Guidlines For A Schengen Visa
The Schengen area contains 27 European countries without border controls between them Austria, Belgium, Croatia, 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.
What Exactly Is a Schengen Visa?
A Schengen visa is an authorisation administered by a Schengen area that permits travellers to enter the area for intended short stays in or travel through the territory of a Schengen area, and transit through the international transit areas of airports of the Schengen states.
A Schengen visa is an entry visa for a short, temporary visit of up to 90 days in any 180 days. A visa can be received in the form of a single-entry visa, permitting the holder to enter the Schengen area once, or a multiple-entry visa, which is approved for several visits to the Schengen area for as long as it is valid.
Who Needs A Schengen Visa?
Non-European residents from Russia, China, India and Africa, among other countries, need the Schengen Visa. Residents of the USA, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Japan and Australia have entered into a Visa waiver contract with the European Union. Under this contract, the residents of these nations can freely enter any Schengen country without a Visa. However, their stay should not be more than 90 days.
There are three main types of Schengen Visas:
- Type A visa
- Type C visa
- Type D visa
1. Type A Visa
The type A visa permits residents of non-Schengen states to transit through or wait for their connecting flight inside the International zone of an airport placed in a Schengen country. It is mandatory for those travelling from a non-Schengen country to every other non-Schengen country and who have connecting flights within the airport of a Schengen country. The holder of a type A Visa isn’t allowed to enter into the Schengen country.
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2. Type C Visa
The short-stay visa is the most familiar one, it is issued by the visa services of a country belonging to the Schengen area. It allows the holder to stay or transit freely in the Schengen area for less than 90 days over 180 days.
3. Type D Visa
The type D long-stay Schengen visa is the national visa. It is mandatory for any foreigner expecting to study, work or live in a Schengen county for longer than 90 days. The national visa is issued by the consular superiorities of the intended Schengen country by national legislation.
Where And When To Apply For a Schengen Visa?
You must nestle the application for a Schengen visa at the Consulate of the country you plan to visit. If you intend to visit more than one Schengen State, you should apply for Schengen visa at the Consulate of the country where you will spend the longest duration of time.
If you wish to visit multiple Schengen States and the stays will be of equal time, you have to apply at the Consulate of the first country you will visit. As a general rule, you should be applying for Schengen visa at the Consulate with territorial competence for the country in which you legally live.
The application must be submitted to the Consulate at least 15 days before the intended transit and cannot be accommodated earlier than six months before the start of the intended journey. You may have to book an appointment before applying for Schengen visa.
Top 7 Mistakes To Avoid When Applying For Schengen Visa
Your Schengen visa is getting rejected before your dreams come true! Don’t worry we got you. The best way to avoid rejection while applying for Schengen visa is to be very careful throughout the entire process. People repeatedly end up committing trivial mistakes that lead to them being disappointed.
So, here is a list of 7 mistakes that you can avoid while applying for Schengen Visa.
1. Not Checking Documents And Their Availability Beforehand
When applying for Schengen Visa, you will have to submit multiple documents. It is highly suggested that you do your prior research about the necessary documents required for the application. And most importantly, make sure you check beforehand the availability of all the documents you are going to submit for the application.
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2. Failing To Book A Return Ticket
The validity of a Schengen visitor visa is 90 days. So to make sure you return within the given time, you must book your return ticket. The ticket will act as proof that you will return within the given time. Not booking a return ticket might lead to the rejection of your Visa application. This is an essential thing while applying for Schengen visa.
3. Not Providing An Itinerary
As long as you provide all the details of the accommodation for each night in the Schengen area, while applying for Schengen visa, your visa will not get rejected. It’s essential to provide transportation tickets or cab bookings for travel within the area.
4. Not Having Enough Funds to Support Your Trip
Having Enough Funds to support your trip is a must! While applying for Schengen Visa, applicants must provide evidence of subsistence. If you fail to do so, they will believe you are financially incapable of covering all of your expenses and this might lead to the rejection of your application.
5. Not Preparing for Your Visa Interview
Messing up the Schengen Visa Interview is a disappointment. It is essential for you to have an idea of how you will respond to Visa officers’ questions. Do not be overconfident, answer everything on point, and be polite.
6. Not Keeping Valid Travel Insurance
Traveling without travel insurance should be avoided. One of the mistakes you can avoid while applying for Schengen Visa is not providing proof, that shows you hold adequate travel insurance for your trip. Holding valid travel insurance will help you in your visa application process.
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7. Not Getting In Touch With The Schengen Visa Experts
The process of applying for Schengen Visa is quite difficult and one might not be able to understand it all alone. So it is highly suggested that you get in touch with the Visa experts to get a better understanding of the whole application process.
If your Visa application is denied, you’ll receive a letter explaining the reasons for the denial. Depending on the cause for the denial, you may be able to appeal the choice or reapply for a visa after addressing any issues that caused the denial.
If you consider that your application was denied unfairly or due to a mistake, you may report a request to the embassy or consulate that processed your application. The appeal technique generally involves filing extra documentation or evidence to guide your case
Frequently Asked Questions About Schengen Visa
What is a Schengen Visa?
A Schengen visa is an entry visa for a short, temporary visit of up to 90 days in any 180 days.
How Can I apply for Schengen Visa?
Fill out the Schengen Visa Application form, Make an appointment, Complete the documents file, Show up at the appointment, Provide biometrics, Verify the documents, Pay the visa fees.
How Much would it cost to apply for Schengen Visa?
For Adults ₹7,210.25 (€80), Children between 6 – 12 years of age ₹3,605.13 (€40), and Children less than 6 years of age don’t need any fee
How many countries are covered in Schengen Visa?
The Schengen area contains 27 European countries.
How is Schengen Visa different from a Regular Visa?
Schengen Visa allows the holder to travel to any of the Schengen States and to transit 27 countries whereas a regular visa allows you to travel through one country.
