One Visa to Visit Them All – Common Questions About Schengen Visa Answered
Europe – a continent packed with everything from snowy mountains, to small sleepy towns, to bustling big cities, to stunning beaches. It’s difficult to describe Europe in a few words or to experience it fully by just visiting one of its countries. The second smallest continent in the world has a lot to offer. Literature has been written about it, its beauty has been captured in a variety of films and legends have been born here.
Wouldn’t you like to visit Europe and experience it for yourself? To do that, you need one visa. One visa that will unlock multiple countries, multiple experiences, multiple cultures and more.
It’s called a Schengen visa.
Now, before you book your tickets, you’ll have questions about the Schengen visa application, Schengen countries, Schengen visa requirements and more. Here we’ve put together a list of the common questions people ask when applying for a Schengen visa. Check it out and see if we’ve answered all of yours!
What is a Schengen visa?
A Schengen visa allows you to visit all 26 countries in the Schengen area. This means that you won’t need to apply for an individual visa for each country. You can explore these amazing countries for 90 days, over a 180-day period.
Which countries fall under the Schengen region?
The Schengen agreement was signed in 1985, by five members of the European Economic Community. Now, almost 33 years later the list has expanded to 26 countries. So, before you book your tickets and plan your trip, take a look at the list below and decide which countries you’d like to visit. The Schengen visa makes it possible!
- Denmark
- Austria
- Estonia
- Belgium
- Sweden
- Czech Republic
- Finland
- France
- Greece
- Hungary
- Germany
- Iceland
- Slovenia
- Latvia
- Italy
- Malta
- Spain
- Portugal
- Luxembourg
- Poland
- Lichtenstein
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
- Slovakia
- Norway
Am I eligible for a Schengen visa?
Indian citizens are eligible to apply for a Schengen visa and can apply at any embassy of the 26-member nations of the Schengen agreement.
How much does a Schengen visa cost?
On average, a Schengen visa costs:
- Adults (13 years and above): EUR 60
- Children (6 to 12 years): EUR 35
- Below the age of 5 children : No fee charged
What kind of documents do I need to keep ready for the visa?
The following are the documents you’ll need to keep ready for the Schengen visa. However, depending on the kind of visa you are applying for (tourist/work/ business/ transit) you may need to provide additional documents. Start with these core documents:
- Passport
- Filled and signed application form
- Passport sized photographs
- Cover letter to the embassy
- Proof of airline reservation
- Day to day itinerary
- Valid medical insurance for the duration of your trip (minimum coverage EUR 30,000)
- Bank statement of 6 months
- Income Tax Returns for the last 3 years
- Payslips for the last 3 months
You can check out a more detailed list of documents here on part 1 of the Schengen Visa Blog
Which embassy should I apply to for my visa?
The Schengen visa can seem complicated as it represents an entry to 26 different countries. Luckily, the application process is incredibly straightforward. Your Schengen visa should be issued by the country where you’ll spend the majority of your trip. If your trip is divided equally across the countries you intend to visit, then you can apply for a visa from the country you plan to enter first. Once you’ve planned your trip, you can decide accordingly and apply.
How long does a Schengen visa take?
Based on general EU guidelines, your Schengen visa should take 2 weeks to process. However, if you want to be on the safe side, it’s better to apply 30-60 days in advance. That way, you have more than enough time to anticipate your trip instead of worrying up until the last minute.
The extra time also allows the consulate or embassy to review your application and ask for any additional information or documentation if it is required.
You cannot apply for a Schengen visa any earlier than 3 months before your departure date.
What is the difference between single entry and multiple entry Schengen visa?
With a single-entry visa, you can visit the Schengen region only once and you will not be allowed to re-enter once you have departed. A multiple-entry Schengen visa allows you to enter the Schengen area multiple times within the visa’s validity of 90 days, over a time period of 6 months. The multiple entry Schengen visa’s validitiy can go up to 3-5 years.
Under what circumstances can you extend a Schengen visa?
There are only certain circumstances when you are permitted to extend your Schengen visa. (Unfortunately, you cannot extend it simply to holiday for longer). The decision to extend is taken on a case-by-case basis, under the following circumstances:
- Force Majeure – an unforeseen or unavoidable situation
- Humanitarian reasons
- Serious personal reasons that do not allow the visitor to leave the Schengen area before the visa validity expires
What if my Schengen visa application gets rejected?
If your Schengen visa application is rejected, don’t lose hope! You can always apply to a different embassy for a Schengen visa. For instance, if your visa application was rejected by the French embassy, you can always apply for a visa through the Italian embassy. Each time you apply for a visa, it is viewed as a fresh application.
What are some of the reasons my Schengen visa could get rejected?
There are 6 common reasons why your Schengen visa could get rejected.
- Submitting inauthentic or fraudulent documents
- Your reasons to visit weren’t specified or very clear
- Your proof of funds was not enough to sustain you through the duration of your trip
- Proof of adequate or valid medical insurance was not provided
- Proof of accommodation was not provided
- The embassy cannot ascertain if there are enough reasons that you will leave the Schengen area after your trip is over
Do I need to attend an interview for a Schengen visa?
Once you have submitted your documents and applied for your Schengen visa, you will need to meet with consular officials and answer questions pertaining to your trip to Europe.
What is the embassy looking for during a Schengen visa interview?
The questions in a Schengen visa do not just range around the documents and application details that you have provided. Here, the interviewer may ask you more personal questions, such as your reasons for the trip, whether you have friends and family in the Schengen region, your intentions to return to your home country, your marital status and more. The job of the interview is to look for signs of hesitation or unwillingness to explain your reasons. However, as long as you stay focused, calm and are completely forthcoming about your reasons for visiting the continent, there’s really no need to feel stressed or hassled about the visa interview.
What documents should I carry while visiting a Schengen country?
When you’re travelling across countries in the Schengen region, you’ll need to carry your passport and visa. Your passport needs to be valid for at least 3-6 months and was issued in the last 10 years. However, when you’re crossing borders of countries, border officials might request additional documents. You may need to provide an invitation letter, proof of accommodation and your return or round-trip ticket. You can contact the local consular services of the EU countries you are visiting to find out the precise list of documents.
You can also carry your travel, health or car insurance documents, in case they are required.
