Getting the Tourist Visa

Schengen Visa is for a short visitor stay in Europe for the non - Europeans. This Schengen Visa allows the applicant to travel in the Schengen area for 90 days to six months. There are 27 countries that are in the Schengen Area, and these countries don’t have any internal borders; thus, they have a common visa policy.

What are the Schengen States?

Schengen Area includes all members of the Schengen states. Except for Ireland and Cyprus

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

What are the types of Schengen Visas?

They are also called the Uniform Schengen Visa and have four types –

• Type A Schengen Visa ( Airport Transit Visa) - It allows the applicant to wait for the connecting flight in the international zone of the Schengen country. It is compulsory for those traveling from a non – Schengen region. with this Visa; one cannot enter the Schengen country
• Type B Schengen Visa - It is for Journeys that are for less than Five days and has been replaced recently by Type C with the Condition transit.
• Type C Schengen Visa - It is the most popular one and allows the holder to travel and stay in the Schengen Area for less than 90 days over a period of 180 days from the date of issue. There are different categories in this Visa – Single entry, Double entry, or Multiple entries.
• Type D Schengen Visa - It is a long-stay Schengen visa. It is given to those who wish to study, work or stay in the Schengen area for more than 90 days, and it can be given for up to one year.

How to apply for a Schengen visa?

The simple steps for the Schengen visa are as follows –

• Step 1 - Schengen Application form
• Step 2- Submit Documents
• Step 3 – Provide Biometrics
• Step 4 – Pay the fees ( Cost for an Adult is € 80, For children from 6 to 12 years, it is € 40 )

What documents are required for the Schengen visa?

To apply for the Schengen visa, the applicant will need to submit the following documents –

• Visa application form with all the details and signed
• The passport which should have three months before the expiry
• Health and travel insurance certificate
• Document with the itinerary details
• Document with the accommodation detail
• A letter explaining the purpose of your visit
• Your financial stability proofs

What is the processing time for the Schengen visa?

The Schengen visa has a processing time of approximately two weeks. However, it can take longer also to process the application depending on the case. Sometimes the delay will not be because of your case, generally during the Summer holidays in July or August; it can take longer to process an application.