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Schengen Visa ~ The most common term floating in the air if you are a person who is very observant about the immigration culture.
✔️What is it? 🤔
✔️What does it offer? 🤔
✔️Why it is so special? 🤔
✔️Can I apply for one? 🤔
These are some common questions that the European Immigration aspirants have. Let’s break ‘em all down!
In this piece of content, we are going to have a detailed view of what a Schengen Visa is and the ins and outs of the same!
What is a Schengen Visa? – Wait!!
Before, discussing about Schengen Visa, we need to know what Schengen countries are. Some of the European countries are clubbed together as Schengen countries and they share some common immigration protocols. Those countries include,
1. Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark
2. Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece
3. Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein
4. Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway
5. Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
These countries have abolished passports and other border controls on their mutual terms. People travelling through these countries can move freely from one country to another without the need of separate visas and passport checks at the borders.
All the above listed countries are operating upon the Schengen agreement which allow seamless movement of people to and fro. What’s to be noted is some of the non-EU countries like Iceland, Switzerland, and Norway are a part of the Schengen area while some of the EU countries like Ireland and the UK are independent and have not adopted the Schengen policies.
Schengen Visa
Schengen Visa permits the nationals of non-EU countries to travel to the Schengen countries in Europe for up to 90 days within a period of 6 months. Whether the purpose of visit be visiting family, friends or tourism, this visa is your golden ticket to the Europe (and some non-EU Schengen countries too).
Key points
1. Schengen visa permits you to stay for up to 90 days and travel throughout the Schengen countries.
2. You should apply for a visa to the Schengen country where you are going to visit first or where you will be staying for a longer period of time.
3. Usually, it takes 2 weeks or lesser to apply for a European visa, however, it depends upon the embassy’s discretion.
4. There will not be any hurdles that you’d potentially face while applying for a Schengen visa.
How is it different from a student visa?
As the name implies, a student visa a dedicated visa allowing international students to study in a designated European Country. While Schengen Visa is a temporary visa used for transitory purposes. But, if you are planning to undertake a 3 month fast-track program, you can do it with a Schengen visa itself in the Schengen area.
But if the program is for more than 3 months, a long-stay student visa in the country of your study should be obtained.
Know your purpose!
While applying for a Schengen visa, you should have your purpose and privileges known. Schengen visa is only a temporary visit visa used for transitory purposes and it will not permit you to work or live permanently in the Schengen countries. It is a multiple entry visa with which you can stay in a Schengen country for 90 days within a period of 6 months.
The visa validity can vary depending on the Schengen country you are applying the visa to as each Schengen member state may have their own protocols for issuing the Schengen visas.
How to apply for a Schengen visa?
Determine the Schengen country to apply to: You should apply to the Schengen country that is your main destination or the first country you will visit. If you plan to visit multiple Schengen countries with no clear main destination, you should apply to the country where you will spend the most time.
Check the visa requirements: Visit the official website of the consulate or embassy of the Schengen country you plan to apply to. They will provide information on the specific visa requirements, application forms, and fees. Each country may have slightly different requirements.
You will typically need the following documents:
1. Completed visa application form.
2. Valid passport with at least two blank pages and six months validity beyond your intended departure date.
3. Recent passport-sized photos.
4. Travel itinerary, including flight reservations and accommodation bookings.
5. Travel insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000.
6. Proof of financial means to cover your expenses during your stay.
7. Proof of the purpose of your trip (e.g., invitation letter for business or hotel reservations for tourism).
8. Depending on your circumstances, you might need additional documents such as a no-objection letter from your employer or proof of ties to your home country.
Schedule an appointment: You will need to schedule an appointment with the consulate or visa application centre in your country. Be prepared to provide biometric data (fingerprint scans and photographs) during your appointment.
Attend the appointment: On the scheduled date, submit your application and all required documents at the consulate or visa application centre. Be prepared for an interview and additional questions about your trip.
Pay the visa fee: You will typically need to pay a non-refundable visa application fee. The fee amount may vary depending on your nationality and the type of visa you’re applying for.
Wait for a decision: The processing time for a visa can vary from a few days to several weeks, so apply well in advance.
Collect your visa: If your application is approved, you’ll be issued a Schengen visa in your passport. Check the visa to ensure it matches your intended travel dates and purpose.
Wrapping up…
CanApprove is an immigration and overseas education service providing firm that’s been providing exceptional visa assistance to abroad aspirants since 1998. If you ever want a consulate’s assistance to apply for your Schengen visa, Canada visa or Australia visa, then you can bet on CanApprove! Connect with our immigration coordinator right away!
Thanks for reading 😊
