The Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa that allows eligible nationals to travel within the Schengen Area, which consists of 29 European countries. With this visa, you can:

• Travel freely between Schengen countries without border checks.
• Stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
• Enter for tourism, business meetings, family visits, or cultural trips.

⚠️ Important: A Schengen Visa does not permit you to work, study, or live long-term in Europe. For these purposes, you must apply for a National Visa from the relevant country.

You need a Schengen Visa if you are a national of a non-EU/non-EEA country that does not have a visa-free agreement with Schengen states.

Some examples of countries whose nationals require a Schengen Visa include:

• Asia: India, Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
• Africa: Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia
• Middle East: Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Afghanistan
• Others: Russia, Turkey, Belarus, Cuba, Jamaica

If your country is on the visa-exempt list (e.g., USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan), you can travel visa-free for short stays.

The Schengen Visa is valid for entry into the following 29 countries:

🇦🇹 Austria | 🇧🇪 Belgium | 🇭🇷 Croatia | 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | 🇩🇰 Denmark | 🇪🇪 Estonia | 🇫🇮 Finland | 🇫🇷 France | 🇩🇪 Germany | 🇬🇷 Greece | 🇭🇺 Hungary | 🇮🇸 Iceland | 🇮🇹 Italy | 🇱🇻 Latvia | 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein | 🇱🇹 Lithuania | 🇱🇺 Luxembourg | 🇲🇹 Malta | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 🇳🇴 Norway | 🇵🇱 Poland | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 🇷🇴 Romania | 🇸🇰 Slovakia | 🇸🇮 Slovenia | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇸🇪 Sweden | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 🇧🇬 Bulgaria

Non-EU countries in Schengen:

• Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland

EU countries not in Schengen:

• Ireland, Cyprus

⚠️ Some microstates (Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City) allow Schengen Visa holders entry, even though they are not formal members.

Depending on your travel purpose, there are different categories:

1. Uniform Schengen Visa (USV)

Covers short stays up to 90 days in 180 days.

• Single Entry Visa – Enter once only; expires once you leave.
• Double Entry Visa – Enter twice within visa validity.
• Multiple Entry Visa – Enter multiple times; available for 1, 3, or 5 years.

2. Limited Territorial Validity Visa (LTV)

Only valid in the country that issued it (or specified Schengen states).

3. Airport Transit Visa (ATV)

For travellers transiting through a Schengen airport without leaving the international zone.

The process is straightforward but requires careful preparation:

1. Determine your main destination – Apply through the embassy/consulate of the country where you’ll spend the most time.
2. Book an appointment – At the embassy or visa application centre (usually VFS or TLS).
3. Complete the Schengen Visa application form – Available online.
4. Prepare supporting documents (see checklist below).
5. Attend your appointment – Submit documents, biometric data, and attend an interview.
6. Pay the visa fee – Standard fee is around €80 for adults, €40 for children (6–12 years), and free for under-6s.
7. Wait for processing – Usually 15 days, but can take up to 60 days.

When applying, you must submit:

• Valid passport (issued in last 10 years, valid 3 months beyond departure, 2 blank pages)
• Completed and signed visa application form
• Two recent biometric passport photographs
• Proof of return travel (airline tickets or funds to purchase)
• Travel medical insurance (minimum €30,000 coverage, valid in all Schengen states)
• Proof of accommodation (hotel booking, rental agreement, or invitation letter)
• Proof of financial means (bank statements, payslips, sponsorship letter, etc.)
• Visa fee payment receipt

• Tourist Visa – Detailed itinerary, confirmed bookings.
• Business Visa – Invitation letter from company, conference registration.
• Visiting Family/Friends – Invitation letter, proof of relationship.
• Students – Proof of enrolment, NOC from university/school.
• Minors – Birth certificate, parental consent, guardianship documents.

Even with a visa, entry is not guaranteed. Border officials may ask for:

• Proof of return ticket
• Proof of funds
• Purpose of visit confirmation
• Insurance details

Failure to comply may result in refusal at the border.

Q: How long does it take to get a Schengen Visa?
A: Standard processing is 15 days, but may take up to 60 days depending on workload or additional document requests.

Q: Can I extend my Schengen Visa?
A: Extensions are only granted in exceptional cases (medical emergencies, humanitarian reasons).

Q: Can I work in Europe with a Schengen Visa?
A: No. This visa is for tourism, business, or short visits only.

Q: Do I need a separate visa for each Schengen country?
A: No, one Schengen Visa covers all participating countries.