Visa

Schengen visa: Application Process

Posted on by Chidiebere Onuoha

A Schengen visa is a visa that allows non-Europeans enter into countries within the Schengen area without going through identity checks at the borders. In other words, as a non-European, before you can be allowed access into any Schengen country, you must present a Schengen Visa. If You are intending to visit any Schengen area, you would need to know the visa type that is applicable to your trip before commencing the application process for a Schengen visa.

Countries Within The Schengen Area

There are 27 countries within the Schengen area. These countries are European nations that have abolished border controls between each other. These include France, Germany, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Poland, and Scandinavian nations, but not the U.K. and Ireland. Most European Union (EU) countries are signatories to the Schengen Agreement, although some non-Schengen countries, like Bulgaria and Romania, are signed up but not yet active members and merely obliged to join in the future. Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway are not in the EU but are inside of the Schengen Area.

Not all European countries are within the Schengen area. These countries include:

  • Albania
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina
  • Ireland
  • Serbia
  • Armenia
  • Bulgaria
  • Macedonia
  • Ukraine
  • Azerbaijan
  • Croatia
  • Moldova
  • United Kingdom
  • Belarus
  • Cyprus
  • Montenegro
  • Romania

Types Of Schengen Visa

Tourist Schengen visa

A Tourist Schengen visa is a permission to visit any country within the Schengen Area for pleasure or to visit friends or family who have residence in any of the Schengen countries. The holder of the Tourist Schengen visa can stay in the Schengen Area for the number of days indicated on the visa, which cannot exceed 90 days in the period of 6 months. During the stay with the granted visa, the holder may not engage in any gainful activity, unless the issued visa states otherwise.

Business Schengen Visa

This visa grants it’s holder permission to do business in the country of destination. Any restrictions to his/her business activities will be stated on the visa.

Student Schengen visa

This visa permits its holder to stay and study in the country which granted the permission for enrolment, issued by the school. The holder of this visa is not permitted a permanent residence and involves certain restrictions.

Working Schengen visa

The visa allows it’s holder to stay and work in the selected country within the Schengen Area. EU citizens and the citizens of the USA, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and Switzerland can apply for a residence/ working visa upon their entry in the Schengen Area. The citizens of the aforementioned countries do not require a visa to enter the Schengen Area.

Transit Schengen visa

Tourist Schengen visa can be issued two ways:

  • An A-type Transit Visa: This visa is for the airport transit in the Schengen Area. The holder of the visa is not allowed to leave the transit area at the airport, or
  • A B-type Transit Visa: This visa is valid for 5 days, which allows the holder to travel through the Schengen Area on his/her way to the final destination outside the Schengen Area.
  • A Type C: This visa is for a short stay in any of the Schengen Area countries. The timeframe of the visit is indicated on the visa. Depending on the purpose of the travel, this visa may be:

Single entry

Only one entry is permitted into any of the countries within the Schengen Area. Once you leave the Schengen Area, re-entry is not allowed, even if the visa is still valid.

Double entry

The visa grants the holder two entries into the Schengen Area, with the validity clearly indicated on the visa. Once the Schengen Area is exited for the second time, re-entry is not permitted, even if the visa remains valid.

Multiple entry

This visa does not restrict the number of entries into the Schengen Area. Yet, it is valid for a maximum of 90 days within a six-month period. The day of the first entry into the Schengen Area counts as the first day of the validity of the visa. Short stays and re-entries into the Schengen Area result in the accumulation of the total number of days spent until reaching a maximum of 90 days.

  • Type D: Issued in special cases for the purposes of study, stay, or work in a Schengen Area country, this is a national visa. This visa may be:
  • a single-entry visa: For the persons who need not stay in the Schengen country after the specific period.
  • a multiple-entry visa: This allows the holder repeated re-entries into the Schengen country which issued the visa. This type of visa is granted in the following cases:
  • For studying in the duration of up to one year, with the possibility of extension;
  • For pedagogical work or research, as well as to the closest family members;
  • For experts travelling to engage in professional activity;
  • For emergency cases, such as medical conditions, the allowance is restricted to a specific period of time.

Limited territorial validity visa:

The holder of this type of visa can only travel to the specific Schengen Area country or countries indicated when applying for the visa.

Documents Required For Schengen Visa Application

Acquiring the necessary documents for your Schengen Visa Application process is extremely crucial, and, therefore, every effort must be made to leave no stone unturned. Here’s a list of required documents you would need for your visa.

  • Fully completed and signed Schengen Visa application form.
  • Two identical and recent ID photos.
  • A copy of your passport and your passport (issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months beyond the expiration date of the requested visa).
  • A letter explaining the reasons of your trip. 
  • The reservation confirmation of your return ticket.
  • Proof of your accommodation plans.
  • Proof of your means of subsistence. 
  • A mandatory travel insurance certificate.
  • No objection letter (Where necessary).

Schengen Visa Application Process

Applying for a Schengen visa can be quite tedious, but PackNPass blog is here to help you go through the application process in this detailed article.

Step #1: Fill the Schengen Visa Application form

Fill the visa application form online carefully and correctly, print it twice and sign it at the end. The form contains questions for basic information such as your name, date of birth, country of birth, passport number and nationality. You will also have to answer questions regarding your trip, such as how long are you planning to stay in each country, where you’re staying.

Step #2: Book An Appointment

Book a visa appointment through the website of the country you intend to visit in your home country.

Step #3: Complete the documents file

Make sure you possess all the required documents, all of them in two copies.

Arrange them in a manner that prevents confusion or mistakes on the day of your appointment. You will need to leave your passport at the consulate of the Schengen country where you apply for a visa. Should you retrieve your passport during the processing of your application, your Schengen visa application will be nullified.

Step #4: Attend the Appointment

You must be time conscious on the day of your appointment. Keep in mind that being even a few minutes late could result in the cancellation of your appointment. The submission process takes around 10 minutes to complete.

Step #5: Provide biometrics

If you haven’t applied for a visa to Europe before, you will also be required to have your fingerprints scanned at the consulate’s office. If you have, then you don’t have to do it again since the consulate should be able to look it up.

Step #6: Verify the details

Once your application is verified, your details will be entered into the online system, and you will be provided with a printed copy of your application. This process usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. After you get the printed form, please make sure to verify all the details are correct and sign the form. Underage applicants must be accompanied by their parent(s) or a legal guardian.

Step #7: Pay Application Fees

The visa application fees for adults is 80€ While the visa fee for children from the age of 6 years to the age of 12 years is 45€. Upon payment of the fees, a receipt will be issued to you, which you must keep for the collection of your processed application. If your visa application is rejected, the fee will not be reimbursed. If you apply again for a visa, you will have to pay the fees again.