What Does The Schengen Visitor Visa Look Like? The Schengen Visitor Visa is in the form of a sticker affixed to the blank page of the visitor’s passport. He presents this to the guard at the external border of the Schengen Zone. The border guard decides whether the visitor should enter the Schengen Zone or not.
Full Answer
How long can I stay in the Schengen Area with a visa?
The Uniform Schengen Visa (USV) allows its holder to travel and stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days every six month period. There are three types of Uniform Schengen visas: Single-entry visa. With a Single entry visa, you can enter a Schengen country only once and stay until the expiration of visa validity.
What do the labels on a Schengen visa mean?
Label “SURNAME, NAME”, “NOM, PRENOM” and “NAME, VORNAME” – is for the name and surname of the visa holder. Label “REMARKS”, “REMARQUES” and “BEMERKUNGEN” stand to tell the purpose of the visa holder behind their travel to the Schengen.
What is a Type D Schengen visa?
Additionally, National Visa (Type D) is a long stay visa which is not a Schengen visa. It allows access to a specific country rather than the entire Schengen area, and can be valid for longer than 90 days. Click here for more information about: Schengen Visa Types.
How do I know if my Schengen visa is valid?
Schengen Visa Validity. The embassy not only appoints the number of days you can stay in the Schengen territory, but also the earliest date you can enter and the last date when you can leave, which sometimes is confusing for many people. You can read the validity of your visa in the visa sticker in your passport.
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa Around the World?
For more information about visa requirements and application process for US, UK, Canadian and Australian residents, please read the following articles:
What is Schengen?
Schengen refers to the EU passport-free zone that covers most of the European countries. It’s the largest free travel area in the world.
How Much Does a European Visa Cost?
The cost of a Schengen visa fee is €80 per adults . Still, depending on the age of the applicant, nationality and some other factors, there are categories that will have to pay a lower fee or no fee at all.
Who Needs a Visa to Enter Europe?
All nationals of third countries , which have yet not reached a visa-liberalization agreement with the Schengen member states, need to obtain a visa prior of their arrival in Europe.
What is Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa?
Your Travel Medical Insurance should be valid for your whole stay in the Schengen Area, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 EUR for medical emergencies.
What is a Proof of Accommodation for Visa application?
You are required to submit a confirmed document that shows where you will be accommodated for your whole trip in the Schengen Area.
How long is a single entry visa valid?
The validity of your single-entry visa depends on the number of days you stated you are going to be in the Schengen zone on your visa application form and the actual decision of the consulate that issues you the Schengen visa.
What does "Schengen states" mean?
If next to those words is written «ETATS SCHENGEN» or «SCHENGEN STATES», then it means that the visa is valid in all Schengen states, and the visa holder can visit each of them, once inside the territory.
What does the number of entries mean in Schengen?
The label “NUMBER OF ENTRIES”, “NOMBRE D’ETNREES” and “ANZAHL DER EINREISEN” stands for the number of times a person is permitted to enter the Schengen Area.
What does "C" mean in visa?
Label «C» – stands for the visa type C – or short-stay visa, that does not permit the holder to stay more than 3 months in the Schengen Area. Label «D» – stands for the visa type D – or long-term visa, which permits the holder to stay more than 3 months.
What does "ETATS SCHENGEN" mean?
Whereas, if the visa contains the following label «ETATS SCHENGEN (-country acronym)» – then this means the visa is valid for all Schengen countries, expect for that country i.e. expect Sweden if the label is «ETATS SCHENGEN (-S)». You will be unable to enter depending on the country code after the minus sign.
What languages are on a Schengen visa?
The visa sticker information is provided in three languages: English, French and German.
What is a visa sticker?
A visa sticker always contains information on the countries that its holder is permitted to visit.
What does the label "type de visa" mean?
The labels “TYPE OF VISA”, “TYPE DE VISA” and “VISA TYP” stand to tell the type of visa you have obtained which may be: Label «A» – stands for the visa type A- Airport visa, that does not permit the holder to pass the “international airport zone”. Label «C» – stands for the visa type C – or short-stay visa, that does not permit ...
How long is a Schengen visa valid?
Schengen visas are valid for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Also known as the 90/180 rule, this means that you can stay in the Schengen area for a total of 90 days with a Schengen visa. Validity is different from duration of stay.
Who Should Apply for a Schengen Visa?
Only nationals from certain countries are exempt from possessing a visa when travelling across the external borders of the Schengen states. If you are from one of the 103 countries which is not exempt, and are planning on travelling to a Schengen state, you will likely need to obtain a Schengen visa. Additionally, nationals from those same countries may need to obtain a Schengen transit visa if they are transiting through international airports located in the Schengen area.
What is a Schengen sticker?
A Schengen Visa Sticker is what you will receive if you are approved for a Schengen visa. Essentially your Schengen visa, it is pasted onto one of the free pages of your passport, providing you access to enter the Schengen area.
How long can you stay in the Schengen area?
Travelers with Schengen visas can remain within the Schengen area for a short stay-up to 90 days within a 180-day time period.
How many photos are needed for a Schengen visa?
Two Photos . Click here for more information about: Photo Requirements for Schengen Visa.
Do you have to apply through a consulate if you are not legally present?
If you must apply through a consulate/center located in a country where you are currently legally present, but where you do not legally reside, you must have a valid reason for doing so.
Is single entry valid for Schengen?
Single Entry (valid for just one entry to the Schengen area).
