa is issued by the country’s embassy or consulate where the applicant intends to spend most of their trip.
About Schengen Visa
Types of Schengen Visa
There are four major types of Schengen Visa categories for a short-term stay of up to 90 days or three months:
Tourist and Visiting Family or Friends
For leisure travel or visiting family or friends in one or more countries within the Schengen Zone.
Business, Research, or Study
For business trips, short-term research, study, or training purposes within the Schengen Zone.
Culture Purpose or Sports Events
For attending cultural or sports events within a short period.
Medical Treatment Purpose
for short-term medical treatment in any of the Schengen countries.
Countries in the Schengen Zone
The Schengen Zone comprises the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. You can plan to visit one or more countries while applying for a Schengen Visa.
Schengen Visa Requirements
When applying for a Schengen Visa, applicants must meet several requirements such as a valid passport, proof of accommodation and travel itinerary, sufficient funds, health insurance, and other specific requirements that may vary based on the embassy or consulate of the issuing country. Make sure to check the specific requirements before applying.
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa
The Schengen Visa application process is complex and may vary from embassy to embassy. However, the process generally involves filling out an application form, submitting required documents, paying the visa fee, and appearing for an interview. It’s recommended to apply for a Schengen Visa at least three weeks before your intended travel date.
Schengen Visa Validity and Duration
The validity and duration of a Schengen Visa depend on the type of visa issued and the embassy or consulate of the issuing country. Generally, a Schengen Visa is valid for up to 90 days within a six-month period. However, the duration of stay may be shorter or longer depending on the purpose of the travel and the embassy’s decision.
Schengen Visa Fees
The Schengen Visa fees vary from embassy to embassy, and also depend on the type of visa applied for. The fees are non-refundable, even if the visa application is denied. It’s important to note that there may be additional fees for other services such as expedited processing or courier delivery.
Schengen Visa Rejection Reasons
There are several reasons why a Schengen Visa application may be denied, including incomplete or false information provided in the application, lack of sufficient funds, incomplete or incorrect documentation, previous visa violations or overstays, and failure to convince the embassy of the applicant’s intent to return to their home country.
Click to chat to know about visa application process & pricing.
