Visitor Visa - Europe

Schengen Visa Information

A Schengen Visa is the document issued by the appropriate authorities to the interested party for visiting/travelling to and within the Schengen Area. The Schengen Area is comprised of 26 countries that have agreed to allow free movement of their citizens within this area as a single country. Of the 26 countries bound by the Schengen agreement, 22 are part of the EU and the other 4 are part of the EFTA.

Schengen area covers the majority of European countries, except for the United Kingdom and countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Ireland soon to be part of the agreement. However, there are countries that are not part of the EU like Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Lichtenstein yet do belong in the Schengen area and cherish the free movement policy.

The Schengen Member States

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

Who needs a Schengen visa?

The citizens of the non-Schengen member countries are requested a mandatory Schengen Visa in order to enter the Schengen Zone. There are exceptions to this rule, however: for some countries that are not part of the Schengen Agreement yet don�t require a visa to enter the Schengen zone.

The list of the countries that need a visa to enter the Schengen Area can be found here.

Visa Application Requirements

In order to travel to one or more of the Schengen Zone countries, as aforementioned, one needs to apply for a Schengen visa at the designated embassy/consulate. There are, however, certain requirements similar to every embassy/consulate that have to be met in order to pursue the application. A unified exemplar of the requested documents with the additional information is meticulously described and listed in Schengen Visa Application Requirements section.

Types of Schengen Visa

Regarding the nature/purpose of the travel, there are several types of a Schengen visa issued by the designated embassy/consulate.

1. Uniform Schengen Visas (USV)

   The Uniform Schengen Visa stands for a permit of one of the Schengen Area Member Countries to transit or reside in the desired territory for a certain period of time up to the maximum of 90 days every six month period starting from the date of entry. According to the purpose of traveling the Uniform Schengen Visa applies to all of the two categories, �A� and �C�.

2. Limited territorial validity visas (LTV)

   This type of visa obtained allows you to travel only in the Schengen State that has issued the visa or in some other cases, in the certain Schengen States specifically mentioned when applying for the visa. Apart from these Schengen countries, this specific visa is invalid to any other Schengen country not specified prior.

3. National Visas

   The national visa of �D� category is granted to the certain individuals who are to be studying, working or permanently residing in one of the Schengen countries. The national visa can be of a single entry, granted to the people who are in need of residing in the Schengen country for a certain period of time, or for a sole purpose after which they shall return to their country.

List of documents that are crucial for the process :

• A photo reflecting full face and neck, and should be clicked in a light background.
• Photocopies of the visas previously used for travelling. A valid passport that has been issued no longer than ten years ago and has a period of six months until its expiration date.
• A medical insurance with a minimum cover of �30,000.
• Flight tickets and hotel reservation.
• Original bank statement of the applicant for last three months, with the original stamp and signature of authorized signatory of the bank.
• Proof of accommodation for stay in the Schengen countries
• Personal covering letter explaining the purpose of the visit (leisure, work, business, education or to visit a relative/friend)

Additional prerequisite for business travel :

• The invitation letter from the partner company in the Schengen zone

Additional prerequisites for educational travel :

• The letter of acceptance in a Schengen country University/college/school.
• Proof that one can reside and financially maintain him/herself during their stay in the Schengen zone.
• Fees receipt from the institution.

Additional documents for first time travellers :

• Income tax returns for the last three years.
• Appointment letter.
• Proof of legal entity of the company.