This content was updated in July 2022
The Schengen Area consists of 26 countries, each with a unique charm. There are countries we travel to more frequently, such as Spain, Italy, and France, but there are others that we do not prioritize, and they are all so diverse they deserve a visit.
If you want to visit these beautiful countries, the best decision is to get the EU Schengen Visa; our professionals at iVisa will be able to help you and give you all the information you need.
Please review the questions below to get more information about everything you need to process your EU Schengen Visa.
We have thoroughly elaborated an easy application form to process your EU Schengen Visa. Additionally, you can count on our experts to help you with everything you need.
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What is the EU Schengen Visa?
The EU Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa that allows holders to enter any country in the Schengen zone without border controls. It is the most common visa in Europe. It will be introduced and mandatory as of May 2023, which means some nationalities must apply for one of the available Schengen Visas.
Schengen member countries:
The Schengen area consists of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Other Schengen countries are not part of the European Union, but they are part of the Schengen Area. These countries are Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
If you’re not from the European Union or a Schengen country, a visa may be needed for traveling to any of the 26 European countries that have agreed to become what is known as the Schengen zone. These countries have relaxed border control for easier travel between them. They have also agreed to develop a uniform visa process for foreign nationals known as the Schengen visa.
The Schengen Visa can also be used to enter any other Schengen country, as long as your visa has not expired.
There will be four different types of Schengen visas available. Let’s take a quick look at each visa and who they are for:
- Type A: This is the airport transit visa. It allows foreign travelers to make connecting flights in a Schengen country if applicable to their nationality. You can not leave the airport with this type of visa.
- Type C: The Type C visa is a tourist visa. It can either be single entry, double-entry, or multiple entry and can last for up to 5 years, each visit not lasting more than 90 days within a 180-day period.
- Type D: This is a long stay visa for foreign nationals looking to reside long-term in any of the Schengen countries and is mainly for students, workers, and non-tourism purposes.
Who is eligible for the EU Schengen Visa?
Anyone wishing to travel to any of the 26 countries that comprise the Schengen area from a country that does not have a visa waiver agreement must apply for an EU Schengen Visa. You can use the iVisa Visa Checker widget to determine if you require a visa for your nationality.
Countries with a visa waiver agreement with the Schengen Area do not need to apply for the EU Schengen visa.
Citizens of more than 100 countries who are not exempt from obtaining a Schengen Visa and want to visit The Schengen zone must obtain one, see below:
| Afghanistan | Algeria | Angola | Armenia | Azerbaijan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bahrain | Bangladesh | Belarus | Belize | Benin |
| Bhutan | Bolivia | Botswana | Burkina Faso | Burundi |
| Cambodia | Cameroon | Cape Verde | Central African Republic | Chad |
| China | Comoros | Congo | Côte D’Ivoire | Cuba |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | Djibouti | Dominican Republic | Ecuador | Egypt |
| Equatorial Guinea | Eritrea | Eswatini | Ethiopia | Fiji |
| Gabon | Gambia | Ghana | Guinea | Guinea-Bissau |
| Guyana | Haiti | India | Indonesia | Iran |
| Iraq | Jamaica | Jordan | Kazakhstan | Kenya |
| Kosovo | Kuwait | Kyrgyzstan | Laos | Lebanon |
| Lesotho | Liberia | Libya | Madagascar | Malawi |
| Maldives | Mali | Mauritania | Mongolia | Morocco |
| Mozambique | Myanmar | Namibia | Nepal | Niger |
| Nigeria | North Korea | Northern Marianas | Oman | Pakistan |
| Papua New Guinea | Palestinian Authority | Philippines | Qatar | Russia |
| Rwanda | São Tomé and Príncipe | Saudi Arabia | Senegal | Sierra Leone |
| Somalia | South Africa | South Sudan | Sri Lanka | Sudan |
| Suriname | Syria | Tajikistan | Tanzania | Thailand |
| Timor-Leste | Togo | Tonga | Tunisia | Turkey |
| Turkmenistan | Uganda | Uzbekistan | Vanuatu | Vietnam |
| Yemen | Zambia | Zimbabwe |
If your country is not on this list, and you are not part of the Schengen countries list or the European Union then you will most likely have to apply for an ETIAS as of May 2023. Read more about it here.
How long is the EU Schengen Visa valid?
It is a short-term visa that allows you to enter any Schengen country for a stay of 90 days within a 180 day-period for tourist or business purposes. You will be able to apply for a single entry visa or a multiple entry visa.
