Make Your Way to Europe: A Guide to Secure Your Schengen Visa

Do you know that to make your way to any European country, you need a specific type of visa called a Schengen visa? If not, let us help you with some essential information regarding a Schengen visa. It is an official document that has been made mandatory for non-Europeans to visit a country that comes under the Schengen Area.

26 countries together constitute the Schengen Area. Hence, some non-Europeans and other foreigners, including Indians, must have a Schengen visa to visit a Schengen country for any purpose whatsoever.

From travel insurance for Schengen visa to how to get it approved, we have got you covered. So read along to learn everything you need about a Schengen visa, its type, fees, application process and other essential details.

What are the Types of Schengen Visa?

A Schengen visa comes in different types based on your requirements to visit any Schengen country. Given below are the types of the same mentioned in detail.

●       Uniform Schengen Visa

A uniform Schengen visa is a short-term visa required to visit any of the countries in the Schengen Area. This type of visa allows you to stay for a maximum of 90 days within a Schengen country. Besides, there are two subcategories of a uniform Schengen visa, including a category A Schengen visa and a category B Schengen visa.

●       Category A or Airport Transit Schengen Visa

A category A transit Schengen visa is a legal mandate required every time you pass through a Schengen country. It is a mandatory requirement at the airports for every visitor passing through the international zone of the Schengen Area.

●       Category C or Short-Term Schengen Visa

Category C refers to the short-term Schengen visa that is mainly targeted by tourists or non-European residents. It has a validity period of 90 days and comes in three variants - single entry, double entry and multiple entry.

●       Single Entry Category C Schengen Visa

With a single entry category C Schengen visa, you can enter the Schengen Area once during your entire validity period. You cannot stay longer than that without applying for an extension.

●       Double Entry Category C Schengen Visa

The specifications of a double entry category C Schengen visa are not very different from the single entry one. The only difference is that you can enter the Schengen Area two times within the validity period of your visa.

●       Multiple Entry Category C Schengen Visa

A multiple-entry category C Schengen Visa allows you to enter the Schengen Area multiple times within the validity period of your visa. However, you need to ensure you follow the 90/180 rule, according to which you can only stay up to 90 days across the 180-day validity period of your category C Schengen visa.

●       Single Entry Category D Schengen Visa

A category D Schengen visa is applicable for you if you would like to visit the Schengen Area for a purpose that requires you to live there for a considerable period of time. For instance, you can apply for this type of visa for your academic education in one of the Schengen countries if you intend to return to your home country after the purpose is fulfilled.

●       Multiple Entry Category D Schengen Visa

You can apply for a multiple entry category D Schengen visa if you need to visit the Schengen Area multiple times. Hence, some of the categories of individuals who can opt for this type of visa include:

• Students visiting the Schengen Area for their academic programme.
• Individuals working in companies located in one of the Schengen countries.
• Individuals who are required to visit the Schengen Area for medication purposes.
• Other professionals, including artists, sportsmen, or any experts in their respective fields of work.

●       Limited Territorial Validity (LTV) Visa for the Schengen Area

This type of visa is issued under very specific circumstances that are usually humanitarian in nature. This visa can be granted by a Schengen country or sometimes by a group of Schengen Area nations.

What are the Eligibility Criteria to Apply for a Schengen Visa?

The following are the eligibility requirements you must consider before starting with the Schengen business visa application process:

• You must be a non-European citizen holding a valid Indian passport.
• You must have a legal passport issued within the last 10 years of your stay in a Schengen country, and should be valid after a minimum of 3 months of your visit to the Schengen Area.
• The primary purpose of your visit to Schengen must align with the type of your Schengen visa.
• You have the supporting documents depicting your stay in the country.
• You must provide the necessary medical documents to meet the health requirements.
• You have sufficient funds to afford your expenses.
• You have the supporting documents to show your travel insurance.

How to Apply for a Schengen Visa?

Given below is a step-by-step application process for a Schengen visa:

Step 1: Download the Schengen visa application form online. Fill it out and take a printout of it. Handwritten forms are not allowed.

Step 2: You need to submit the printed hard copy of the Schengen visa application form in person at the application centre of the Schengen country you would like to visit. You can also send them through an authorised travel agent since you are not allowed to send visa application forms via post.

Step 3: After submission, book an appointment for a Schengen visa interview at your nearest application centre for fingerprints and photo biometric information. You can book it from the official website of the application centre or by contacting them for the same.

Step 4: You need to pay the required application fees at the centre on your appointment day. Visit the application centre with the required documents and attend the interview.

What are the Documents Required for a Schengen Visa?

Given below is a general list of the Schengen visa requirements:

Standard Documents Required for All Types of Schengen Visa:

• You must have a valid Indian passport, which should be valid up to a minimum of 6 months after you visit the Schengen country, with a minimum of three blank pages for visa stamps.
• A duly filled Schengen visa application form.
• Return flight tickets.
• Last three months' salary slips.
• Bank statements of the last six months.
• Income Tax Returns (ITR).
• A cover letter mentioning all your travel details for the entire duration of your stay in the country.
• Supporting documents to prove your stay in the country.
• Travel insurance documents.
• Invitation letter, if required, stating the dates of your entry and exit from the country.
• If your journey is sponsored by your company, you need to provide a letter from your employer confirming the same.
• Supporting documents to show a valid reason to visit the Schengen country for a specific number of times (for single, double & multiple entry visa).
• Passport size photograph as per the guidelines.

Please note that there can be additional requirements of documents. You can always confirm such details by contacting the nearest visa application centre of the Schengen country you are visiting.

How to get a Schengen Visa Accepted?

Having a Schengen visa accepted by the Embassy can never be a big deal as long as you provide all the required documents on time and follow the necessary guidelines. However, there are factors that can impact your Schengen visa application, which includes having travel insurance.

Buying travel insurance online is a great idea to secure yourself financially. It can provide you with financial coverage in case of unforeseen circumstances like loss of baggage, passports, cancellations of flights etc. Besides, travel insurance is one of the mandatory requirements to visit the Schengen Area.

You must also remember that you need to pass a visa interview to get your visa application accepted. Therefore, it is desirable that you research the commonly asked visa interview questions to prepare yourself well in advance.

Final Words

To conclude, travelling to the Schengen Area can be a great experience and fulfilling once you have everything properly planned. So make sure to get travel insurance online for a Schengen visa today and secure yourself a stress-free and memorable trip to the Schengen Area with your family.

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