Schengen Visa Requirements and Application Guidelines

What Type of Visa Do I Need to Enter Schengen Territory

Your visa application process depends on the purpose under which you wish to visit this country. That is why you should check what type of  visa for short-stays you need before you start the application process.

Depending on your purpose of entry and stay in , you can apply for one of the following Schengen visa types for :

  • Airport Transit VisaPermits you to land in one of the  airports to take a flight that will take you to a non-Schengen country.
  • Transit Visa. Mostly for seafarers who need to embark at a  port to take another vessel back to their non-Schengen home country or their destination country.
  • Tourist/Visitor Visa. Permits you to visit  for holidays or exploring,  sightseeing or visiting friends and family.
  • Business Allows you to enter  under the purpose of attending a business meeting or other business-related activities.

What Documents Are Required for a Schengen Visa Application?

  • The statutory visa requirements are as follows:

    • Visa application form. Fulfill the form with your computer, print it and the sign it at the end.
    • Two passport photos. The photos should be identical and comply with the photograph requirementsfor  Schengen visa application.
    • Your valid passport. As mentioned above, make sure your passport has:
      • Two blank pages in order to affix visa
      • Is not older than 10 years,
      • Has a validity of at least three more months beyond the date you plan to leave and the whole territory of Schengen.
    • Copies of your previous visas (if applicable).
    • Travel Health Insurance. Evidence that shows you have travel health insurance that covers the whole Schengen territory, including , and any type of medical emergencies with a minimum of 30,000€.
    • Round-trip Flight Itinerary. A document that shows you have a booked flight, to enter and leave . This document should specify flight numbers, dates, and your details.
    • Proof of accommodation. Evidence that shows where you will be stayingthroughout your time in  e. a hotel reservation.
    • Proof of civil status. This could be a marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, etc.

    Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay \

    . You must be able to attest that you have around 67.24€ per each day you plan to spend in , if staying in a hotel, while if staying in a hostel or similar cheaper means of accommodation, then the required amount of financial means is around 47.07€.

    • A cover letter.A personal letter in which you explain why you are applying to visit , how long you plan to stay, when will you leave and other details.

    Additional  Visa Requirements Based on Your Employment Status

The additional visa requirements depending on your occupational status are as follows:

If employed:

  • Employment contract
  • Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
  • Leave permission from the employer
  • Income Tax Return (ITR) form or

If self-employed:

  • A copy of your business license
  • Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
  • Income Tax Return (ITR)

If a student:

  • Proof of enrollment
  • No-objection certificate from school or university
  • Advertisements

If retired:

  • Pension statement of the latest 6 months

If applicable:

  • Proof of regular income generated by property, for the last 6 months

>> NOC (No-objection certificate)

Additional Visa Requirements for Minors

Minors applying to get a short-stay visa to , or parents applying for their minor child to get a visa, will need to complete the following additional  Visa Requirements in their application file:

  • Birth certificateof the minor traveling to .
  • application form signed by both parents.
  • Family court order.In cases where only one parent has full custody over the child.
  • Certified copies ofID / passport of both parents.
  • A notarized parental authorizationto travel to , signed by both parents / guardians if the minor will be travelling alone.

*Note: When applying at the  embassy/consulate in home country, the guardian or parent should accompany their under-age children.

Additional Requirements Based on the Purpose of Entry to

According to your purpose of entry to , you will need to provide some additional documents. Following find the additional  visa requirements based on your purpose of traveling to .

  • Required Documents for an Airport Transit Schengen Visa to

    When applying to obtain a  Airport Transit visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

    • A valid visa(if needed) for the final country one is travelling to.
    • The flight ticketfor the final country you are travelling to.

    For more detailed  airport visa requirements, please read the following article “ Visa for Airport Transit“!

