How to Apply for Schengen visa?
Who doesn’t want to visit Europe? it’s a melting pot of the world. Foreign citizen planning to visit Europe should apply for Schengen travel visa. In the below steps we will explain all information about the Schengen visa application.
- Choose which Schengen country to issue your visa:
Some foreign nationals often make a mistake when choosing the Schengen state they will submit their Schengen visa application to thinking they should choose one of the easiest Schengen visa countries. However there is an official rule that you can only submit your visa to Schengen country application to the country of main destination. However, you can still visit several Schengen countries and number of European country if you have valid Schengen visa type C or Schengen national visa.
This means if you are planning to visit several Schengen countries during your first visit to the Schengen area then you must get your Schengen visas from the Schengen zone country where you will stay the longest number of days.
However, if you will stay an equal amount of time in all Schengen countries you are planning to visit then you must submit your Schengen visa application and Schengen visa documents to the embassy of the Schengen space country you will visit first.
If you are transiting through one Schengen country then most likely you will not need a visa however if you will need to change airports you will require airport transit visa.
- Book your Schengen visa appointment well in advance:
All 26 Schengen member countries who signed the Schengen agreement require a prior appointment to be booked before you can submit your Schengen visa application and documents. The standard Schengen visa processing time is 15 business days which means once you have submitted your Schengen visa requirements and biometrics your passport will be kept at the Schengen country's embassy visa section for 15 business days.
During high tourism season the number of people applying for Schengen visas online increases tremendously and obtaining an early Schengen visa appointment becomes a big challenge to most travelers. Therefore VisaTitans experts advise you to take advantage of the Schengen visa validity and to make your Schengen visa appointment booking at least 6 weeks before your travel date to ensure you will have an appointment closer to your intended travel date.
- Submit your Schengen visa application in person:
On the appointment date the visa applicant must reach the Schengen country's relevant embassy, consulate Schengen visa centre at least 15 minutes before your Schengen visa appointment time. You should have all Schengen visa required documents including your Schengen visa application form and Schengen travel insurance on you and have them sorted in order.
During the appointment you will also submit your biometrics which is your ten finger prints and facial print.
- Receive your passport:
While submitting your Schengen visa application form and Schengen visa requirement you will be given the choice to subscribe for additional services such as SMS notification and courier delivery service. You will be required to pay additional visa fee to the Schengen visas application centre if choose any of these services.
The Schengen visa could be single entry, double entry or Schengen multiple entry visa. The Schengen visa can be used to visit several countries in the Schengen area.
Based on the additional services you have chosen you will be notified by SMS that your passport is ready for collection from the Schengen visa application centre or it will be delivered to your previously chosen address. Take advantage of VisaTitans' vast experience in Schengen visa processing and apply now online!
