Planning a trip across Europe? Here's how to get a Schengen Visa

A Schengen Visa is a must if you intend to enter and stay in any of the 29 European countries that are part of the Schengen Area for a maximum period of 90 days within a 180-day period.

Let us understand the Schengen Visa in detail:

What is a Schengen country?

Schengen countries refers to the countries that signed the Schengen agreement in the year 1985 to grant free movement in five European countries -- France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The agreement was signed at a small village called Schengen in Luxembourg, on the border with Germany and France, from the year 1985-1990. Now, it has expanded to become the largest free-travel area in the world.

How long can one stay on Schengen visa?

The Schengen visa is a visa permit for the third country nationals listed in Annex I of Regulation (eU) 2018/1806 to visit the 29 counties in the list for a short duration of 90-180 days.
 
Which countries can issue Schengen visas?

Schengen countries include Germany, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the 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, Romania and Estonia

How long can you stay in a European country with a Schengen visa?

The Schengen visa permit allows the visa holder to stay in Europe's Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. The exact number will be stated on the visa sticker, and the counsellor will decide the validity of your visa.

How to apply for a Schengen visa?

The visa comes in 3 forms: 

Single entry: Allows the visa holder to enter the Schengen area once.

Multiple-entry visa: Allows visa holders to have several visits to the Schengen area for as long as the visa is valid.

Airport transit visa: Allows the visa holder to connect through the international transit area of an airport in the Schengen area during a change of flights or a stopover, but the visa holder is not allowed to exit the international transit area.

Determine the type of Schengen visa on the basis of your requirement.

Documents required to apply for a Schengen visa

• A passport, expiry date of which should be at least 3 months after the date of departure. 
• A visa application form
• A photo in compliance with ICAO standards
• Medical insurance covering emergency medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation
• Supporting documents related to the travel purpose, evidence of financial means and accommodation during the stay, evidence of the intention to return to the visitor's home country
• Fingerprints of the visitor will be collected when they submit their application (exemptions exist for specific categories of applications).

Who needs to apply for a Schengen visa?

Citizens of certain non-European countries should hold a short-stay visa when heading to a Schengen area. There are restrictions on certain types of travelers to certain countries, for example, diplomats, armed forces, refugees and students on school tours.

Certain non-EU nationals should hold an airport transit visa when connecting through the international transit area of airports located in any of the Schengen states.

Citizens of certain additional countries need an airport transit visa, when connecting through the international transit areas of airports, located in some of the Schengen countries.

According to Article 3(5) of the visa code, there are certain categories of people who are exempt from the requirements to hold an airport transit visa.

Where to apply for a Schengen visa?

Visiting more than one Schengen country: Apply the visa at the consulate of the country, where the visa holder will spend the longest time. If the visitor is staying for an equal duration, apply at the consulate of the first country.

As per the general rule, the traveler must apply for a Schengen visa at the consulate with territorial responsibility for the country where the traveler is legally a resident.

How about the cost of a Schengen visa?

In India, Schengen visa fee can vary for specific categories of applicants.

Adults: 90 Euros

Children aged 6 to 12: 45 Euros (Children under six are not charged visa fee)

How long will the application process be?

The standard processing time for a visa application is 15 days. The period may extend up to 45 days if a detailed examination of the application or the related documents is needed.

Compiled by Sandwana P.K.