The Schengen visa is one of the most popular visas and is in great demand among travelers. The Schengen Agreement came into effect in 1985, and the Schengen area is the largest free travel area in the world. It refers to the E.U. passport-free zone covering 26 European nations under its umbrella. Since there are no border controls, you can enter, travel freely, and exit the Schengen zone without any trouble. Here is a complete guide on everything you need to know about the Schengen visa.
What is a Schengen visa?
It is a short-stay visa that enables an individual to travel to any of the member countries in the Schengen area and stay up to 90 days for tourism or business.
What are the various types of Schengen visas?
Schengen visas are of the following types.
- Tourist visa
- Business visa
- Transit visa
- Visitor visa
Who needs a Schengen visa?
Citizens of the below-mentioned countries need a Schengen visa to enter any country in the Schengen area.
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Dem. Rep. Of Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Northern Mariana’s, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Palestinian Authority, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome And Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Who does not need a Schengen visa?
The below-mentioned countries do not need a Schengen visa to enter any country in the Schengen area.
Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Holy See (Vatican City State), Honduras, Hong Kong S.A.R Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao S.A.R., Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan, Timor Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, and Venezuela.
Who needs an Airport Transit Schengen visa?
The citizens of the below-mentioned countries also need an Airport Transit visa even for changing the flight at an airport in a Schengen country.
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo (Drc), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, and Sri Lanka.
But there are a few exceptions concerning the Airport Transit Visa for specific individuals. Citizens of the countries mentioned above do not need to apply for an airport transit visa in the following circumstances.
- If the individual holds a diplomatic passport.
- If the individual has a residency permit from a Schengen member country, a valid Schengen Visa for short stays or extended stays.
- If the individual has a valid Schengen visa or a visa for entering one of the European Free Trade Association countries and Canada, Japan, or the United States. (This rule applies even in case they are returning from any of these countries after using this visa).
- If the individual has a residency permit from Canada, Japan, Andorra, San Marino, or the U.S.A., that guarantees the person’s whereabouts.
- If the individual is a family member of a European Union citizen (This applies to close family only)
Documents required for Schengen visa
- Duly completed and signed visa application form.
- Original passport and copy of (It must be issued less than ten years ago and be valid for at least three months beyond the expiration date of the requested visa)
- Two recent photos
- Letter explaining the reasons for your trip
- Confirmation of your return ticket
- Proof of your accommodation/hotel
- Proof of finance to cover the trip
- A travel insurance certificate is mandatory.
Things to keep in mind
- You can stay in any of the Schengen zone countries only for up to 90 days or three months every half a year irrespective of the travel reasons.
- Your visa requirements depend on the passport you choose to travel in case you are a citizen of more than one nationality.
- The visa-free rule applies to holders of certain passports or citizens of some countries. Kindly check the latest Schengen visa process for your country or nationality before applying for one.
Conclusion
The Schengen area has some of the most beautiful European countries, including France, Italy, Germany, Greece, and Switzerland. So, apply for a Schengen visa and have an unforgettable holiday.
