Information about Schengen Visas

Visiting Europe is a dream for many travelers around the world. With its rich history, diverse cultures, stunning landscapes, and iconic landmarks, Europe offers a wealth of experiences to explore. However, not everyone is lucky enough just to pack and travel to Europe. For some people, the travel experience is a bit different and includes obtaining a visa, more specifically, a Schengen visa.

The Schengen Visa is a European short-stay visa that allows its holder to travel throughout the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within 180 days. For more information, visit the official Schengen Visa Info website.

The Schengen Visa allows its holder to travel freely within the Schengen Area, which includes 29 European countries. It’s intended for short stays of up to 90 days for purposes like tourism, business, or family visits.

There are three main types of Schengen Visas: Single-entry, Double-entry, and Multiple-entry. Each type determines how many times you can enter and exit the Schengen Area during the visa’s validity period.

The standard processing time is 15 calendar days from the date of application submission. However, it can take up to 45 days in cases where additional documentation or a more detailed review is needed.

You can apply as early as six months before your planned travel date. To avoid delays, it's recommended to apply at least three to four weeks before your trip.

Processing times may vary depending on the embassy or consulate’s workload, the time of year, and the completeness of your application. It’s important to plan ahead to ensure your visa is ready on time.

Some Schengen countries allow you to fill out the visa application form online, but you will still need to visit the embassy, consulate, or visa application center to submit your biometric data and supporting documents. Check the specific requirements of the country you are applying to. For example:

• VFS Global provides online application services for many Schengen countries.
• Germany allows online form submission via the VIDEX platform.

While some steps can be completed online, you must visit the appropriate office to finalize the application process.

A Schengen Visa allows you to visit the 29 countries in the Schengen Area, including:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Switzerland

In addition to Schengen countries, some non-Schengen countries also allow entry with a valid Schengen Visa, such as:

• Albania
• Turkey
• Montenegro
• Serbia