How To Apply For A Schengen Visa

How To Apply For A Schengen Visa – Are you from a non-EU country wanting to travel with a Schengen visa? applications are currently open for applicants who want to study, go on vacation holidays, or for business reasons.

The Schengen countries include 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 of this visa must 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 aforementioned Schengen countries with an intended stay in the territory of the Schengen States of a duration of no more than 90 days within a six-month period.

In this case, people who want their stay in any of the Schengen areas to exceed the 90 days period for any peculiar reasons should apply for a long-term Schengen Visa type D at the embassy of the respective country.

Join the train as we take you through the steps involved in applying for a Schengen Visa.

Table of Contents

Figure out the type of Schengen visa you need

Figuring out the type of Schengen visa you may need as an applicant is the first stage in the Schengen visa application process. The Schengen visa could be either short-term or long-term. Applicants can apply for any of the Schengen visa types below;

Transit visa, Tourism visa, Visa for visiting Family or friends, Business visa, Visa for culture and sports activities, Visa for official visits, study visa, and visa for Medical reasons.

Locate where you need to apply

Applicants are to file their Schengen visa application at a chosen state since every Schengen state has its own regulations for visa submission in the applicants’ respective country of residence.

Applicants can file their visa application at any of the following;

Any of their consulate close to you
Their embassy
A visa center to which the embassy of your destination country has outsourced visa submission.

Find a suitable time to apply

Applicants at this stage are advised to have ample time at their convenience to apply for the Visa. Applicants must schedule a date that will suit the traveling before they intend to apply. It is always advisable for applicants to file their application six months before their trip.

Book an appointment

Appointments are booked either online or in person at the embassy or the consulate of the applicant’s home country.

Fill out the Schengen application form

Applicants are advised to be careful at this stage of the visa application. Application for the Schengen visa might be successful only if applicants are able to key in correct and needed information in the application form filling.

Get the required documents ready

Applicants would be required to produce the following documents/requirements hence they should be ready;

Fully completed and signed visa application form
Two recently taken passport photographs not older than three months must be attached.
A valid passport
Round trip reservation or itinerary
Travel insurance policy
Proof of accommodation
A hotel/hostel booking
A rental agreement
A letter of invitation from a host at whose house you will be staying
Proof of financial means
Proof of paid visa

Attend the visa interview

Applicants would be asked personal questions and from several others at this stage.

Pay the visa fee

Applicants would be asked to pay a processing fee for the visa. A Schengen visa fee currently is pegged at €80 per head.

Wait for a response to your application

Applicants await their visa application results at this stage. At this stage, applicants’ visa requests might be rejected or approved. Approval or rejection of the Schengen visa takes not more than 15 days but processing at times can exceed the given period to 45 days. Upon rejection of the applicant’s visa, he/she can appeal using the link here if the applicant thinks the application was correct.

Frequently Asked Questions on how to apply 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 his/her interview time will have his/her appointment canceled.

Can I use my German visa to travel to other countries in Europe?

Yes, you can. Holders of a Schengen visa (text on the visa reads: “valid for Schengen-Staaten”)

What do 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 have to apply for a new visa and submit documents with altered travel dates (i.e. health insurance, invitation, travel itinerary)

Below are links to other visa applications;

In this post, applicants were taken through the steps involved in applying for a Schengen visa coupled with the required documents.