What type of visa is a Schengen visa?
A Schengen visa can be of type A or type C.
Who Needs a Schengen Visa?
Citizens of 62 countries can travel to Schengen area without a visa for 90 days in 180 days. If your country is not in the list, you need a Schengen visa.
How Much Money do you Need to Show for Schengen Visa?
This depends on the time you are planning to spend in the Schengen area, and the country that will process your application, and your itinerary.
How Long Can I Stay In Europe With a Schengen Visa?
As per the guidelines of European commission, You can stay in the Schengen area for 90 days maximum within a period of 180 days. But this is not by default. This will be decided by the amount of days you got on your visa, depending on your itinerary. It can be longer or shorter than what you asked for, but it’s never gonna be more than 90 days.
Can I Change My Itinerary After Getting a Schengen Visa?
Yes, you certainly can. You can even visit the countries that you haven’t mentioned in your original cover letter. But to be on the safe side, it’s best to land in the country that issued your Schengen visa.
Can I Visit Non-Schengen Countries with a Schengen Visa?
Yes, there are various countries in Europe, Asia and South America that you can visit with a valid Schengen visa.
What documents are needed for a Schengen visa?
A Schengen visa application can require many documents such as proof of accommodation, Schengen visa flight itinerary, proof of financial stability among many others. Depending on your age, employment status, and marital situation, the list of documents will only get longer.
What does the sticker on a Schengen visa mean?
If you have a Uniform Schengen Visa, your visa is valid for entry to the entire Schengen area, and your visa sticker will therefore read: Schengen states.
What is a Schengen visa sticker?
If you are approved for a Schengen visa, you will receive a Schengen visa sticker. Technically described as the “format” for a Schengen visa , this document is essentially your Schengen visa.
What happens if you double enter Schengen?
If you do, your visa becomes invalid, and you will be unable to return to the Schengen area until you get a new one. A double entry allows you two entries to the Schengen area; upon entering the area, you are allowed to leave it and return to it one time throughout the duration of your validity period.
Why is a visa sticker called a visa sticker?
Your Schengen visa is called a “visa sticker” because it is stuck to (pasted) onto one of the free pages of your passport/travel document. This visa sticker is the “document” allowing you to enter the Schengen area.
What is a uniform Schengen visa?
Uniform Schengen Visas allow you access to the entire Schengen Area.
What happens if you stay in the Schengen area longer than the number of days?
If your time in the Schengen area is longer than the number of days between “DURATION OF STAY…DAYS”, you will have violated the terms of your visa. You must leave the Schengen area by the date preceding “UNTIL”, even if you have stayed in the Schengen area for less than the number of days under “DURATION OF STAY…DAYS.
How long can you stay in the Schengen area?
For Schengen visas, the duration of stay cannot exceed 90 days. Please note, the period of time between “FROM…UNTIL” often exceeds the number of days following the “DURATION OF STAY”. This is intended to allow you to better plan your dates of arrival and departure to/from the Schengen area/territory.
What Does a Schengen Visa Look Like?
If the authorities decide to grant you a Schengen visa, they will attach it in form of a sticker to the blank pages of your passport. It looks like this:
What Are The Types of Schengen Visas?
You can get a Schengen Visa if you are traveling to Europe for the following purpose:
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa?
To have a successful Schengen visa application, you must go through these simple steps:
What Additional Documents Do I Need to Present at the Schengen Port of Entry?
You will need to present some additional documents at the Schengen port of entry, aside from your passport with the visa sticker on it. You will also have to provide:
Can I Get My Schengen Visa Extended?
In order to get your visa extended, you must have a very strong reason behind it as:
Why Would a Schengen Visa Application Be Denied?
Some of the most common reasons why Schengen visa applications are rejected are as follows:
What Can I do In Case of Schengen Visa Rejection?
On the day you go to receive your answer regarding your application, if rejected, you will receive a paper that indicates the reasons behind the visa denial. There you will also have included the procedures and deadlines for submitting an appeal.
How do I read a Schengen Visa sticker?
If you have been granted a Schengen Visa, you will obtain a visa sticker to be put into your passport. The visa sticker information is provided in three languages: English, French, and German.
What are the labels for Schengen?
The labels «SURNAME, NAME», «NOM, PRENOM» and «NAME, VORNAME» are followed by your first and your family name. The labels «REMARKS», «REMARQUES» and «BEMERKUNGEN» state the purpose of your travel to the Schengen Area, such as work, tourism, or medical reasons.
What does "etats Schengen" mean?
If the words next to this are « ETATS SCHENGEN » or «SCHENGEN STATES», then it means that the visa is valid in all Schengen countries, and you can travel throughout the Schengen Area.
What does "mult" mean on a visa?
The label «MULT» –means that the holder is authorized to enter the Schengen Area as often as they wish, during the period for which the visa is valid. The label «1» means that the holder is authorized to enter the Schengen Area once. The label «2» – means that the holder is authorized to enter twice.
What happens if you are deported from the Schengen Area?
You could face deportation and sanctions- including a ban from the Schengen Area or a fine. It will also mean future applications take longer to process.
What is a visa sticker?
A visa sticker always contains information on the countries you are permitted to enter. The phrases «VALID FOR», « VALABLE POUR » and « GULTIG FUR » are set before the name of the countries your visa allows you to visit.
What is a C visa?
Label «C» – stands for the C type visa, or the standard short-stay visa, allowing you to stay up to three months in the Schengen Area.