    Required Documents for a Transit Schengen Visa to

    When applying to obtain a  Transit visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

    • A valid visa(if required) for the final country you are travelling to.
    • The ticketfor the final country you are travelling to.
    • Original and photocopy of Seaman’s book(required only for seafarers).
    • Letter from the inviting Shipping Company. Issued by the inviting Shipping Company in the Schengen country in which the seafarer will disembark (required only for seafarers).
    • Employment contract. Contract with the navigation company / ship in order to board the ship (required only for seafarers).

    Required Documents for a Business Schengen Visa to

    When applying to obtain a  Business visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

    • Invitation letter from the company you will be visiting and their detailed address accompanied with the dates of your visit.
    • A dispatch letter from your employer. In this letter should be stated why you will be traveling to .
    • Business bank statement.Preferably for the last 6 months.
    • Memorandum and Article of Association. It should be submitted in original certified copy (registered with joint stock companies).
    • Trade License(first issued and present renewal).
    • Proof of trip financing. Regarding the applicant’s expenses during their stay in , either the employer or the partner company must state coverage of expenses on the letter or invitation.

    Required Documents for a Student Schengen Visa to

    When applying to get a  Student visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

    • No objection letterfrom the educational institution where you are currently enrolled (if applicable).
    • Internship agreement.Signed between the company in , the establishment of origin and the trainee.

    Required Documents for a Medical Schengen Visa to

    When applying to get a visa to receive medical care in , you must provide the following additional documents:

    • A local medical report. Issued from a doctor / clinic / hospital in your home country, confirming that you need medical treatment in .
    • A medical attestation from the hospital or doctor in , confirming the date of your appointment as well as your medical situation. It should also confirm that the hospital can perform the specific medical treatment and that you will be accepted accordingly.
    • Proof of financial arrangement made.
    • Official confirmationof the treatment/appointment by the receiving medical institution (hospital/clinic) in

    Required Documents for a Schengen Visa to  for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes

    When applying to get a  visa under the purpose of attending a Cultural / Sports / Religious Event in  you must provide the following additional documents:

    • Event Information. As:
      • Invitation letter from the relevant bodyin  with details upon the nature of events or activities that are to be held in .
      • Entry ticketsto the event.
      • Enrollment conditions.
      • Detailed program of the event in .
      • Other documentsthat present Names of the applicants (crew members) and other relevant information about the event.
    • Proof of previous performances. Participation in previous festivals and ceremonies (cultural, religious), sports competitions, winners certificates, proof of world/international ranking (sports).

    Required Documents for a  Schengen Visa for the Wife/Husband of a  Citizen

    When applying to get a  visa as the spouse of a  national/citizen, you must provide the following additional documents:

    • Proof of citizenship (ID card or consular card or certification of  nationality or naturalization order).
    • marriage certificate.
    • family record book.

     Schengen Visa for Members of Official Delegations

    When applying to get a  visa as a member of an official delegation, you must provide the following additional documents:

    • The official invitation copy.
    • Evidence about the purposeof journey (negotiations, meetings, event by intergovernmental organizations, consultations).
    • Aside of , you will not visit any other Schengen country.
    • You will visit more Schengen states, but  is your main destination, which means:
      • You will be spending more days in , than in the other countries.
      • You will be spending an equal amount of days in each country, but you will enter the Schengen Zone through .

    Moreover, you will be permitted to file a  short-stay visa application at a  Embassy / Consulate / VAC only if you are a:

    • A citizen of the country from where you are applying.
    • A foreign citizen on a permanent / temporary residence permit in the country from where you are applying.

    You cannot apply for a short-stay  visa from a country in which you are currently on a visa.

    How Much Does It Cost to Apply for a  Visa?

    Schengen Visa fee is €80 for adults and €40 for children under the age of 12. Moreover, according to applicant’s nationality, purpose of visit and some other factors, there are some categories of applicants exempt from paying the fee, and others that need to pay a lower amount as well.

    Check the list of the  Schengen Visa fees, to see if you belong to any of these categories!