A Schengen visa is sanctioned to a person which allows them to enter or stay in a Schengen country (29 European countries) for a short period or transit through a territory of Schengen.
Here is the list of countries included in Schengen Visa:
The Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein.
Now before we move forward we should learn about the various types of Schengen Visa, i.e., The four basics- A, B, C & D
Type A: This is a transit Visa that provides a permit only for airport visits.
Type B: This transit visa only permits you to travel through a Schengen area to go to a non-Schengen country.
Type C: A visa that permits the holder to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days.
Type D: It is a long visa that permits you to stay in the Schengen countries for more than 90 days.
Both Type C & D can be used for medical, studying, working, sports, and seasonal employment purposes. Before you apply for the Visa, make sure to see which category you fit into.
Eligibility Criteria
Save time and check your eligibility criteria before applying for the visa.
➔ Any non-European countries like India, China, Russia, and many other countries are required to apply for a Schengen visa.
➔ Few countries like the US, Japan, Australia, and Canada have access to Schengen areas without a visa.
Documents Required
Here is a list of Schengen visa document requirements:
➔ Valid passport: The expiry date of your passport should be at least 3 months after you exit from a Schengen country.
➔ Visa application form: The form must be filled out properly as instructed by your agent.
➔ Photo: The photo should match all the standards of ICOA (International Civil Aviation Organisation).
➔ Medical Insurance: The Medical travel insurance must have around €30,000
➔ Supporting documents: Like stay purpose, financial means evidence, living arrangements, and intention of returning to your home country.
➔ If you are a student, permission from the college/university/school is required.
➔ If you are a minor, a birth certificate, parental consent, and parental ID must be submitted.
Application Process
Before learning the application process please know that you have to apply for a Schengen visa before 6 months of your travel or stay. The application process may normally take 15 days and sometimes extended to 45 days.
➔ Check Eligibility: Before applying for the visa, make sure you check your eligibility criteria to save time.
➔ Application form: Fill out the application form as required by the embassy.
➔ Documents: Collect the necessary documents which are required by the embassy for the visa.
➔ Make an appointment: Select a visa centre and schedule the appointment.
➔ Interview: Please keep in mind that an interview can be scheduled anytime during working hours.
➔ Visa fee: After you have cleared the interview, for adults it is €90, €45 for children between the ages of 6 to 12 years, and free for children below 6 years of age. Keep in mind that there will be an extra cost if you go through a visa service centre.
➔ Wait for processing: Now once you are done with all the formalities wait for your visa to get approved.
Refusal and Reapplication of Visa
If somehow your visa is rejected, you will be provided with the reason and how to re-appeal for the visa.
Once you know the reason for your rejection, make sure you fix those before reapplying for your visa. As there is no specific rule for the wait period you can apply anytime.
Common Challenges and Tips
Here are the mistakes to avoid while applying for your visa:
● Incomplete information- Never miss any documents asked by the embassy, keep them ready at all times.
● Insufficient funds: You should check your financials and bank statements properly before applying for a visa to avoid any refusal from their side.
● Damaged passport: Check your passport and its validity properly.
● Visa Violations: Avoid any mistakes that might lead to visa violation and result in your visa refusal.
● Criminal record: Any criminal record might lead to your visa rejection.
● Insufficient travel purpose: Before applying for the visa, make sure you have enough reason and evidence for your travel.
Conclusion
Before you go, let’s revisit all the important points for your visa approval. You must be a non-European citizen to apply for the visa, have all the required documents, and keep the bank statements ready.
Now to all the people applying for the first time, don’t be too stressed about the process. Getting a visa is not something to be stressed about, as long as you have all the required documents and match the eligibility criteria.
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