The Schengen zone is the biggest free travel area in the world. But in order to enter it, you may need a visa, depending on your nationality.

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Do you need a visa to enter the Schengen zone?

The Complete Guide to a Schengen Visa informs us that it all depends on your nationality. If you’re a Schengen member country citizen, then you automatically have access to the whole Schengen area without any visa. In total, more than 60 countries all around the world have an agreement with the Schengen zone countries, which allows their citizens to travel without a visa in the Schengen area. But if you come from a country that doesn’t have a special deal with the Schengen zone, then you have to process a Schengen visa application. The Schengen visa will allow you to move freely in all 26 member countries.

Schengen visa application step by step

Applying for a Schengen visa can be a little tricky if you’ve never done it before. Here is the process to follow for a Schengen visa application:

Step n°1 : Find the right visa for you

There are multiple Schengen visas :

  • Tourism visa : this is probably the visa you’ll choose if you want to travel in Europe for less than 90 days. 
  • Visa for Visiting Family or Friends : this visa requires an invitation letter from someone in Europe.
  • Transit visa : a very simple visa that allows you to transit in a Schengen zone airport
  • Business visa : a visa to follow business agenda
  • Visa for Culture and Sport activities : this is the visa you’ll have to get if you come to the Schengen zone to attend a cultural or a sports event.
  • Visa for Official Visits : a visa for official visits (meetings, negotiations, etc.)
  • Study visa : a visa that allows you to study in one of the Schengen countries.
  • Visa for Medical Reasons : a visa that allows you to receive medical treatment for your health condition in one of the Schengen countries.

You can apply for one of the above visas depending on your situation and your reason to enter the Schengen zone.

If you need to stay more than 90 days in Europe, then you have to apply for a national visa with an adequate country. National visas allow you to stay up to 12 months in Europe.

Step n°2 : Find out the country where you need to apply

There are rules which will allow you to find out the country where you need to proceed with your Schengen visa application :

  • If you plan on visiting only one country, then your Schengen visa application has to proceed at the consulate or embassy of that country.
  • If you plan on visiting several countries, then your Schengen visa application has to proceed at the consulate or embassy of either the country you’ll spend the most of your time in or the country you’ll land in if you plan on staying the same amount of time in each country.

Once you’ve figured out what country this will be, you have to find the nearest embassy, visa center, or consulate. If there are none, you may find an embassy or consulate from another Schengen country with which your destination country has outsourced visa submission.

Step n°3 : Book a Schengen visa application appointment

Depending on your destination country, you may have the chance to be able to book an appointment online. For some other countries, you either have to book your appointment by phone or in person, at the embassy or the consulate.

Careful! : You can only apply for a Schengen visa from six months to 15 days before you start your trip. We’d recommend filling your visa application at least one month before your flight to cover your back.

Step n°4 : Fill out your Schengen visa application form

Download the latest version of the Schengen visa application form here and fill it properly. This form is the same for all Schengen countries and it has to be filled in English.

This form will ask you for some information about you and the trip you’re planning :

  • Your personal information
  • Details about your trip in the Schengen zone
  • Purpose of your visit in the Schengen zone
  • Travel documents

To complete your application for a Schengen visa properly, we advise you to make sure you fill out all the gaps without leaving any blanks. If some columns don’t correspond to your situation, fill them with NA (No answer).

Careful! : Italy and France have their own specific Schengen visa application form :

Step n°5 : Gather all the necessary documents

Before your appointment, make sure you have all the required documents for your Schengen visa application :

  • Your visa application form
  • Your passport
  • Two identical photos
  • Flight itinerary or round trip ticket with dates and flight numbers
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Travel insurance policy
  • Proof of financial means
  • A Schengen visa invitation letter

Depending on your type of visa, you may have to gather some more documents. Here is a list of all the documents you need for your Schengen visa application for each type of Schengen visa.

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Step n°6 : Attend your Schengen visa application appointment

Now that you’ve gathered all the required documents, it’s time for you to attend your appointment. The most important thing here is to be on time. So make sure you arrive at least 30 minutes early.

Usually, the interview lasts around 10 to 15 minutes during which the visa consular checks all your documents and asks you some questions.

The most frequent questions are :

  • Which countries do you plan to visit ?
  • Why do you plan on traveling to Europe ?
  • Do you have any relatives or friends living in Europe ?
  • What’s your personal situation ? (Married, kids, etc.)
  • Who will pay for your trip ?
  • Do you have a job ?
  • Where will you stay ?
  • How long will you stay in Europe ?

Here is a list of the 60 most frequently asked questions during a visa interview.

Step n°7 : Pay for your visa

The Schengen visa costs 80 € per adult and 40 € per kid. Three countries apply the cheapest fees: Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia. There are also some specific situations in which you’ll have nothing to pay. Please visit this page if you want to know more about Schengen visa fees.

After your interview, you’ll be asked to pay the Schengen visa fees. These fees are not refundable, even if your application is denied.

Step n°8 : Receive your Schengen visa

Usually, it takes around 15 days to receive your visa. Sometimes, during busy periods and depending on your destination, this can take up to more than a month.

When you receive your Schengen visa, the first thing to do is to check the labels attached to the visa sticker. Those labels will inform you on the period of time you’re permitted to travel in Europe. This period has to be respected or you could pay a big fine or be banished from the Schengen zone!

What if your Schengen visa application is rejected ?
If your Schengen visa application is rejected, read the reason why and try to apply differently next time. If you consider the refusal is a mistake, you still have the option to write an appeal letter for Schengen visa refusal.

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Schengen visa application FAQ

What if I need to stay longer than 90 days in Europe ?

If you need to stay more than 90 days in Europe, then you have to apply for a national visa with an adequate country. National visas allow you to stay up to 12 months in Europe.

What if there are no embassies nor consulates near my residence ?

There’s a way to apply for a Schengen visa in almost every country in the world. If yours doesn’t have an embassy or a consulate, then you still have the option to go to an embassy or a consulate from another Schengen country with which your destination country has outsourced visa submission.

Can I apply for a Schengen visa from anywhere in the world ?

Yes. Even if you’re not in the country you live in, you can still apply for a Schengen visa. You’ll only have to explain why you’re applying from the country you’re applying from. You’ll still have to attend your appointment in person.

Can I extend the validity of my Schengen visa ?

If your visa is valid for less than 90 days and you need it to be extended for a personal, trustworthy or medical reasons, then you have to ask for a Schengen visa extension. This extension will not allow you to stay more than 90 days in the Schengen Area.