Schengen Visa: Essential things to know about it

You must have heard a lot about Schengen visas from people planning a trip to Europe. Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows visitors to travel to and within the Schengen region, which comprises 27 European nations. All these 27 nations don’t have passports or border control.

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What is the Schengen Area?: The Schengen Area consists of European nations that have agreed to remove internal border controls and allowed passport-free travel between them.

Types of Schengen Visas: So, there are tourist visas, business visas, transit visas, and more. Your purpose of visit decides the type of visa.

How long can you stay with this visa?: Schengen visas are for short stays, up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Process of applying: To apply for a Schengen visa, people need to submit an application to the embassy or consulate of that particular Schengen country they plan to visit first or spend the most time in. Apply a few weeks before.



Documents needed: A completed visa application form, passport-sized photos, a valid passport, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, proof of financial means, and a cover letter explaining the purpose of your trip are the important docs needed.

Visa Fees: Know this, that it’s a non-refundable fee when it comes to the Schengen visa application. The fee depends on the country and the type of visa.

Time taken: Schengen visa process time might vary and depends on several factors. It can take several weeks to process your application.

Travel Insurance: Travel insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation for the entire duration of the stay is a must.

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Visa overstay is a violation: Overstaying a Schengen visa is a violation of law that can lead to fines, deportation, and a ban too.