With a Schengen agreement in place, traveling to European countries is easier than ever. Now, with a single visa, you can explore and enjoy more than one Schengen nation. Residents of certain countries can travel to any Schengen nation without a visa. For nationals who require a Schengen visa to visit, here’s everything you need to know about Schengen visa formalities.
Types of Schengen Visas
Schengen Tourist Visa: A Schengen tourist visa is valid for up to 90 days from the date of entry in any Schengen country. If it’s your first time applying, make sure that all your documents are in order, as per our detailed document checklist for visas. You want to make the right impression the first time so that subsequent visa applications go smoothly.
Schengen Business Visa: A Schengen business visa is ideal if you’re planning to travel only in one Schengen State (must be specifically mentioned in the itinerary). This type of visa is also called a limited territorial validity visa. With this visa, you’ll be able to visit and travel in only one specific Schengen country, and are not allowed to enter the others. This visa is useful for business people who conduct transactions only in one country, or for tourists who want to explore one region at a time.
Schengen Multiple-Entry Visa: A Schengen multiple-entry visa is mainly a tourist visa that allows you to enter the Schengen area multiple times. This visa is very useful for people who want to scope out business opportunities in the region, visiting multiple times to check out various possibilities. It’s also very useful for those who need to visit a sick relative or provide services at periodic intervals.
Schengen Visa Countries List
The Schengen Zone comprises countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement, allowing passport-free travel across their borders. It includes 25 EU member states and four non-EU countries that are part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA): Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The participating countries are Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. A single Schengen Visa permits travel across all these countries. Depending on the type of visa issued, travelers may be allowed single or multiple entries and can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Where to Apply for Schengen Visa
Whether you plan to visit a single Schengen country or explore several, you can apply for your Schengen visa through any Rayna Tours office or conveniently online https://www.raynatours.com/visas/schengen-visa. The Schengen country where you’ll spend the majority of your stay time will be listed as the main destination in your Schengen visa application.
Schengen Visa
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How to Apply for A Schengen Visa
- Download the application form and complete it.
- Once the application form is ready, make an appointment at the Embassy or Consulate of the Schengen country to which you’ll be traveling.
- You can make an appointment on the embassy’s website. If you’re not sure of how to make an appointment for a particular country, call up the embassy and enquire.
- You need to collect all the supporting documents and appear in person to apply for your visa.
- You’ll be submitted to an interview, where you’ll be asked personal questions that include your background, whereabouts, the purpose of your intended trip, whether you have any criminal history, and details of medical issues. Provide firm and correct answers.
- Note that the administration fee is the same at all Schengen nation embassies, and it is non-refundable.
- Apart from the routine documents, based on the type of visa you want and your intended purpose of travel, the embassy may require additional documents.
- Be sure to book your plane reservation and show the copy at the embassy. Do not book the airline ticket before your visa is actually granted.
Schengen Visa Documents Checklist
You must have the following documents on hand before applying for a Schengen Tourist Visa:
- Application form (you can fill it out online and print it out)
- A single photo, with full-face capture against a light background, the same as passport photo regulations
- Passport (with at least 2 blank pages), valid for at least 3 months prior to your departure, and copies of previous visas
- Return ticket or a copy of it
- Travel visa insurance policy covering medical emergencies and hospital care, plus insurance for travel back to the home country for further medical treatments. The health insurance policy must cover medical expenses up to 30,000 euros; the amount may differ based on the length of your visit.
- Proof of accommodation within the Schengen Zone
- A six-month bank statement, demonstrating sufficient balance to cover your travel expenses. If your personal funds are insufficient, a friend or relative in the Schengen zone can provide an “official affidavit of support” to sponsor your stay.
- A letter describing your purpose of travel, travel time frame, and other personal details
- First-time travelers must submit income tax returns for the last three years.
Depending on the purpose of your visit, you might need to submit a few extra documents.
Visa Validity
The general tourist visa is typically valid for 90 days. If you are planning to travel often within the Schengen area, be sure to select the ‘multiple entries’ box in the visa application form. If you’re granted a multiple-entry visa, you can enter and leave the Schengen Zone multiple times during your visa duration.
Suggested Read:
Best Places to Visit in Europe This Year
Top 12 Must-visit European Countries
Conclusion
The European countries within the Schengen zone are ideal for travel during the warm summer months when their landscapes come alive under the sun. Be sure to apply for your Schengen visa in advance, allowing at least one to two weeks for visa processing. So prepare to spend your summer in a charming European country, soaking up the season’s latest attractions and fashion trends!
FAQs
1. What is a Schengen visa?
2. How many countries are part of the Schengen Zone?
3. What are the different types of Schengen visas?
4. What documents are required for the processing of a Schengen visa?
- Application form that is filled out and signed
- Valid passport
- Recent passport-size pictures
- Flight tickets
- Travel itinerary
- Accommodation details
- Travel insurance
- Financial proof, like a bank statement
- Sponsor’s Letter (If applicable)
I need work visa