A Schengen visa is valid for brief, transitory visits within the Schengen zone. The duration of this visa is 90 days out of a total of 180 days. So, any Schengen state accepts visas granted by one of the Schengen states. But, you have to apply for a visa from your home country. You must apply for a visa from the nation you want to enter first. So, if you are visiting many Schengen states, none of which will be your primary goal.

Besides, you must meet the visa requirements such as plane ticket reservation, passport, visa application form & many more. 

So, in this guide, we will delve into everything about a Schengen visa, its checklist & application process. 

How Many Countries Are Part of the Schengen Region?

There are 29 countries inside the Schengen Zone. Thus, it includes most nations in mainland Europe but not every. So, here border checks have been abolished.

List of Schengen countries

Austria	Belgium	Bulgaria	Croatia	The Czech Republic
Denmark	Estonia	Finland	France	Germany
Greece	Hungary	Iceland	Italy	Latvia
Lithuania	Luxembourg	Malta	The Netherlands	Liechtenstein
Norway	Poland	Portugal	Romania	Slovakia
Slovenia	Spain	Sweden	Switzerland

Countries that are Schengen but Not in the European Union

So, in the above list, some countries are a part of the Schengen zone, but not in the EU. These countries are

• Switzerland
• Norway
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein

EU Countries but not Schengen Member

Only Cyprus & Ireland are the EU states that are not part of the Schengen zone. 

So, in this way the EU & Schengen countries are categorized. 

What Are The Types Of Schengen Visa?

You will need to apply for a Schengen visa if you are traveling to Europe and entering the Schengen Area. There are four main Schengen Visa types A, B, C, and D.

Type A

Non-Schengen citizens can use the type A visa to pass through airports in Schengen countries. Moreover, to wait for connecting flights in the airport transit area.

So, if you are traveling from one non-Schengen country to another and need to change planes at an airport in a Schengen nation, you must need it.

Type B

The type C visa, which carries the condition “transit,” has replaced the type B visa. So it is valid for travels for up to five days.

Type C

For a temporary visit, the most popular kind is the Schengen visa. It is issued by a visa services provider such as consulates and embassies. The visa holder is allowed to enter and exit the Schengen area without restriction. So you stay up to 90 days out of 180 days.

• How many kinds of type C visas are further classified?

This visa is further classified into three kinds, which are

1. Single entry visa
2. Double entry visa
3. Multiple entry visa

Type D 

The type D is the long-stay Schengen visa. Any foreign national who wants to study, work, or live in a Schengen nation for more than 90 days (up to a year) must have it. For as long as the visa is valid, you can also travel in any Schengen member state. 

• For which purpose type D visa is granted?

The following objectives are met by those who qualify for this kind of visa.

1. For professional activities
2. Tourism or private visit
3. To study or take part in any training program
4. Family reasons or visit

What Are The Requirements For Schengen Visa?

To travel to Europe with a Schengen Visa, you will need to provide certain documents that meet the requirements. Thus, the required documents are

• A completed and duly signed visa application form. 
• At least two passport-size photographs that were recently clicked.
• A valid up-to-date passport. Moreover, it must have two blank pages for visa affixing. 
• Proof of hotel booking that shows your arrangements of stay in Schengen. 
• You also need to attach the proof of paid visa fees with the visa application. 
• A valid travel health insurance that has a cost of 30, 000 Euros. Because it protects you against emergencies during your stay in Schengen.
• You need to provide proof of your financial means. For this purpose, provide your bank statement for the last three months. Moreover, a sponsorship letter that confirms that they will financially support your trip.
• A well-written cover letter that includes brief information on your journey.

You can buy a well-crafted cover letter from travel experts at a minimal cost at https://coverletterforvisa.com

• A proof of plane ticket reservation to confirm your travel plans. 

Since the Schengen embassy asks for some other documents for visa application. Thus, ask the embassy or consulate before applying for a visa. 

From Where I Can Get My Visa Documents?

Many travel firms and consulates can provide you with your visa documents. Because they are connected to the airline and the embassy. Thus they provide you with a flight itinerary, proof of hotel booking, and your travel insurance policy. 

Thus, if you choose a travel agency for your visa documents, make sure it is credible. 

What Are The Steps To Apply For A Schengen Visa?

Here are the following steps you should follow while applying for a Schengen visa.

• Confirms whether you need a visa
• Apply for your passport for a Schengen visa
• Search the consulates or travel agencies, where you will apply for a visa, such as VFS Global. Hence, most Schengen country’s visas are supported by VFS Global. They are the consulates that apply for visas to your destination country on your behalf. 

• Fill out the visa application form 
• Schedule an appointment at the embassy/ consulate or VFS Global 
• Attend interviews and provide biometric verification
• Pay visa fees via the payment method mentioned by consulates
• Wait for confirmation from the consulate
• Lastly, collect your passport from the consulates & take off toward your destination country. 

What Is The Application Fees For A Schengen Visa? 

There is a charge associated with applying for a Schengen visa. Since it pays for the application processing. For adults, the cost of applying for a visa is 90 Euros. So, children aged 6 to 12 years pay 40 Euros. Moreover, for kids under 6 years, it is free.

• How long does it take to process an application for a Schengen visa?

Applications for visas must be processed within 15 days. But, be aware that it may take up to thirty days sometimes. This mostly happens when some applications require more analysis.

What Are The Most Common Questions About Schengen Visas?

Below are some often-asked questions for the Schengen visa application. 

• Are you making your first visit to the Schengen region?
• What are your plans for Schengen?
• Do you have enough savings in your bank account?
• For how much duration will you stay in the Schengen zone?
• Do you have any family members in the Schengen region?
• For what purpose are you going to Schengen?
• What do you do in your home country?
• Did you buy a travel health insurance policy for your trip?
• What will you do if your visa is rejected?
• Can you tell me about your family background?

FAQs-Schengen Visa & Requirements

Here are some frequently asked questions by visa applicants. 

1. What is the “90/180 Rule,” and How Does it Work for Schengen Visa Holders?

The “90/180 rule” for Schengen visas means that you can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a rolling 180-day period. 

So, this doesn’t necessarily mean three consecutive months. Besides, you can enter and exit multiple times as long as your total stay does not exceed 90 days within any 180-day timeframe. 

So, to calculate, start by marking each day you spend in the Schengen Area and check that you don’t exceed the 90-day limit over the last 180 days of each stay.

2. Can I Apply for a Schengen Visa if I Don’t Have Confirmed Travel Dates?

Yes, you can still apply without purchasing a full ticket. Many service providers provide a “plane ticket reservation,” which is essentially a hold on a flight booking.

So, it shows your intended dates without committing to a full purchase. This reservation is used as proof of travel without risking a financial loss if your visa application is delayed or denied. 

However, once the visa is approved, you’ll need to confirm your travel dates with actual bookings. 

3. Do I Need a Separate Visa if I Plan to Travel to Both Schengen and non-Schengen European Countries?

Yes, you may need additional visas if you plan to visit non-Schengen countries that don’t accept Schengen visas. 

For example, if you are visiting both Germany (Schengen) and the United Kingdom (non-Schengen), you will need both a Schengen visa and a UK visa. 

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