Schengen Visa
Covering 26 countries, the Schengen Visa allows you to freely circulate within the Schengen area without any border controls. It allows you to stay in the territory of the Schengen States for no more than 90 days for tourism or business.
The Schengen area is an EU passport-free zone covering most of the European countries. Apart from the Schengen Tourist Visa, you are required to apply for a national visa of that particular country if you are planning to live, work, or study in any one of the Schengen countries for more than 90 days.
What is a Schengen Visa?
The Schengen Visa allows you to visit any number of countries within the Schengen zone during the same validity period.
- You can transit through or stay within the territory of Schengen States for no more than 90 days in 6 months.
- You can also transit through the international transit areas of airports (Airport Transit Visa) of the Schengen States.
- The Schengen Tourist Visa will not be appropriate in case you wish to remain in a Schengen country for employment, profession, trade, or for establishing a business.
The 26 Schengen countries include 22 European Schengen countries and 4 Non-Schengen countries.
22 European Schengen Countries | |
Austria | Belgium |
Czech Republic | Denmark |
Estonia | Finland |
France | Germany |
Greece | Hungary |
Italy | Latvia |
Lithuania | Malta |
Netherlands | Poland |
Portugal | Spain |
Slovakia | Slovenia |
Sweden | |
4 Non-Schengen Countries | |
Iceland | Liechtenstein |
Norway | Switzerland |
What is the Eligibility for a Schengen Visa?
The citizens belonging to the countries mentioned above are allowed to travel to the Schengen Countries. They are allowed to live in the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days within 180 days.
However, to be considered for this program, you will need to fulfill the below-mentioned requirements:
- Need to have a valid passport.
- Should hold a valid Schengen Visa.
- Need to have a medical insurance meeting to meet the Schengen Visa insurance requirements.
- Must show documents that prove the purpose and support your travel.
- Need to confirm your return ticket/sufficient funds to purchase a ticket.
What Documents are Required for a Schengen Visa?
A list of documents that are needed to be submitted along with the Schengen Visa application form.
- Schengen Visa Application Form: This should be fully completed and duly signed.
- 2 Recent Passport-Size Photos: Both these photos should be taken within the last 3 months according to specified requirements.
- Your Valid Passport: The passport should not be older than 10 years. It should also be valid for 3 more months after you plan to leave the Schengen area.
- Itinerary or Round-Trip Flight Reservation: This document should include dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Schengen countries. Visa consultation services will be very helpful in creating this.
- Travel Insurance Policy: With a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros, this document should prove you have travel insurance for the whole Schengen territory.
- Proof of Accommodation: This document can include a hotel/hostel booking or a rental agreement. It should reveal your means of accommodation throughout your stay in Schengen.
- Proof of Financial Means: This proves that you have enough money to financially support yourself. Throughout the stay in Schengen. You can provide your bank account statement or a sponsorship letter.
- Proof of Payment of Visa Fees: Attach a copy of the receipt as evidence that you have paid the required application fees.
EU Schengen embassies or consulates across the world require some specific additional documents from visa applicants depending upon their status and the type of Schengen Visa applied for.