Travel requirements and required documents for the EU Schengen Visa?
To obtain your EU Schengen visa, iVisa will ask you for some necessary documents to start the process. You have to submit the following documents:
- Visa application form - This must be filled out and signed. The form is personal and must be completed by each traveler.
- Valid passport - Issued within the last 10 years with a validity of at least 3 months beyond the date of departure from the Schengen area. If you have older passports with stamped visas, you must also attach them.
- Digital Photo - The photo size must be 35x40mm, with a sharp focus. In color, not black and white, with a neutral expression. It must have been taken within the last 6 months.
- We offer passport photo service, so you can get one digitally in a short time. In case you do not have one.
- Complete reservation or itinerary of your trip - Air tickets with the reservation code specifying the flight routes within Europe, with departure and arrival dates.
- Travel insurance policy - Document certifying that you have medical insurance covering the entire Schengen State, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros for illness or accident, that meets the criteria of the visa application form.
- Proof of accommodation - Any document proving where you will be staying:
- Hotel reservation.
- Letter of invitation from the host of the house you visit.
- The travel itinerary confirmation from a tour operator.
- Proof of financial means - Proof that you have sufficient funds for your stay in the Schengen area; this can be:
- Bank statement: showing that you have enough money in your account to make the trip. The bank statement must not be older than 3 months.
- Sponsorship letter: You need one if you have no financial means and someone wants to support your trip. For the letter to be valid, the person that signs the letter must present a bank statement no more than 3 months old.
- A valid email address - Your current email address to send you the form. Please check your spam folder in case it does not arrive in your inbox.
- A credit or debit card for payment - iVisa accepts credit and debit cards. We cannot accept cash payments.
Do I need an EU Schengen Visa to transit through the Schengen Area?
If you make a connection at an airport in the Schengen area, you will need an Airport Transit Visa, even if you do not leave the terminal.
Please note that if you make two or more connections in the Schengen area, you will no longer be able to obtain the Airport Transit Schengen Visa; in case of more connections, you need to apply for the EU Schengen Visa.
How do I apply for the EU Schengen Visa with iVisa?
The steps to obtain your EU Schengen visa are very simple. Here, we explain how to apply for it with iVisa:
- Step 1: - Please fill out our online form with your information. Then, review all the required documents and get a scanned copy of each.
- Step 2: - Once you have completed and reviewed the form, select the processing time you need with the documents on hand. We offer 3 processing options depending on your travel demands.
- Step 3: - After choosing the processing time, you need to make the payment and submit the form with all the required documentation to process your visa.
Once iVisa has processed and approved the application, it will send the documents to you within the time frame selected by email. We recommend checking your spam if it does not arrive in your inbox.
We also recommend saving your documents on your mobile device and printing them out, so they would be easier to show if requested at the entrance control.
What are the costs and processing time of the EU Schengen Visa?
Obtaining the EU Schengen Visa generally takes 15 to 20 days. In some cases, it can be extended. But if you need to process your visa in a shorter time, you can do it through iVisa.
- Standard Processing Time: This option requires some time for visa processing. It is the best one if you are not in a hurry to travel.
- Rush Processing Time: This option allows you to process your visa faster than the standard processing time.
- Super Rush Processing Time: If you need your visa urgently, this is the fastest option.
Do minors need an EU Schengen Visa?
Minors need a visa to travel. Must be filled out a Schengen visa separate form with the required documents.
Both parents must fill out the visa application. In addition, if one of the parents has custody, they must submit a custody document.
The documents you need to send are:
- Copy of passports of both parents.
- Copy of the child's birth certificate.
COVID-19 requirements or restrictions
Do I need to take a COVID-19 test or bring a vaccination certificate before traveling to the EU?
Many European countries no longer have travel restrictions for COVID-19. However, there are still some countries that have some restrictions on entry, including Spain and The Netherlands. You should make an effort to check individual country requirements before your trip in case of any changes.
Do I need to quarantine when I get to the EU?
Quarantine is not required, however, make sure you check first with the correct embassy for the country, or Schengen countries, that you want to visit.
What happens when I enter Europe with an EU Schengen Visa?
If you are traveling to Europe with an EU Schengen visa, check that all documents are in order upon arrival in a Schengen country, the country that is your first port of entry, and any others you plan to visit.
Where can I contact you?
If you have questions about the process of getting your EU Schengen visa, our highly qualified customer service team advisors will be able to assist you. Also, you can write to us at [email protected], and we'll help you as soon as possible.