TYPES OF SCHENGEN VISA AND REQUIREMENTS

INFORMATION ABOUT SCHENGEN VISA

The Schengen Area is made up of 26 nations and gives all Schengen nationals unfettered mobility. 22 of these nations are European Union members, while the remaining four are EFTA members (European Free Trade Association).

The Schengen Zone includes three microstates in addition to the 26 member nations. A Schengen visa also allows you to enter the following microstates:

• The Vatican
• Monaco
• San Marino

Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Cyprus are European Union members but do not yet participate in the Schengen Agreement. ETIAS, on the other hand, will be necessary to travel to these nations.

Non-European nationals who do not currently require a short-term entrance visa to enter Schengen member states must apply for an ETIAS travel authorization. These are the nations where a valid ETIAS is required upon entry.

Currently, there are 22 European Union countries that form part of the Schengen Area:

Non-Schengen EU States

Non-EU Member States:

Micro-States de facto part of Schengen Area:

UNITED KINGDOM: IS THE UK STILL PART OF THE SCHENGEN AREA?

Because the United Kingdom is no longer a member of the European Union, the ETIAS visa waiver will no longer be available for travel to the United Kingdom. The European Union has also announced that UK nationals will require ETIAS in order to travel to Schengen nations.

At the passport control check, third-country visitors must currently produce proof of sufficient financial means or an official current living address record. The following are examples of documentation that will help border control officials evaluate if a passenger is eligible to enter the British border:

• Bank statement or an official letter from the applicant’s employer with proof of earnings will help prove the traveller’s financial situation and ability to support themselves while in the U.K.
• Proof of legal residence such as residential card or a bill with the traveller’s name and address clearly visible
• Proof of employment or ongoing studies
• Travellers who are under 18 years of age are advised to provide a birth certificate, as well as a letter from their parents, confirming the reason for the trip such as living arrangements and financial situation. A copy of the parent’s passports may be required

The following are the general border crossing rules for citizens of visa-free nations. Standard visa applicants for the UK are required to provide similar documentation. For more information, visitors should contact their local embassies or consulates.

TYPES OF SCHENGEN VISA

A Schengen visa issued by any Schengen member state allows its bearer to freely travel and traverse the internal borders of any European Union Schengen nation.

A Schengen visa also allows the permission to enter all Schengen nations of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Third-country citizens can enter European Union member nations that are not part of the Schengen Area without a visa if they have a valid Schengen visa and their country has a visa waiver agreement with the relevant non-Schengen European country.

Schengen visas are classified into three types:

1. UNIFORM SCHENGEN VISA (USV)

The Schengen Area member countries’ Uniform Schengen Visa allows for a maximum stay of 90 days in a 180-day period. The USV is also valid as a transit visa.

The Uniform Schengen Visa is divided into three categories:

1. Single-entry visa: This Uniform Schengen Visa allows its holder to enter a Schengen country once for a limited period of time. After the visitor exits the country, the visa expires automatically.
2. Double-entry visa: The regulations mentioned above also apply to the double-entry visa. The only difference is that a double-entry visa holder can enter a Schengen member state twice. After the second exit (second crossing of an external Schengen border), the visa expires automatically.
3. Multiple-entry visa: Holders of a multiple-entry visa can enter and exit the Schengen member states any number of times during the validity period. However, their stay may not exceed 90 days for every 6 months, starting from the entry date.

2. LIMITED TERRITORIAL VALIDITY VISA (LTV)

Holders of the LTV are only permitted to enter the Schengen member nation that issued the visa. They will be unable to enter any other Schengen nations unless they are granted permission through the visa application procedure. Holders of a Limited Territorial Validity Visa are not permitted to enter or transit any nation other than the one that granted the visa.

3.NATIONAL VISA

National Visas are issued to those who want to study, work, or reside permanently in any of the Schengen Area nations. Under normal circumstances, the National Visa is a single-entry, limited-stay visa. This would cover the specific aim of the applicant’s visa application.

Certain situations permit travellers to apply for a multi-entry National Visa. Applicants must satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

• Be enrolled in an international educational program with a maximum length of 1 year, which must be demonstrated through an official document
• Applying for pedagogical work at a higher research or educational center
• A professional who is travelling to Europe due to their proficiency in sports, arts or any other profession related to sharing expertise
• An emergency prevents the applicant from returning to their home country and they are required to remain in the Schengen Area for a specific period of time.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHENGEN TOURIST VISA

The general criteria for a Schengen Visa are outlined below. However, it is best to contact the local embassy/consulate for further information on each application.

• Complete and sign the Schengen visa application form
• Attach a recent passport-style photo that shows a full, clear, and front view of the applicant’s face with a white or off-white background
• Passenger’s passport with photocopies of all previous Schengen visas. The passport must have at least 2 blank pages and be valid for a minimum of 3 months
• Round trip reservations such as hotel/room/flight bookings, together with their identifying reservation numbers. The flight information must clearly indicate the traveler’s entry and exit dates from the Schengen Area
• Travel health insurance, covering the whole travel period within the Schengen member states
• Proof of sufficient financial means to support oneself during the trip

SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

Individuals who seek a Schengen visa must apply in person at their destination country’s embassy or consulate. If the visitor intends to visit more than one Schengen countries, they should apply for their visa in the country where they will spend the most time. If they want to spend the same length of time in each nation, they should apply in the first country they will visit. Before visiting the government office, applicants must make an appointment. Most diplomatic embassies allow you to schedule an appointment online. The following items must be brought to the visa appointment:

• Completed application form (usually available online)
• Passport
• 2 passport-style photos
• Travel insurance policy
• Travel itinerary
• Accommodation booking
• Proof of financial means

Applicants will be asked some basic questions regarding their travel intentions during the interview. Before submitting their Schengen visa application, they must pay the visa fee.

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