The Schengen Visa Requirements?
A visit to Europe is planned. And, so many European countries are expected to be covered in one go. Well, the Schengen visa comes to your help in travelling hassle-free to 27 European nations. But before that, do understand what visa requirements must be attended to for hassle-free travel.
In this blog, we'll walk through some of the essential details that you need to know when it comes to the Schengen visa, from eligibility criteria and required documents to the application process and more. Let's get down to the requirements to prepare you for your European adventure!
What is a Schengen Visa?
The Schengen visa allows non-European citizens entry into the Schengen Area, which encompasses 27 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Greece. Once you have secured this visa, you will be permitted to travel freely throughout these countries without needing visas should you travel to another independent country.
Types of Schengen Visas
There are a variety of reasons or purposes why you might want to visit the Schengen Area, and there are the appropriate types of Schengen visas for each of those purposes. These include:
1. Tourist Visa Type C: For short trips and holidays.
2. Business Visa: For attending conferences, meetings or any kind of business activity.
3. Student Visa: For educational programs that have an internship or a very small duration of staying in Schengen countries.
4. Medical Visa: For medical treatment in a Schengen country.
5. Transit Visa: For travellers passing through a Schengen country on their way to another destination.
We'll talk about the Tourist Schengen Visa, Type C, which is what people normally ask for.
Who Needs to Get a Schengen Visa?
Citizens of most non-EU countries, like India, must have a Schengen visa to visit any of the countries of the Schengen member states. Be sure that your nationality is among the exempt ones before you apply.
Required Documents for the Schengen Visa
Now that you have the basic knowledge, here come the necessary documents and requirements for a Schengen visa:
1. Passport
Surely, a passport is one of the most important documents for your Schengen visa application. It must:
- Have at least three months left before expiry at the time of your intended stay.
- Be issued within the last 10 years.
- Must have at least two blank pages for the visa stamp.
2. Schengen Visa Application Form
The Schengen visa application form must be properly filled and signed. Usually, a person will be able to download this form from the website of the embassy or consulate of the Schengen country to which he or she intends to apply.
3. Recent Photographs
You have to provide two recent passport-sized photographs that should satisfy the following specifications:
- Dimension:35mm x 45mm
- Have a light background.
- The photographs must have been taken recently, during the past six months.
4. Travel Itinerary
Attach a travel itinerary, describing in detail your flight bookings, hotel reservations, and travel plans. This must depict your entry and exit dates from the Schengen zone and where you will stay in each country.
5. Travel Insurance
Valid travel insurance with a minimum of €30,000 for medical and accident, as well as repatriation. This is an essential requirement for every Schengen visa applicant. It should cover your entire stay in the Schengen Area.
6. Proof of Financial Means
Determine that you have enough money to finance your trip and stay within the Schengen Area. Admissible documents are
- Bank statement of the last 3 months
- Salary slips or proof of employment
- A sponsorship letter if you are being sponsored by some other person.
7. Accommodation Proof
You need to give proof of accommodation for the time you will spend during your visit. This may include,
- Hotel reservations
- A rental agreement if an apartment or house is hired.
- An invitation letter from a host if you're staying with family or friends.
8. Intentions for the Visit
Add a cover letter explaining the purpose of your visit to the countries, and any relevant details of your trip: business meetings, conferences, study programs and so on.
Application for Schengen Visa
After several hours sitting at a computer going through different forms and documents, it turns out this process is not very complicated, but you will need to pay attention to each detail. Here's how step by step:
1. Where to File: If you are going to visit more than one country of the Schengen, you should submit your application at the embassy or consulate of the country where you will spend most of the days. If you will spend an equal amount of time in more than one, submit your application to the first country's embassy that you are going to enter.
2. Make an Appointment: Once you know where you should submit your application, you need to schedule an appointment with the respective embassy or consulate. Present your application, documents, and biometric data: fingerprints and photographs during that appointment.
3. Present Documents: During the date of presentation, ensure that you carry all your documents below with you:
- Passport
- Completed application form.
- Travel insurance.
- Evidence of accommodation.
- Bank statements.
- Travel itinerary.
4. Pay for the Visa: The standard Schengen visa fee is €80 for adults and €40 for children who are 6 years old and above but below 12 years of age. Payment upon submission is the most common process.
5. Wait for Processing: Schengen visa processing times vary from as short as 15 days to as long as 30 days. You may submit it three months before any last-minute delays.
Aptech Visa Can Help
It is a pretty lengthy procedure involving a lot of documentation and strict guidelines. Sometimes it is pretty overwhelming. This is where Aptech Visa comes in. With over 15 years of experience in making your visa application smooth and stress-free for you, Aptech Visa specializes in all your visa application needs.
Aptech Visa can offer you the following benefits:
- Expert Guidance: You will get individual advice on your visa application.
- Documentation Support: Ensure the documents that you are presenting meet all the stipulated requirements in Schengen.
- Reviewing of Visa Application: Ensure review of the application for any kind of mistake and make sure it will be submitted correctly, thereby increasing its chances of approval.
- Prompt Updates: Obtain the status of your application immediately when it is submitted.
Applying for a Schengen visa does not have to be as intimidating as people make it out to be. If you are aware of the requirements and follow every step precisely, you may ensure that you get a smooth process and take one giant leap towards giving your European dream wings. A first-timer or a repeat person, Aptech Visa helps you along the process and makes your travel dreams a reality.
So, plan your day today and worry about the visa part to experts at Aptech Visa!
For more details you can write to us at info@aptechvisa.com you can also call our immigration consultants at 7503832132.
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