How to apply for a Schengen visa – Are you from a non-EU country and want to travel with a Schengen visa? applications are currently open to applicants who wish to study, go on holiday or for business reasons.
The Schengen countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland , Slovakia and Slovenia.
Applicants for this visa should note that the Schengen visa is the most common visa for Europe and it is a short-stay visa that allows you to travel to any of the above-mentioned Schengen countries with an intended stay on the territory of the Schengen states of a duration of not more than 90 days in any six-month period.
In this case, people who, for special reasons, want their stay in one of the Schengen areas to exceed the period of 90 days, must apply for a long-term Schengen visa type D at the embassy of the country concerned.
Board the train as we guide you through the steps involved in applying for a Schengen visa.
Find out what type of Schengen visa you need
Figuring out the type of Schengen visa you need as an applicant is the first stage in the Schengen visa application process. The Schengen visa can be for short or long term. Applicants can apply for any of the Schengen visa types listed below;
Transit visa, tourist visa, visa to visit family or friends, business visa, visa for cultural and sports activities, visa for official visits, study visa and visa for medical reasons.
Find where to apply
Applicants must submit their Schengen visa application to a chosen state, as each Schengen state has its own rules for submitting visas to the applicants’ respective country of residence.
Applicants can submit their visa application to any of the following;
- Any of their consulates near you
- Their embassy
- A visa center to which the embassy of your destination country has outsourced the submission of visas.
Find a suitable time to apply
Applicants are advised at this stage to allow enough time to apply for the visa. Applicants must plan a date to suit the trip before planning to apply. It is always recommended for applicants to submit their application six months before their trip.
Make an appointment
Appointments are booked online or in person at the embassy or consulate of the applicant’s country of origin.
Fill in the Schengen application form
Applicants are advised to exercise caution at this stage of the visa application. Application for the Schengen visa can only be successful if applicants are able to enter the correct and necessary information when filling the application form.
Prepare the necessary documents
Applicants should provide the following documents/requirements and therefore they must be ready;
- Fully completed and signed visa application form
- Two recently taken passport photos that are not older than three months must be enclosed.
- A valid passport
- Return reservation or itinerary
- Travel insurance
- Proof of accommodation
- A hotel/hostel booking
- A rental agreement
- An invitation letter from a host with whom you are staying
- Proof of financial means
- Proof of paid visa
Attend the visa interview
Applicants would be asked personal questions at this stage and from several others.
Pay the visa fee
Applicants would be asked to pay a processing fee for the visa. The fee for a Schengen visa is currently set at €80 per person.
Wait for a response to your request
Applicants are waiting for the results of their visa application at this stage. At this stage, visa applications from applicants may be rejected or approved. Approval or rejection of the Schengen visa does not take longer than 15 days, but processing can sometimes take longer than 45 days. If the applicant’s visa is rejected, he/she can appeal via the link here if the applicant believes that the application was correct.
Frequently asked questions about applying for a Schengen visa (FAQ)
What is Schengen?
Schengen refers to the EU passport-free zone that covers most of the European countries and is the largest free travel area in the world.
What happens if I miss my appointment?
Any applicant who refuses to arrive within 15 minutes of their interview time will have their appointment cancelled.
Can I use my German visa to travel to other countries in Europe?
Yes, that’s possible. Holders of a Schengen visa (text on the visa reads: “valid for Schengen States”)
What should I do if my travel dates change?
If your travel plans change and the visa is not valid at the time of your actual travel, you must apply for a new visa and provide documents with changed travel dates (ie health insurance, invitation, itinerary).
Below you will find links to other visa applications;
In this role, applicants were guided through the steps involved in applying for a Schengen visa along with the required documents.