A Schengen Visa is a doorway to unlock a better future with access to world-class education, global recognition, career growth opportunities, and greater exposure in the world’s most dynamic region. Whether you are planning to study in the Schengen area or looking for better economic opportunities, a Schengen visa promises you greater ease of traveling and social security.
A Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa for citizens of non-EU countries who want to travel to the Schengen Area for up to 90 days without 180 days.
Whether you are traveling for a short time, looking for a temporary job, or traveling for leisure, no one can enter the Schengen area without visa processing.
Schengen area is composed of twenty-nine countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland who abolished their international borders for safe and convenient traveling within EU.
The Schengen acquis is the set of regulations and legislations that govern the free movement of citizens within the European Union without border controls.
The primary aim of the Schengen acquis is to ensure citizens’ freedom across the EU internally without the hassle and control the flux of non-Schengen nationals entering the EU while guaranteeing the safety of the citizens.
Types of Schengen Visa
A Schengen Visa is a formal authorization from a member state that allows holders to present themselves at an external border. Three different types of Schengen Visas are allocated to non-EU citizens.
Type A or an Airport Transit Visa: These Visas allow non-Schengen travelers to transit within the international area of an airport from one flight to another during a layover or flight transfer. This visa is required even on the airport premises.
Type C, Short Stay Visa, or Uniform Visa: Type C Schengen Visa is for extended stays in the area. According to Article 30 of the Visa Code, article 5 of the Convention for applying the Schengen Agreement, and Article 6 of the Borders Code, a short-stay visa entitles its holders to present themselves at the border post to apply to a respective country. A person is allowed to enter the area if they have sufficient documentation related to the conditions for their stay, return trip, accommodation, and valid travel medical insurance. The short-stay Schengen Visa is intended for short stays of up to 90 days. It is available for single, double, or multiple entry for tourism, business, or leisure.
Type D, Long Stay or National Visa: This type of Visa applies to people applying for a student visa.
Seasonal Work Visa: A seasonal work visa is issued to citizens willing to engage in subordinate seasonal work for a period equal to or less than 90 days. One should apply for a seasonal work visa at the consular post of the country where the applicant wishes to engage in seasonal work.
Applying for a Schengen visa:
Getting a Schengen Visa can be challenging. Therefore, following the application process carefully is important to avoid visa delays or rejection.
A Schengen Visa helps travelers move between Schengen countries easily; however, one must enter this area through the country that issued the applicant’s Visa. We have created a small checklist to help you complete your Visa application quickly.
Eligibility Criteria for a Schengen Visa:
- Citizenship: A person must be a citizen of a non-European country outside the EU.
- Valid documents: A person must have a valid passport for at least three months after the visa application process, proof of accommodation, proof of sufficient funds, a travel itinerary, recent photographs, and a minimum of €30,000 in medical insurance for the duration of the stay.
- Biometric profiling: A person must provide his biometric profile, such as fingerprints and facial images, for biometric profiling.
Step of Visa Application Process:
Determine your purpose: The most common mistake people make when applying for a visa is selecting the wrong type.
Specifying your visa type correctly minimizes visa processing time. For instance, if you travel to Germany but wish to visit Belgium, you must apply separately for Belgium, as each Schengen country only accepts its respective visas.
Gather necessary documents: This is a comprehensive list of documents, including your visa application, a valid passport, travel medical insurance, the latest photographs in mentioned sizes, proof of accommodation, proof of return, travel itinerary, and proof of financial means that must be completed before planning your application process.
Prepare for an interview: Once you have submitted your application, schedule an appointment with the corresponding consulate or Visa Application Centre (VAC).
Be confident and answer the questions accurately to increase your chances of visa approval.
Pay Visa application fee: Once you have gathered all necessary documents and applications, visit your nearest VAC and submit your visa fee, which is the final step of the Visa application process. Once submitted, the applicant must wait patiently as Visa processing may take time.
A Schengen Visa helps travelers move and stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days; however, it is important to follow Schengen rules and regulations to avoid unforeseen situations.
What happens when a Visa is denied?
If you have submitted your application correctly, then the chances of Schengen Visa denial are minimal. However, if one’s Visa is denied, they receive a letter explaining the reasons that can help them overcome those issues while applying.
Schengen visas are difficult to obtain due to their strict scrutiny for national security, the complexity of the application process, or a person’s circumstances. One can increase the chances of visa approval by following all the steps correctly, avoiding common mistakes, and meeting the criteria and documentation after comprehensive research, attention to detail, meticulous preparation, and transparency.
